This is an older Cathe Friedrich tape. It was
overall on the low end of OK. Cathe actually looked
pudgier to me, especially in the hips and face. The
production quality of the tape was OK. None of the
steppers were the same ones as in her later videos. I
don't think one of them changed expression throughout the
entire thing.
It started up with a warm-up and stretch, then went
into some low impact aerobics. I really didn't care much
for this section, and it was the only part of the tape I
had a hard time following. A little too dancy for my
tastes. Next was some fast high impact aerobics. I had a
ball with this section - I hadn't done those in years,
and I was really breathing hard at the end.
Next was step. It was pretty easy to follow, nothing
complex and fancy like, say, Step Jam. It ended on a
pretty intense combo - lunges off the end of the step
like in section 3 of Step Max, then low impact touches to
the sides, then high impact lunges moving forward and
back along the bench,then lunges off the end, etc.
Then there was step with weights. The moves were very
basic - just basic and V's. I started out with 5 pound
weights and downloaded to 3's;she does a lot of reps.
First was upright rows, then lats, delts, and Ithink
another section that I can't remember now. Then we picked
up the 5 pounders and did forward lunges on the bench.
Then she doubled the weights (2 5's in one hand) and did
bicep curls. There was also some tricep work on the
bench, then pushups using the bench, then you lie with
your chest on the bench and work the rhomboids.
The ab section was good. I really felt my obliques in
this one. She does them in a bit of an unusual way. You
put your ankle on your knee,but intead of lifting your
opposite shoulder to the opposite knee, you lift your
elbow on the same side to that lifted knee.
I've only done this tape twice, and will not use it on
a regular basis. It's just not as fun and challenging as
her newer tapes, and it's got some of that
"corniness" that I so hate - dancy/funky moves
(low impact section),and just a bit of annoying class
input.
Debbie Kenny
STEP 'N MOTION II
This is Cathe's second video, dated 1991, the first
follow-up to Step 'N Motion I. I really enjoy this video
- it is very tough. I have all Cathe's videos and this is
an excellent tough workout. She does a nice warm-up with
the step, followed a some floor low impact, and very high
impact floor aerobics, like running and jacks (real fun).
Her step patterns are tough - lots of power, especially
the two legged hop (jumping on step in straddle position
with both feet). This video was the first to show this
step, as far as I know. She follows with stepping with 3
lbs. dumbells working the arms and legs at the same time
(similar to FIRM segments on Tough Aeorbic Mix).
Following she does some arm work with 10 lbs. for biceps,
tricep work, pushups, and 5 minutes of ab work (pretty
good), followed by cool-down. The music is fantastic.
This is a CIA produced video. I do this video if I am in
a hurry and need a quick, tough hour to workout.
MaryAnn Parker
Of the 6 Cathe F tapes I've done, this one is slightly more to my liking than the others. That's because it has some high-impact on the floor
in addition to the step parts. Also, there is not as much whooping in inappropriate places. I think I might have actually liked this one if I'd had it when it first came out, but today the moves seem repetitive. I don't
necessarily mind *basic* moves, but I don't want to repeat the same ones over and over. Her teaching style in this is to do simple routines over and over with 4 counts of each move, then go down to 2 counts and repeat it
some more, and then on some, go down to 1 count and repeat it some more.
I think this could be good for someone who is used to floor aerobics but is just getting started with step. The intensity is intermediate and the choreography is basic. Grade B.
Annie S.
11/28/97
This is definetely an intermediate tape, with a warm-up and step section that lasts 36 minutes. I skip the weights, so won't review that part. The step workout is a bit repetitive, but uses a good number of higher impact modifications that really keep your heart rate up. Cathe does slow down a bit too much when teaching a new combo, but the moves are so basic that once you've done the tape once you can do the moves at regular speed and let Cathe catch up to you. I use this tape in my rotation for morning workouts when I don't want something too tough. It will wake you up!
Becky
10/15/2003