Pure Strength Vol. 3: Back, Biceps, Abs

Cathe Friedrich
Year Released: 1999

Categories: Upper Body Strength


There are already quite a few reviews of this video, but I thought I'd add mine after trying it (on loan from the library). Believe it or not, this is my FIRST Cathe strength video; I've done only her Kick Punch Crunch in the past. Given the level detail that Wendy and others have already provided, I'll focus on my impressions.

I liked the warm-up, which I clocked at just under 4 minutes. Cathe uses basic arm/leg movement combinations to get you warm, but at the end, she says that's enough since we won't be doing any lower body; she doesn't do any stretching here. The back work comes first, starting with heavy barbell rows using cupped hands and one end of the barbell on the floor. I don't have a barbell, so I substituted an adjustable dumbbell; this was okay, but I think a barbell would have been better. Next comes barbell rows with an underhand, overhand, and then underhand grip (Cathe does three sets of most exercises, generally performing 10 reps). She finishes off the back with one-arm rows (she uses a high step here) and shrugs for a total of 12 minutes of back work. This segment was pretty thorough, but I thought I lost some of the effect due to not having a barbell.

The biceps work begins with barbell curls. Moving to seated, you'll do alternating curls, first hammer curls, then with a twist. Next it's back to standing for "negative" barbell curls: 1 count up, 4 counts down. Cathe finishes off the biceps with concentration curls for a total of 11.5 minutes.

Cathe packs a lot into 6 minutes of abs work--she performs traditional crunches but adds some little twists including leg extensions, a three count hold, reverse curls, and oblique work. She then has you roll over onto your stomach for an additional 2 minutes of back extension work. Finally, the workout ends with 3.5 minutes of stretching performed entirely on the floor for a total of 41.5 minutes.

I think this was a solid workout which effectively targeted the body parts it set out to address. Those who have a wide selection of weights, including a barbell, will probably really like this workout, especially since Cathe takes a lot of pauses allowing you time to change your weights. However, given that I don't own a barbell, I didn't feel like I got the full benefits from this workout (I find Cory Everson's Get Hard Arms & Shoulders a lot easier to modify without a barbell, especially given modifications are shown). So, if you own the equipment and want to try this video, go for it, but if not, there are probably better choices.

Instructor Comments:
As I mentioned, I've only tried one other Cathe video, but I got the impression that she is more subdued here than she is in her more recent videos. She constantly encourages you to lift as heavy as possible, even saying that you should ignore the music in order to lift as slowly as needed with your heavier weights. Her form is always excellent, and she offers helpful pointers as well. She works out with four background exercisers to some recognizable songs, although the music was relatively soft.

Beth C (aka toaster)

10/14/2005