Cathe Friedrich''s Muscle Max DVD + FREE Resistance Band

I love Cathe Friedrich''s workouts. She''s energetic and encouraging, but not too much so (think Denise Austin...I just can''t take that level of perky). Plus, her workouts don''t pull any punches--they''re designed to challenge you and push you to challenge yourself.

I regularly do several other of Cathe Friedrich''s workouts (Muscle Endurance, Pyramid Upper & Lower Body, Supersets). I love them all for variety, but I think Muscle Max is my favorite. It is 68 minutes of a complete workout--upper body, lower body, and core, with barbell, dumbells, and resistance band. You get it all. (You don''t need a barbell, however. All exercises can be done with dumbells alone.)

Better yet, you can choose what you want to do. The DVD comes with "Premixed" workouts loaded. If you don''t have time for the 68-minute full workout, you can do the 42-minute upper body, the 23-minute lower body, or the 53-minute "time saver." OR you can go to a "Mix & Match" section to choose your own specific exercises from the entire DVD.

The "Mix and Match" section has its drawbacks--it takes a while for the DVD to switch out of the program, into the menu, and back into a program, which makes this the most inconvenient of the options. However, it''s great if you want to match up one of the premixed workouts with the core workout, or if you just have time for one small group of exercises (say, triceps.)

I LOVE this DVD. It is the most comprehensive and flexible strength training workout I''ve ever done, and I''ve done a bunch, including many from The Firm series. I highly recommend this one.

(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)This is the first Cathe strength workout I''ve tried, and I found it to be intense and challenging without being gruelling. However, keep in mind that this is an advanced workout, so intermediates like myself will probably need to lift less weight than Cathe (I generally used 1/2 to 2/3 of what Cathe was using) in order to complete the workout. Cathe uses a variety of equipment in this workout, including a barbell, several sets of dumbbells, a full club step, and a toning band, but I was able to get by without the barbell, step, or band (although my modifications may have further lowered the intensity of the workout).

The main workout on Muscle Max is 68 minutes long, but the DVD also offers several premixes: Upper Body Only (42 minutes), Upper Body Push-Pull (33 minutes), Lower Body Only (23 minutes), and Timesaver (56 minutes). The full workout breaks down as follows: Warm-Up, Lower Body, Chest, Back, Lower Body, Shoulders, Bicep, Tricpes, Core and Stretch (the DVD includes subchapters under each of the above categories; see Cathe''s web site for a full list of exercises plus video clip). During the warm-up, you are constantly moving rather than performing static stretches, but I liked that Cathe still managed to thoroughly stretch each muscle group that was going to be worked. Also, Cathe constantly varies the count, which adds interest as well as varying intensity to each movement. Another thing I liked about this workout was that Cathe allows plenty of time between exercises, thereby providing you with an opportunity to rest AND to change your weights as needed. I also enjoyed the upbeat music, some of it vocal.

Overall, this routine left me feeling completely worked out, yet not exhausted, which means that it was enjoyable and has little dread factor. I think that both advanced exercisers and intermediates who are will to modify can get a great workout from this video--highly recommended!

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Since starting with the Gym Style series, I''ve become a big fan of Cathe''s. Her workouts are unsurpassed -they''re the toughest around and results are guaranteed! Muscle Max is no exception. Other reviewers have already given the detailed breakdown of the workout, so I''ll just add my praise for this tough and effective sweatfest! She hits the chest, back, biceps, triceps, shoulders, core, and legs and hits ''em HARD. I find the chest & tri''s especially challenging. Man, whatta burn! The only thing I''m not that crazy about is having to change the weight on the barbell multiple times. But I suppose I should just be happy I''m getting a breather. All in all, this workout ROCKS, and I love how it''s transforming my body.

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I finished this DVD for the 2nd time today and WOW! My legs were shaking, literally! This is definately a DVD that you can grow with. I always thought I had pretty good strength; that was until I tried lifting with Cathe! I feel like a weenie now compared to her weights. However the great thing about it is, as you get stronger, you work up to her weights and perhaps beyond.

It offers several premixes if you are short on time or just want an upper body workout. If you select the full routine there are even a few Ab exercises thrown in at the end before the stretch. This is one that you get a good burn with. She uses a resistance band for an extra challenge at the end of certain muscle groups. As she saying "just a few more", I was about screaming "I can''t!"!

You will need a barbell, an assortment of dumbbells, and a step with at least 2 risers. Also a mat at the end for stretching and Abs. I will say that her Gym Style DVDs do provide more of an isolated workout, however, this is great for an all-over body builder. She works you good! I suggest starting out with some lighter weights, because some of these moves really kill!

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You want to work your muscles? Well Muscle Max will hit every single one .. in about an hour. You can go heavy or light in this workout, so if you are new to fitness DVD''s, don''t be scared off by Cathe''s serious attitude. She will work you and work you hard, but you are going to have a good time doing it. If you are an experienced lifter, take it heavy and feel the burn. The exercises are mostly traditional, with some band based exercises that will work you harder than you expect.

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