This is going to be long, and i'm sorry. About two months ago i was looking for a step tape, i've only ever done gin miller (thought she was the best)i was bored out of my mind and looking for something new. Found this web site and based soley on reviews written here chose to try cathe. I can't even find the words to describe how much i love the dvd i bought (cardio hits), changed everything and got me motivated beyond belief. I've been lurking on this message board for months now. I've gone back into the archived pages and poured over many many posts. You would think given all the information this site has that i wouldnt need to ask a question. Well your wrong. I think i'm more confused then ever, between this site and cathes catalog i think i have overloaded my brain (haha not too difficult a task) Heres my question finally. I only love cardio... I hate weights, and never manage to stick with any weight program i start. I KNOW how important weight workouts are, I do. And this site only confirmed what i already know. What i need is one of cathes weight workouts that is as interesting and fun as the step tapes i've tried. I think that if her weight workouts are as good as her step, maybe i can finally stick with something. I can only afford one dvd at present time, maybe i can add another one in a month or two. I think i've narrowed it down to two= 1.step blast+step jump and pump, 2. power hour, mis, and body max..... i know step blast is mostly cardio but step jump and pump seemed like a weight workout Any advice would be welcomed i need a fun weight workout and wish i owned them all so i could see for myself. Thank you all .....
which one? and why?
- Thread starter dallas68
- Start date
Well, first let me say that I simply can't say enough good things about Power Hour. It was my intro to Cathe, and it's a tough, thorough workout, but fun as well. I've viewed but haven't done MIS and Body Max. They look great, but I can't speak from experience. I don't have the Step Blast + Step, Jump & Pump DVD, so I'm not going to be much help there either.
My thoughts are... If you purchase Power Hour, you will have 2 strength, and one step/strength workout. If you don't like either strength workout, would you still want to do Body Max, being that it includes weights? On the other hand, if you purchased the step DVD, you'd have one pure step workout and one step/strength workout, and if you didn't like the weight segments, you could at least still have the Step Blast workout.
I'm sure many others will post and hopefully be more insightful. Good luck!
Gina
My thoughts are... If you purchase Power Hour, you will have 2 strength, and one step/strength workout. If you don't like either strength workout, would you still want to do Body Max, being that it includes weights? On the other hand, if you purchased the step DVD, you'd have one pure step workout and one step/strength workout, and if you didn't like the weight segments, you could at least still have the Step Blast workout.
I'm sure many others will post and hopefully be more insightful. Good luck!
Gina
Aquajock
Cathlete
Given your preferences, and your current feelings toward weight training, I would suggest the Power Hour / MIS / Body Max DVD. I think that going for the Step-Jump-Pump workout, which is essentially a circuit workout with a lot of compound moves, would be more complicated than is appropriate for you right now. As the first responder to this post mentioned, Body Max has a good tub-thumping step routine to keep you happy 
while you start to incorporate weight training in. IMHO, you need to start with stand-alone weight training workouts before you evolve to circuit-style stuff.
Just a thought: weight training for me was an acquired taste. I was a cardio-bunny for years, and in all honesty weight training felt weird and I felt inadequate to it. In spite of your current feelings (which I remember so well), start training with weights and stick to it, even if it's a less-favorite way to spend your time. As you get more comfortable with it, I promise you it'll take on a life all its own, and you will look forward to your weight-training sessions at least as much as your cardio.
Plus - weight training actually improves your cardio performance, especially leg weight training. The stronger your legs are, the more power you're able to put into your cardio work.
Sermon over.
Good luck! Let us know what you decide!
A-Jock
while you start to incorporate weight training in. IMHO, you need to start with stand-alone weight training workouts before you evolve to circuit-style stuff.Just a thought: weight training for me was an acquired taste. I was a cardio-bunny for years, and in all honesty weight training felt weird and I felt inadequate to it. In spite of your current feelings (which I remember so well), start training with weights and stick to it, even if it's a less-favorite way to spend your time. As you get more comfortable with it, I promise you it'll take on a life all its own, and you will look forward to your weight-training sessions at least as much as your cardio.
Plus - weight training actually improves your cardio performance, especially leg weight training. The stronger your legs are, the more power you're able to put into your cardio work.
Sermon over.
Good luck! Let us know what you decide!
A-Jock
Bobbi
Cathlete
I agree with Gina and Annette regarding the Power Hour/ MIS/ BodyMax DVD and I'd like to add that cardio junkies can reform. I was forced to due to injury and I have come to appreciate strength training in a whole new way. I can never love strength training as I have cardio but when I have finished the workout and I survey my muscles, I know I can and will do it. I love strength best when it's behind me, knowing I can go for the cardio buzz on my cardio days and that together they make me stronger and fitter than I was when I could jam on it to my heart's content. And Cathe's strength workouts are awesome!
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"
I was forced to due to injury and I have come to appreciate strength training in a whole new way. I can never love strength training as I have cardio but when I have finished the workout and I survey my muscles, I know I can and will do it. I love strength best when it's behind me, knowing I can go for the cardio buzz on my cardio days and that together they make me stronger and fitter than I was when I could jam on it to my heart's content. And Cathe's strength workouts are awesome! Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"
I agree with everyone here. The Power Hour DVD would suit you better. You have one strength (MIS), one endurance (PH) and one circuit style (BM). That gives you a good sampling of Cathe's other workouts.
In my 20's I used to do mostly step aerobics and very little weight training. My diet was atrocious, and although the stepping helped control my weight, I wasn't as toned as I wanted to be. In my 30's, my scoliosis sent me to PT, and after that was over, my doctor urged me to weight train. She explained that since I have genetically weak bones, the muscles surrounding my bones have to be strong. It was hard getting into the groove, and if I hadn't found Cathe's workouts, I'd still be doing an on-again-off-again dance with weight training.
Another fun weight workout is Pyramids from the Intensity Series. I think it's more fun that Pure Strength or Slow & Heavy -- don't get me wrong, I love these workouts and have gotten wonderful results from them, but the Pyramids have the fun factor in them.
Start light and slow. Be consistent and once you see results, you WILL want to weight train. Good luck.
Pinky
In my 20's I used to do mostly step aerobics and very little weight training. My diet was atrocious, and although the stepping helped control my weight, I wasn't as toned as I wanted to be. In my 30's, my scoliosis sent me to PT, and after that was over, my doctor urged me to weight train. She explained that since I have genetically weak bones, the muscles surrounding my bones have to be strong. It was hard getting into the groove, and if I hadn't found Cathe's workouts, I'd still be doing an on-again-off-again dance with weight training.
Another fun weight workout is Pyramids from the Intensity Series. I think it's more fun that Pure Strength or Slow & Heavy -- don't get me wrong, I love these workouts and have gotten wonderful results from them, but the Pyramids have the fun factor in them.
Start light and slow. Be consistent and once you see results, you WILL want to weight train. Good luck.
Pinky
My first Cathe Strength tape was Power Hour, then I acquired MIS. I would highly recommend both of those. I have come to love strength training now that I have Cathe to look forward to. But before Cathe, I hated it. I was boring and I didn't see any changes in my body so I didn't do it very often. But thanks to Cathe I see the reason now why weight training is so important, it really does change your body shape. I now have some definition in my arms, I love it!
So, yes, for sure get the POwer Hour/MIS/Body max dvd. You won't regret it.
Kathy
So, yes, for sure get the POwer Hour/MIS/Body max dvd. You won't regret it.
Kathy
I agree with everyone else about Power Hour/MIS/Body Max. They are all great workouts, each with a different emphasis.
If you don't mind, I'm going to continue everyone else's sermons. Aside from the physical benefits of weight-training, the changes in your body's appearance happen fast, fast, fast! IMO, nothing helps make a body fitter and toner than weight-training. Like A-Jock says, force yourself to stick with it for at least 3 wks. Even if you haven't fallen in love with it by then, you will notice changes in your body that cardio can never achieve and you will be motivated to keep going. Then, the longer you do it, the more you'll like it (maybe not as much as cardio, but that's okay) and the better your results (fitness and outward appearance) will be!
Good luck!
If you don't mind, I'm going to continue everyone else's sermons. Aside from the physical benefits of weight-training, the changes in your body's appearance happen fast, fast, fast! IMO, nothing helps make a body fitter and toner than weight-training. Like A-Jock says, force yourself to stick with it for at least 3 wks. Even if you haven't fallen in love with it by then, you will notice changes in your body that cardio can never achieve and you will be motivated to keep going. Then, the longer you do it, the more you'll like it (maybe not as much as cardio, but that's okay) and the better your results (fitness and outward appearance) will be!
Good luck!
Gina,A-Jock,Bobbi,Kathy,and Pinky.... You guys are AWESOME! That was my first post, I was so afraid no one would answer... I should have known better. Very good explanations, and I have made a decision, I'll go with the Power Hour DVD. And your all right, Cardio alone just doesnt cut it. In my twenties I got away with it, but now at 35.... I'm not ordering till monday, so it will most likely be a week or so before i'll have my first impressions (and sore muscles)But i'll be sure to post and let you all know how I held up. I really appreciate the time you guys took helping me out, Thanks Carolyn
Bobbi
Cathlete
Now that you've taken the plunge, Carolyn, I hope we'll see lots of posts with your name on them. Let us know hou you progress.
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"
Bobbi http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif "Chick's rule!"
Everyone here is so right. (Aren't they great!!!) Weight/strength training is extremely important.
I had a really serious car crash quite a few years ago now (car went off a 30 ft high bridge with me in it!) and I was told by the doctors and specialist that my injuries would have been much worse - more broken bones than I had - if I hadn't had such strong muscles. Also my recuperation benefitted from strong muscles too.
I sometimes used to get bored with weight training but not now that I have been working out with Cathe. I have MIS and BM on vhs but am sorely tempted to get the PH/MIS/BM on dvd as the reviews on this forum certainly have sold it to me.
Good luck and happy lifting! :7
I had a really serious car crash quite a few years ago now (car went off a 30 ft high bridge with me in it!) and I was told by the doctors and specialist that my injuries would have been much worse - more broken bones than I had - if I hadn't had such strong muscles. Also my recuperation benefitted from strong muscles too.
I sometimes used to get bored with weight training but not now that I have been working out with Cathe. I have MIS and BM on vhs but am sorely tempted to get the PH/MIS/BM on dvd as the reviews on this forum certainly have sold it to me.
Good luck and happy lifting! :7