Revisit

[xschwarz]

I’m a long time supporter of Cathe all the way to the original step workouts and while I’ve moved on to try different workout instructors, I periodically check into see what’s new. I still love Cathe as an instructor, creator and motivator but I am surprised to see her new creative content still hinges on DVD production and long waits involving Pre Sales and free downloads to appease those waiting through the process. (I would love to stream her new Metabolic Workout- but alas I can’t because conditional on a pre-sale.) It is highly likely I’ve missed conversations in the forum along the way but why hasn’t Cathe developed and app with all her content like so many others in the exercise industry? Has Cathe talked about this? New content as well as short volgs, video demos and a rotation of new material that doesn’t necessarily have to be a complete project that takes months produce.
I used to download some of her weekly workouts but find that her productions in the studio with just a few others working alongside her far more motivating and current.
I still see Cathe’s unique creativity and personal style all these years later but things seem to be a bit behind in this fast moving app and streaming world.

 

[Kellyro77]

Interesting ideas. I see so many different opinions about whether people want DVDs or streaming. Cathe's business' decisions may have to do with their primary demographic audience, and perhaps a large percentage of that prefers DVDs.

Technically, her OnDemand is an app with all her content - so not quite sure how that differs from what you're suggesting? Unless it's to add the other features you mentioned (vlogs, demos, etc.)

I like the idea of staying up-to-date with tech, but at the same time, they need the staff and expertise on hand to maintain it, as well as keep evolving it. I feel like her OnDemand service is a bit lacking because I suspect there aren't many resources being allocated to maintaining it, let alone upgrading it, which makes me worried about what an app experience would look like.

If they cut the cost of DVD production and shipping, they could move resources/expenses from that venue over to app and online development and maintenance. But again, I have a sneaking suspicion there's a lot of people out there who may be pretty unhappy if DVDs disappear. I could be wrong, though.

There's also a real possibility that Cathe may eventually decide to retire in the not-so-distant future. I'm not sure if that happens if the Cathe business will continue after that. I feel like people will be resistant to someone else suddenly instructing her workouts - or there will be a drop-off of a percentage of established customers and an unstable period as new customers come in who are fresh and open to new instructors.

Seems like these bonus workouts from the pre-sale are a good testing ground for digital-only content, though.

There's my lack-of-good-sleep-last-night two cents on it.

 

[Lady Vol Fan]

(I would love to stream her new Metabolic Workout- but alas I can’t because conditional on a pre-sale.)

You could be an ondemand customer and stream it that way

Cathe On-Demand Streaming Subscription

You can work out and watch Cathe OnDemand exercise and workout videos on your computer or almost any mobile device and stream it to your big TV.

cathe.com

Maybe this coupon code still works to get $50 off for the year
Use Coupon Code 50off

 

[Debinmi]

why hasn’t Cathe developed and app with all her content like so many others in the exercise industry?

I'm not sure, but you may be asking about Cathe's On-Demand app and her Cathe LIVE app. On-Demand has all her dvd content and a blender which allows you to create your own custom workouts from the various chapters from the content. It's a subscription service. As is LIVE which has her weekly workout in her gym which sounds like you're familiar with.

as well as short volgs, video demos and a rotation of new material that doesn’t necessarily have to be a complete project that takes months produce.

Yeah. I hear you on this! Cathe is usually an innovator in the industry but she's chosen to not go this route for some reason. Her dvd productions are the absolute best, but it is becoming an outdated medium and it is a very long process from conception to delivery. Maybe Cathe is more of a perfectionist and wants to be sure her content has all the bells and whistles her fan base has come to expect. On-Demand subscribers love her chaptering & editing and the ability to create their own workouts in the blender. That type of editing certainly takes more time and effort than a YouTube video and i think may be unique to Cathe's app. Her subscribers pay up to $20 a month for this ability.

ETA: looks like a few of us were composing a response at the same time! Lol.

@Kellyro77- interesting points about the app. It does appear that the app needs upgrading and that they are limping along with it as is. Maybe more subscribers would allow for that to happen. But I do think dvds are on the way out. And Cathe, at 60 almost 61, with a few surgeries in the past couple of years and 2 consecutive series for the "actively aging" may be thinking about her and her businesses futures too.

 

[aqua girl]

Well, I am perfectly happy with the OnDemand app as it is, everything works great for
me, and rarely have any issues with it, even with my “turtle speed” internet. If & when
they come out with that upgraded app that was mentioned before, they also indicated
that the original app would remain as a legacy app for users that perhaps don’t use
the most recent IOS version. I hope this holds true, cause I sure would hate to lose
my 1000+ blender workouts……been with the app since the beginning & certainly would
be a jolt to my system . I know, probably some are thinking, just upgrade the iPad to
the recent IOS version. Well, due to some weird things with the iPad before, Apple
told me if I upgraded to a higher version, it would solve the issue, which really wasn’t
a big deal anyway. Since I alternate 2 iPads, I did download higher version on one,
but the iPad is slower than slow since that upgrade, and the issue was still there, but
again, nothin that hurt anything. So, the other one stays at the version it is, I won’t
bother that one.

 

[Debinmi]

If & when
they come out with that upgraded app that was mentioned before, they also indicated
that the original app would remain as a legacy app for users that perhaps don’t use
the most recent IOS version

Good to hear they are working on an upgrade! I think the most complaints I've heard were for the Workout Manager on the public website which is supposedly linked to the On-Demand app. So maybe that'll get upgraded too.

 

[snowlover]

DVDs are not outdated. There are many of us without the ability to stream. It is very cost prohibitive to have internet in my home and I only have this cheap little Fire tablet to access the net and download. I buy DVDs and I have the workouts, one and done. No streaming issues and no need to constantly shell out more and more money to some internet provider that just wants more and more money and isn't always reliable. (Yes, this happens where I live all the time.) I've enjoyed the few free downloads and look forward to the latest I just downloaded but I'm less likely to do the workout on a regular basis because, although I absolutely adore Cathe, she's harder to follow on this screen. At 3 inches tall she's micro-Cathe.

 

[Lannette]

No real internet here. Not “Slow” internet but “No” Internet only Verizon Wireless on a large iPad Pro. I should be able to download the bonus workouts and since they’re heavy weights I should be able to follow them using the iPad. Other than that it’s DVDs for me. That said, I’ve got all of Cathe’s DVDs so I’m good to go for a long time.

 

[nckfitheart2009]

DVDs are not outdated. There are many of us without the ability to stream. It is very cost prohibitive to have internet in my home and I only have this cheap little Fire tablet to access the net and download. I buy DVDs and I have the workouts, one and done. No streaming issues and no need to constantly shell out more and more money to some internet provider that just wants more and more money and isn't always reliable. (Yes, this happens where I live all the time.) I've enjoyed the few free downloads and look forward to the latest I just downloaded but I'm less likely to do the workout on a regular basis because, although I absolutely adore Cathe, she's harder to follow on this screen. At 3 inches tall she's micro-Cathe.

DVD contains premixes. They get uploaded onto Cathe on demand but I have not got time to invest creating premixes. On top of the internet connection having to pay for on demand does add up.
Time is more precious. So DVD are still a good deal for many of us.

That being said, I do preorder both dvd and download. Still good value in my opinion.

 

[Braille]

It is my understanding that Cathe has On-Demand, which I believe is streaming. I, however, use DVDs. I prefer to own, rather than keep paying for the same thing over and over. Also, this is the 3rd town I've lived in that has horrible internet. I work out regularly, and my internet is not reliable enough to allow for that. I also rely heavily on the back of the DVD cases for information when I'm planning my workouts - my memory isn't what it used to be. lol If/when Cathe continues making DVDs, I will continue to use the ones that I have, put I won't be purchasing downloads or streaming. I just don't enjoy tech stuff, and I'm at an age where if I choose how I spend my spend my time. I also have an older TV in my workout room that doesn't allow for casting or streaming or any of that. I never upgraded it, because I can't stand the sound quality (or lack of it) on the newer TVs and sound bars. For me... DVDs give me the reliability and quality that modern tech has failed to provide. Cathe does have streaming and downloads available for those that choose that, so I'm happy that she has something for everybody, rather than just forgetting about those of us that don't have the ability or intention to change.

 

[Lady Vol Fan]

so I'm happy that she has something for everybody, rather than just forgetting about those of us that don't have the ability or intention to change.

Yes, I'm grateful for my DVD collection that I paid for only once

And I'm the same as you...Riding DVDs til they carry me out!!