Transitioning to advanced dvds

6

6Swans4me

Cathlete
I've really made a lot of progress since Basic Step. I can do all of the intermediate dvds that I own. The gap between intermediate and advance is HUGE compared to her beginner to intermediate dvds. I'm wondering what is the best way to increase my endurance and strength in order to finish one of Cathe's advanced dvds with good form. Is it normal to not be able to complete her advanced dvds the first day, few weeks, months, years? LOL I notice that if I try to go as fast with lunges, I don't maintain a good form as I would with her intermediate dvds.

Did you purchase dvds from other instructors before tackling one of Cathe's advanced dvds? If so, which ones? If not, did you go straight into one of Cathe's advanced dvds and work on it until you were able to finish it? If so, which advanced dvd(s) did you choose? Did you work on that dvd solely until you were able to finish it or did you work on it as part of a rotation?
 
I do all the premixes and I use less weight. I don't match her weights but I use a challengign weight and listen to my body. Sorry I'm not much help but I'm sure others can offer better advice.
 
Thanks Cassadine and Janie. I have been using lighter dumbbells than Cathe since the heaviest I own is 8 pounds. It's mainly the faster tempo and/or the amount of repetitions that make it difficult for me to keep up. There are some days where it can be depressing. I don't have the self motivation to push myself to try harder because I feel like it won't matter anyway. Tonight I broke down and did a 20 minutes of high interval intensity cardio followed by 10 minutes of steady state cardio on the treadmill instead. It felt good to push myself a little more based on what I was able to do without having to compare myself to what Cathe and her crew are able to do in the advanced w/o. I wonder if I should include more intermediate w/o from other instructors since Cathe doesn't have many intermediate w/o. That way I feel like I've accomplished something by finishing well. **sigh** I really need to learn how to push myself and focus on what I can do. Deep breath... :)
 
Don't get discouraged. It's possible to progress. When I started doing Cathe I made major modifications and worked my way up.

Is it the choreography that is baffling you or the intensity or both?

If it is the choreography, I'd start with some of her older step videos, like the Wedding Video or Step Jam and then Power Max (fun!) and learn her style. You'll get used to her moves and adding new ones with new workouts won't be so overwhelming. Also, some workouts don't have as much choreography, like her kickboxing ones.

If it is the intensity, here are some things I did:
First, I stepped with no step, then worked up to 4, then 6 inches. I do a few workouts on 8 now, but not many.
Second, I stopped and marched in place to get my breath when I needed to, or paused the workout,then resumed. I tried to do this less and less each time and now I can do almost all of her workouts without stopping--the exception is the double cardio drill max premix, which just about killed me. But I'll get it eventually.
Third, for interval workouts, like the Imax's, I'd do only part of the interval and then do a basic step for a while and join back in when I could. Little by little, I could complete all the intervals.
Finally, just learn to modify--I have had to learn to do this a lot, because I've done her through 2 pregnancies. Do power 7's and 15's without jumping, or do 2 jumping jacks instead of 2 power lunges or do jumping jacks instead of air jacks or plie jacks or 2 calf pumps when she's doing a tuck jump(just examples)--get creative--no one will see you:).

and with weights, just keep a record of how much weight you used and how many reps you performed and try to do just one more each workout. Then go up in weight, once you can complete all the reps along with Cathe. In many of her workouts, she'll encourage you to do every other rep or slow down or do whatever works for you. In her heavier workouts, I often pause the workout, because my muscles need more recovery before the next set. You'll surprise yourself at how quickly you will gain strength. Just one step at a time.

Okay--I'm certainly wordy tonight. Just don't get discouraged. Many of us couldn't do what we do now when we started, but gradually we made progress and you will too.

Oh and I think that the premix suggestion is fantastic, since many of them are shorter than the original workout.

ETA--congrats on your progress so far!

take care and have fun working out.

Maggie:)
 
I transitioned by doing the workouts in parts...so for example, I would do basic step and then tack on 10 min of an advanced workout. I would keep building it up until I could do the entire workout and then move onto another video in much the same way. I would also modify, do premixes, and skip the very intense sections (the bursts) when she ramps things up! You will get there! Have fun!
 
Maggie,

It wasn't wordy at all. I appreciate your taking the time to reply. Yes, I think it's the intensity that gets me the most. Thank you for all your suggestions! As I was reading, I kept thinking why didn't I think of that. It never occured to me to pause the dvd. LOL I will definitely make use of the pause button. :) Thank you for the encouragment.

Blessings
 
Star Dust,

I hear you about the very intense sections. There's one on Low Max where she says that some blasts are more intense than others and take the easy one when offered. Oh My Word, her easy blast almost killed me! LOL

Last night, after already walking/jogging on the treadmill earlier, I decided to do High Step Training (the intermediate one). I decided to go heavier and tacked on a few more reps while Cathe was talking between exercises. Now, I'm thinking if use your suggestion of adding on Basic Step, I can build up my endurance on days I don't use one of the intermediate dvds. Thanks!:)
 
Annette Bethel


My best advice that was giving to me was, try the older Cathe's First, before attempting the newer ones, especially for cardio! Then it began to click for me.
 
Personally, I watched and rewatched the DVDs before attempting. Since I considered myself an advanced exerciser before Cathe, I was not prepared for her workouts. With Step Blast, Drill Max, I actually practiced the moves on the floor before going on the step.
It helped me to preview the clips of the DVDs here on this site too.
Don't give up and don't overdo it.
 
Thanks netsnotes and JT,

I just got Imax2 and Cardio & Weights. I'll hold off on the Imax2 for awhile though. lol I'm thinking of getting the Get in Shape for Your Wedding dvd. I wonder what my husband will think when he sees that title!

JT, It's comforting to hear an advanced exerciser say that Cathe is challenging. I've previewed so many of Cathe's dvds that I get them mixed up in my head and forget which ones look doable! LOL I'll try not to overdo it with the ones I have. It's hard though when dh is sitting across the room on the computer. Kinda like taking a group class, I don't want to look too bad. I know, I've gotta work on my pride. ;)
 
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