This is the first and only of the Intensity series that I have tackled so far, but if all of the tapes in this series are as incredible as this one, this will be one amazing year for Cathe workouts.

Just to put this review in context, I would classify myself as a low-advanced exerciser who regularly does most of Cathe’s workouts. For purposes of comparison to C + W, for me, Imax needs a lot of modification, but Circuit Max is perfect.

The format of this workout, as many of you already know from Cathe’s descriptions at her web-site, is a warm-up (5.5 minutes) followed by 4 cycles, each comprising cardio (approx. 6.5 minutes), a compound upper/lower body move, and then two exercises specifically for the upper body part worked in the compound move (approx. 4 minutes total). Cathe then adds 3 minutes of back work, 8 grueling minutes of abs, and a brief 3.5 minute stretch, for a total workout of one hour.

Having done it only once, I would say that Cardio + Weights may be a tad less intense than CM. I was initially surprised to realize that the cardio is NOT among Cathe’s most intense. Then I realized that with Imax 2 and Boot Camp in this series, this was probably a deliberate decision. The choreo is on the dancy side and, with a few notable exceptions, all low impact. Virtually all of it is moves you've seen before in Cathe vids.

Warm up (0:00—5:20) to “Let it Go”—great mid-tempo song
Basic, v-step, step-kick-mambo-cha cha, pas de bourre, reverse box step, cha cha (sort of a fun chug move on the step), step up/lunge, then stretches.

Cardio 1 (5:20—11:50)
Basic, hop turn, outer htigh/straddle, L-step, shuffle up, A-step, shuffleboard, pump (aka hesitation) repeater, hop/run combo)

Strength 1 (11:50—15:30)
Plie squat with upright row (32x)
Arnold press (16x, then 8x)
Side laterals (12x)

Cardio 2 (15:30—21:50) to
Insole corner to corner, rhythmic L, box lunges, bow and arrow (really a variation on rhythmic L with different arms) go across the board, pendulum back, kickbox repeater (knee smash/side kick)

Strength 2 (21:50—25:50)
Lunges with triceps extensions (16x)
Close grip db bench press (2 sets of 12)
Lying extensions (16x)

Cardio 3 (25:50—32:10) to “Little Less Conversation” GREAT song, fast and furious, sung by an Elvis sound-alike named King Junior. You’ll be grinning throughout. Lyrics are decidedly NON-PC!!

Knee off the side, 3x across the step, tap back, power scissors, chug, leg extension, run up/plunge lunge, tap dance

Strength 3 (32:10—35:40)
Lunges with hammer curls (16x)
Hammer curls (12x)
Alternating hammer curls (8x)
Regular curls (12x)

Cardio 4 (35:40—42:20)
Step touch, up and back (from Rhythmic Step), corner knees, triples around the step, power squats (front-back-front; haven’t seen this move since Reebok Extreme Step, and it looks as dangerous now as it did then, lol!), step/skip across, down jack, adduction repeater.

Strength 4 (42:30—45:20)
Dead row/double arm row (12x)
Double arm row (2 sets of 12)

Having done shoulders, tri’s, bi’s, and back, she adds a series for chest (45:20—48:40)
Combo: Push up/pyramid (aka downward dog)/push up/side plank (8x). Loved this!
Db chest press (12x)
Db flies (12x)

Abs (48:40—56:40) to pretty and upbeat Latin song

This section is practically all new-to-Cathe moves and KILLER. Lots of crunches with feet off the floor, legs up in the air, variations on Pilates “100”, something she calls “explosive” crunchs. The entire set of oblique work is done in the side-lying position and includes variations on side planks. Concludes with straight arms planks, alternating opposite arm/leg raises. Yikes!! I will definitely be working up to a lot of this. Cathe’s core, 6-months post-partum, looks unbelievably strong and sculpted during this session; great motivation.

Stretch (56:40—1:00:30)
Short but sweet, and well-deserved.

Cathe has taken the Circuit Max concept, which to me was the pinnacle of circuit workouts, and worked a new variation on it. High fun factor AND a very good sweat factor.

Instructor Comments:
Cathe is as motivating as ever, maybe more so considering the shape she is in only 6 months post partum. It is wonderful to see the familiar faces of Cedie, Brenda, Jai, and Rhonda in the cast. There is some whooping, but it seems very genuine, considering the high fun factor of this workout.

Elisa S.

01/01/2003