Interval Max

Cathe Friedrich
Year Released: 1999

Categories: Step Aerobics


Wow, what a workout! You know when Cathe, the queen of power stepping, puts out an interval workout that it's going to be tough. And it is! This beats out Intense Moves as the toughest cardio workout I've ever done. But as usual, Cathe manages to make a killer workout fun!

As others have said, there is a long warm-up/mini step routine with some stretches, and then the intervals start. There are 10 interval cycles consisting of a short aerobic phase of several steps done six times each, an anaerobic phase lasting a minute (although while you're there it seems MUCH longer), and a recovery phase with very simple choreography (at this point that will be what you want) lasting about 45 seconds. As the workout progresses, the intervals seem to go on longer and the recovery phases seem to fly!

Some of the intervals are easier than the ones in Intense Moves, and some of them are easier. I really like the way Cathe mixes up the hard and hardest intervals so you don't get too fatigued. I also like the way that many of the intervals are done on the floor. I think it's safer--no step to trip on and injure yourself on when you are fatigued. Cathe always shows a modified version of the interval, and encourages you to modify if needed. Unlike Intense Moves, there is not always someone demonstrating the modified version; although one or two exercisers modify toward the end of a couple of the tougher intervals. That's encouraging, since I had to modify near the end of the same intervals. Cathe even says that it took them awhile to work up to doing the intervals at the toughest level.

The choreography in the aerobic phases of the intervals is interesting but not too complex, and Cathe assumes that you will know a lot of the moves already since she doesn't waste time breaking them down. If you have never done a Cathe video, I would definitely recommend watching this video a couple of times before attempting it since some of the stepping has you facing away from the TV (although not as much as most of her other videos).

Regarding the set, it is a bright urban backdrop with a lot of light blue and white--relaxing, motivating and upbeat all at the same time. It's the same set as her Pure Strength series. The music is great and very motivating! It's diverse, ranging from "spy movie" music (the last interval) to tropical music complete with steel drums. To this Cathe says, "This makes me feel like I'm on a tropical island!" To which I reply, "I'm sweating enough to be!" There is a nice long stretch after the cool-down, which you will need after this workout. I LOVE this workout (although it took me a couple of times through it to realize that I do), and will rotate it with Intense Moves regularly.

My one complaint, and it's MINOR, is that most of the time you don't know how much time is left in the anaerobic portion. I wish that Cathe had a timer on the screen, like on Intense Moves. I find that I'm able to push myself harder if I know exactly how much time I have left. All in all, I highly recommend this video to all Cathe fans and advanced steppers!

Instructor Comments:
One of the many reasons I love Cathe Friedrich is that she is a real person. In this video, as in her others, she sweats along with you. She doesn't pretend that the workout is a piece of cake. She says things like, "I know it's hard," and, "The recovery seems so short." She blends just the right amount of encouragement and advice to pace yourself. Her form and safety pointers are unsurpassed, as is her form. I can't believe how high she can jump--I'd love to see her and Gin Miller in a jump-a-thon together! Cathe is a wonderful instructor--so fit and so adorable, too!

Kristin Aziz

02/02/1999