jodijodi
Cathlete
I downloaded all of the workouts, and then had to decide which one to start with! I've been wanting to try Step Sync since it was first announced. Since I hurt my back last week, and it's not quite all better (though it is most of the way there), I decided to start with the Bonus Intermediate Step, which consists of two combos. There is no warm up, so I used the warm up for Step Sync. The intermediate step was fun, and I was able to do it straight through without having to stop or go back. The new moves are broken down well, and there are lots of classic moves to make it seem familiar. The pace was good.
My back felt pretty good, so I decided to move on by doing combos 1 and 2 of the regular Step Sync workout. These were more complicated, and I did have to stop once or twice, but overall I felt pretty good about the pace and the moves. I had practiced a few of the moves using the preview clips that Cathe had posted before, so I had some familiarity with them, which helped. When I practiced a couple of weeks ago with the clips, I used some features on my video player that allowed me to repeat sections over and over again, and at a slower pace. That helped a lot! So much so that I was able to do both combos at regular speed this time. The combos were fun, and I was able to get the moves down pretty well. I am sure that the more I do them the better I will get at them. I highly recommend that if you're having trouble with the pace that you look to see if your video player can play at a slower speed. VLC and Windows Media player can slow things down just enough to make it easier to learn, without changing Cathe's voice or the music.
After that my back was feeling a bit sore, so I finished up with the chair extended stretch. This was a good stretch for my back, so I'll definitely be using that one again. I might need a slightly taller chair for one or two of the leg stretches; it was hard for me to get my legs into the same position that Cathe did because of the length of my legs (I'm 5'6"). But other than that, it was great.
Anyone else start on the new workouts yet? First impressions?
My back felt pretty good, so I decided to move on by doing combos 1 and 2 of the regular Step Sync workout. These were more complicated, and I did have to stop once or twice, but overall I felt pretty good about the pace and the moves. I had practiced a few of the moves using the preview clips that Cathe had posted before, so I had some familiarity with them, which helped. When I practiced a couple of weeks ago with the clips, I used some features on my video player that allowed me to repeat sections over and over again, and at a slower pace. That helped a lot! So much so that I was able to do both combos at regular speed this time. The combos were fun, and I was able to get the moves down pretty well. I am sure that the more I do them the better I will get at them. I highly recommend that if you're having trouble with the pace that you look to see if your video player can play at a slower speed. VLC and Windows Media player can slow things down just enough to make it easier to learn, without changing Cathe's voice or the music.
After that my back was feeling a bit sore, so I finished up with the chair extended stretch. This was a good stretch for my back, so I'll definitely be using that one again. I might need a slightly taller chair for one or two of the leg stretches; it was hard for me to get my legs into the same position that Cathe did because of the length of my legs (I'm 5'6"). But other than that, it was great.
Anyone else start on the new workouts yet? First impressions?
The combos were a lot of fun and low impact. I had no problem following Cathe. I hurt my knees a few day's ago. You can up/or down the intensity in the Step Sync. I had a great workout and got tons of steps. The music was not bad. Step Sync reminds me a little of a mix of all Cathe's step workouts. Very fun. No jumping jacks or plyo moves. I would give this one 5 out of 5 stars! I think I will get lots of use out of this one. Can't wait to try all the others.
