Workouts for very heavy exercisers

[mochamajesty]

Cathe,

What workouts would you recommend for someone who weighs over 200 lbs, and who wants to work her way up to a lot of impact, but still get a great workout?

 

[Aquajock]

I'm not Cathe but I thought I'd chime in:

First of all, congrats on your decision to get in shape with Cathe! A few suggestions:

Start with her Basic Step and Body Fusion DVDs produced in 2004. Consider also getting Low Max from her new Hard Core production just released. Consider also getting at least one of her total-body strength training workous such as Muscle Max from the Hard Core series, or Maximum Intensity Strength (which is combined with Power Hour and Body Max on one DVD) or her Muscle Endurance workout (which is combined with Boot Camp on one DVD). Be very judicious with the total-body strength routines, beginning with very light weights and work your way up; maybe just do the reps without weights to get the feel for them.

When you are comfortable with Basic Step, Body Fusion and/or Low Max, consider bringing in kickboxing. Cathe has produced many good kickbox routines that are fairly medium in impact, such as the Cross-Train Express (CTX) Kickbox workout, the Cardio Kicks workout, Kick Punch and Crunch from the Body Blast series, and Kick Max from the Hard Core series. There are high-intensity blasts on each of these routines; you're encouraged to make impact and intensity modifications on these while you work your way into them. Beyond that, the sky's the limit!

A-Jock

 

[felineluv]

The Basic Step/Body Fusion DVD has some additional add ons that work the upper and lower body, too! This DVD has lot's of variety on it, even incorporating band work!

Low Max from the Hardcore series, is lot's of fun and you can do the combos a little at a time, until you work your way up to all of them! The pace is a little slower than say Imax3, so it's easier to learn the choreography.

Cathe is so motivating! You'll eventually want them all!

Pam

 

[FiddleFit]

Again, I'm not Cathe, but just wanted to let you know that I started working out with her when I was 203lbs. I had three of her older cardio step tapes, and I just did them on a low step and modified all the impact at the beginning. As the weight came off, I was able to gradually add impact, and eventually moved up to the 8" risers. The workouts others have already suggested are good recommendations, but I just wanted you to know that if you are willing to modify, you can still get a lot of use out of pretty much all of Cathe's workouts.

Good luck!
Sandra

 

[kala44]

I totally agree with Sandra. I started working out with Cathe when I was about 250 pounds, and I did them on Fit TV because I didn't own any of them (now I own the Hardcore Series and love it). Even though I had already exercising for over a year and had lost over 50 lbs. at that point, I still was no where near the level that you should be to complete her workouts completely and well. But I still tried and found them motivating, fun and beneficial. Of course, you only get about 47 minutes of the workouts on TV, but it still was enough to help me loose weight and build muscle fast. I couldn't believe all the changes in my body!! I modified all the time (I had to!!)...using light weights (when they were using 40 lbs. on squats I was using 10, or 20 on a good day!!) and doing less repetitions or slowing down the exercises. I also stopped and rested a lot on certain exercises...anytime I needed to. You work your way up to being able to complete each exercise in its entirety. I suggest either watching them on TV or getting the workouts that you like, preview them on the website first, and then do what you can. They really work...you'll be surprised at how fast you will transform your body! My favorites are the Pyramid series (especially Pyramid Upper Body), Rhythmic Step, LowMax, the step combos from IMAX's 2 and 3, and the Gym Style workouts from the new series. The cool thing is there are premixes so you can do parts of the workouts until you build up your endurance. For example, in LowMax you can do just intervals 1 - 4 with the warm-up and stretch or just all the step combos! It gives you a lot of variety and choice, and allows you to grow with the workouts.
I wish you the best of luck! You can do it!! (Heck, if I can, anyone can!!)