Which weight workout?

[Jennifer B]

Hi Cathe

I have only recently discovered your tapes and love them. (I'm from Australia where the fitness video industry is much smaller). I would like some advice on which weight tapes do what, please. E.g. what is the difference between Muscle Max, the Gym Style series, Pyramid series, Push/Pull, Muscle Endurance. Which ones are designed to increase bulk, or produce an overall toned effect. Is it okay to do heavy weights one day, then lighter weights another day, or does this mean you're working your body at cross purposes? I have just started working out again after a five year hiatus, during which I gained 50 pounds, so my purpose is obviously to lose fat and reveal magnificently toned muscles!!! I'm working out six days a week, trying to vary workouts between low impact cardio and step, circuit and weights.

Thanks for your advice

Jenni

 

[ldy_solana]

hi jenni,

i see that you are new to the boards so a big welcome to you, and great job for getting started on your road to good health. i am obviously not cathe but i though i would chime in on some of the workouts i have done.

push/pull is a total body workout,very quick workout that uses exercises of that of course uses push pull method. ex)the bench press would be a push exercise and the reverse fly would be a pull(i might be wrong on the latter, its early i am trying LOL).

muscle endurance is an awesome workout. if you have the dvd its paired with boot camp which it even more of an awesome workout. its an endurance workout as stated but you get some great strength gains and many have said its help lift their butts from the floor. my vcr ate my tape so i haven't done it in a while but there were quite a few sets of leg presses on the step. the leg press on the step has always helps my upper thighs as i am a pear shaped gal.

the pyramids are quite versatile workouts. you can do like cathe in the workouts and move up in weight while reducing reps which i believe helps build muscle or just work straight thru with light/moderate weights for endurance and strength gains and tone.

from some reviews i have read of muscle max and gym styles its a endurance type workout where you get strength gains and amazing definition. with muscle max you get the total body the gym styles are more of a split so you work 1-2 body parts a day. i don't have them so its just based on what i have read.

i am also in favor of the power hour dvd. it has 3 total body weight workouts and a little cardio in body max workout. all are so worth it even though body max and maximum intesnity strength are much earlier releases. the names of these workouts just speak for themselves. and its also something you really build up on by increasing weights and trying to complete the same repitions as cathe. i still have the trouble in power hour with the biceps curls.

these are just my take of the workouts and i am you will get a lot of responses and opinions. if you would like you can also ask in the open dicussion forum about opinions and details about other cathe workouts. lots of expierenced catheites here and they would love to help out. have a good day and welcome again to the boards

kassia



When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey

 

[Jennifer B]

Hi Kassia, thanks for your input. I will probably get all the workouts!!! as I love variety. I have had Muscle Max for a couple of weeks now but have been too scared to do it, love watching it though. I've mainly been doing High Step Circuit, Low Max and Basic Step & Body Fusion, along with other instructors. I too am pear shaped (don't you just hate it?) I have very narrow shoulders as well (can it get any worse :7 ) so want to build up that area. This morning during my workout I picked up the usual weight for my triceps only to find that they were too light and had to up the weight - it was a wonderful feeling of achievement! I've lost seven pounds so far, only 43 to go (only???) but I have a goal - I'm going to the US for a month's holiday in April and really want to lose as much weight as possible before then.

Thanks again, it's encouraging to read other people's experiences on the forum.

Jenni