Cardio & Weights

Cathe Friedrich
Year Released: 2002

Categories: Circuit Training (cardio and weights) , Step Aerobics


Some posters on Cathe's website have said this tape is too easy. I beg to differ. Cardio and Weights is part of Cathe's Intensity Series, so perhaps people expected it to be Imax with Weights. Well Imax it isn't, but it is a blast. The warm up is fun and thorough. The music is motivating and Cathe uses some old favorites. Next comes the 1st cardio section. The music is just top notch throughout this entire tape. She teaches you a base pattern, then adds on more, then 'takes it from the top' doing the final product 3x's through before going onto the compound weights. The compound weight segments use 8# dumbbells and consist of a lower body move (lunges, squats, plies) while the upperbody does another exercise (hammer curls, upright rows, tricep extensions). This lasts for about 1 min. then you go into heavier upperbody work using the same upperbody muscles that were worked in the compound segment, but keeping the lower body stationary. Cathe uses 12# for most of this work. If you go heavier - you will feel it! Then the body has to quickly adjust to get right back into the cardio. There are 4 cardio cycles. The compound/heavy weight cycles are as follows: shoulders, triceps, biceps, and back. After the 4th cardio cycle is over, Cathe moves onto chest work and then a fabulous ab routine using unique and very challenging moves. Look out for the Walking Soldier Planks! Next is a stretch that is very relaxing and soothing. A+! A superb effort from a superb instructor.

Instructor Comments:
Cathe Friedrich is a phenom. She is completely real (loses her breath every once in awhile, miscues once in a haley's comet) and yet she is completely surreal (can do extremely tough intervals while talking, keeps impeccable form throughout all of her workouts). She always looks like she's having a good time, yet isn't afraid to admit it when something is tough. She is the best.

ponytail

03/06/2003