This is a very good total body workout using light weights and high reps. It is very similar to Body Pump, in that Cathe does one body part per song, and does the exercises by varying the rhythm on the concentric and eccentric phases, for example 3-1, 2-2. The warm-up is similar to the Body Pump warm-up which uses a light barbell. Then there are squats, lots and lots of squats, lots of plie squats, lots and lots of stationary lunges (along with a bunch of low end repetitions that have some participants shooting little glances at Cathe that looked like, "are you crazy--you want to do more?!" I have to say that my knees were feeling unhappy after all the squats and lunges. There are push-ups with a type of squat thrust in between, flyes with palms facing away, biceps using the barbell and lots of rhythm variations that end up frying the muscles, lying triceps press with the barbell and kickbacks, shoulder front raises with a plate (I used one dumbbell instead), bent-arm lateral raises, and a bent-over, straight-arm raise with arms kept close to the sides, bent over rows and deadlifts. The abs section was simple and effective with crunches, reverse crunches, oblique twists and bicycle and planks. The cool-down is very, very short, almost nonexistent.

If you like Body Pump, this workout is pretty much the same, except without the great music. The music on this video is basic synthesizer music, with some vocals. I didn't like the music on the first few songs at all and there wasn't much of a beat, so for example, the squats seemed to be not synchronized with any music. As the tape went on, the music improved and became less disco-sounding and more rock-sounding. I liked the biceps music the best; it had a good beat and energy. I think that if I compare Power Hour to Body Pump, I'd say that Power Hour lacks the energy and fun factor that Body Pump has. Power Hour is the exercise equivalent of a good multi-vitamin; it covers everything and it's good for you.

I enjoy working out with Cathe's tapes because I feel like I am working out with my friend who is a well-conditioned trainer and a nice person who enjoys what she does. Cathe is in excellent shape, as always, and it was great seeing Cedie back in her spot, and Brenda, and the others who look wonderful and are so inspirational. The set and production quality are very good, and the outfits which are blue tops and black bottoms look very coordinated and go well with the set colors.

Anyone from advanced beginner to experienced can use this tape because you can get a great workout by adjusting your weights (or using none on some of the exercises). The workout flows very well. There is no wasted time. It is so well-planned that you don't notice anything except that you are exercising and moving from one body part to the next and the time goes quickly. Cathe is a pro and she keeps getting better and better.

Abbe

07/28/2001