Tell me why/if I need STS

[bayerngirl]

I like having the workouts planned months in advance so I do not have to think about it. I made significant fitness gains the last time I did a round of STS.

Well, I pulled the trigger and bought a set for my son. He's borrowing my P90X set right now and I think he would love STS. His birthday is next week, and I bought him a bowflex selecttech dumbbells for Christmas.
It's just too good of a deal to pass up!

I just pulled the trigger and bought a set + Ab Circuit for my DD I agree with you, it's just too good of a deal to pass up

Happy Birthday, to your son! You are a great mom!

 

[Dela]

The sale price is great, but there is no way I could have waited 2 years for this to go on sale!

I agree, I never could have held out for this long, and of course at the time you could never know just how long you would be waiting for.

 

[112toGuru]

made me want to cry, it did to pass on this one....adopted the spend less lift more strategy for the New Year (cursing the person who wrote that one).........I'm not quite ready for this anyway yet.... the Gym Styles I have going right now are just right....my inner Goldilocks requests this special be repeated.....in the not so distant-distant future?????

I'm the consummate sale shopper too!

weeeping in Pa.....

 

[Dela]

The price is really tempting but I have another question. I have a barbell that goes up to 35lbs and dumbells that go up to 25lbs. I've no intention of buying any new equipment as I have neither the space nor the money. Is it worth it for me? I'm perfectly happy squatting with the 35lbs and can bench press it as well.

Thanks!

Tough one, I would say your dumbells are fine, 25 is pretty heavy, and even if you backed off from 28 or 30 to 25, I would think you'll still get a good workout, but you would probably need a few more plates for your barbell. You don't have to follow the 1 rep max exactly to get good results, but especially in meso 3 when you need to be lifting heavy to get the intended results, 35 pounds really won't cut it for some of the exercises, unless of course 35 pounds is 85% of your 1RM, but just the fact that you have 25 pound db's, I doubt 35 pounds is close to your 1RM for the heavy weight exercises. Meso 3 consists of 6-8 rep sets, so your weights need to be super challenging.

The investment actually would not be too big for more plates, I bought super cheap plastic plates online, I think they have something similar at Walmart, you probably would need to buy up to total around 80 pounds, so 4 more 10's and 2 more 5's (to even it out).

 

[fit44]

I just pulled the trigger and bought a set + Ab Circuit for my DD I agree with you, it's just too good of a deal to pass up

Happy Birthday to your daughter! It's great set she will use for years.

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

I haven't read any responses yet, but just wanted to say that STS is a very thorough, one of a kind, master program that takes all of the guess work out of your weight lifting program and delivers results like no other....no lie! It is muscle confusion to the fullest and takes weight lifting (and the benefits of it) to the highest level. The best part about it is that there is no guess work. The whole program is laid out for you disc by disc. The only thing you have to do (and even this is optional) is figure out your one rep max on a few main exercises through the workout manager, print your card and go. The reason I say figuring out your one rep max is optional is because it is most beneficial for those who want to work the program to its absolute fullest potential. But this program is so comprehensive that even taking your best guess at your most challenging weight (verses figuring out your one rep max) will give you outstanding results due to the three phases of muscle confusion built into the program.

So lets say you just don't feel like figuring out your one rep max and the thought of having to do it discourages you from even attempting the program because you feel if you didn't do it you be wasting your time with the program. If I can promise you anything, its that you won't waste your time doing this program if you choose not to figure out your one rep max!!!!!

In fact, I promise you that by doing this 36 disc program as is with selecting your best guess challenging weight (along with 30 to 40 minute cardio sessions 3 to 4 times per week and eating a clean diet) you will get phenomenal results. I never go back on my promises!

So many people are on the fence about STS because they think it sounds intimidating, super involved, and too time consuming...but it's honestly the opposite. The reason it may sound intimidating is because we took so many steps (like creating the one rep max test) made so many discs (so that you wouldn't have to do any thinking, just do 1 -36 and you're done) and created an online support program (to talk you through step by step to maximize your results) that perhaps we over explained program to the point of possibly creating confusion.

In any case, the point I'm making is if you were ever on the fence about trying STS for whatever reason, now is the time to try it. New Years Resolutions are at an all time high now....don't get derailed....commit to get fit....

I can't wait to read about your results

The price with the 30% off is just great. Plus I have some Christmas money left. I never bought it because I didn't know if I would use it or not. So pleeeease help me decide! $139.98 seems like a great deal!

 

[mjd]

Unfortunately, international shipping costs are very high. I've sold a few things on eBay internationally and the cost to ship a medium size box cost close to $50 with insurance.

I totally get that shipping internationally is gonna cost, just don't get why another site will only charge me around thirty bucks for shipping this set but on here it's more than fifty.

 

[SNM Videos]

Shipping Charges

We offer two ways to ship: UPS or USPS. We only charge about $1 more than what either of these carriers charge us. In your case it sounds like your selecting UPS instead of USPS and that is why your shipping charges are higher. UPS will get to you faster, but is many times more expensive than USPS. You just have to select "more carriers" from the dropdown and select USPS for cheaper rates.

 

[mjd]

We offer two ways to ship: UPS or USPS. We only charge about $1 more than what either of these carriers charge us. In your case it sounds like your selecting UPS instead of USPS and that is why your shipping charges are higher. UPS will get to you faster, but is many times more expensive than USPS. You just have to select "more carriers" from the dropdown and select USPS for cheaper rates.

It only gives me USPS as an option and it's definitely over $50 (to Australia). Shudder to think what UPS would cost!! Thanks anyway for your speedy reply SNM.

 

[bayerngirl]

Happy Birthday to your daughter! It's great set she will use for years.

My daughters birthday isn't until October I think she will get an early birthday present. STS is an awesome program! Alesia loves workouts!

 

[livviesmom]

Thanks Cathe!

Thanks Cathe for having such a great sale on STS. In a couple of weeks my new workout room will be ready. I can not wait to start STS in my new workout room. What a great way to start out the year.

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Hi Ebonynicole! OMG, this person on Amazon couldn't be more incorrect. It is so sad to see a person write something so carelessly and dismiss STS as being same old same old. If you could have seen the notes covering the conference table and dry erase board while I worked on designing STS. It was loaded with notes, muscle confusion techniques, formulas, and endless hours of collected test trial results.

I created and included hundreds (and hundreds) of exercises...some new, some traditional, and some with a slight twist or variation on one that made sense to do this to.

I created and included three phases of STS to maximize muscle confusion. One emphasized endurance, the next emphasized hypertrophy, and the last emphasized strength (not to mention two separate programs were written for the legs for this phase).

I created and included techniques to stimulate new muscle fiber recruitment in each of the 36 discs to enhance results.

I created and included a separate squat rack routine for those who owned one to give them even more options to benefit from STS.

As far as the Amazon person's comment about my exercises being the same as in my other DVD's....this is so far from the truth. Before I go into explaining the various things I did to be different with my exercises, I will say that in creating any program or exercise, whether it be STS or any of my fitness DVD's/programs, I am all about (and only about) safety and effectiveness. I will never throw in an exercise just to "look cool" or "be different" if it brings no benefit to the exerciser or worse yet, poses a risk of injury to the exerciser. I'm very thorough and always dissect and test all exercises on a wide group of individuals before I include it in my workouts.

STS is all about delivering the ultimate muscle confusion. The entire program was designed in three different phases, each phase sequencing various exercises in a different format to provoke a new response. The changes included changes to the exercises themselves, changes to the techniques used, changes to the overall intensity, duration and frequency as well as varying the equipment used. Popular high intensity training principles such as pyramids, wave loading, drop sets, etc. were also used to maximize muscle strength and power.

There really is nothing "same old" about it!

So let me ask you all something, I was on amazon and someone commented about how they didn't feel it was a great deal because the excerises are the same ones she does in her other dvd's (this was when it cost $300 by the way)

How do you all feel about that? Do you think it's redundant or is STS done in a different way that it doesn't make a difference? Do you feel like you got your money's worth?

When I was that it was on sale, I thought to myself that this is a great price considering how much it normally is that is why I haven't bought it yet.

Have to wait for Friday though payday!

 

[AYLE09]

STS isn't like Cathe's other workouts! It's a totally different monster (meant of course in the most affectionate manner ...) STS does require commitment if you want to get the most out of it. But face it, being fit and healthy is a commitment from start to finish! I've gone through the STS program 3 times now and I each time i get something different out of it. It amazes me how everything else in my life disappears while i'm doing the workout. STS gave me a new sense of focus while lifting. I've always been careful and tried to keep good form, but during STS Cathe has the time to give more pointers and it imporoved my ability to focus on each muscle group as it's being worked.

STS is an amazing program! Kudos to Cathe for every bit of it!!

 

[jnka825]

nothing same old about it

I have 30+ Cathe DVDS, including ME, MM, 4 DS, Gym Styles, Pyramids, and so on. Nothing compares to STS. it is unlike anything she has ever done. I just got STS for Christmas and I am only in the 2nd week of Meso 1 and I love it. It is varied, it is challenging and it is fun!!!! We are already doing moves and lifts that I have never done before owning all those otehr dvds. This price is an awesome deal. 36 dvds for under $150, come on. Ab Circuits is a must have too. I have only done three of the workouts on their, but each time my abdominal core was sore and it is so hard for me to get DOMS in that area.

I am looking forward to getting awesome results, toned muscles!

Kristin

 

[Poffhager]

JUST ORDERED!!!!

I have wanted this for SO long!!! Can't beat the price and thanks so much whoever did the math on the extra dvd for free!!! I got ab circuits of course..I am excited and need to get my 1 rep maxes done...Yipee!!!!Thanks Cathe!!!!!

 

[ebonynicole]

Hi Ebonynicole! OMG, this person on Amazon couldn't be more incorrect. It is so sad to see a person write something so carelessly and dismiss STS as being same old same old. If you could have seen the notes covering the conference table and dry erase board while I worked on designing STS. It was loaded with notes, muscle confusion techniques, formulas, and endless hours of collected test trial results.

I created and included hundreds (and hundreds) of exercises...some new, some traditional, and some with a slight twist or variation on one that made sense to do this to.

I created and included three phases of STS to maximize muscle confusion. One emphasized endurance, the next emphasized hypertrophy, and the last emphasized strength (not to mention two separate programs were written for the legs for this phase).

I created and included techniques to stimulate new muscle fiber recruitment in each of the 36 discs to enhance results.

I created and included a separate squat rack routine for those who owned one to give them even more options to benefit from STS.

As far as the Amazon person's comment about my exercises being the same as in my other DVD's....this is so far from the truth. Before I go into explaining the various things I did to be different with my exercises, I will say that in creating any program or exercise, whether it be STS or any of my fitness DVD's/programs, I am all about (and only about) safety and effectiveness. I will never throw in an exercise just to "look cool" or "be different" if it brings no benefit to the exerciser or worse yet, poses a risk of injury to the exerciser. I'm very thorough and always dissect and test all exercises on a wide group of individuals before I include it in my workouts.

STS is all about delivering the ultimate muscle confusion. The entire program was designed in three different phases, each phase sequencing various exercises in a different format to provoke a new response. The changes included changes to the exercises themselves, changes to the techniques used, changes to the overall intensity, duration and frequency as well as varying the equipment used. Popular high intensity training principles such as pyramids, wave loading, drop sets, etc. were also used to maximize muscle strength and power.

There really is nothing "same old" about it!

Hi Cathe,

Firstly, I want to say thank you so taking the time to fully explain to me what STS is and how it stands apart from other fitness programs.

I do plan on buying it now because it is at the best price I have seen .

Second, I hope I didn't offend you in any way by asking the question , as I was doing research on whether to get it or not that was 1 of about 2 or 3 comments on Amazon about it, but figured there is always going to be someone who has something negative to say.

I joined right after STS came out so wasn't sure about it and have been wanting it for awhile but just counldn't afford it.

I know you are the real deal and can only imagine how much time and effort it takes to make these workout, I surely couldn't do it.

I like the comments about how STS is all planned out there for you so it's nothing to thing about. I think STS will be good for me so I don't plateau in any way.

Thanks again for a complete response now I feel even more confident in my decision to order it

 

[mkeefe]

Hi Ebonynicole! OMG, this person on Amazon couldn't be more incorrect. It is so sad to see a person write something so carelessly and dismiss STS as being same old same old. If you could have seen the notes covering the conference table and dry erase board while I worked on designing STS. It was loaded with notes, muscle confusion techniques, formulas, and endless hours of collected test trial results.

Cathe, this actually made me sad to read, because your responses in this thread have made me wonder if STS is at such a low price because you have had trouble selling it. I hope that is not the case. It's just sad to think of all the work you put into the series, the potential you have given us, and that perhaps the public (forum company excluded, of course) just can't grasp it.

It is soooo evident that you research and design and plan so thoroughly and the quality you deliver sets a benchmark in all aspects. You won me over at my first purchase of yours but your workouts have only improved with time, in my opinion, and now I have almost all of them. I brought STS when I was unable to even bend down and pick up a dumbbell because of back issues, but I knew I just had to get better. I'm finally able to start weight lifting again, and later on this year after I re-adjust to it, I will do STS and I can't wait to do it.

I also brought the STS shock cardio series when I could not step at all, let alone jump. (knee issues, in addition to back!!! What a few years I've had!!!). But last week I did Intensity, including the Hiit(hi) and this week I managed Hiit - Pyramid. (I started the January rotation yesterday, it's gonna be a fun and hectic 4 weeks for me!)

My point? Just want to say that despite that unknowledgeable person's comment, there are so many people who do understand the quality of your work and appreciate you and it, as well as your teaching style. Just this morning I was thinking that I wish I could thank you for the variety of exercises and workouts you've given us... no same ol', same ol' from you. Your library of dvds truly amazes me, as well as everything you put into the STS series. I'll be one of those letting you know my results later this year!

 

[Ronne]

Tough one, I would say your dumbells are fine, 25 is pretty heavy, and even if you backed off from 28 or 30 to 25, I would think you'll still get a good workout, but you would probably need a few more plates for your barbell. You don't have to follow the 1 rep max exactly to get good results, but especially in meso 3 when you need to be lifting heavy to get the intended results, 35 pounds really won't cut it for some of the exercises, unless of course 35 pounds is 85% of your 1RM, but just the fact that you have 25 pound db's, I doubt 35 pounds is close to your 1RM for the heavy weight exercises. Meso 3 consists of 6-8 rep sets, so your weights need to be super challenging.

The investment actually would not be too big for more plates, I bought super cheap plastic plates online, I think they have something similar at Walmart, you probably would need to buy up to total around 80 pounds, so 4 more 10's and 2 more 5's (to even it out).

Dela, thanks so much for replying. Food for thought!

 

[jackie7]

Thanks everyone!

Thanks everyone for taking the time to help! Now my only other decision is what other dvd to get for the quantity discount. Since I have everything else, I was thinking of getting dvds to replace my vhs tapes. It ends up being a great deal for a fraction of the cost!

Thanks again, you gals rock!

 

[jennifermaria]

Has anyone else had trouble applying the 30% off coupon from the newsletter to this? I got an error saying it was not a valid coupon . I'm hoping I can get it to work before it expires on 1/16, because this is too good a deal to pass up!