Cathe Friedrich Ripped with Hiit Low Impact HiiT Cardio Workout DVD - Use for Cardio, Low Impact HIIT Workout Training, Aerobic Conditioning, and Joint Friendly Exercise

I have over 20 other Cathe workouts, and have been a devotee of hers since the '90s. This DVD is my absolute favorite so far.1. Fast! I love a quick workout a couple of times a week, or when I don't have time for her longer workouts. Both of the workouts on this DVD fly by for me. I finish up at about the time that I'm saying to myself, "Please, let me rest!"2. Intense. It may be low impact, but this DVD is NOT low intensity. I'm gasping for breath during the bursts, and dripping with sweat by the third exercise. This DVD is a perfect balance of fast and intense. For comparison, I find this harder than X10, Intensity, and Crossfire, and MUCH harder than Low Impact Circuit and Circuit Blast.3. Not boring! Other Cathe workouts have too much repetition (I'm looking at you, X10), so I'm dreading, say, the burpees or the side kicks every time. I never have a chance to feel bored with these workouts, and if I don't like something it's over before I have a chance to hate it.4. Really works the legs. There's plenty of explosive movement for the legs, so I definitely feel it in my legs the next day. Since I hate regular leg workouts, I feel like I'm still getting some strength benefits with this one.If you have knee issues, this is probably not the best workout, though. There's a lot of squatting, lunging, and lateral movement at a VERY fast pace, so there's plenty of opportunity to tweak knees if you're prone to that.One note if you're new to Cathe: This is an ADVANCED workout. There's very little modification to make things easier, unless you simply do the moves more slowly. If you're new to Cathe, it might be better to start with her ICE series or one of the others I mentioned instead of this one.I'm going to keep this one in my rotation at least once a week, probably twice, alternating with upper body and longer endurance workouts. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to take their workouts to the next (intense!!) level. I'm going to be adding all the other Cathe HiiT workouts to my library.

It's too bad there isn't some standard way to describe to consumers who this workout would be appropriate for. The words "low impact" might lead some to think this is a less stressful workout, but it's all relative to what kind of shape you're in, your own physical issues, and perhaps your age.I'm 48, am in fairly decent shape (use a treadmill, rowing machine, and walk around a LOT), but this workout kicked my butt across the room the very first day. I tried to modify it a bit so I wouldn't unduly strain myself, but here I am 24 hours later with ridiculously sore muscles. If you haven't otherwise been doing squats, be careful! That said, I'm very happy with it; I know I will be able to lose some perimenopause pounds with this method of exercise. The music isn't terribly annoying, Cathe is pleasant enough to watch and not too difficult to follow.I didn't use a mat, and swapped out some plastic cups for dixie cups, and did fine. I haven't tried the second workout yet.

I bought this as an alternative to the low impact DVDs I had been doing. I love Jessica Smith DVDs and that's who I have been working out with for the last year and a half. this DVD is tough though. but the moves are doable. the only thing I would say is that I don't think it's a true HIIT routine in the way I have understood HIIT programs to work. In this DVD, you are instructed to do short high intensity workout bursts but Cathe does not have you continue moving to lower your heart rate in between the bursts of high energy routines. Cathe and the exercisers just stand there and high five each other for a few seconds to catch their breaths and then go right to the next routine. I thought HIIT routines worked because you get the heart rate up and then take a few minutes to continue exercising at a slower speed to lower it and then raise the heart rate back up again.I still think this is a good workout, I just pause the video and continue walking until my heart rate slows and then I continue on so the heart spike makes a difference. I don't know. This is a tough workout for me....and I am 60 yrs old. but I can do it.....some moves I do have to modify because of a bad knee. I think it just depends on your fitness level.

I love these Cathe Friedrich low impact HIIT workouts! I was looking for a new workout as I had been doing the same thing for way too long. My daughter suggested I try HIIT. I came across these workouts and decided to give them a try. They are fantastic! I have never sweat so much during a workout even though they are low impact! Yes, they are low impact, meaning you have one foot on the ground at all times, but the movement is non-stop for the most part. I saw results almost immediately (of course I am watching my diet too) and they have inspired me to continue to work to reach my goals. There is no dancing or intricate moves, just tough, high intensity (hence the name!) exercises. A bonus is the background music which I also love! I am 58 and for the first time in a long time I look forward to my workouts!

I think she is a good instructor and the routine will be very effective. I am between beginner and intermediate and I find it to be hard at this point. I know with time, it will get easier. Just understand that you have to modify if you are not already in good condition. There is a person on there that is doing an easier version of the moves. I had to modify down from that even! It is high energy and fast paced if that's what you like.