I have the DVD containing both Imax 2 and Cardio + Weights. Which one do I like more? Whichever one I am doing!
I never really warmed up to Cathe's previous attempt at a circuit workout, Circuit Max. The warm up and and first hi/lo sequence just seemed interminable. I really enjoyed the last few step sections in Circuit Max-- the choreography and the music-- but what you had to get through to get to them was just too much!
The weight work never seemed to be that thorough, either.
Cardio + Weights has none of these problems. Each of the 6 to 6 1/2 minute cardio segments is fun. The choreography is interesting, but I was able to pick it up the first time with no problems ( as a comparison, it took me about 3 or 4 times to get Rhtyhmic Step down completely). The strength sements are more controlled than those on CM. There are compound moves, but she then moves on to sets that focus only on the upper body. I do not think I would count this video as a lower body workout, but you should count it as an upper body strength workout (as well as cardio, of course).
I loved all the songs except for the (in?)famous "Buttercup". I happen to like the Get this Party Started Song (as a song to workout to, that is).
A few slight faults:
I guess there has been some discussion of unsafe moves in this workout. I would substitute regular overhead presses for the Arnold presses.
The ab work doesn't particularly thrill me. If Cathe is going to have us do Pilates- style stuff, she should probably slow it down and make the moves more controlled.
that is ok, though. I have plenty of good ab routines.
One of cathe's best, in my opinion.

Roz