Tape recommendations??

R

RhiannonW

Cathlete
Has anyone tried Christi Taylor's Hi-Lo Heaven? I'm looking for a very hard non-step tape to use to give my body a break from step.
Any other tapes that might suit my needs?
Does anyone have the Tamilee stretch tapes? Opinions?
Anyone recommend a Denise Austin tape for flexibility?
I'm looking to increase my flexibility. Tape recommendations?

What's the difference between Yoga and Pilates?
 
I have Tamilee's Stretch tapes, and they are very good. Basic, but good, definitely, without a doubt, worth having, especially if you have a hard time fitting a stretch in. Production value is great, quality of workout is great, and Tamille is great. Oh, and the scenery-great, too (beach in Jamaica-very relaxing).

Another stretch workout I must recommend is Yoga for Athletes, with Rodney Yee. It's a solid 45 minute tape but (horray) it's broken down into three 15-min sections. The DVD version has a lot of extras, too, (approx.) 6 sports-specific (approx.) 8-minute stretch/yoga routines. Very worth getting! If you are interested in this one, though, make sure you get the GAIAM version, and check on the box that the running time should be 210 minutes (I think; right around there, anyway). I heard from VF that there are 2 versions of this DVD and only one has all the extras. So be careful there.

For non-step, hmmm, once you are step-conditioned, I feel that it is harder to get a hard cardio wkt o the floor. Of course, some people find hi/lo more cardiovascularly challenging, so I guess everyone is different. I like CIA 2103-Power Aerobics and Power Mat Science. It's not IMax, but it's fun, and a good cardio workout. Have you tried MIC hi/lo or Cardio Kicks? Those both are great and very challenging.

HTH,
Kathy
 
I forgot to mention, I am not sure if the Yoga for Athletes VHS version has the extras, but I must say, I kinda doubt it. :(
Kathy
 
Hi Lo Heaven is sooo much fun. Christi is the queen of hi low. She puts everything together so wonderfully and it flows so well. The music is rocking, the steps are fun, lots of twists and turns. She does show a less complex step leading up to the turns so if you don't want to turn, you don't have to.
Also, the CIA Power Aerobics that Kathy mentioned is fun too.
Sharon
 
kweller - RE: Tape recommendations??

So, what does a person do if you're already step-conditioned?
Where do you find CIA 2013-Power Aerobics? I receive the Collage video catalog and Cathe's website. Would it be in Collage?

Thanks for the info!
 
Rhiannon,

Have you tried any hi-lo from Franny Benedetto? Her tapes can be purchased through Collage or the CIA website. I think that the hi lo section of CIA 2K05 is fun & challenging (I also like the step part as well). I don't always find hi lo as challenging either since I'm a step nut but this one is fun & has some good music, IMHO.

I personally was disappointed by Power Aerobics & Mat Science IF it is the one I'm thinking of...does it have the Anderson sisters in it? It didn't have the intensity I had hoped for, and I do have an earlier tape of theirs that I really like(it was for the step, however).

I also do Powerstrike or Cardio Kicks for a break from step.

You mentioned that you would like to increase your flexibility. I think I remember seeing a post from you elsewhere that you hadn't been stretching much & Cathe encouraged you to do so. I really notice a BIG difference if I'm short of time after a workout & don't do my self-designed stretch routine afterwards. I'm stiff & just feel so much more inflexible the next day. It takes time to increase flexibility, so just be patient with yourself & enjoy a thorough stretch after your workouts. I think that to some extent flexibility is predetermined as well, or we could all be ballerinas!

My .02!

Leslie
 
RE: sharonm - RE: Tape recommendations??

Rhiannon, the impact isn't quite as high as Cathe but the styles are so different. Christi is dancier than Cathe. Cathe's tapes have more of an athletic feel and Christi does more turns and twists. I can get a high intensity workout with HLH according to my HR monitor without the high impact.

Sharon
 
You can order Powerstrike videos thru their website-- powerstrike.com. There are currently 2 "Millenium" tapes with a 3rd on the way. The instructors are Ilaria Montagnani & Patricia Moreno. The workout consists of punches & kicks in drill-type combos. There's nothing fancy about the set, which is a room in the gym where they teach. The music is thumping & gets and keeps me moving. Ilaria is trained in martial arts, so her form in particular is great. They're intense...my legs sure were sore after the first time in particular. I think there is a thread or two on the tapes in this forum if you'd like some more opinions. They're not for everyone, and IMO either #1 or #2 would be okay to try since they're very similar. If you like kickboxing it's a good alternative along with--of course--Cardio Kicks!

Leslie
 
Sharon -- a question....??

Hi Sharon. I was wondering about Christi's Hi/Lo Heaven -- you mentioned that the impact isn't as high as Cathe's. I recently traded away Cardio Kicks because for some reason, the intensity of that one KILLED me - especially my feet. :-( What about floor space for Hi/Lo Heaven? How much room do you need? I don't have a whole lotta room to work with (another reason I decided to ditch CK). Thanks for any info! :)

Hollie
 
RE: Sharon -- a question....??

Hi Lo Heaven is a space hog as well but I don't think as much as CK. Now I don't have alot of space either and I have to condense some of the moves as I do with CK too. Christi does lots of grapevines, ham curls with turns(she calls them ham and eggs)those are so much fun. There's strength training, too. The third section is sort of like a circuit style workout. I usually don't do that part but the few times I have, it's tough. Not Cathe tough but still killer. I need to pull this one out and do it again. I've been neglecting all my non-Cathe tapes this summer, they've been collecting dust.
Sharon
 
RE: Sharon -- a question....??

Thanks, Sharon! I may get this one -- I LOVE Cathe, but her impact kills me. I need more moderate/lower impact alternatives.

Hollie
 
RE: Sharon -- a question....??

Hollie, HLH does have some impact but it can be modified. I think you'll love it. It's my favorite hi low workout and I'm not a big hilo fan, that is until I found Christi. All this HLH talk has made me want to pop this one in this morning to do.

Sharon
 
To Hollie

I wanted to get back to you now that I've done HLH this morning. It is a little more impact than I remember but still not quite as high as Cathe's. Christi's is more bouncy instead of plyos or leaping. She does jacks, ponies, she does do one section where there's a plyo squat in the combo. There's a combo that includes some side leaps. I wore my HRM and my HR didn't get quite as high as with some of Cathe's but still between 70-75%. Still worked up a good sweat. Hope this helps a little more.

Sharon
 
RE: To Hollie

Hey there Sharon. Thanks for the update! I did go to Collage Video's website. It listed Hi/Lo Heaven as high impact. I also took a look at her other tapes. I may opt for a different one of hers. About the only "hi/lo" I can take seems to be Karen Voight's Strong and Smooth moves. I don't know why, but the arches of my feet get SOOOOOO sore from hi/lo (especially Cathe's -- I could NOT handle MIC's hi/lo!). It makes me so mad, too, because cardiovascularly, I can handle intense step and hi/lo, but my body is rebelling! x( x( x( What to do, what to do........

Hollie
 
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