Pure Strength Vol. 3: Back, Biceps, Abs

Cathe Friedrich
Year Released: 1999

Categories: Upper Body Strength


Can I tell you that this video is giving me some great muscles in my biceps??!! I have tried using other video's but after using this tape for 2 weeks, I am seeing a nice curve in my bicep. This workout will give you results! The workout time also goes fast because you only work your back and biceps then go to the floor for abs and more back. Cathe starts off with some great sets for back work. She holds the barbell for T-bar rows but I use my towel to hold the barbell like the Firm does on Strongbody/Strength with Pam Cauthen. Cathe does 4 sets which is pretty tough. Then 3 more sets of back exercises using the barbell. Then she does 6 sets of lat rows which has my lats burning. My back feels so nice and warm after this workout! No other video has done this for me. I wish she had done reverse flyes but instead she does shoulder lifts. These really burn but have given my upper body great tone by doing these exercises. Cathe gives good tips about lifting the weight not only "up" but concentrate on "pulling" the weight down as you shrug down. The bicep work is tough as well. Continuous exercises to get the muscle to absolute failure. Cathe wants you to go very heavy. She uses a barbell and dumbells. I found strength improving within 3 workouts! I could barely use 8 lb dumbells for the concentration curls but found that after 3 workouts, I could use 10lbs. Cathe is so down to earth and says things like,"I MAY just have to go down in weight on the next round" But then she was able to keep the same weight which encouraged me to go for it! There aren't any crazy eights in this bicep section. But enough bicep curls with a barbell, negative curls, hammer curls, bicep curls with a twist and finally concentration curls. Now can you tell why my biceps are growing?? Plus Cathe tells you to rest your biceps and back for 2 days after this workout. Maybe that is why I'm seeing such great results because of the rest time to build the muscle. Anyway, then the ab work is very very thorough. Cathe's ab routines are the only exercises that have taken my overly weak 6 pregnancy abs and are changing them to toned well defined abs. I am finally seeing some rectus abdominus or whatever the technical name. Also my obliques are getting nice and tight. AND, with this workout, Cathe does her killer hang the leg down in mid air as you crunch. This may look easy as you are watching but this is what is giving me great results in my abs. Then she does oblique crunches and oblique side crunches. Now after doing the tons of lat rows, there is something about the side crunches that really burn because the lats are just right under that obliques. And they are very tired. It feels like its really working! You know that feeling. Anyway, then after the abs, you flip over and do some heavenly back exercises and this just puts the finishing touches on the back work. I could see results within 3 workouts. At first, I could barely do all the back floor exercises and within 3 workouts, I was able to finish(but it's not easy!). Being a Mom of 6 kids from 9 1/2 years to 16 months, I do ALOTTA carrying! This workout really helps my weak back and weak abs. Also, I have less back soreness since using this tape. Well, I do have some muscle soreness the day after the workout but it's slowly diminishing. This workout is the supreme of it's kind! Can you tell I love it?! The cool down is nice and short and relaxing. I find myself doing a little more back stretches on my own just because it feels good. The music is very very upbeat and I love it! Cathe does ignore the music on some of the heavier bicep work, but you know it doesn't sound bad. I am very musically aware of things and I felt my heal still thumping to the beat as my biceps were going at half time. Very fun! I highly recommend this tape to anyone who wants strong biceps, back and abs. You WILL see results. I am living proof!

Instructor Comments:
Cathe is like having a personal trainer working out right a long with you with encouraging words and wise advice. For only $19.95??!! This is very cheap! Her form is perfect and she has a body that is very lean and muscular. Her hair is very short in this video.

Mandy Lee

01/31/1999