Cathe Friedrich''s To The Max DVD

This is a great intense workout. Things I really like about this workout are:

The format and premixes The regular workout is 53 minutes long which includes a great mix of varied exercises. If you''re short on time, you can skip the compound legs and core which gives you a short 32 minute cardio workout with step, step tabata, and hiit. You can even add on a couple of premix sections (fitness tabata or the low impact slide in glide (haven''t tried it yet) to give you longer pure cardio if you want no weights day. I found the weights sections compound legs and core/arms to be good but not extremely hard with the weights given, no soreness the next day, etc, but it does keep your HR up.

The music is really good. It was nice to do a workout to some recognizable music for a change. I found it motivating and fun.

I found it very challengingthe first two times I did it I had to take a couple short extra pauses to catch my breath, It wasn''t until the third time I could do it all the way with no minor cheats/pauses. I am a high intermediate exerciser, I would say.

A couple notes : If the sheer amount of equipment listed scares you, don''t worry, you don''t really need everything. I would say the minimum is two sets of hand weights and a step with two risers(maybe you could get away if a lower step too if you''re in not great shape). The fire walker bands and slide and glide disks are not really necessary in my opinion, you can add them later to add more challenge once this workout stops challenging you, but for me it was enough without them. The slide and glide disks aren''t even used except in the stretch and one of the bonus premixes and the firewalker bands are used in a short segment that can be done without them. I would like to get a third riser at some point to make the HIIT portion harder but if you haven''t got it, you can still get in a good workout unless you''re extremely advanced, I''d say.

This workout is hard, it''s probably not for beginners or people with knee issues as there is a ton of jumping on and off steps, etc. But I think anyone with a moderate level of fitness can do it and build and the advanced people can up the ante with it as well (I''m still not going all out on it yet, plenty of room for me to take it higher intensity) e.g. higher steps, adding hand weights to the hiit, going faster, etc.

It is a fun workout that challenges with lots of variety and a fast pace.

What''s your favorite cardio? Athletic-style step? HIIT (high intensity training)? Tabata? Low impact slide and glide? This workout has it all. For those of you wondering what is HIIT; it''s a type of cardio where you alternative short, very intense levels with longer slower intervals as recovery. Athletes use this type of training to improve performance. It also improves ability of muscles to burn fat. Tabata training is high intensity exercise for 20 seconds, followed by 10 seconds of rest. This is repeated for a total of 4 minutes. Tabata training increases aerobic capacity can help you lose fat and is a very time effective workout.

The breakdown:

Warm Up --5:50

Solid Step --7:40

Step Tabata --5:15

Compound Leg Work --7:00

Core w/ Upper Body Focus --7:30

Stretch --6:10

Total time --53:40

Bonus Low Impact Slide `n Glide Tabata --4:50

Bonus Fitness Tabata --4:40

Equipment needed:

Firewalker band

Step + 3 risers for each side

Pairs of 3, 5, 8 and 10 pound dumbbells

Set of Slide `n Glide Discs

Why I love To the Max:

**It''s tough! The advanced Cathe is back with a vengeance! This is one tough workout. I think using the step makes it harder than Cathe Friedrich''s CrossFire. (And Crossfire is hard too.) I am an advanced exerciser and I was not jumping or moving nearly as quickly as Cathe and crew, yet my heart rate was at the very high end of my aerobic zone.

**The variety of cardio exercises. If you don''t like a section or if you find it really hard, just wait 4 to 7 minutes and you''re on to something else.

**The premixes. They cover every section, combined in every way. For those of you short on time, you''ll find some tough quickies. Since I love to workout for at least an hour every day, I love the To the Max Extreme Premix, which combines all the sections for a 63 minute workout.

**The shorter premixes allow you to give each cardio section your all and you''ll still be able to breathe at the end of the workout.

**The music had a driving beat so it helped me get through the workout.

Some things to note about this workout:

**It is very high impact. You do lots of jumping onto and off of the step. It is very easy however to modify this workout by using a lower step or by not even using a step at all. Trust me; your heart will be pounding even with low impact modifications.

**The Compound Leg Work section moves very quickly. I felt very rushed between exercises I was afraid that I would trip when putting on or taking off my firewalker band. I also didn''t like Cathe''s suggestion to put the weights and band under the step while doing another exercise. I was afraid that I wouldn''t put it under the step completely and I would trip on them. So I put them way off to the side on a chair.

**I''m still undecided about the core section. It has an upper body focus, so you''re using weights. The snatch was all but impossible for me since I was afraid of tweaking my shoulder, even with very light weights. I''ll keep plugging along with it though. What''s the expression, "what doesn''t kill you will make you stronger?"

**Initially the vocal music in the workout bugged me a little bit, but I got used to it. Actually, I now try to figure out the lyrics to distract me from the `pain'' of the workout.

These things to note did not detract from the workout. If you love cardio and love to mix things up and rev up your metabolism at the same time, you will enjoy this workout.

Buy Cathe Friedrich''s To The Max DVD Now

This is my first Cathe DVD. After reading the many positive reviews I decided to give it a try. I typically do not workout using a DVD but like to have a few in case I can''t make it to the gym on a particular day. Usually I spin 3-4 times a week and run/strength train on the other days. Recently I injured my leg and haven''t been able to run therefore I wanted a workout that gave me cardio and weights/strength. This workout delivers both. The beginning step portion gets my heart rate up. The Hiit portion is also challenging with some jumping sets. Cathe is very clear in her directions and keeps the workout moving. She also lets you know how to modify or intensify the exercises. I do not have a 3rd riser for my step and found that exercises challenging. The fire bands are used for jacks and can be done without. I just ordered another Cathe DVD and am looking forward to having variety.

Read Best Reviews of Cathe Friedrich''s To The Max DVD Here

I have lots of Cathe DVDs but kind of new to the whole HiiT training thing. This workout literally kicks my booty!!! I know it is helping me get fit. As usual Cathe has awesome cueing and is so inspiring. I love to hate this workout!! Lol. One of her best!!

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This is a fun exercise, challenging but not impossible. You work up a sweat and finish with a sense of accomplishment.