Cathe Friedrich''s STS Total Body DVD

I just finished doing this workout for the first time in its entirety, and my arms are shaking so badly that I can barely type this! I have all of Cathe''s weight workouts, and I''d say that it ranks right up there as one of her hardest!

Unlike most of her other workouts that focus on isolation exercises, this one uses primarily compound exercises. So, instead of doing a lot of moves that focus on just one body part, you''ll be doing exercises that work several body parts and joints. Experts say that this is best for fat loss, and I have to agree: my heart rate was really up there while doing this workout!

The workout is made up of tri-sets, where you work do series of three exercises for each body part, twice through. This is the breakdown of the full workout:

* Warm-up

* Tri-set for legs: squats, one-leg elevated lunges, power deadlifts x 2

* Tri-set for chest: flat bench press, chest flys, dips x 2 + bonus burn

* Tri-set for back and biceps: barbell rows, one-arm row, dumbbell curl x 2 + bonus burn

* Tri-set for legs: narrow squats, static lunges, stiff-legged deadlift x 2

* Tri-set for shoulders: overhead press, upright rows, lateral raise x 2 + bonus burn

* Tri-set for legs: side slide lunge with paper plate, back lunge with paper plate, wide deadlift x 2

* Core work

* Cooldown

The bonus burns primarily use the resistance band to burn out and really fatigue the muscle group you just worked. While there are plenty of exercises that are in Cathe''s previous videos, there are also a lot of new moves. The fast pace of this workout also keeps things moving along. I had to pause a few times to change my weights and set up for the next tri-set.

There are also some really nice premixes:

1. Timesaver Compound Only Exercises 53.44 min

2. Lower Body Only 22.29 min

3. Upper Body Only 24.00 min

4. Timesaver No Bonus Burn 60.32 min

5. Timesaver No Bonus Burn + No Abs 51.40 min

6. Timesaver No Abs 57.54 min

7. Timesaver Compound Only + No Abs 44.53 min

8. Timesaver Single Sets 45.50 min

The only real negative to this workouts is that it requires a lot of equipment: dumbbells in various weights, a barbell, a step or weight bench, sliding disks or paper plates, and a resistance band.

If you''ve done the full three-month STS program before and did your 1 rep max testing, you can print up a workout card to determine the weights you should lift off of Cathe''s website. You definitely don''t need to have done STS before, though, to use this workout.

Since I''ve only done this workout as the regular program, I''ll be sure to update this review after I''ve tried some of the premixes. For now, though, I just want to say that it''s a fantastic workout -and I think I''m going to have trouble moving tomorrow! ;-)

This is one tough workout. I think I have finally met my match. I''m an advanced exerciser who has completed several rounds of Cathe''s STS series and also P90x. That being said, I could only lift 50% of my one rep max (1RM) for this workout, even though Cathe suggests advanced exercisers should be able to life 60-80% of their 1RM.

I''m still on the fence as to whether or not I liked this workout. I think I feel this way because this workout is so different than other workouts. I''m used to doing splits (working one or two body parts a day) or total body endurance workouts (using lower weights with higher repetitions.) Because of this, I only gave the workout four stars.

Other reviewers have given good breakdowns of what''s on this workout, so I''m going to talk about my impressions.

What was positive about this workout:

**it''s hard! Even using only 50% of my 1RM, I was breathing heavy and struggling.

**the Cathe we know and love is back. She''s her usual encouraging and enthusiastic self. Cathe was very subdued in her previous series, STS Cardio.

**the many premixes. It''s all covered with these upper body only, lower body only, time saver, etc.

What I didn''t care for in this workout:

**the constant switching of equipment and weights. I had taken the time to do my 1RM for STS, so I wanted to be as true as possible to the weights. This meant I had to constantly pause the DVD to put on weight loaded gloves, or to add plate mates to my dumbbells, or to change the weight on my barbell. These things really couldn''t be done ahead of time since I was inevitably using the weight for a prior set.

**the set seemed very crowded. It was distracting to have so many background exercisers; they didn''t add anything to the workout. It would have been more effective to have just two or three background people.

**I''m still not sure what this workout is supposed to accomplish. If you use the suggested percent of 1RM, the weights are too heavy for endurance work. However, you''re not working each body part enough to really change the muscle.

In spite of the things I didn''t care for, I would recommend this workout, with some reservations. It is a way to mix things up, which is always a good thing. I would suggest watching the clips before ordering to see if you''ll click with this type of workout.

Buy Cathe Friedrich''s STS Total Body DVD Now

I love it!!!! This is the best strength training work out I have ever purchased. Cathe commands you to really use your muscles to engage the weights. Your muscles stay totally confused. I love the way my body is sculpting.

Read Best Reviews of Cathe Friedrich''s STS Total Body DVD Here

I had heard about Cathe Friedrich for a few years. I have purchased some of her Low Impact Series workouts through Amazon On Demand and love how challenging they are. I have worked out for years and have completed a marathon and 5 half marathons. I have been working through some injuries and have been looking for fun ways to incorporate what my physical therapist wants me to do instead of going down a handout from the PT office.

If you are looking to incorporate some strength training this is a great video. If you don''t have a step lay on the floor. If you don''t have barbells use handweights. I don''t trust myself with the discs so I do static lunges. Don''t use equipment as an excuse not to do this workout.

Want Cathe Friedrich''s STS Total Body DVD Discount?

Let me preface by saying I am a huge Cathe fan and have many of her DVD''s. I agree, however, with a previous reviewer that the weight suggestions are too heavy for a full body workout. I cannot get through this dvd in it''s entirety, namely because my upper body is so exhausted, I have trouble lifting the barbell or dumbells for the leg work or vice versa. I especially notice that my forearms are giving out during the deadlifts because they are simply too fatigued. It still is an excellent workout, however I would break it up and do the upper and lower premixes seperately along with some cardio. That way you will be able to give the weight work 100%.