This is an endurance based strength training workout from fitness diva Cathe Friedrich. It's tough, but trust me, you're tougher! This workout won't kill you like some of her others, but you will feel a nice burn when it's done. Low dread factor with this one.

The set is the typical Cathe set with the Greek arches and columns and foliage in the background. Cathe is accmpanied by Cedie, Jai, Lorraine, and Brenda, her crew. They are all very ripped, and it's so inspirational.

This is a high rep/lower weight workout. I say "lower" weight, because Cathe's workouts are rarely low weight LOL! I think the lowest weight she used was 8 pounds for shoulders.

Cathe and crew really seemed to be enjoying themselves in this workout. There were plenty of laughs and jokes that didn't seem to be rehearsed. She would say things like "I'm counting the beads of sweat dropping to the floor" and "they're back there saying mean things about me" when the exercises got particularly strenuous. But she still kept it professional, giving great form pointers and tips throughout.

Cathe begins the workout with a thorough warm up. Lots of side taps, lunges, squats, side leg lifts, knee ups, and stretching the arms over, in front, and to the side. The very first exercise is leg presses the mini step (six risers!) while carrying a ten pound plate. Oh my! Two sets. Next we move on to squats with the butt-tastic low end squats. Following squats are deadlits, one arm rows, clean and press w/rows, and bicep curls using the crazy 8's routine.

And if your butt isn't tired, yep, another set of leg presses off the mini step with the same 10 pound weight plate. I was like "Come on, really?" After that are lunges with, again, the lovely low ends. Next are chest, triceps, and shoulder work: chest flyes (amazingly, no chest press), pushups (not too many, I think 12 but it has a count that makes them seem like more),tricep dips off the mini step, leaning ticep kickbacks, overhead press w/plate.

If your butt didn't feel it the first few times, it's sure to feel it now: the final set of leg presses off the mini step! By this time, I'm nearly falling off the thing. But I manage to squeeze out two more sets of presses. Next there is a new move called butt lifts. This is where you are positioned as though you are in a lunge but the back leg goes out a little further. Your front body also leans forward a bit at a 45 degree angle. You push the front leg up and down, concentrating on the glute and hamstring muscles. I think my butt got dizzy: yes it happens!! I think there are 25 reps per leg. To round out the workout, there is shoulder work: standing rotation press (new move), front/side raises, bent arm lateral raises, abs work (typical Cathe stuff using the medicine ball) and a relaxing stretch.

This is a GREAT workout, with varied exercises, and low dread factor. I do wish that she had not scattered the leg presses throughout the workout, as they are my least favorite and I would have liked to get them out the way first. However, I guess it's good that she did scatter them throughout, because my legs get to recover before the next set.

As for those that are worried about this being an equipment heavy workout: I did this workout with just dumbbells, my mini step, and the medicine ball, because I happened to have one. You can easily do this workout with a home sized step (if you have enough risers; believe me, there is a difference between 3 risers and 6) and various weighted dumbbells. She even shows modifications in the abs section on what to do if you don't have a medicine ball.

PROS: the music was great, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and the workout was good without having a high dread factor. Yes, there are three sets of leg presses interspersed throughout the workout. I guess I will have to get used to it :) The Express premix was also seamless. I have not tried the upper and lower body premixes yet, but I'm sure they are just as good.

CONS: This isn't really a con, but more of an observation. I WISH that Cathe would have one person constantly show lower impact options for her workouts. I KNOW they are geared toward the advanced exerciser, but you can be advanced in weights but still have joint issues. Cathe does show alternate options for some of the exercises; I just wish it were constant throughout the workout.

OVERALL: hey, it's Cathe. What's not to love :)

Instructor Comments:
Cathe is Cathe: professional, awesome, and in this DVD, very relaxed. Love it!

bubbles76