Video Clips of Step Fit available from www.cathe.com.
Here's my preliminary review of Step Fit after three
times through. I'll update the review as I get to know
the video better.
If you liked PowerMax and/or Step Jam, you'll like
Step Fit. Although the combinations in Step Fit are every
bit as intense as those in PowerMax, Step Fit doesn't
seem quite as intense overall because your heart rate is
allowed to recover a bit more while Cathe teaches the
complex combos. In PowerMax, Cathe amazingly managed to
teach complex combos quickly without allowing heart rate
to drop at all. Although I wasn't as immediately enamored
of Step Fit as I was with PowerMax, I like it better
every time I do it. On my personal "Cathe
continuum," this one is probably tied for 2nd place
with Step Max. PowerMax remains my absolute favorite.
Featured new moves in Step Fit include:
- power scissors: Extremely intense. These are
basically lunges(on the floor) where you leap and
switch legs. You have to be very attentive to
form on these.
- up and back: Sort of like a backwardsricochet.
- flying angels: This is the only new step that
Ididn't care for, at least initially. They seemed
kind of awkward.
- macarena step (cooldown): I was pleasantly
surprised to find this tolerable, for several
reasons. She doesn't stop to teach the macarena
arms, figuring everyone knows them by now (I
didn't, but quickly learned). Best of all,
there's none of that hip swaying at the end that
makes people look so ridiculous. At that point
you're doing a repeater. The whole thing is
basically macarena arms with a basic step, ending
with a repeater instead of the hip sways.
There were some other interesting moves, but I don't
think they hadnames so I don't remember them all.
I really enjoyed the workout structure. There are
really just 2 main powerful, long step sections, but the
12 minute warm up and 9 min. cool down are basically
slightly slower, less powerful step segments.
Her warm up is basically like an intermediate level
step combo with lotsof different steps, and she uses it
again in section one with power.It's more complex than
her usual, and it's totally low impact. I likedhaving a
longer but still challenging warm up, especially since
itallows you to get right down to business in section
one, preparing you for both the intensity and
choreography.
The "cool down" is all Latin inspired, but
is definitely still aerobicuntil the last few minutes. It
has some power moves, like a 4 count run and a
"power mambo", as well as a bunch of triple
steps. If you liked Cathe's Latin cooldown in PowerMax,
you'll probably like this one, too. I really like it. On
the other hand, if you dislike Cathe's dancier moves, you
may want to substitute your own cooldown and sit this
section out.
I loved having the long (8 min.) stretch segment.
Cathe includes lots of good hip, hip flexor, and
hamstring stretches.
There is unfortunately very little new music in Step
Fit. Most is from Step Jam/PowerMax, though someof the
songs sound like slightly different mixes. I'm the type
of person for whom choreography and music are closely
connected, so I think this is part of why StepFit didn't
"grab" me as much the first time out as
PowerMax did. Still, this is a great video, and it will
be a part of my current rotation.
Wendy Niemi
Kremer
3/9/97
Cathe's new tape is fantastic. First of all, she uses
a 6" step. I just used my 8" step like some of
the other participants on thetape. She begins with a 12
minute warmup, which gets your heart rate up right away.
Then into Section One, which is 18 minutes long. She does
"power scissors" which are extremely
invigorating. You will hear music from Step Jam and Power
Max on StepFit, interspersed withsome different music.
Section Two is about 23 minutes long. The combinations
are intricate, just like Step Jam. It's a lot of fun. One
of her new moves is called "flying angels"
which is a hop on the side of the step, and then you do
something like a scissor on the step from side to side.
There are backward pivots, so be careful. It's confusing
at first, but I'm sure it can be mastered after doing the
tape a couple of times. I found that I needed lots of run
around the step, so I had to make extra room so I can
walk around it. She does grapevines, jump overs, cross
overs, all the good stuff. The cool down consisted of
lots of jumping too, and she did moves to the macarena.
There are some tricky moves here, and this was the cool
down!!! She dedicated more time to stretching, which was
done without a step. She used a mat and did some nice
stretches for about 8 minutes to Elton John music. The
tape is so much fun. Comparing it to PowerMax I would
have to say it's a notch, just a notch, below in
intensity, but I was sweating so much, I needed to drink
tons of water. Great workout, great instructor, great
music, lots of fun, what more can you ask for?
MaryAnn Parker
3/97
StepFit is the latest in a long line of step aerobics
videos Cathe Friedrich has written. Like her most recent
tapes, this workout is NOT for a beginner, it's for an
advanced stepper. Cathe wastes very little time or energy
on StepFit.
It's produced by Greg Twombly, of CIA fame, uses the
CIA studio, has very upbeat music, some drawn from her
previous videos (but it seems livelier and a bit
quicker), and she uses some people you'll recognize from
previous CF videos and at least one or two new people.
Cathe looks as fit as ever, and her magnetic
personality is undiminished. I find her enthusiasm to be
motivational.
The warmup is very energetic, more so than any of her
previous workouts. It's a mini-step workout in its own
right, and it gets you into the spirit of a high-energy
step aerobics with brief repetitive stretches. I find the
design of the warmup to be perfect, and I am hard to
please!
The main portions of her workout incorporates some new
power moves, like power scissors, which will test the
strength of your quads, a rotating grape vine, which
appears over and over, as you tour around the step
CF flows through her moves quicker and smoother than
ever before, and she is very talented at it. I find her
cuing skills to mesh very well with her preparatory
talents. StepFit moves along better than any stepping
tape I have ever seen. It is a masterpiece!
The cooldown incorporates the macarena into it, which
may be weakest part of the tape. I think the macarena has
been overused and should be allowed to fade away;
however, Cathe doesn't dwell on it and her cooldown is
still quite good. I was surprised I could do a cooldown
using the macarena, as one of its moves without becoming
bored, but I wasn't.
The stretching section, at the end of the tape, is
also very good.
So, I rate this tape as outstanding. If you like
complex intense stepping, this tape is for you. It will
work you hard and it's fun to do.
I think this is CF's best effort to date.
Joe Rosenfeld
3/16/97
I've just done this tape, cathe's newest, for the
second time. I continue to be amazed at her capacity for
new and innovative moves. The first time I did the tape I
had to rewind at a couple of places, but today I really
didn't have too much trouble. Her tapes are fun and you
really get a workout. She always seems to come out with
new moves - this one has a "flying angel" move
that I have not seen before. I bought my first Cathe tape
just a few months ago on the strength of reviews at this
site - I now own 4. Her tapes are for the advanced
stepper, and this is assumed in the instruction. Some of
the music, I noticed, is repeated from at least one of
ther other tapes, but it still works. This one is also a
bit longer than the others I have, about 70 minutes.
Barbara Paola
4/12/97
This may be CF's greatest step tape ever. The kind you
can't wait to do again. Gets the heart pumping with
innovative yet uncomplicated moves. Makes every other
instructor look poorer by comparison. How does she keep
on doing it?
Anne
4/17/97
I definitely have mixed feelings about this tape. The
first two sections were great for the most part - the
usual killer workout I've come to look forward to from
Cathe. My legs were screaming from those power scissors,
and I liked the new "Flying Angels" move a lot.
There's a lot of walk-around-the- bench moves, which is
unusual in Cathe's tapes, and I found them quite boring.
But then we hit section three, or the cooldown, which
is a fairly long lower impact step section. What can I
say but GAG!!!! This entire section consisted of the
dancy/funky stuff that I so hate. Everyone knows the
Macarena?! NOT! I don't Macarena, I don't "swing it,
baby" (my hips, that is), and I most definitely do
not "get an Attitude" when I work out. Whip me,
beat me, make me sweat, BUT DO NOT MAKE ME DANCE!!! One
thing I've always liked about Cathe's tapes is they're
not dancy or funky. Her last two tapes have shown a
dismaying trend towards this stuff, and I am not at all
happy.
So, you have your usual tough workout here, but if,
like me, you hate the dancy/funky stuff that seems to
pervade the aerobic market, you'll be cooling yourself
down on this one.
Debbie Kenny
4/7/97 FUN!!! Love the workout. It starts off with a
fairly intense warmup that Cathe incorporates into
section 1. The warm up is about 15 min long. Section 1 is
a lot of fun; I especially like the power sissors. The
next move is a little tricky; I kept ending up on the
wrong foot, and kept re-winding the tape until I got it.
Needless to say, the first time I did the tape I only
made it thru section 1! However, the next day I made it
thru the whole tape. Section 2 has the possibility for a
lot of intensity, but Cathe incorporates a lot of step
taps into the routine; the intensity on those step taps
can be increased if you wish. Section 3 is Cathe's
version of the Macarena - this is probably my favorite
section. Very creative moves, and a lot of fun. The whole
cardio section lasts for 42 minutes. I'd say its not as
intense as Cathe's last tape, but defintely very
choreographically creative and a lot of fun. Cathe is
always consistent in delivering excellent workouts.
Grade: A
Kathy Lapinski
4/5/97
This is the first tape of Cathe's that I've bought. I
had never heard of her until I found this website, which
was only about 2 months ago. Anyway, I didn't know what
to expect, but the first time I tried it, I was
pleasantly surprised. I found it to be the most
challenging step workout video that I had ever done and I
absolutely love it. I'm just sorry that I didn't discover
her sooner. The choreography was complex, which I liked,
and the cooldown was okay, except that I really didn't
care for the macarena, but I liked the triple steps. I
find it hard to use my other step tapes now, because
compared to CF's, they're not as challenging. Needless to
say...I'm a fan for life! I can't wait to try her other
videos!
Anna L
5/20/97
The stepping is of course complex and advanced filled
with a lot of high impact. For all the Cathe 's tapes you
have to not only challenge your body and cardiovascular
system but your mind as well. There are so many new
combos that keep coming to you. Cathe always goes back to
the first combo so you really have to be coordinated as
well as have a good memory. Step Fit is really over an
hour of pure stepping from the warm up which is 12
minutes of stepping to the cool down which is 9 minutes
of stepping. The two sections of stepping in the middle
is over 42 minutes. The first step segmant has grapevines
around to the front of the step then you power over and
then do a u turn. Then you do some power scissors where
you do hop lunges on the floor as well as a tricky turn
that you do on the board then you straddle. Wonderfully
tough and the time flies. The choreography keeps you so
busy that you forget you are doing excercise. It's just
plain fun! I really enjoy my time with Cathe.
The second step segmant has a lot of fun steps. There
is a back and forth move over the step. Kinda like her
ricochet but you don't turn. You keep your body forward.
There is a lot of walking back and forth around the step
which is fun because you have to do it really fast. Last
but not least are the power angels. Like you would make
an angel in the snow. You will have to see it to believe
it. This one is too hard to describe.
The cool down is also tough with power holds and a
fun swing move with your hip. I must say that I still am
breathing hard in the cool down. It's not a cool down for
me.
The long and awaited cool down is nice. She does her
usual stretches but adds some new floor stretches for
your back. You begin standing stretches for your arms
neck and some for your legs. And then go to the floor on
your back for your hamstrings. She stretches all the
muscles to nice relaxing sax music and then an Elton John
song ( it's not him singing but someone else)
Cathe is sure to keep you motivated in this great
advanced step video. Her cueing is great that some can do
the video without looking at the TV screen. Cathe uses a
6 inch step because she had reinjured her knee from
surgery. She is so much more relaxed in her teaching
style then Mega Step Blast. Friendlier, smiling and she
is having so much fun that you can't help but have fun
too. She talks to you as if you are right there
excercising with her. It's funny that during the stepping
segmant, Cathe and her background excercisers are smiling
but during the stretch they are all serious and not
smiling. It's weird to see Cathe this way. Every tape
that Cathe comes out with is chuck full of new complex
choreography that will keep you happy untill her next
tape.
Mandy Lee
9/6/97
Each time Cathe makes a new video it's better than the
last, and StepFit is no exception! I love everything
about this tape from the warmup to the cooldown to the
ending stretches.
This workout always puts me in a great mood, no
matter how stressful my day has been. The choreography is
powerful, intense, fun and not for the novice stepper!
There is so much choreography jam-packed into this
workout that it would take up too much space to describe
all the moves, so suffice it to say that Cathe's loyal
fans will not be disappointed. As usual, her cuing is
dead-on, so you'll get a good workout the first couple
times through. Even the macarena cooldown, which I
thought would be corny (and is really a mini-step workout
in itself), is awesome.
As mentioned in other reviews, because some of the
choreography is very powerful and complex, Cathe spends a
bit more time teaching the moves or placing the class in
a holding pattern, unlike PowerMax. This causes the heart
rate to drop a bit, and so the workout doesn't appear to
be as intense as PowerMax. However, the heart rate can
remain elevated simply by putting power on the sidesteps,
or going right into the move itself while she's teaching
it. I for one am grateful for the recovery periods the
teaching and holding patterns provide, and will usually
stay low impact then go full force once the combos are
built.
The music is faster in this tape, and yes, it does
push the guidelines Step Reebok has established. However,
as an instructor myself, I think it moves along at a safe
enough pace and I don't feel my form suffers as a result.
I'm step certified myself and do not hesitate to be
critical where safety is concerned. This is not a video
that moves at lightening speed where full range of motion
is virtually impossible, at least in my opinion.
Many Cathe fans have chosen PowerMax as their
favorite video, but mine is definitely StepFit. Section 3
of PowerMax is my all-time favorite Cathe step *routine*,
but StepFit is by far her best video effort to date!
Definitely an A+++ production.
Roberta Kagno
9/10/97
Step Fit is my favorite Cathe Friedrich video. This
video particularly grabs me for several reasons, mostly
though I really love doing the moves, and I really enjoy
the music. I love the extra long warmup (its about
twelve minutes long), which surprises me because I am
normally bored by warmups. Its a basic step combo,
that I think is a lot of fun, followed by some really fun
stretches. The first section is full of great moves and
the time flies. The only part of this video I dont
like is the Power Scissor moves in the first section. I
think of it as a leaping lunge, and I am worried that I
could hurt my knees when I do it. It is a very powerful
move though. The second section is even better. My
favorite move is the flying angel, rock press, jumping on
the board combo at the end of the second section. The
third section is supposed to be a cooldown, but it is
definitely more intense than most cool downs, but the
latin style dance moves are a lot of fun. The cool down
is extremely dancy. The extended stretch at the end is
really effective and very relaxing. While this video is
slightly less intense than "PowerMax", I still
have that "wrung out" feeling after I do it.
Andrea H.
9/14/97
I had never really cared for Cathe's step tapes before, but after being wowed by MIS and MIC, I decided to give her another try. Well, I finally hit on a keeper! I'm really pleased with this tape. Everything from the warmup straight through to the cooldown is great. Even the music is outstanding.
The choreography and intensity are both advanced, but I wouldn't necessarily call the choreography complex -- at least not compared to many of the recent CIA tapes. And it's not dancy either. There are some plyo and high-impact moves. Those power scissors are especially good for getting your heart pumping!
The cardio portion is either 42 minutes or 51 minutes, depending on how you look at things. 42 minutes is listed on the back of the box, but if you add in the 9-minute cooldown, which is quite a bit more vigorous than a typical cooldown, it's 51. The cooldown is lower intensity, of course, than the stepping part, but it is still aerobic. The total length is an hour and 10 minutes.
I am now officially a Cathe convert. All these years I thought I was the oddball because I just couldn't get into her tapes. Now with Step Fit, MIS, and MIC, I'm hooked -- and will definitely try more.
Annie S.
5-3-98
I'm of two minds about this video. I love Cathe's rapidly expanding repetoire of choreography on this tape. I especially like how she has incorporated hi-lo moves into the routine, such as grapevines, pivots, and walk around the bench moves. Yet, even despite the content of the video, I find that Cathe veered a little on the outer edges of safety in this one.
First, I think the warmup is not much of a warmup at all. You're stepping after about 30 seconds in, and I'm not talking itty bitty stepping. Though there are no propulsions, the warmup easily qualifies as an intermediate step tape. I personally lower my step to one riser, and that helps. I tried it once with two risers, and I felt the blood rushing to my head fast, and I felt a little lightheaded. Now, I just make sure that I make my motions smaller on that part.
Secondly, I think the tempo on the power lunges in the first step combo is too fast. I feel like I'm flaying my arms and rushing to get on the bench on the recovery move following the lunges. I also think the flying angels move, while fun, is a move that should be best avoided. Yes, Cathe reminds you to stay airborne, but it's really difficult to make a complete rotation so that you don't hurt yourself. The first few times I did the video, I stopped the tape right there, because something in my knee felt terribly wrong. It's like holding a chicken "wishbone" still while while twisting the other half above the joint. Your knee is that poor joint that is twisted if you're not careful to complete your rotation *while* you're airborne. Hope that description is comprehensible. I've since mastered this move, and I admit that I love it! But I wonder if it's worth doing at all, given the down side.
Like I said, I really like this tape. Even more than even the beloved Powermax. It's second on my all-time favorite step tape list behind Step Jam. I like how things quickly change, and I like the addition of the walk around the bench moves that let you get your wind back after the grueling 1st section. Maybe I'm just a little conservative on the safety issues.
Eulonda Skyles
5-9-98
This is my first Cathe video.
It was a breath of fresh air. I've been stepping for a couple of years and found this tape very difficult.
Maybe someday I'll get all the way through, but not this month anyway.
It's fairly easy to follow, but I did find her lunges/exits/walk-arounds hard to follow at first.
It's a tape I look forward to doing and there's no chance of getting bored with this one - she keeps you on your toes.
I give it an A+.
Instructor comments: Cathe is the greatest. She has a style that's very motivating -- and it never gets old.
One has to wonder what kind of workout she
does when she's NOT taping. And she never gets winded. How does she do that?????
Michelle Finney
6-9-98
Darn those Flying Angels! They practically ruin this whole tape for me!
Actually, it may not be the Flying Angels themselves, but the fact that I have one of those cheaper, shorter steps. Either which way, the Flying Angels move feels very uncomfortable to me and I'm afraid I'm going to fall off my step, so I just do abductors off the end. After a while, though, I get bored and frustrated that I can't do the "real" move (she seems to do it for a while), and I often shut the tape off. The rest of the tape is pretty good, but knowing that I will probably get frustrated and end the workout early because of the FA unfortunately makes this a tape that I am doing less and less.
Jen Blaske
6-29-98
I love this one as much as I love PowerMax. If someone were to say I could only keep one, I'd have to deliberate for about 3 weeks before deciding what stays and what goes. This one is more "laugh out loud" funny than PowerMax--it contains the classic line "was that a sheep?" and Cathe growling out, "we're WORKIN!" in the second section. And oh, yes--the power scissor section where she says, "no, we're not doing them again?" Then she turns to the camera and says, "WHAT? You WANT them again? Well, OK--we're going for it!" Yes, it's corny as all get out, but you know hwat? I'm more likely to do the extra set than I would be if she were to say something earnest like, "I know it's tough--but you can do it." Besides, she makes me laugh. An instructor who can make me laugh can make me do anything. Except maybe pushups:)
The one also gets a 10 for the "slime factor" (where I sweat so hard my daughter tells me I'm "slimy" afterward). But it's so much fun I don't realize how hard I've worked until the cool-down. And I like the cool-down. I've always like it when instructors incorporate popular dance steps into their routines, and this one is no exception. The only problem is that next time I'm at a pro football game and they play the Macarena, I'll have to make myself swish my hips instead of basic stepping on a board that isn't there:) And the stretch is pure bliss. Cathe is as good leading a slow-paced stretch as she is power stepping. Judging from what other VFers have said, her strength videos are as good as or better than those of the FIRM. Is there anything this woman can't do?
I like how Cathe doesn't have you on the step all the time, but also uses the space around it and even away from it on occasion, so you're not just stepping ad nauseum. There's nothing in the aerobic section I don't like--although I'm not super crazy about the flying angels and half the time I just do the "teaching move" just preceeding them where you just kick to the side and stay facing the TV. I love the grapevines around the step, the repeater that goes inot a pivot that goes into side lunges, and the opening moves of the second step section--the basic step, kick, "ball change" and straddle. In fact, I love it all:) This whole workout is a 10 on the Fun Factor, too. Like she did in PowerMax, Cathe just puts it all together so well and is having so much fun herself that you just have to join in and before you know it, it's time to Macarena!
Grade: A+++++ and ten extra points for the stretch:)
Melissa Cooper
mpcooper@iupui.edu
9-13-99
Humm....I really love Cathe, but video needed a few edit's....primarily with
her cueing. Several times she didn't know if we were gonna go with the left
or right foot, turn to the left or right, or sometimes she just "missed" the
cue ~ I was left standing on my step going, "Duh?". I felt pretty lost and
this is a first because I can usually do a tape of hers the first time
through. I enjoyed the routine, the combos were creative and fun, however
if it weren't for the unedited bloopers, I would keep this tape. I guess I
sound like a perfectionist, I guess I am!!! Don't get me wrong, I've kept
all the others :-)
I will give a thumbs up for her motivating manner, I had a low blood sugar
crash 30 minutes into the workout, but instead of calling it quits, I heard
her same something like, "keep it up, keep it strong..." so I gulped some soy
milk and persevered the rest of the workouts with my arms down. So, I do
love her, I was just having a hypo-glycemic episode!
Myra Marangi
AFAA/BodyPUMP Instructor
bodyatemple@yahoo.com
2/1/01
The majority of this tape is affords an excellent workout. Section one is not too difficult, but by the end of the section, I'm already dripping sweat. The third section is also a lot of fun. Both sections have Cathe's unique and fun step combinations.
I have to give the second section a "razzy". I thought it was me at first. It wouldn't be the first time I had to take some time to learn a new Cathe combo. But after the fourth time through, I realized that the cueing was throwing me off. Another reviewer of this tape said she thought her blood sugar was off that day and was much kinder than I. This section (not all of the section) mis-cues right foot when it should be left, walking inside instead of outside.
I can live with the tape and continue to look forward to doing it when it comes around in my rotation, but I could not recommend the tape unless you are a veteran Cathe stepper. Parts of that second section are still confusing to me but I plan to work around that with side ups or something that will keep my heartrate up until that section is over.
Again, the tape as a whole, is classic and unique Cathe. You may have no problem with it at all. Go for it. It's worth the addition to your collection, as I stated, if you are a Cathe stepper.
Donna Nihill
7/26/01