I need help. I have looked at the catalog of all the available videos and am a bit overwhelmed with all there is to choose from. I am very slim from my mid waist and up and build muscle very easily in my arms and back. My problem areas are my butt, thighs and calves. They need to be trimmed of fat and firmed up. I also want washboard abs. I also like working on my cardio as well and have a fit upperbody without huge muscles. I want to get some videos to help me reach my goals of slimming my problem areas down and really firming up without bulking up on my muscles and becoming a body builder. I like challenging workouts that feel like you have worked out. But I don't want to buy videos that are not suited to my needs. There seems to be a lot to choose from...wondering if my choices can be narrowed down to the best ones that are going to give me a great workout and help achieve me goals without having to do trial an error. Can anyone help me?
Which videos to choose???
- Thread starter Manny
- Start date
Hi Manny,
Greetings and welcome.
The workouts that come first to my mind are Circuit Max and Cardio Kicks. I'm sure many other people will have many other suggestions for you. If you have a dvd player, these two come together on one dvd. You need a full size step for circuit max as well as some dumbbells (not too heavy). You don't need any equipment for Cardio Kicks.
-joy
Greetings and welcome.
The workouts that come first to my mind are Circuit Max and Cardio Kicks. I'm sure many other people will have many other suggestions for you. If you have a dvd player, these two come together on one dvd. You need a full size step for circuit max as well as some dumbbells (not too heavy). You don't need any equipment for Cardio Kicks.
-joy
Hi there.
From what you're describing, you might benefit from more cardio workouts, workouts that combine the two, or muscle endurance workouts where the goal is to lift for a certain amount of time, not necessarily lifting as heavy as you can. So, if this sounds like it might be what you're looking for, here are my suggestions.
Pure cardio- any of cathe's step workouts, cardiokicks (if you don't have a step), or the cardio portions of CTX series (love this series!). I know that the IMAX's (both 1 and 2) are wildly popular among Catheites.
Combination cardio/weights- my favorite is Cardio and Weights from the Intensity series. LOVE THIS WORKOUT (and it just won the video survivor game at video fitness). Another popular favorite among Catheites is Boot Camp (also from the Intensity series). Circuit Max is also in this category.
Endurance workouts- LOVE Muscle Endurance from the Intensity series!!! A close second goes to MIS with a killer lower body section! Another workout in this category is Power Hour. For toning just the legs, it's hard to top Leaner Legs from the CTX series. IT's insane}(
Since you don't really want to work on building muscle, I would not recommend the Slow and Heavy series, the Pure Strength series, or the Pyramids.
There are many to choose from. If you're picking VHS, I would suggest choosing one from each category above to get started. If you are going DVD, something from the intensity series would probably do the trick, like either Muscle Endurance/Boot Camp or IMAX 2/Cardio and Weights. I think you'll enjoy whatever you pick.
Good luck
From what you're describing, you might benefit from more cardio workouts, workouts that combine the two, or muscle endurance workouts where the goal is to lift for a certain amount of time, not necessarily lifting as heavy as you can. So, if this sounds like it might be what you're looking for, here are my suggestions.
Pure cardio- any of cathe's step workouts, cardiokicks (if you don't have a step), or the cardio portions of CTX series (love this series!). I know that the IMAX's (both 1 and 2) are wildly popular among Catheites.
Combination cardio/weights- my favorite is Cardio and Weights from the Intensity series. LOVE THIS WORKOUT (and it just won the video survivor game at video fitness). Another popular favorite among Catheites is Boot Camp (also from the Intensity series). Circuit Max is also in this category.
Endurance workouts- LOVE Muscle Endurance from the Intensity series!!! A close second goes to MIS with a killer lower body section! Another workout in this category is Power Hour. For toning just the legs, it's hard to top Leaner Legs from the CTX series. IT's insane}(
Since you don't really want to work on building muscle, I would not recommend the Slow and Heavy series, the Pure Strength series, or the Pyramids.
There are many to choose from. If you're picking VHS, I would suggest choosing one from each category above to get started. If you are going DVD, something from the intensity series would probably do the trick, like either Muscle Endurance/Boot Camp or IMAX 2/Cardio and Weights. I think you'll enjoy whatever you pick.
Good luck
Hi Manny,
Welcome to the board. You have gotten some very good suggestions, but I feel like I just had to add my 2 cents because we seem to have the same body type, although I don't bulk up easily.
For butt, thighs and calves, which are my jiggly areas, I've been rotating among Pure Strength Legs, Pyramid Lower Body, Slow and Heavy Legs, and a combination of the squats and lunges in Power Hour and Maximum Intensity Strength. I've been doing Cathe's workouts since May and my legs have never been trimmer. I use a maximum of 35 lbs. for leg work, which isn't really that heavy when compared to what Cathe and her crew are using, but so far it has been working for me. I can really see a lot of improvement in my legs since working with weights for my lower body. My butt, calves and thighs are sleeker and there's less jiggle down there. My jeans fit better. Because you don't want bulk, you can either skip the weights or use very light dumbbells on your shoulders instead of a heavy barbell. I don't have Leaner Legs, but I hear that's also a great lower body workout.
For a fit upper body without the bulk, I'd suggest again Power Hour and MIS. In my view, PH works on endurance and MIS works a bit more on strength. I lower my weights by about half when doing PH but I can handle more weight when doing MIS. I usually work a notch lower than Cathe, so if she uses 20-lb. dumbbells, I use 15's. If she uses a 30-lb. barbell, I use 25, and so on... Again, if you're avoiding bulk, just use lighter weights. You might also enjoy Cardio and Weights. You get to do more in less time.
For cardio, I love Cathe's IMAX 2, Power Max and Rhythmic Step. IMAX 2 has easier choregraphy but it packs a punch.
For washboard abs, I'd suggest that you get Ab Hits. I usually pop that in the DVD and do two or three ab workouts... whatever I can fit into my day. I also like to do all her ab workouts in the Intensity Series, which really works out your core. I do all three in succession twice a week. I don't have ripped abs yet, but my tummy is hard (under the fat
) and I can feel my core getting stronger. Used to be I couldn't hold those planks or do those pikes on the stability ball, but now I can do these exercises quite well, something I'm really amazed at because I've never considered myself physically gifted. I've been through many instructors, but only Cathe has given me this ability to get in touch with my body and work with it.
Diet is also important. I've been combining my Cathe workouts with the Zone eating plan, which I think has really helped trim my lower body. As for my abs... I guess it's just where my body likes to deposit the fat so I have to keep working on it.
I'd also suggest that you get a DVD instead of tapes. It's so much easier to design your own workouts (and when you do get the hang of these workouts, you'll want to create your own routines and rotations) when you don't have to keep rewinding and fast forwarding. There are players that can handle multiple discs. I have a single disc player which works just as well.
Good luck on your fitness journey. I hope you find something that works well for you.
Pinky
Welcome to the board. You have gotten some very good suggestions, but I feel like I just had to add my 2 cents because we seem to have the same body type, although I don't bulk up easily.
For butt, thighs and calves, which are my jiggly areas, I've been rotating among Pure Strength Legs, Pyramid Lower Body, Slow and Heavy Legs, and a combination of the squats and lunges in Power Hour and Maximum Intensity Strength. I've been doing Cathe's workouts since May and my legs have never been trimmer. I use a maximum of 35 lbs. for leg work, which isn't really that heavy when compared to what Cathe and her crew are using, but so far it has been working for me. I can really see a lot of improvement in my legs since working with weights for my lower body. My butt, calves and thighs are sleeker and there's less jiggle down there. My jeans fit better. Because you don't want bulk, you can either skip the weights or use very light dumbbells on your shoulders instead of a heavy barbell. I don't have Leaner Legs, but I hear that's also a great lower body workout.
For a fit upper body without the bulk, I'd suggest again Power Hour and MIS. In my view, PH works on endurance and MIS works a bit more on strength. I lower my weights by about half when doing PH but I can handle more weight when doing MIS. I usually work a notch lower than Cathe, so if she uses 20-lb. dumbbells, I use 15's. If she uses a 30-lb. barbell, I use 25, and so on... Again, if you're avoiding bulk, just use lighter weights. You might also enjoy Cardio and Weights. You get to do more in less time.
For cardio, I love Cathe's IMAX 2, Power Max and Rhythmic Step. IMAX 2 has easier choregraphy but it packs a punch.
For washboard abs, I'd suggest that you get Ab Hits. I usually pop that in the DVD and do two or three ab workouts... whatever I can fit into my day. I also like to do all her ab workouts in the Intensity Series, which really works out your core. I do all three in succession twice a week. I don't have ripped abs yet, but my tummy is hard (under the fat
) and I can feel my core getting stronger. Used to be I couldn't hold those planks or do those pikes on the stability ball, but now I can do these exercises quite well, something I'm really amazed at because I've never considered myself physically gifted. I've been through many instructors, but only Cathe has given me this ability to get in touch with my body and work with it.Diet is also important. I've been combining my Cathe workouts with the Zone eating plan, which I think has really helped trim my lower body. As for my abs... I guess it's just where my body likes to deposit the fat so I have to keep working on it.
I'd also suggest that you get a DVD instead of tapes. It's so much easier to design your own workouts (and when you do get the hang of these workouts, you'll want to create your own routines and rotations) when you don't have to keep rewinding and fast forwarding. There are players that can handle multiple discs. I have a single disc player which works just as well.
Good luck on your fitness journey. I hope you find something that works well for you.
Pinky
Well it sounds like you are having success which is really encouraging. I have just ordered two DVD's to start out with so we will see how I make out. I am really excited to start. It's hard because there are so many videos that I want right now but can't afford them all at once so I will have to build my collection up slowly. I am really enjoying listening to everyone's advice.....keep it coming!!!
Good luck with your workouts.....sounds promising for me! I just wish my DVD's were here now!!! Thank you very much for you in-depth advice...I really appreciate it!
Manny
Good luck with your workouts.....sounds promising for me! I just wish my DVD's were here now!!! Thank you very much for you in-depth advice...I really appreciate it!
Manny