CatheFriedrich Low Impact Metabolic Athletic Training Exercise DVD - Use For Aerobic Conditioning and To Shape and Tone Your Muscles

Background first: I am 48 and have been exercising for years. I would say I am between intermediate and advanced depending on the exercise. My knees are weakening, and they are sometimes painful, so I need to careful now.This is a awesome workout. I liked it a lot and its sure to become one of my favorites. I did it for the first time today and was able to complete it all the way through however my weights were far less then Cathe's and her group. My knees bothered me a little, but it wasn't bad. As time goes on, I could see myself growing with this workout to add more weight as I become more advanced. My heart rate was elevated throughout, but most importantly I think someone could customize this workout to where they are physically, yet make room for improvements and or add more challenge.Some people commented that they found the beginning of the workout repetitive and boring. It was somewhat, but I didn't mind it at all. It got my heart rate up, and to quote another reviewer the beginning is a bit of a "no brainer" where you don't have to think much, just keep moving until things change and the workout gets more "interesting".The music is ok I guess. Nothing special but it didn't annoy me, and there is no singing to it. I also liked using the variety of equipment. It made the workout fun in my opinion. All in all ....an awesome/fun workout that I'm sure will give me the results I want of losing a few lbs, and contributing to further toning, as opposed to spending tons of boring hours on a gym machine.Lastly, I own a few Cathe (aerobic) tapes from her earlier years, however tended not to do them often because I couldn't get down the choreography quickly enough or there was just too much jumping for me. This series of "Low Impact" is a masterpiece. I am really impressed with these. I have Slide and Glide that I like as well, and also purchased Afterburn that I will try this weekend.Thanks Cathe! These are winners...can't wait to see what you continue to come up with next. I know I'll be following and aging right along with you!

If you like your heart rate up the whole time, this only does it for the first 20 minutes. The first 20 is sweaty and grueling-intermediate to advanced. The last last 20 is alot of isolated weights/resistance bands ,your heart rate will plummet to normal. What I did was keep my step out and do step ups while lifting to keep my heart rate up. that worked nicely. I like at least 40 minutes of cardio. If you only want 20-this is perfect for you. If you want more, you will have to improvise like I did with the step.

I really like this dvd. Explains things well and easy to follow. Only thing I wish I knew before I bought it is that it requires bands and also she doesn't have someone in the class doing modifications. I'm experieneced enough to know how to do that but others Im sure are not. Other than that I like it alot.

I have a ton of Cathe's videos and this is probably one of my favorites. I have some knee issues, so I really enjoy being able to do low-impact moves that are still intense, and this one fits the bill. There's a segment of challenging leg work right at the very beginning of this routine that leaves your quadriceps & hamstrings burning -- and it just gets tougher from there!Cathe & co. start off with an 8-inch step height and later add one riser -- which I'm unfortunately unable to do because I'm 5'8" and as it is, I have to be extra-careful so I don't hit the ceiling fan in my workout room lifting my weights overhead! I make up for not switching to a taller step height by using my blue "firewalker" band to make the firewalker portions of the workout more challenging. Cathe uses 5 lb. and 8 lb. weights, but I have found I can finish the workout using 8s and 10s.This workout also uses resistance tubing (the kind with the plastic handles) for some of the segments. (For some reason the tubing isn't listed on the back cover of my DVD under the list of needed equipment, but luckily I already had some at home.) Sometimes the tubing is used in conjunction with the hand weights, so I've learned that it really helps to wear lifting gloves -- especially when your hands get sweaty!My one complaint about this workout is that the transitions between segments are pretty quick and sometimes I have to rewind a bit to give myself time to change equipment, etc. However, I'm sure that will cease to be an issue for me once I memorize the routine.

This is a low impact workout but it includes lots of lunges, so it isn’t the best choice if you’re recovering from a knee injury.

I've been a loyal "Firm" follower for a very long time. However, the high impact is hard on my back and I went searching for high intensity, low impact options. Cathe's workouts are perfect. She combines low impact cardio with weights, just like the Firm. I can adjust the platform height and the weights to vary intensity. This woman knows how to drive a tough workout without constantly jarring your body!She uses many accessories - dumbbells, bands, discs. This could get expensive. It's possible to do most of the disc routine without the disc. The band is harder to substitute. I may have to find a set.

I was looking for low impact - I am an avid Leslie Sansome fan and wanted to take it up a notch - after browsing I selected this series. I never made it through the beginning. I watched a bit as is my habit before starting any new DVD and this is way to intense. Lots of jumping - not low impact in my opinion - and it requires more athleticism than I possess. I have bad knees, ankles and back - hence the low impact requirement. I am not in bad shape and I do an average of 5 - 7 miles a day walking but this DVD is way over the top for someone like me. I am sure it is great for someone younger and without all the excess health baggage I carry.