Skill level for Cathe's new routines

[SRP]

Hi, I'm fairly new to Cathe. I found an earlier thread that rated all her routines according to how hard they are, and I bought a bunch of the toughest cardio ones. I consider myself advanced, so before I buy any more, can someone tell me how they're rated?

I'm interested in Kick Max, IMAX 3 and Low Max. How do Kick Max and Low Max compare to, say, Step Blast? And how does IMAX 3 compare to the other IMAX tapes?

I want a kick-butt, drop-dead workout, but I'm also looking for a little variety, other than pure step, which is why I'm especially interested in Kick Max.

It looks like Low Max is all step, but without the high-impact jumps, etc. Is that right? And so without those jumps, is it as cardiovascularly challenging as the others?

Step Blast is my favorite routine, because of the complexity of it. It's so fun!

Thanks!
Shannon

 

[Boybert]

I certainly think Imax 3 would fit the bill as "not pure step". It is high intensity interval training that will take you to your threshold for sure. If you're interested in a kickboxing type of workout, KPC is awesome. Seems like most people love it here and think it's quite kick butt. More so than Kickmax I'm thinking, but I don't have that. From what I hear about Lowmax (granted I don't have it) it's low impact but you will get quite a burn going. You don't always need high impact to have a challenge. If you want a workout other than step, might I suggest Bootcamp - it's interval training w/ weight work that is amazing. Hope this helps a bit.

Debbie

 

[SRP]

Thanks, Debbie.

I stick with Cardio only because I don't have any weights in the house. We have a weight bench out in the storm cellar, and I get quite a workout there on my own. So I want to make the most of the Cathe tapes by sticking to stuff I can do in the house. From what I've seen, KPC has weights as well, so it wouldn't work out for my setup. Same with Bootcamp, but I have heard some great things about it. I know - maybe I'm limiting myself, but I really don't want those weights in my house.

Shannon

 

[FiddleFit]

Shannon,

KPC itself does not have any weight work, unless you count the brief bit in the core work at the very end, where she holds an 8lb dumbell (you can easily skip it). It's a pure cardio workout, and requires no equipment, and not a lot of space. The other workout on the dvd is a lower body weight workout.

Sandra

 

[sbaxterharris]

OK, I am pretty new to Cathe as well (a few months) and not advanced in my physical shape yet, but my mind is pretty in tuned. Here's my take for what it is worth. . .

I have step blast and love it - Imax 3 and Lowmax (and KM) are different but equally as challenging. I must say in my experience with LowMax you will get what you put into it. Imax 3 is faster paced and more frequent on intervals, My heart rate gets just as high as step blast (or higher!!) but the time flys faster with Imax 3. LowMax is my ENDURANCE cardio, no major high impacts but challenging if you push it (cathe uses 2 risers with Lowmax vs 1 riser with Imax) So I use 1 riser with lomax, because I use no risers with most the others) This is why it kicks my BUTT!! Each section on LowMax is about 8 minutes long compared to Imax3 having 4minute sections(including blasts) The kickmax combos are pretty fun- not as hard as you might think, but again you get what you put into it. The Challenge on KM is TOUGH in my opinion, I grunt and make a lot of noise, towards the end I get a little runners high though.

I do have Imax2 and really love both 2 and 3 equally but Imax 3 is my very favorite just by a nudge.
Hope this is helpfull, have fun.