Interval Max for a Beginner?

H

Hillskip

Active Member
Hi!
I am a big fan of Cathe's strength training videos, but have never tried her cardio/step videos. I have taken one step class in my life. I recently got Interval Max on ebay and am wondering if it is a big mistake?? What are anyone's recommendations? I am thinking of just trying it until I am at the point of near-collapse, then stopping and trying to go a bit farther the next time and so on. Any advice is much appreciated.
 
Since you are already getting it you can ease yourself into it by just doing 1 or 2 intervals. (There's 10 all together). Don't try the whole thing through the first time!

IMAX is one of her hardest step tapes ever! (not choreography wise, INTENSITY wise)
 
Listen to Danielle, she is right. I just did it the other day, but like she said 1 day I did warm-up thru 5, then the next day 6 thru 10. I really had fun with this workout. I had it for a few monthes and finally took it out and did it. I did had to modify with her hi jumps though because of my knees}( . Good luck;-)
 
IMAX is easy to modify. And what I like most about it is she repeats each step segment 6 times, so for clutzes like me, when I didn't pick it up the first time, by the 6th repeat I had it down pat! I managed to go through the whole tape the first time I did it, but it's nice to know that if you don't want to proceed, you can always turn it off!
 
Yes, the choreography is pretty easy, and you can always learn it on 4" or without a step to make it less intense. I do think it is modifyable for beginners.
 
I-Max 1 was the first Cathe step tape I ever did, and I'd only done a couple of others in my step career (Kathy Smith).

I don't think I-Max was a mistake! The choreo is easy to learn and the interval blasts are very challenging; just do what you can thru each interval and you WILL master the steps AND strengthen up!

I-Max 1 is still my favorite, as much as I enjoy Cathe's other cardio workouts.

A-jock
 
Imax was my first Cathe step tape also, this after doing Intense Moves by Gin Miller as my very FIRST step tape. This was at age 50, and the same month I got into Taebo. January of 2000 was my break-through cardio month, this after years of just power walking! I had done Cathe weight lifting tapes, but was always too chicken to try the step ones.
 
This is probably late but I thought I would share my experience with Interval Max.

I hated step workout before I tried Cathe's. When I got my interval max (Feb 2002), I tried it and found it impossible to even complete the warm up. Needless to say, I decided not to touch it again!

Then one day, after I mastered body-max (took me 2 weeks I think of every day stepping) and was improving my intensity, I decided to try Interval Max again. Once again, I failed to get past the 1st drill.
So I shelved that program and didn't touch it for an entire year thinking it was a mistake even trying that workout.

Last month, almost after 1 year of not touching the workout, I decided to try Interval Max again. This time however, I was able to complete 2 drills (out of 10!)

Slow progress but am getting there. In fact last week I finished 4 drills but at a very low intensity - mostly getting comfortable with the steps. I still get belly aches when I do those plyo jumps and my feet (arch) start burning and hurting.

Even if it takes me 5 years to master all 10 drills, I plan to keep trying until I do the entire workout in one session. Because I think that workout is fun, I just need to get a little fitter than I am. That's all.

The Interval Max workouts are hard but they are fun and burn (I think) maximum calories. I look forward to doing them everytime and since last month try to do them once a week (I don't follow any rotations routines).

Trust me - getting that particular workout was NOT a mistake. You may not be able to do them right away but in time, you will.

Back when I started, someone (I think it was Cathe) had recommended that I start with her MIC (start with floor and step up to the step workout) since I was not used to Cathe's style. However, Body Max was the first workout I mastered and loved it and still do.

Depending on your fitness level, you might want to try MIC which
have simpler and easier workouts. Or, you can step without the step. I do that too on light days.

Slow and steady - always wins!
 
I'll have to jump in here and disagree with the others. I just feel that I have to say that Imax is not a beginner tape, nor do I think any beginner should attempt it. I believe that Cathe even says in the intro that it is NOT a beginner tape, NOT a workout to start out with. It is true that the choreography is easy, but it has to be because you are very tired from the intervals. I would think that one would want to be a little more comfortable on a step and fairly cardiovascularly fit before attempting a workout of this nature utilizing a step. But this is just my opinion. Of course if you are strong and really gung-ho, I would definitely not put any risers under the step and start with 10-15 minutes at a time(at the most) and work your way up. I assume you are doing other cardio. If not, I MOST definitely would not start with this tape. Start with something that is a little more kinder and gentler and come back to this when you feel more ready. Good luck.
 
Let me chime in.

I was a step beginner, but I had done Firm classics workouts for a few months. Then I got Interval Max "by mistake" from my mom as the bonus video (she got me what I asked for, Power hour and the Pure Strength series).

I did not own a step, did not want a step, and I-max looked tough. But after posting my woes on this forum (I couldn't return the tape because it ws not defective) I tried it on the floor with no step.

Of course, I couldn't do the intervals but I just stayed uprght and moodified. Each time I did it was like an additional pre-viewing with a definite exercise benefit. I had never done step before and I learned on this one. I was 42 at the time, and about 15 pounds overweight. Now I'm almost 44 and I still can't do all the intervals, but I actually enjoy this tape. By the way, I got a step! I use only one riser most of the time.
-Connie
 
I'm with christieschultz don't see this as a good beginner work out.

Why dont you post this on the cathe forum and see what she says. Seems like a good question for cathe.

This is my personal favorite step but it certainly was NOT easy to conquer ;)
 
Ok this has nothing to do with this subject, this is for Connie, Wow you really look great for your age. I read your story and was so impress. You really deserve a pat on the back;)
 
There are different definitions of "beginners," you know. There is the advanced exerciser who has not done step, which I know I was, and the very unfit person who is new to exercise of all forms. This late type of beginner, for sure, should not start out with Imax.

Everyone is different, and must analyze their own situation. I was smart enough to view Imax serveral times before I attempted it, and since the choreography was classified as "moderate," I was comfortable enough to try it.

I don't think that I personally "recommended" it for a beginner, I was just relating my own experience with Imax.
 
Just had to add my 2 cents which is probably what it's worth.

You've already bought IMAX so by all means utilize it. It's so much fun whether you can keep up or not. Modify modify modify and it's easy to do with this tape. If you are a big fan of Cathe's strength videos then you must have some muscle built up to help support that frame, nows your chance to develop some cardio capacity. I haven't seen a post from Donna lately, but I'm sure she would encourage you to use a low step and do what you can and take little mini breaks if you get too winded. If you keep at it, you will be amazed at how quickly you will begin to concur this tape and you will have soooo much fun, it's the perfect addition to alternate with your weight days so hang on to that tape....you won't regret it!!!!

Briee
 
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