I've used Tae-Bo videos on & off for about 3 years mixed with running/walking. I read about Cathe's video's in my Shape magazine. I'm used to the advanced work outs from Billy Blanks, but need something different. I would like something with cardio & also to tone the hip, buttock & thigh areas. Need to lose about 5 lbs. I've not been as dedicated the last 6 mths as I should be with my exercise. Any suggestions are welcomed. Have a Blessed day!
WHERE DO I START?
- Thread starter JSP
- Start date
JenniferAnn
Cathlete
Have you done any strength training before? Cathe has so many wonderful workouts that it's hard to suggest only one or two. The PS series is great. It would be good for beginners and people who are advanced. The only downside is that it takes up a lot of time. Cathe has two total body workouts, PowerHour (more endurance) and Maximum Intensity Strength (strength). If have a DVD player, you can both of those workouts along with BodyMax which is a circuit workout (cardio + strength) on one disc. If you're looking for cardio and strength, there's the CTX series. Each tape has 30 minutes of high impact, high intensity cardio followed by sculpting (working one muscle on each tape). One tape, Leaner Legs, is devoted entirely to lower body.
Cathe has lots of good cardio workouts but most are step tapes. Are you familiar with step aerobics? She's pretty advanced so I wouldn't recommend starting with Cathe for step. The choreography is pretty complicated. IMHO her easiest cardio tape in terms of choreography is Cardio Kicks which you might like because it's like choreographed kickbox/hi-lo. People usually recommend starting with the Wedding video or Step Heat to learn Cathe's style of step aerobics before tackling her more difficult workouts. If you're looking for interval training, Interval Max is great and supposedly (I've never done it) the choreography isn't too complicated.
As a start since you're looking to tone your lower body, I'd recommend either PS Legs or Leaner Legs. Both are killer workouts for the lower body although the latter is a little shorter and more for endurance than strength.
Cathe has lots of good cardio workouts but most are step tapes. Are you familiar with step aerobics? She's pretty advanced so I wouldn't recommend starting with Cathe for step. The choreography is pretty complicated. IMHO her easiest cardio tape in terms of choreography is Cardio Kicks which you might like because it's like choreographed kickbox/hi-lo. People usually recommend starting with the Wedding video or Step Heat to learn Cathe's style of step aerobics before tackling her more difficult workouts. If you're looking for interval training, Interval Max is great and supposedly (I've never done it) the choreography isn't too complicated.
As a start since you're looking to tone your lower body, I'd recommend either PS Legs or Leaner Legs. Both are killer workouts for the lower body although the latter is a little shorter and more for endurance than strength.
Aquajock
Cathlete
I agree with Jennifer Ann that you should get one of Cathe's simpler-choreography step workouts to learn her moves and her names for her moves; I also agree that you should invest in her strength training workouts. It's important to vary your cardio modes, and it's important to lift weights!
My suggestions for your first purchases:
Get In Shape For Your Wedding
Step Heat
Maximum Intensity Strength
Then, when you've gotten yourself accustomed to those, move on to:
Cross Train Express
Body Max
Pure Strength Series (split set strength training)
THEN, when you've folded those into your life, move on to:
Interval Max
The Slow And Heavy Series (another split set strength routine)
Circuit Max
Rhythmic Step (complex choreography)
And THEN, when you've mastered those, go on to:
THE NEW INTENSITY SERIES!
Shoulda warned you - we're really good at spending your money for you on this forum! The problem with Cathe's stuff is not "where do I start?" but "where does it end?"
Annette Q. Aquajock
My suggestions for your first purchases:
Get In Shape For Your Wedding
Step Heat
Maximum Intensity Strength
Then, when you've gotten yourself accustomed to those, move on to:
Cross Train Express
Body Max
Pure Strength Series (split set strength training)
THEN, when you've folded those into your life, move on to:
Interval Max
The Slow And Heavy Series (another split set strength routine)
Circuit Max
Rhythmic Step (complex choreography)
And THEN, when you've mastered those, go on to:
THE NEW INTENSITY SERIES!
Shoulda warned you - we're really good at spending your money for you on this forum! The problem with Cathe's stuff is not "where do I start?" but "where does it end?"
Annette Q. Aquajock