Try the FIRM or stick with Cathe

C

CathyP

Cathlete
Should I try FIRM videos or stick with Cathe. Does anyone have any experience with both. I looked at the new set of six FIRM videos, but some are only 30 minutes - I would prefer one hour.

Thanks in anticipation
Cathy
 
Hi Cathy,

A lot of us here have used both the Firm & Cathe. Not knowing your level of experience with working out, I'll give you my experience. Cathe is MUCH more advanced than the Firm. I've read reviews on the new Firm tapes at FitPrime.com & VideoFitness.com & it seems to be the consensus that while Good Times (the new owners & producers of the new Firm tapes) claim these workouts are intermediate/advanced level, they are in fact more beginner level workouts.

I like the older Firm tapes for those days when I want to get in both cardio & weight work but only have an hour to get it done. However, I have to say that while the change in routine does make me sore, I don't feel I've worked as hard as when I use Cathe.

Hope that helps you.

"You have within you more resources of energy than have ever been tapped, more talent than has ever been exploited, more strength than has ever been tested, and more to give than you have ever given". John Gardner
 
Hi, Cathy -

I had a similar question a few weeks ago. I wasn't getting the results I wanted with the FIRM videos and I was thinking of dumping them all and buying just Cathe videos. I had been doing both, mixing them up.

I wound up keeping the FIRMs I had, getting rid of the ones I really didn't like, and purchasing some new Cathe videos.

I have been doing only Cathe videos since then and I feel my fitness level has really gone up a significant amount in only about three weeks. I can now do all the step videos on an 8" step, whereas before I could only do 6". The weight lifting portions of the videos are very challenging and thorough. No wimpy sets with Cathe workouts!

In my opinion, Cathe is also a more real person, if that makes sense. The FIRM tends to be a little phony. You just know the FIRM leads cleaning up and cooling off between segments and what not. When Cathe and her crew is lifting or jumping around, you just know they're really lifting that much weight, or working that hard without stops. And I kind of like when you see them mess up too. Plus, the women look like real women, and not the "beautiful people" you see in the FIRM videos.

The FIRM videos are good workouts, but I think the Cathe videos are just plain better.

MHO,

Susan
 
I agree with the above! I used to have a few FIRM videos, sold them, then purchased all Cathe. A few weeks ago I felt like I needed a change so I purchased a few newer FIRMS, ie. Super Cardio. The reviews of this tape sounded like it'd be at least somewhat comparable in intensity to Cathe's cardio, but I was really disappointed. I did sweat a bit, but my heart rate was not elevated at all. It also reminded me why I got rid of my other FIRMS in the first place, the "ta da" poses, the constant tag team instructor approach and the phone sex voices really got on my nerves! That being said, depending on your fitness level, the FIRM my compliment your Cathe collection as a way of incorporating lower impact workouts.

:)Stacy
 
I don't know your fitness level, if you are new to working out the firm may be your best choice, but if you are advance or intermidiate Cathe will be your best pick she does not joke around gets to bussines, pump your heart and worked you like you've never been worked in your life. I love Cathe and l hope you will too.
 
I used the Firm tapes for years and never saw much change in my body. I was trying to gain weight in the form of shapely, healthy muscle tone; I was not trying to lose any weight.

Then I discovered Cathe's Pure Strength series and now I never use Firm workouts. In fact, I sold most of them. I would agree they might be a better choice for beginners, though.

Angela
 
I bought the very first FIRM way back when. I actually discovered Cathe on the FIRM forum. I ordered Maximum Intensity Strength and kept going from there. IMHO there is NO comparison between Cathe and the FIRM. Cathe far exceeds any FIRM workout I've ever done...maybe with the exception of Standing Legs. Cathe has brought my fitness to a whole new level. In fact, (a little brag here), I was in the library a month or two ago and a man came up to me and asked me if I competed in weight lifting competitions!!!! I smiled to myself and said a little prayer of thanks to Cathe. I never saw any kind of results like this with the FIRM. Hope this helps!!!:)

Sherry
 
Now, contrast Sherry's library experience with mine:

After years of working out with the Firm, a neighbor's friend who saw me working in the yard in shorts asked her if I was anorexic. Hmm. Not the results I was hoping for!

Angela
 
I recieved my new firm CardioScult tapes and the new Fanny Lifter today! I am going to insert them into my Cathe step work since I have had to stop running due to plantar faciitis and was so bummed I quit everything for a time! They are pretty low impact and mix up really well with Cathe's hign intensity workouts. Cathe is incomparable in my opinion but the Firm is excellent. One thing that drives me crazy though is the the "Stepford Wife" innotation of their cueing! They don't cue in the warm, natural way Cathe does. Still, they are excellent tapes!

Bobbi http://www.plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule!
 
Here's my advice from a dedicted Firmie and Cathe wannabe.
Stick with your old Firms, and get every Cathe tape(dvd) that she makes.
I've been just slightly disapointed with the new Firms. Cardio Scuplt is ok, and Super Body Scuplt is ok also. The others, I just have very lukewarm feelings about.
I'm getting back into my Cathe's after doing mostly Firms this summer, and my results stopped. But now that I'm back doing Cathe, I'm starting to get results again.
If I want a short workout( the reason I got a couple of the newest Firms) I can pop in one of the CTX and do either the cardio of one, or a couple sections of weights. Short and more effective.
I do still like my older Firms. They are what introduced me to weight training, and have given me good results. But when I want great results, Cathe where it's at.
 
I agree with Susan one hundred percent - I did the Firm exclusively for years, but it has only been since I found Cathe almost two years ago (and chucked my Firm tapes soon after!) that I began to really get somewhere.
 
I vote go Cathe all the way!! I used the FIRM from years ago and while they are good Cathe is over the top good.


Bobbi, sorry to hear about the PF. Is this a permanet end to your running career? I hope not.

Edith
 
I really like my FIRM tapes but find myself not using them very often. I have been inspired by this discussion to think about doing a three-week Cathe/one-week FIRM rotation since they are so very different. Sometimes I like entering that perfectly choreographed, custom-musicized, ice-cream cone-colored outfitted world of the FIRM.

http://www.plauder-smilies.de/pyth.gif Gretchen
 
Hi, Edith! I don't know yet. I am hopeful that I will be able to run a little but it hasn't gone well the last few times I tried. My foot is feeling alot better though so I will be pulling on my runnig shoes in a day or so to see how it goes. I am grateful to have Cathe's workouts which I can do even in the midst of a flare up! Thanks for asking!

Bobbi
 
I owned so many firms for years. When I tried cathe I quickly bought more and more of her workouts and sold all my firms, except one ab tape. I've never regretted it. I've lost weight and am so much more toned. Just my opinion.
Lynn
 
The Firm got me into exercise. It was low impact and because it changed things around and used equipment a lot ... it wasn't dull. Plus compared to CRUNCH videos or other stuff you got off video shelves they were pretty good. When I wandered into this site I figured I'd read the forum choose the best workouts and use them to supplement my FIRMs. THAT didn't work out quite as planned. Haven't done my FIRMs in ages and have built up a Cathe collection. Cathe upped my squat weight from 24 to 45 lbs. has busted my plateau and gave me cardio endurance. My arms are shaping up nicely with PS too. If the new firms are less intense than the older ones then that's too bad because the older ones are a breeze now.
 
The Firm got me into exercise. It was low impact and because it changed things around and used equipment a lot ... it wasn't dull. Plus compared to CRUNCH videos or other stuff you got off video shelves they were pretty good. When I wandered into this site I figured I'd read the forum choose the best workouts and use them to supplement my FIRMs. THAT didn't work out quite as planned. Haven't done my FIRMs in ages and have built up a Cathe collection. Cathe upped my squat weight from 24 to 45 lbs. has busted my plateau and gave me cardio endurance. My arms are shaping up nicely with PS too. If the new firms are less intense than the older ones then that's too bad because the older ones are a breeze now.
 
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