Cathe Friedrich's Intensity Workout DVD - Use For Aerobics Conditioning, HIIT Training. and Cardio Fitness

I am an advanced excerciser. I have been using Cathe workouts faithfully for the past 2 years now. :)First of all, I had no idea that any of this portion of this workout used some weights (The Bootcamp section does). And I am very pleased with that part. Although it is not a solid weight workout, just a bit of weights, but makes it more fun. :)This workout overall is NOT hard to follow (unless you are completely new to Cathe's step aerobics). The HIIT and bootcamp ones you won't have any issues with regardless. However, usually with a new step segment, I usually have to rewind a few times to get the moves down. With this one--no needed to!! LOLOne thing about each segment, the reps are a not too much "repetetive", so you don't do them over and over and over...just enough to get exciting, without ANY boredom. ;)Now, this workout has a step segment, floor aerobics segment (no eqipment needed), and a Bootcamp segment (where you need 5-10lbs), and a band (or resistant band/cord). ALL THREE workouts are KILLER--but EASY to follow!! :DI did all 3 this morning and wow...I'm floored, but not totally out of breath. These workouts fly by, and you will feel the burn, and never feel like you didn't do enough (like most of her workouts are). My fav parts are her step and bootcamp. However, I also enjoyed her HIT segment as well.It comes with a lot of premixes..and they all show you how long they are. DO NOT PASS THIS ONE UP...the best part about this workout DVD, is that she uses a few of a bunch of moves from a lot of her other workouts..so if you have been using her like me, you will be able to just jump right in with no problems. :)If you are a beginner, this one isn't too hard to follow either, but just beware, that this is advanced, but you can easily modify some moves. And in some parts, she does plyie jumps with ankle clicks, but I just do the plie jumps without the clicking heels. ;) And when she does plyo jacks, you can simply do jumping jacks, or just plyos instead..either way, you will get a TOUGH GREAT cardio workout!! Same thing for some jumps that she uses on the stepper, you can skip one leg on the step and just do them on the floor..so no worries there either. :)A+++++++++++++++ and so glad I bought this one!!

I don't know why other reviewers are so adamant about the step being soooooo easy to follow. I admit, I have only done a few other Cathe workouts, but I watched this through twice and then still had to stop and rewind at a few parts to get the moves down. There is a lot of turning around, so you're forced to get by on her verbal cues, which are good, I'll give her that. Also, on the down side, you need a lot of room to do this - the step segment anyway. I have a space cleared off in the living room about 6x10 and was hitting the wall at some points. This workout is just what the title suggests - intensity at it's finest and that is why I gave it 4 stars. I had to take one star off because of the amount of room it requires and the at times confusing step combos. Also, I'm sorry Cathe, but enough with the air jacks, plie jacks, and tuck jumps. I get it, they're hard. They get the heart rate up, but those moves are in every single damn cardio workout I've seen of hers. And the moves are repeated a little too much for me in this video. Despite these downfalls, I gave it 4 stars because I sweated buckets and felt like I had a good overall workout. A good purchase and I do agree that there is a lot of variety and good premixes if you're looking for something shorter or slightly less intense.

I consider myself at an intermediate moving to advanced level of fitness.Another good workout from this instructor. This is the second step workout I have tried. I find the choreography a little difficult for me any time more than one side of the step is used e.g., going over to the front of the step instead of staying at the back. Repeating the workout should remedy this since I recognize the steps sequences are repeated and basic enough to pick up quickly after a few tries.Camera work is great, music is great, less "backup dancers" would be less crowded but are non-annoying. Moves are pretty high impact (as are all workouts by this instructor) and high intensity. Got a good workout both on and off the step.

This DVD requires a step. However, the step portion frustrates me. She is FAST on the step part. The non-step, she will work you out!!! If the step was easier to keep up with, I would love this DVD. I was bummed that I somehow did not catch that a step was needed and had to purchase one.

I have a lot of FIRM videos and over the last two years have been adding Cathe. She is way more intense and challenges me in every workout video! As a result of being used to FIRM videos, I find Cathe's step moves pretty challenging. However, I love the number of options available to "re arrange" the workout. You can spend as little as 39 minutes up to over an hour completing the entire workout. You do pay more for her videos as a result, but totally worth the extra $. This one is fun and I highly recommend it!

OMG....Cathe kicks your fanny on this workout. love the variety, love the plyometrics, and I have always found using a step bench fun. This is very fast paced and hard to keep up with at times, but I will get there. My only complaint is I wish she had a clinic at the beginning to teach the steps she uses. I get confused on the steps because it goes so fast. I am sure some day I will get there. But if you want to step and breath hard, this is a great workout. So far I have not been disappointed by any of Cathe's workouts.