Resting between cycles in LOW MAX,..and why step ?

[rgs424]

Cathe,

I have 2 questions...

1. I am an intermediate exeriser who absolutey LOVES your workouts. I currently began doing LOW MAX, just the first 4 cycles. In between each cycle, I literally pause the DVD and I take like a 1-2 minute break (to hydrate and catch my breath). Does taking this break slow down the building up of my cardio endurance and stamina ? Should I try to omit these breaks ? I wonder if, by taking these mini-breaks, I land up hindering my progress.

2.Since you have been producing exercise videos, doing STEP has been the primary way of doing cardio. Why is this ? Do you feel that is how a person can get the "biggest bang for the buck" ? Or is it just a favorite of yours ? I am curious to know.

Thank You !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rgs424]

Cathe,

I have 2 questions...

1. I am an intermediate exeriser who absolutey LOVES your workouts. I currently began doing LOW MAX, just the first 4 cycles. In between each cycle, I literally pause the DVD and I take like a 1-2 minute break (to hydrate and catch my breath). Does taking this break slow down the building up of my cardio endurance and stamina ? Should I try to omit these breaks ? I wonder if, by taking these mini-breaks, I land up hindering my progress.

2.Since you have been producing exercise videos, doing STEP has been the primary way of doing cardio. Why is this ? Do you feel that is how a person can get the "biggest bang for the buck" ? Or is it just a favorite of yours ? I am curious to know.

Thank You !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi RQS! Your goal should be to gradually shorten your breaks to where you don't need to pause at all (other than of course to get a sip of water here in there). As you get stronger this will happen naturally. Another thing you can try doing is lowering your step height to 4 inches and work your way up to 6 or 8 inches. You may find that this keeps you from needing those longer breaks.

As for step as a primary source of cardio, I'm a believer of cross training. I think people should do a variety of cardio activities. I filmed mostly step workouts in the past because I enjoy creating step choreography plus the step itself has a built in shock absorbing surface which is very user friendly to the home exerciser (my target audience).

Thanks for asking and take care

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi RQS! Your goal should be to gradually shorten your breaks to where you don't need to pause at all (other than of course to get a sip of water here in there). As you get stronger this will happen naturally. Another thing you can try doing is lowering your step height to 4 inches and work your way up to 6 or 8 inches. You may find that this keeps you from needing those longer breaks.

As for step as a primary source of cardio, I'm a believer of cross training. I think people should do a variety of cardio activities. I filmed mostly step workouts in the past because I enjoy creating step choreography plus the step itself has a built in shock absorbing surface which is very user friendly to the home exerciser (my target audience).

Thanks for asking and take care

 

[teachreef]

RQS,

First, I am embarrassed to be answering after my hero Cathe! . I am not even sure this is good "Ask Cathe", forum etiquette, so please correct me, if this is incorrect.

This thread could have been me a few months ago and I agree 100% with the advice. I'd like to share how I got there.

One time, winded and discouraged, and about to give up, I switched to a Step Blast Warm-up (a favorite of mine that was on another player) After less than an easy minute, I switched back to LoMax. It seemed as if the warm-up signaled my body that we were starting again.
After that, when I pressed my winded pause, I inserted warm-up moves, without the player switching. Later, I reduced the number of warm-up steps until they weren’t needed.

I used this method, on LoMax and again with IMAX2 and after an illness when the blasts were too much again.

Thank you, Cathe for such a wonderful variety of programs. I love them!

Tracey Teachreef