step complication

K

kariev

Cathlete
hi guys, i wanted to ask how long it took before you really got the whole step videos down? i used to do step at the gym but i find cathe's videos to be rather complex and complicated for me. i know she has easier ones but i wanted to know how you guys learned the workouts? i really want to do them but i get frustrated always messing up and i feel like half the time is spent standing and watching whats going on. thanks
 
You didn't mention what workouts you've tried, so I'll just say what worked for me.

Many will tell you to start with Basic Step, but I began with Step Heat. You can find it on DVD - The Classics Vol. 1. Then I worked on Step Jam and Step Fit. These older workouts gave me a great preview of Cathe's style. She still uses most of the same moves.

Basic Step/Body Fusion are good workouts, but I found The Classics to be more fun. Low Impact Step is okay, but I jumped right into Low Max after The Classics, and it didn't take me too long. Low Max also has better music.
 
Rewind, rewind, rewind. That's what I did to learn the routines. I had an especially hard time with BM2 and LIC. I also have trouble with Rhythmic Step. Just keep trying and you'll get it eventually.
 
Just take it one section at a time.She teaches a routine and then repeats it 4 or 6 times that's a section. I also used the Timesaver DVD because the step sections were shorter. The Basic step and Body Fusion are also excellent to help learn the steps. It takes repetition and time.
Ellen
 
I always preview. Always.

Cathe tends to "take it from the top" quite a bit, so the routines are easy to learn upon previewing.

Besides, previewing acquaints you with moves that face away from the TV. One thing I like about Cathe is she uses the whole step.
 
When I started doing Cathe's workouts last Nov. I thought I'd never get those steps down. But I did!:) I am not sure how long it took. I began with the new series and also got Basic Step/Body Fusion dvd. It was a big help.

Just preview and keep trying. You can just march around and jump back in when you get lost. It will come to you.:) You can also put the dvd in slow motion with your remote to practice the steps.

Low Max and the Step Blast/Step Jump and Pump dvd are good step videos. They are slower paced than the new series and are easier to learn, even if the choreography is more complex.

Sandra
 
Dont give up! Believe me, I am the most uncordinated person around, and if I can learn Cathe choregraphy, anyone can!;-) I started with Basic Step also, moved to Low Impact Step, and then Lowmax. I am still working on Step Fit and Cardio & Weights, but I feel really confident now with her stepping style. I think I am going to learn all three of the Classics before moving on however. I only have the Cardio & Weights/Basic Step dvd, and I am wondering if I can handle Imax 2? I need to go look at the video clip. But, hang in there, you can do it!!!! Cathe workouts are worth it! Nothing makes me feel better than finishing one of her workouts!

Sherry:)
 
Keep trying!! And remember, the fact that they are more complicated also makes them more fun in the long run. Otherwise you'd get bored way too easily. Another trick I use is to pop in a new dvd after you finished your main workout for the day, and learn a new section. This way, you don't feel like you cheated yourself during a workout, and you're not as hard on yourself when you don't get it. When I do this "extra" session, I don't go all out, just small movements that don't tire me out. I can focus better that way. Just a thought!

Alison
 
I used to only do the Firm. But, prior to my firm days I did by a step bench that came with All Step (one of Cathe's older workouts) I remember trying it and totally giving up because it was way too complicated. I threw it in my basement and totally forgot about it. After becoming bored with the Firm I decided to try Cathe. So one day I stumbled upon All Step and decided to try it again. Well, it was still very hard, but I just kept trying. Now after almost 5 months of doing Cathe's workouts, including some of her harder step ones, I can say that I can almost get through a workout without messing up. I found "figure 8's" particularly challenging.
 
I've only been doing Cathe's videos for a little over a month, and I feel the same way about the choreography. I thought coming from doing the Firm for so long that I would be okay with step, but Cathe is definitely a challenge. I started out with Basic Step and Body Fusion, but quickly moved to Low Max for more variety and that was tough. I always preview my videos, whether it's cardio or strength. I also find that practicing one combo at a time and on the floor is a good way to start. Just keep going and it will feel so good when you're able to put it all together with only a few fumbles, or even better, none at all! I just got Step Blast in the mail yesterday and I previewed it with both trepidation and excitement. Anything that is reversed or even the 360 move has me a little nervous, but I know it will be really worth it when I get it down. I bet you'll think so, too.

Sara
 
For me it was previewing first. Plus once you get one dvd down, it seems like the others don't seem as complicated.
LD
 
Believe it or not the first Cathe workout I did was Imax 2. What was I thinking??? I had never mambo cha cha'd or figure 8 or even a pivot turn. I even recruited DH to watch the screen and tell me where to put my feet in relation to Cathe!!! Took a couple weeks but got it down and never looked back. I kept the remote in my hand and rewound constantly until I got it. Don't give up you can get it!!!! Teresa
 
thanks for all the responses. I will keep it up and not get too frustrated. Much of it is that i'm used to being good at everything i do (not to sound conceided) but the step gives me that challenge and when i'm not good at something i get frustrated. its time to challenge myself. thanks again
 
This post is great.

I am also new to Cathe (since Jan 2007) and I have mastered Basic Step and Low Impact Step. I am thinking I will move onto Cardio Hits (which I purchased already). These are Cathe's older hits.

Good luck all!

:)


"Life is too short - Be the best you can be every single day!" :)
 
I think I started out with just about the hardest DVD of all - Step Blast. I'd recorded it off of FitTV, so I didn't know any better and just went for it. I did a lot of rewinding before finally getting ALL the choreography, which took several months since it took me that long just to get through the whole workout (I was one of the 20-minute cardio session people before discovering Cathe, so my body had a lot of adjusting to do).

After learning that one, it seems like the rest are just EASY! I pick the steps right up after about 2 tries (or for especially intricate sections, I take out the arm work until I've got the leg work down pat). Previewing ALWAYS helps, too. I'll sit and watch the DVD and fast forward and pick up just the basics, then I'll get up and go for it.

It does get easier with time, because you get used to the moves and the names Cathe gives them. After a couple years, you'll look back when someone else asks this question and think to yourself how easy it is to pick up the steps once you get used to Cathe's workouts!
 
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