Uncharted Territory

[bubbee33]

Hello All,

All the Cathe tapes I own ARE tapes (i.e. VHS). I'm getting ready to venture into the land of DVDs and I'm not sure where to start. I'm looking at purchasing about one a month and I'm looking for a good first pick. I have almost every VHS (except the PS series and CTX). Should I start picking up the HC series or pick up some of the oldies with the good premixes (in other words, a DVD with VHS workouts that I already have but now I'll have the premixes). I consider myself a pretty advanced exerciser and enjoy at least a 60-70 minute workout (but don't think that Body Max, MIC, and MIS don't still kick my booty).

Thanks for your suggestions!

DB

 

[kathryn]

There are definitely DVD's that are more worth the change from video than others. You mentioned BMax, MIC and MIS: these are three workouts that really don't benefit that much from being on DVD, siince there were no premixes when they were transfered to DVD, and the chaptering is minimal (however, MIC comes on the same DVD as Rythmic Step and Interval Max, so it makes it a great DVD to have).

I would highly recommend any (or all!) of the DVD's in the Intensity Series. I think they represent the best of the DVD options as far as chaptering (not too few, as in earlier workouts, not too many, as in some later workouts; perfectly placed) and premixes (not so many as to make them redundant and confusing, as in the BB series, but enough to have good variety).

Of the BB series, both SS/PP and LG/KPC have interesting and varied premixes. LG/KPC has some good combos that include elements from both workouts. And the premixes on SS/PP are often more challenging than the workout 'as-is." Many forum members consider SS/PP to be less intense than Cathe's other weight workouts, more 'intermediate' than 'advanced,' but by using the upper-body-only premixes or lower-body-only premixes, you can get a more advanced workout.

Personally, I found the chaptering and premixes on the HC series poorly done, and not up to the standards of previous series, so they are not a good selling point for the DVDs. Since the premixes are based on the chapters (each "chunk" of premix is taken from a chapter of the workout), the poorly placed chapter points (to 'far into' the workout, like right when you are about to do rep one, rather than in the prep to set up rep one) some premixes like the Back/Biceps premix (which would be very useful if it could be done as-is) is very choppy and requires you to rewind to give yourself time to set up for an eercise (like going from barbell held with an overhand grip for rows to barbell held with underhand grip for bicep curls, but without a transition on the video).

On the other hand, the HC series is very good (my second favorite series after the Intensity Series), and if you don't have these workouts already, it would make sense for you to pick them up, at least some of them (and since they are all individual workots per DVD, you wouldn't end up with a workout you didn't want).

Was this any help at all? LOL!
I think I may have just confused you even more.

Just get them all!}(

 

[Rose11]

Kathryn wow! you always take time to reply and I love your posts.

DB I've been a Catheite since who knows when and I have all her workouts on VHS. After Cathe released the Hardcore series I had no choice but to buy her DVDs. I didn't get the complete series, just the DVDs I needed (at the moment the only hardcores I don't own are IMax 3 and HSC). So the hardcores were the first that I got on DVD. Then I got the PS Series on DVD because my PS on VHS was so worn out I had to get it on DVD. I know those are "oldies" but I've been doing that series on and off since January and I always get strength gains from it. The next one I got was the CTX series, same reason as the PS series, my CTX tapes were worn out and I use those cardios a lot so I decided to get CTX next. Then I got slow & heavy and the intensity series with terminator (it was a lot of money but I figured I would be spending more if I got them separately). I love the intensity series DVDs. Much more versatile than the tapes. So that's my DVD collection so far. I preordered the new series (I'm praying Cathe gets well soon so I can enjoy those in a couple of months) and in the future I want to get Body Blast w/ Timesaver DVDs. Eventually I will get them all because VHS tapes don't last as long as DVDs, but I think that you should start getting DVDs that you will use immediately. Either that or get your favorite VHS workouts on DVD first. I also think it's better to save and buy a couple of dvds every couple of months than to buy one per month. You'll save money in the long run. Well I hope this helps. Take care.

 

[bubbee33]

Good Morning Kathryn and Rose 11,

Thanks so much for your suggestions. Rose, I think you're right. I should probably buy in a bundle so as to save money. The reason I was looking at buying one a month was because I was debating on buying an extra month at the gym I sometimes frequent (aerobics only membership is $30/month) vs. doing all my workouts at home. BUT, if I save the $30/month maybe I'll be able to get the new series once it comes out. Anyway, I may just take Kathryn's suggestion and buy the entire HC series since I don't have it. It's extrememly important to me to vary my workout, so before I even get sick of a tape it seems I'm buying a new one to replace it. When I first became a Catheite, I strictly did the workouts on the tapes "as was". Now, I find myself making my own premixes (doing cardio from one and weights from another). Switching the tapes in the middle of my workout is getting old, and I know the premixes would eliminate that as well as give me many other workout options. I'm also really considering buying the DVD with Step Blast on it since my cats knocked mine of the shelf and busted the tape in two!

Anyways, thanks a bunch for the response. Looks like I'll be getting that checkbook out soon!

DB