Power Hour is the tape I was most looking forward to out of Cathe's 2001 crop. I wanted a total body workout that would be thorough, motivating, fun, and clock in at 60 minutes or less, and this tape delivers - and then some. Others have already broken down this video, so I'll just give my impressions.

Background: My very first Cathe tape was MIS, which I got a year ago and fell in love with, quickly moving on to acquiring BodyMax and the CTX and PS series. When Cathe announced her plans for Power Hour I was hoping for a Reader's Digest Condensed version of the CTX lifting segments, with lighter weights and stylized reps with brief breaks. Power Hour met my expectations in everything but the music.

The video: The set is an updated version of the CTX set, light grey arches and walls with a cool blue background, giving it cool, airy feel. The cast has familiar faces Cedie, Brenda, and Rhonda, with newcomer Jai. Everyone looks great, but somewhat restrained during this workout…previous videos have more chat and smiles. The workout requires a step, adjustable barbell, and dumbbells although you could probably adapt it to use with dumbbells alone.

The workout moves fast, with breaks between the 10 segments to change your weights There are a few form pointers given during the breaks, with frequent reminders during the lifting segments themselves. The things that stand out for me the most on this video are:

1) The high, stylized reps. Think of Leaner Legs type reps applied to all the body parts. Cathe varies the tempo and the count throughout and takes virtually no breaks, necessitating fairly light weights. I thought I would need the same weights as I would for comparable CTX exercises but frequently had to go lighter. If your weight feels too light for the first 3 or 4 reps, it's probably just right for the entire set. The 7 count "low ends" on the leg exercises will more than make up for what seems like light weight! And the lunges are truly humbling. Listen to her when she says you don't need much weight!

2) The focus on core strength and posture. At several points, Cathe has you check your posture by making you roll your shoulders back. Another key word here is "scapular retraction" which she refers to several times. This can make a great difference in how the exercise feels - I noticed it particularly during the one arm lateral rows. She also introduces a split stance for the upper body moves in which the bulk of your weight is on your front foot, the other foot is in back for balance, and the core is braced. Again and again she reminds you to avoid swinging or using momentum

3) New variations of the exercises! I particularly enjoyed the dead row (dead lift combined with a bent row), rear delt extensions, front shoulder raises with a plate. The pushup variation with the hop in/out is a great intensifier for the chest and core

4) No "aerobic" warm-up. The warm-up is done with a light barbell and seems to cover the muscles used in the subsequent exercises. You could do an additional warm up beforehand if you're uncomfortable about this, but I didn't feel it was necessary.

Quirks: Although Cathe will give suggestions for weight to use, she often doesn't tell you until the exercise has already started. I would rather she tell you during the breaks, as she does in MIS. For the chest flyes, I grabbed 15 lb dumbells which is what I thought she was using, and just as I was thinking "this is too heavy!" she says she's using 10. (See, the camera really does add weight!).

Others have commented that Cathe seems tired in this video - she does seem a little more human. During the shoulder segment, she says she had planned to go up to 8 pounds for the next exercise, but decided instead to stick to 5. I really appreciate that she follows her own suggestions about listening to your body - she is obviously not going to let ego get in the way of good sense. She also comments about how your strength will vary according to what's going on in your life - like if your child has been up the night before. Having BTDT, I really appreciate her acknowledgement of how real life can affect your exercise routine.

My one disappointment in this tape was the music. I don't mind techno-syntho music, and I really loved the soundtrack for CTX - there are times on CTX I really felt the music gave me the extra kick I needed to finish a set. Cathe apparently went to the same company for the music for the new tapes, but the score for Power Hour just doesn't grab me in the same way. Maybe it will grow on me - I liked it a little better the second time around.

The only other lukewarm comment I have is that I would have liked to see more of the cast - it is difficult to see Jai and Brenda in the back row. Seeing other cast members form and effort gives a video a spark of personality, but that seemed lacking in Power Hour.

These are very minor quibbles compared to the overall quality of the workout. As always, Cathe is professional, warm, and motivating, her cueing precise, and she is as form and safety conscious as ever. This will probably be the total body workout I use the most this summer, because of its efficiency, thoroughness, and fun factor. It's the one I would pick during a rotation in which I would want to emphasize muscular endurance rather than strength gains, or as strength maintenance while focusing on yoga or increased cardio. I might also want to use it as a "catch up" total body day on a PS type rotation using splits.

If you're new to Cathe, should this be your first tape? I'm not sure - because her form pointers are new, she tends to leave out the more "obvious" ones given in other tapes, like not locking your knees as you come up from squats. Power Hour seems like a logical progression that builds on her other tapes. However, if you already have experience lifting weights, especially high rep Body Pump or Firm type workouts, you will probably find this an enjoyable and motivating introduction to Cathe and her style.

Sophie