What equipment do I need...?

P

prazeh1m

Member
Hi Everyone,
I am new to the Cathe craze... and this forum. I have been Firming for almost a year, and just ordered my first Cathe tape :) My question is... Which stability ball do I need .. What kind of barbell set is the best and which step does eveyone use...? I went to a Sports store and saw the Home version Original step and the Original step. I guess that is several questions oops :7 Thanks for the information :) :) :) :) I want to start the new Year off with all the right equipment.
Bev:) :) ;-)
 
Welcome Bev! I just love to give other people the info. they need to shop. I'm such an enabler!

Anyway, when buying a stability ball the first thing you need to determine is what size you need. If you are 5'2" or less, then 55 cm is the correct size, 5'3" to 6'0", then 65 cm, and 75 cm for heights above that (I'm not 100% sure about the heights so check what is says on the ball you pick up). As for a particular brand, I don't think it matters hugely although make sure to get a burst resistant ball.

For a barbell you can do one of two things. Both Wal Mart and Target have sets where the bar weighs 5# and then they come with a variety of plates. I think the Wal Mart set is by US something or another and the Target set is their own store brand of fitness equipment. The second option is via the internet. If you would like to have the set that Cathe uses in the Intensity and Body Blast series, it is the Troy Lite system and is available at wwww.fitness1st.com.

As for the step, you will want to purchase the original step and it should be available in either the traditional teal top with purple or pink risers or the gray top with black risers (or is it vice versa). The home step is smaller and is not as good to use for strength exercises as the full size model.

BTW, all the equipment mentioned should be available at the website listed above (you may want to consider this option because it will just come to you vs. you having to go to different places to gather it all yourself).

And don't forget that depending on the videos you have you may want to consider some other equipment (if you don't have it already). You may need to get several sets of hex dumbbells in varying weight (actually, this are pretty much a necessity for most of Cathe's strength workouts). You may also want to consider a high step (the high step is available in some retail sporting good stores or at www.fwonline.com), a medicine ball, and a body bar down the line. These are definitely not required but if you get into Cathe, will be welcome additions later on.

HTH,
 
Need of Advice

Hello
You gave that new comer real good advice. I have exercised for 15 years and have not changed my body. I have tried it all. Can you advise me where to begin,aerobically and weight(lifting) wise. What tapes do I order do I still keep jogging? Any advice is welcomed. I consider myself advanced
 
RE: Need of Advice

Hi, Susan. It's hard to give advice without more specifics: how often do you workout? What types of workouts do you do? Do you do both cardio and weights? What type of body changes are you looking for?

To change your body, cardio alone will not necessarily be enough to show big changes. You need to include weight training (which can change your proportions, and build shapely muscles, whereas too much cardio can sometimes make you smaller but not very tight or shapely).
If you want to decrease your size, then it's very important to watch your diet (what you eat not "deprivation eating".) Losing weight (if that is what you intend to do) requires expending more energy than you take in. Energy expenditure can be in the form of exercise or daily activities (using the stairs instead of an elevator, etc.). "Energy in" is all food related.
 
Welcome Bev!! There are lots of us former Firmies here - myself included!! You'll be buying all sorts of equipment, and soon you'll want ALL of Cathe's tapes!! :) Glad to see you here!! Have fun!! You'll love her workouts soon, just as much as we all do!!

Carol
:)
 
RE: Need of Advice

Susan what's your diet like? There are plenty of people here who believe that what you eat is just as important - if not more so - as how and what you do for exercise. Strength training will change your body in terms of building muscle, but what you feed it is important too. Plenty of lean protein, whole grains and fruits and veggies, and you need some fat too for those essential fatty acids, and to keep the fat layer around your internal organs and lining your nerve fibers intact, among other things. A lot of people here eat carbs/protein/fat in a 40/30/30 ratio, to a 50/30/20 ratio. I've seen variations of this, but I'm no expert on them.

Carol
:)
 
I am 5'2", the 55cm ball was to small for me, I had to get the 65cm ball. I think it depends on how long your legs are. When I sat on the 55cm ball, I felt like I was sinking down, my legs were not level with my butt, my butt was definately lower than it was suppose to be, this 65cm ball seems to be much better, and I ended up paying 30 dollars from power systems for the 55cm ball, this new one I got at walmart. So now I will be selling the smaller ball. ... Rhonda
 
Welcome! Yes, another former Firmie here too.

If $ is an issue and you don't have barbells, you can hold off on that, but you really do need dumbells. You definetely will want one of the original steps. YOu can use the Firm high step for the leg raises (rather than extra risers).

Hope this helps!

Cathe also has modification on IS at least if you don't have a stability ball. I personally wouldn't get a medicine ball (unless $ is an issue) as there are great modifications with an 8 lb barbell and it isn't used in too many of her tapes/dvds.

But you will need lot of cathe tapes ;)
 
Thanks for responding

I appreciate your response. I workout for 15 years. Walking,jogging, kickboxing, jazzercising, you name it. I joined a gym and got huge. Now I just jogg. I just went to a gym about a month ago for a month and I hired a trainer too expensive. I did it for a month but didnt loose a inch and she guarantee different . So I just ordered Slim in 6 by beach body. Im interested in Cathe's tapes but dont know where to begin, and wouldnt mind given up jogging if I could get results some other way. And know I dont eat enough protein. Thanks again:)

Susan
 
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Hi everyone,
Thanks!!! for all the information. I really appreciate... I think I will start with the troy lite bar and the step and work my way up.My first tape should be arriving soon. I started with cardio/weights. I know it will proabably be tough but i will take it slow till I get it right:)
Have a blessed day.

:) Bev :)
 
Hi Bev! Just wanted to say Welcome. I have the Troy set and love it. I also have two other brands & the Troy is my favorite. Yes, taking it slow when you first get started is a good idea but it won't take long and you will be ordering MORE tapes. Let us know what you think and again...WELCOME! (Love your screen name!)
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Bev, I just wanted to say I love your username, I am a christian too, and I love it. God bless Rhonda

p.s. I have a stability ball your welcome to, but it depends on how tall you are, its a 55cm ball. That is if you need one. :7
 
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