Hi FIRMies! A question for Mel or FIRMies in-the-know!

[luvmydogs]

Hi guys! It's so great to hear about all your continued FIRM successes! I am so thrilled that you're all doing so well with your exercise committments!:grouphug:

I have a quick question about The FIRM's Super Cardio workout, and if anyone has it, I'd love to hear your impressions. I've been doing mainly Cathe Friedrich dvds lately, and I've had awesome results. She is so difficult ("I know you're tired, but JUMP HIGHER!!!" :faint: ), and I sometimes am swearing at her by the end of the workout--I swear in Italian, so it's OK.:)

I've read a lot on the YA-YA's Board about Super Cardio, and would love to know if anyone has this dvd and what you think of it. I'm looking for SUPER TOUGH cardio--is it very high intensity? Does it use the FL or any other equipment? I believe they use a medicine ball, which I don't have, but in Cathe's vids I substitute an 8lb. weight. Can you sub a dumbell? I'd love to hear what you all think!

Best of luck with all your health and fitness goals, and I'm sending lots of Love & Hugs your way!:love2:

[ZerasPride]

Hi Kim, my WISH and FIRM-sis!

It's so nice to see you posting!

I don't know about Super Tough Cardio but if you're talking about Super Cardio that is led by Nancy Tucker, I have it. I love it!!!! I don't know how it compares to anything by Cathe (I've heard her stuff is though).

This video uses the fanny lifter quite a bit and a lot of squats - a lot of squats!!! I have both Super Cardio and Super Body Sculpt and have been using them for about 2 weeks now. I just posted that I did BSS1 ab sculpt this morning and followed the advanced moves and barely broke a sweat! That has never happened to me before. I know it's because my stamina and resistance is up from doing the two super cardio work outs.

I hope this helps you in your decision, if this is even the super cardio work out you are looking for. FIRM direct is having a 1/2 price sale on the Super DVDs until the end of the month, if you didn't know. Take care of yourself sweetie! :)

[MelanieC]

Hey Kimmie!!

Super Cardio is one of the older Cardios that were done in the late 90's. It features Jen Carmen, Nancy Tucker, Dale Brebnam and Carissa Foster. This tape is 60 minutes, which is the longest Cardio that the FIRM does, I think.

It definately uses a medicine ball. I believe they use 2 lb on the video, and I originally bought a 4 lb and would almost be heaving it into the TV, so I ended up returning it and got a 2lb medicine ball that is still sort of squishy instead of hard as a rock and I love it!

The video is defiantely tough, mostly because its so much straight cardio in a row. There are definately a lot of high impact moves. It uses the fanny lifter too.

I need to do this tape again, but I have a hard time some times doing such a long tape in the morning. I seem to be pushing the snooze too many times.

Here is a breakdown of the video:
http://p199.************/ffirmbeliversfrm28.showMessage?topicID=11.topic

Also,
Molli was looking to get rid of that DVD (on DVD its Super Cardio Mix). She was looking to make a trade, but I think I remember that you only have VHS.

I am not sure if its harder than Cathe or not. I have never done Cathe, but I have taped a few of her shows to try off FIT TV.

Here is a question for you about Cathe. Is it really that much harder than the FIRM? Did you buy the club step? Do you use your fanny lifter at all?? I am not sure if I want to purchase another piece of equipment, or if I even want to venture away from the FIRM since I love it so much. But sometimes variety is fun. Do you use a barbell, or are you just using dumbells? The one video she used a barbell the whole time (Boot Camp).


I think you would like it, but I am not sure how it will compare to Cathe now that you are doing it.

Hope this helps some.

Lisa- The one your talking about is the Super Cardio Sculpt. That's a great one too! In fact its my favorite cardio for the fun factor!! I love the music on that one!

[luvmydogs]

Hi Lisa And Mel!!!:hug: :hug:

It's so nice to be with my WISH and FIRM family again!

Thank you both so much for the heads up on Super Cardio! You know, I get soooo confused sometimes with all the similar names: Super Sculpt, Body Sculpt, Super Cardio Sculpt, etc...! I am really interested in the Super Cardio DVD. I gave all my FIRMs except CAWT and MCB to My son's former kindergarten teacher who is trying to lose her post-baby (3 of 'em!) weight. She knew me when I was at my heaviest, and couldn't believe the physical changes FIRMing helped me acheive. She actually felt me up in the hallway one day...right under my shirt to feel my abs and delts! It was strange, but I must admit I didn't really mind...!:p

Mel, I have to tell you that I REALLY REALLY LOVE Cathe. I'll always be grateful to The FIRM (and my beloved Allie!) for helping me lose 110 pounds, and for instilling a love of exercise in me. They were the ones who got me in shape enough to do Cathe. But her workouts have really taken me to another level. My resting heartrate has gone from 68 to 59 in the 2 months I've been doing her. She has so much variety--you can choose her workouts to match the goals you have. Heavy muscle building & strength, muscle endurance, cardio, high intensity interval training, step, kickboxing, hi/lo, bootcamp...She has a few AWT's which she refers to as circuits, but I like FIRM's AWT's better--sequences are shorter and move faster. I did buy a Club Step ($69.99 at Sports Authority and it came with a Cathe video--All Step). I use the FL for her lower body workouts, and she has new beginner, intermediate and advanced circuit videos that use the FL (her version is called the high step, but I use the FL just fine). I do have a barbell, but you can substitute dumbells for most, if not all, the exercises. The only thing I really need the barbell for is deadlifts--I just don't get the same feel with dumbells. She also uses a stability ball in some workouts. I was originally a big non-believer in the incresed intensity a stability ball provides, but WOW! when I started using it, the increased difficulty was tenfold. The FIRM and Cathe are just so different, and the workouts hit you in different places. And you know all that muscle confusion is good for you! Honestly, I do think Cathe is much harder. Her choreography can be incredibly intricate on the step videos (high frustration level until you learn it!), and her strength training is beyond intense. I have had amazing results with her Pyramid Upper & Lower Body workouts in a short time, and I love that style of lifting. Her dvds are well-chaptered and the newer ones come with mix & match features, workout blenders, and premixes. It's really like getting 20 different workouts on one dvd.

I struggled with her cardio in the beginning. Going full-out with her left me a mass of sweat and tears on the floor! But once I was accustomed to her style and modified what I had to, my fitness level increased quickly. I can now do any one of her workouts and feel energized (although wiped out!) instead of DEAD! If you haven't checked out her website www.cathe.com I'd encourage you to! She shows clips of all her dvds, and tells you what equipment you need for each. Her forums aren't very active, but my questions have always been answered. I think you're right about variety, Mel. Anything to keep from boredom and burnout! Different styles and focuses make things interesting and keeps those muscles guessing!

Thanks so much for all your help! And Lisa, WAY TO GO ON 60 POUNDS!!! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!:love2:

Keep on FIRMing and Love and Hugs to my WISHers!:grouphug:

[s&k'smom]

luvmydogs I think of you everytime I see Cathe on FitTV. Oh my she looks tough but because of you, and yes I'm blaming you I think I may give one of her tapes a try.


I don't think I could give up the firm but I would love to have a tape or two to have that is really, really tough before I go to an event like a party or something. Keep up the good work.

[toystoryduo]

Hi Kim!
It's good to hear from you! ::yes:: Thanks for the post about Cathe's workouts. DH and I were just talking about what I could do next once I hit the plateau with the FIRM. I will have to check her out sometime. Hope all is well with you... Take care!:wave2:

Tracy:wave2: