Slow and Heavy opinions wanted, good or bad

L

LuvExercise

Cathlete
I know answers may be biased here because I am, after all, asking on a Cathe forum, but I do hope you can try to answer honestly, even those who don't like this set.

What do you like about Slow and Heavy?
What do you dislike?
Are there any other Cathe DVDs that have a similar feel but are more enjoyable?

Right now, I'm convinced I have to have this DVD, but I tend to be like that and when I finally get it, I don't reach for it much even if it's a good workout. I'm going to give it a week or two before I decide, so I thought I'd ask here. I've searched the VF forum and the consensus is that while there's nothing quite like S&H, a lot of people don't reach for it often. That bit of information doesn't help. lol

So what do you think?

TIA!

update: 8/20 - just want to say that after all your arm twisting, I bought it! I'm not sure when I'm doing to do it, but I'm just happy to know that it's in my possession.
 
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I really enjoy S & H, but Cathe herself says at the beginning that this is not a series you'll want to do on a permanent basis, in most part due to the amount of focus required to do the exercises as slow, and with as much attention to form as possible.

I was pretty amazed how much momentum I was using while weight lifting...doing this series was really an eye-opener for me, I had to drop the amount of weight I was using on alot of the exercises.

I will pull this series out maybe every 8 weeks or so, and really concentrate on perfecting my form. If you want to improve your form, and want to challenge your ability to focus, then I'd get the series. If you feel as though you don't want to change the way you lift at times, I'd pass.

I am a satisfied customer, I always enjoy learning something new, and this series allowed me to do that!!
 
Jerry's answer is better than anything I could manage, so I'll just pass along my opinion: I love S&H. Cathe's DVDs are always challenging, but this DVD leaves me noodley for the first half of my day, and I really feel like I accomplished something.

I'm new to Cathe, rotations, and weight training in general, so I can't comment on strength gains yet. But I plan on alternating S&H rotations with GS and the Pyramids quite often, and I'm anxious to see what happens.
 
I've done two S&H rotations so far where this was the only weight work I did for one month. i had noticeable results both times. It's not Cathe's most exciting workout, but I believe it is effective.

I don't reach for it often because (a) it's not the type of program you want to do frequently and (b) I would get bored with this very quickly. It's a great plateau buster and for taking your weight lifting to a new level. S&H will make you stronger and improve your lifting technique. It's different in that it's slow and heavy lifting and as you know, anytime you introduce "different", that's a good thing.
 
What weightlifting DVDs do you already have? I do like S&H. As mentioned above, it is not something you would do continuously. I'm glad to have it. It is nice because it is something different, the extra time is great to hear her tips on what to do, on form, etc., and I personally find it almost relaxing. Not physically, mind you (!!), but mentally in that the pace is so slow. Sort of hard to explain. Probably the only thing that bothers me about it is chest work b/c she does on a flat bench then on the incline all over again. I feel like I want to just move on already, but tell myself that this is necessary and bite the bullet!
 
You have gotten some good advice about S&H so far. I will add that it is definitely something that takes hmmm....concentration? It is very easy to lose focus when doing these workouts because of the slowness of the reps and stuff. It's great for a plateau buster.
 
Hi, just a quick thanks to say that your opinions are appreciated. Thanks a lot! I still want to hear some more before making a decision.

Oh, my profile lists other Cathe I own. I also have P90X and + if that helps to know.
 
I LOVE slow & heavy!! It's probably my favorite lifting series. Some people have said that the slow rep count and breaks between sets gets boring, but I don't feel that way at all. I can lift heavier with S&H than with GS, I guess because of the extra rests in there, and that is good for the ego;)

I would definitely get it. If my copy disappeared tomorrow, I would make sure a new one as one it's way immediately (even though I am not using in right this minute).

HTH!
 
I love S&H. I have only done one rotation with it so far, but am getting ready for my 2nd rotation. This was the first Cathe weight workout I bought and found it very intense. I, too, think Jerry summed it up perfectly....

Mary
 
I, too, love S&H. I can lift heavier on S&H than I can with GS, and I seem to get more muscle soreness on it than I do with an endurance workout.

I regret that I didn't buy this sooner, because of the fact that people were saying how boring S&H is and how long the breaks in between the sets were. I don't find it boring at all (because I'm working hard!), and those one-minute breaks are much needed (esp. since I'm lifting heavy).
 
When SH first came out, I hated it! I did it maybe twice then put it away for years. Later when I was looking for something to really increase my strength, I pulled it out and did a 3 week rotation of it. Now I really like it and I feel very accomplished after I do it.

The hardest part to get used to is the 1 minute breaks in between the exercises. At first I felt like that was a waste of time. Now I need every second of those breaks.
It is not a workout you will want to do every week but rather a shock to the muscles on an occasional basis.
I notice that after I do a SH rotation , I can do heavier weights on my other Cathe strength dvds
 
Slow and Heavy

Slow and Heavy is one of my #1 favorites. It is the only DVD I took to the July 2008 Road trip, to have Cathe autograph the DVD case!!! Anyway what I like is the heavy weights, great form tips, longer rest periods and slow pace. You can really go heavier on this one and change it up. There is nothing that I don't like about it. That said you always need to vary weight workouts in order to improve - periodization et al. So I will do endurance for a while, heavy for a while, etc. I do these when I want a heavy 3-day split. I prefer S&H over Gym Styles. You DO need this one, ha ha
 
I adore Slow & Heavy. I really do!! I work harder when I do this series. I lift heavier and I push myself more. I can only do two weeks at a time though, because I'm working so hard and concentrating so hard. I'm hoping STS will have some slower paced lifting in it.

Carol
:)
 
I love this series! The Leg routine is my favorite because I find it straightforward and reasonable. No low ends or pulses. I usually sub it for P90X leg day.

What I do need is a sub move for the lateral lunges prior to the plie squats. I'm not fond of those. Any ideas?
 
Another "YES" vote for S & H. I love it and the only thing I would add to what has already been posted is that most of Cathe's weight work is focused on endurance, and this is one of the few that is focused on strength. It's an excellent choice -- Cathe is at her best here.
 
When I want a weight workout that is going to push me to really think about my muscles and how I am working them, I pull a S&H workout, you will feel it!
 
I also love S&H. I like the slower pace; not having to run and grab new weights every two minutes. It is also much much easier on my joints. The breaks in between sets are nice too. I can lift much heavier than with any other Cathe workout.
 
I never find Slow & Heavy boring. I love it. Unlike faster-paced strength workouts, during the sets I fully concentrate on good form and don't concern myself about what weights I'll be needing for the next set. Cathe rests the muscles a full minute between sets, giving me time to check my notes and get the barbell loaded the way I want it. I also love the feel of my muscles working during a slow count. It's one of my favorite DVDs.
 
I dont find Slow and Heavy boring at all. The reps per set are not high so I dont have time to get bored. I love the super slow tempo. I have to go lighter than usual because the momentum is eliminated. Each rep of this workout makes you work. It is hard to cheat and you really learn to work through the full range of motion with control. I can do it on a day when I am feeling invincible and full of energy and I can find enthusiasm for it on a blah-day as well without dreading it will slay me.
 
Like Vee, I don't find S&H boring it all either. Right when you're starting to get bored (on the third set) Cathe changes the exercise. S&H Legs and Shoulders is probably my favorite. The leg work is short and sweet clocking in at almost exactly 30 minutes and the shoulder work is some of Cathe's best, in my opinion. I say definetely go for it. I haven't done S&H is a while but this thread is making me want to pull it out again!!!
 
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