Become a Cathelete!

Its so ironic that me, quite possibly the biggest gym-rat ever, who would happily spend all day every day in a gym, working out, teaching classes and personal training, now can't stand gyms. Yep, you heard me.

I much prefer to workout in solitude now in my own home. I don't have to care about my appearance (hello no makeup, ratty spandex, and bed head!), and I don't have to worry about anyone getting in my way (I don't have any time or patience for that!), and I get have everything the way I like it (tv, music, temperature, etc.). I also don't need to waste time getting to and from some destination. I just stumble downstairs (it's 5am after all!) and shake of the sleepies with a good sweat.

Almost all my workouts start with a video of some kind. Most of my favorites are from Cathe. I've reviewed a bunch of them before and I've continued to add to my collection. Here are a few of the latest (and I may have ordered a few more recently, that haven't yet arrived!). Unlike the others I've gotten from her before, a few of these are adaptable to beginners.

Low Impact HiiT

This is definitely the most appropriate one for beginners, of all the Cathe DVDs I've tried. Its got 2 workouts under a half hour that are all low impact. It will still be hard for those with a low level of fitness, but the moves are simple and there is no STEP.

Cardio Supersets

This isn't a bad one if you are at a moderate fitness level. Its all low impact and the STEP component is optional.

Warm Up - 5:30

Cardio - 30:59

Stretch - 5:01

Total - 41:30

21:17 bonus step aerobic routine

I like this one when I want a solid but not too intense workout.

X10 

This one has 5 25-30 minute high intensity workouts. You can do 1 for a short workout, or combine them in one of the 12 premixes.

26:51 X10 Step

25:35 X10 Low Impact
26:38 X10 Hi/Lo

25:18 X10 Cardio Blast

29:32 X10 Fat Burning Circuit

Each workout includes;

Warm up - 7:55

Stretch - 5:18

Most of the workouts have some resistance exercises so its often about half high intensity cardio, and half resistance. I like that you can do so many different workout combinations with this DVD. Its too advanced for absolute beginners but definitely not as intense as some of her super duper tough ones.

Intensity:

This one definitely isn't for beginners. Its a high intensity (duh!) workout that has a bunch of premixes of various lengths:

1. Maximum Intensity - 70:21
2. Step Only - 36:30
3. Step + HiiT (High) + Boot Camp - 59:09
4. Step + HiiT (Low) + Boot Camp - 60:23
5. Timesaver - Step + HiiT (High) - 46:26
6. Timesaver - Step + HiiT (Low) - 47:40
7. Timesaver - Step + Boot Camp - 49:13
8. Timesaver - Double HiiT and Boot Camp - 45:44
9. Timesaver - HiiT (Low) + Boot Camp - 35:49

When I have the time to the whole kit and kaboodle (70 mins) and I am looking for a hard core workout, I love this one.

My only complaint about these videos is that for the STEP work, Cathe will go right into multi-part routines instead of introducing each new move, one at a time. So if you are not good with STEP, or get frustrated easily, this will piss you off.

Honestly, I love my morning workouts. I feel so lucky to have the time, health, fitness and space to do them. They make me so happy. But you don't need to turn your basement into a gym to be able to get kick ass workouts at home. Honestly, if you have space to throw down a yoga mat (you don't even need the actual mat), then you have space to workout hard. Not even any equipment needed!

If these types of workouts aren't your thing, there are about a bazillion other workout DVDs and steaming services and apps out there.

If you struggle to get to the gym regularly, than quit! Get moving at home, because one of the keys to fitness is consistency. No workout or piece of equipment is effective if you don't do/use it!