Customer Reviews

Cathe Friedrich's Body Blast: Kick, Punch & Crunch and Legs & Glutes DVD

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't have the combined DVD, but just the Kick, Punch and Crunch VHS, but I thought I'd write a review anyway since that is on this combined DVD. I've been avidly working out to advanced Taebo videos for well over a year now and thoroughly enjoy them; however, I've been feeling a little burnt out with them lately so I decided to try and find something that would compare to them. I've read lots of great reviews on Cathe Friedrich's videos so I decided to see about getting one. Luckily for me, they were doing a clearance on some of her VHS's on her website so I purchased this one. All I have to say is WOW! I have never been so challenged in all of my life. It wasn't a very hard to follow workout and I picked up on all of the moves since I knew them already from Taebo, but the intensity on this is overwhelming. I made it through the whole video and was drenched in sweat. I felt great because I did the whole thing, but I was sore for the next two days. I definitely worked muscles that apparently had been hibernating. If you're looking for an intense workout or a change from an already intense workout, buy this video!

On this DVD, master instructor Cathe Friedrich offers two workouts from her Body Blast series: Kick, Punch & Crunch (KPC), a cardio kickboxing workout, and Legs & Glutes (L&G), a lower body focused strength training workout. Both workouts are excellent, but what really makes this DVD so valuable is the wide variety of customization options as described below.

I previously owned an edited, FitTV version of KPC on VHS, but I had no idea how much I was missing by not having the full workout. KPC is a 68-minute workout that combines intense kickboxing drills with choreographed kickboxing combinations and a great abs segment. The 7-minute warm-up introduces all of the punches and kicks used in the workout and gradually picks up the pace. Next comes 7 minutes of fun, intermediate intensity drills before moving on to another 18 minutes or so of high intensity drills (including some high impact work). After a brief cool-down, Cathe starts the first of three kickboxing combinations, all of which combine punches and kicks (21 minutes total). Finally, there is a 7-minute abs section using a stability ball and a nice 5-minute cool-down. This workout is an intense high intermediate/low advanced level, although knowledgeable exercises could modify down (no modifications are shown).

Legs & Glutes is a 51 minute lower body routine. Unlike many of Cathe's workouts, it does not use a barbell, so you can get by with more minimal equipment: dumbbells, a high step (or sturdy bench), and an optional stick for balance. After a 3 1/2 minute traditional aerobic warm-up, Cathe moves into standing leg work including leg press, squats, lunges, plies, explosive (jumping) plies, drop squats, 1-legged dead lifts, plie squats, and explosive lunges. At about the 25 minute mark, she adds ankle weights for addition standing exercises such squats with side leg abduction, calf work, standing quad work, and abductor work. Moving to the floor, Cathe continues for an additional 11 minutes, first working the hamstrings with pelvic tucks and leg lifts on all fours, then targeting the outer and inner thighs from a side-lying position. This workout finishes with a nice 5-minute stretch focused on the lower body.

As mentioned above, the best thing about this DVD is the wide variety of custom options. The menus for both KPC and L&G including options for playing the entire workout, viewing the chapter selections, and mixing and matching chapters. In addition, each workout offers "Quick Select Premixes" which provide both shorter and longer workout options. For KPC, there are 7 premixes ranging in length from 27-53 minutes, and for L&G, there are 6 premixes ranging from 11-79 minutes and including all standing/all floor options. There are also an additional 7 premixes which combine segments from the two workouts; these run from 37-53 minutes. Finally, there is a "Workout Blender" option which allows you to create your own custom workout by selecting chapters from either KPC or L&G.

If you are familiar with Cathe, you know that she often incorporates upbeat, recognizable music (selections here include "Walking in Memphis," "Band of Gold," and "You Spin Me Round"). These are fun, energetic workouts which will provide you with endless variety and options--highly recommended!!!

I recommend this DVD to anyone who needs a challenge and wants to take their workouts to the next level. I never get bored with this Cathe DVD (or any of her others for that matter), and the ability to mix & match different segments is great for days when you're maybe short on time - just do the cardio portion or just do the kick & punch drills, etc. But most days I do the entire DVD - but not two days in a row. It can be tough on the knees if you don't use proper form or if you do this DVD too many times per week.
Ok, now go ahead, buy this DVD now!! You won't regret it!

If you've never tried a Cathe workout, this is a good place to start. The 2 workouts here are just a perfect example of her workout style.

In Kick,Punch, and Crunch, you will have a kickin' good time (get it?) You will start with intermediate drills and quickly step up to advanced drills (you can keep them low-impact, though, with a few modifications.) The workouts don't take a load of space, so they can work in my small workout area just fine. Then you get a short breather before you move into the combos of punching and kicking. Lots of premix options to shorten up the time if you need.

Legs and Glutes is a fantastic all around leg workout. You get to work with standing weighted exercises first, then some standing leg lifts. Finally you end up on the floor (and boy are you glad to be there!) for some floorwork. It's solid .. and those round of propulsions lunges will work you hard with no weights.

I saw/dvr this workout on FitTV, and I simply loved it, but I've learned something about Cathe workouts, you have to get the DVDs, cause they not only include the workout and usually a more complete one, but a lot of options to modify it, something I didn't get on others I have.

42 bucks might look a bit expensive, but this DVD is worth every penny, the KPC workout is very intense, and Cathe as usual providing perfect and very challenging content.

I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who have the KPC workout from FitTV, you'll be surprised how much you were missing.

About 60 minutes of KickBoxing routine and 60 minutes of leg/butt workouts on a Step with weights. The only upper body workout is in the Kickboxing. I wish there was more workout for the upper body.

The kickboxing is awesome. It's intermediate, but as with all exercise, you could tone it down or dial it up to suit your level or your mood. It made me sweat. I love combining a good cardio workout (burning the calories and working my heart) while feeling my muscles get worked. Her moves are fun and instructions are clear without being irritating (some of the instructors on other videos have little yelps or perkiness that grates, but not Cathe, she's a great instructor).

Good work-out. High intensity. Very fun. You dont' need a lot of space or equipment to do the kick boxing part so it is handy to take when traveling. I really enjoyed both parts. Cathe at her best - as usual.

I found this dvd to be competitive as well as fun. I also have Cathe's Kickmax dvd and I have yet been able to get through that one in it's entirety. I have been using the Kick, Punch & Crunch as a workout to build up my endurance for the Kickmax but have been getting toned and losing weight with this one. The combinations are simple to follow as Cathe repeats steps for memorization. The Legs & Glutes workout is very challenging. I recommend this dvd to all fitness levels as you can modify the intensity. I am a workout enthusiast but took about a year off due to a high risk pregnancy. Using Cathe's dvds to get back into shape. Great dvd to have in my collection.

I originally recorded this from FIT TV about a year and a half ago, when FIT TV was still a channel. I was trying to lose weight and I thought this would be a good DVD to help me do that. For about a month I worked out to this one episode part of her DVD workout, let me say it literally transformed my body, I seriously lost about 15-20 pounds in one month, and I credit it with this workout! If you want to see real results try this because it works, but a warning, it really does kick your butt with its intensity.

I consider myself at an intermediate-advanced level of fitness.

Seems to be an earlier workout from this instructor, not as polished as later ones but still cuing is decent and encouragement is given without being overly peppy. Music has a beat, camera work is fine, her usual backup crew are non-annoying, as always.

Kickbox sections flowed well and kept me on the low end of my target heart rate zone. Legs and glutes section was challenging but on the short side.

Overall, one of the "easier" workouts but still a keeper.