So tell me about Stretch Max

M

Maximus

Cathlete
I'm generally a heavy lifter--weight training is my favorite part of exercising, and I have been very, very bad with stretching. I was thinking about Stretch Max. Do you like it? Did it feel good or did it hurt? How long is it? I assume it's broken down by body part, so you could maybe do upper body one day & lower body another? I wonder if stretching each body part once a week is enough?

Input please! ;-)
 
I haven't done it, but on previewing, it's my least favorite of the series. The stretches aren't really held long enough for improving flexibility, IMO. The music is horrible (again IMO) and barely audible. It isn't really broken down into body parts. There are three different 20-minute stretches: one with no equipment,one with a stability ball, and one with the band (which I would use a NON-stretchy band for, since the object is to stretch our muscles and not the bands!)

I will try it, but have a feeling I won't keep it for long! (Another thing that I don't like about it is that Cathe doesn't talk much through it, and I like to have her talk me through things).

As for stretching in general, I think it's important to stretch after every workout, and to have a specific stretch (or yoga) workout once a week (or even two). P90X Stretch X is very good. About 5O minutes long, chaptered so you could choose just certain body parts, and it group certain stretches (shoulders, lower body, etc.)
 
I did the first routine this morning, and I was pleasantly surprised at my own performance; I was more flexible than I thought having "done my own thing" with the same core stretch routine for years. She mixes dynamic, shorter-hold stretches with static, longer-hold stretches. I personally didn't mind the music; I use the same kind of cool-down New Age snooze-muzic after my aqua classes.

And no, it's not really organized by body part, not the first routine anyway.

IMHO it's worth the investment if it'll get you into stretching and keep you there. And no, IMHO one body part per week is not enough for flexibility training. Developing and maintaining good joint range of motion and muscle and connective tissue lengthening takes more than that - and I think you already knew that. Don't shoot the messenger.

A-Jock
 
I really like this DVD, but I also really like stretching. I've done all 3 workouts so far and I really liked them. I agree that I don't believe the workouts will improve my flexibility that much as I had no trouble with any of the movements, but I still enjoyed them. I go walking 3-5 days per week and I'm using these after my walks. I kind of like the music and on my DVD the music is actually very loud. It was louder on this DVD than some of the others. Cathe doesn't talk much which I like because when I stretch, I like to just relax. I definitely think it is worth the money.
 
Obviously mixed reviews on this one. I personally was disappointed. I have been doing Karen Voigt Yoga Focus (stretch part 2), Kathy Smith beginning Yoga, Cool it Off (Slim Series) and Kari Anderson ALC for stretching and was hoping Cathe would give me similar quality. Unfortunately I don't think the stretches flow very well, and a lot of them require using arm and leg strength like a Yoga style strength workout rather than a yoga stretch. The stretchy band actually stresses your arms quite a bit; the stretches are better done with a traditional yoga strap or a towel. The music is just so-so. Quite frankly I think her stretches (and music) at the end of her workouts have been much better than these. The lack of chaptering is a big disappointment to me also. Cathe's reasoning is that you might hurt yourself doing them out of sequence but I don't think she sequenced them well to begin with anyway.
Beth
 
I LOVED it! I thought the music was awesome! Very soothing but not too monkish spooky sounding, and I thought the stretches were held just long enough that they didn't become effective or start hurting. I'm not sure if it'll increase flexibility, but my muscles did feel relaxed after stretching. I think also people are using the green band sent with the set to do the stretch segment with the band, and they should be using the Pink one which is much more similar to a towel. (Not as much resistance.) I think the coreography is great and think it's a great alternative to yoga.
It's a continuing process.....
 
Thanks for asking this question and for all the input. I've been thinking about getting a stretch workout for my off days or days where I am not up to heavy workouts.

Shirley
 
This is the only Hard Core that disappoints me (other than music & sound issues) because the stretches are not held very long. I will keep the remote handy so that I can hold positions that feel a little tight next time.

I like most of the stretches, though some of the ball work felt awkward. The music was pleasant. Maybe because it was all instrumental, the music to voice level was good. I do like the suggestion of using a yoga strap or a towel for the band workout.

Maximus, you might have to venture into yoga to target specific body parts. Bodywisdom's "Yoga for Inflexible People" lets you target some parts. You'd be looking for hip opening, shoulder opening, etc focus. I have the impression that you're more of an athletic stretch kind of person.

Debra
 
I've done the floor stretches and the ball stretches so far. I did not notice the music. I'll have to pay attention to it next time. As far as stretching, I'm in my 40's so stretching is an essential part of my fitness routine. I try to stretch for 20 minutes 2-3 times per week. I have cervical disc herniations, so I try to stretch for this problem, as well. I like the idea that this is a 20 minute stretch session, cuz that's about all of the time I have to stretch with my workouts. I felt the streches could have been held a bit longer, but all in all, it served the purpose. Some of the stretches were innovative and different than the usual stretches. I think next time, I know to work my streches a little deeper because I really did not feel an excellent stretch, but I think I can improve that myself.
 
I like SM a lot. I like the music. I hear the music fine. I also love that Cathe doesn't talk a lot through this one. When stretching I want to relax and this is the ONE time that Cathe talking and instructing constantly would have actually gotten on my nerves. So her not talking is a plus in this workout. I think the stretches are held long enough for non-stretchers. I wouldn't last through a stretching workout that held the stretches too long since this is a new part of my program other than the regular stretching Cathe does at the end of her workouts. The stretches are held longer than in her typical stretches at the end of the workouts. I like this one a lot more than I thought and I've already included it quite a bit in my rotation.
Angela:7
 
I LOVE Stretch Max! I haven't done the ball routine since I need to get a smaller one but the band routine is awesome! The music is fine, very relaxing and I'm glad that Cathe is quiet through the moves and only gives instruction at the beginning of the stretch.

I found an interesting article about increasing flexibility that basically says it's not how long the stretch is held but total time per week that a stretch is done.

http://www.mco.edu/pr/newsmco/2003_June_23_8_59_41.html
 
I really like it a lot!. I have been rotating each of the segments every night. It's very relaxing and does the job.

P.S. I sent you a message:7

Aila
 
I really like this one. I just blow off the stretches that Cathe puts at the end of whatever workout I'm doing and substitute on of the Stretch Max ones. I like the first one without the equipment the best. It's not broken down by body part.
 
I am extremely disapointed.I have done all three routines.Cathe's form & cueing are superb as usual but I found the routines dull.I love Dynamic Stretch by J.Safell.I am also dispointed in Core Max.
Kisuzu
 
I finally tried this, and stick by my first impression. I found it rather so-so (I have other stretch tapes that aren't so it's not just because it's stretch), the sequence of moves is not always smooth, (and it's sometimes hard to hear/follow Cathe's cues when you're facing away from the TV), some moves weren't too effective IMO (like a seated move where you have your bent leg over am arm supporting it), and most moves weren't held long enough (like the spinal twist, which I also thought was done in a less-effective-than-usual way).

This is the first HC DVD that is on its way out of my house!
 
I agree with Kathryn. But I will say that when done all together as a one hour workout it is much more effective than the parts. Each segment seems to emphasize a different body part. So when done in total you do feel well stretched out finally. I did not get much out of doing them as individual workouts, however. After doing them twice I was able to modify some moves to more effective stretches and that also helped.
Beth
 
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