Customer Reviews

Cathe Friedrich's Kick Max DVD

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been boxing training (in a gym with a personal trainer/former professional boxer and at home with dvds) for years, and before I did this workout for the first time, I had been working out for a year consistently with the Janis Saffell and Guillermo Gomez dvd "Hardcore Kickbox Circuit." After a year of doing that challenging workout, I wasn't sweating with it as much, and needed a new challenge to keep advancing my fitness. I ordered this dvd looking for a greater challenge, and wow did I get it!

I tried to do Cathe's workout from start to finish (75 minutes), and found I couldn't even come close to doing all of the reps and exercises (particularly the plyometric "blasts" and the "bootcamp challenge" toning exercises). This workout definitely is a challenge for the intermediate to advanced exerciser, and those few who reviewed the dvd as "too easy" must be professional hardbodies because otherwise I cannot believe their reviews are accurate even for them (or they stopped working out after the warm-up). Now, after having worked out with this dvd consistently for a couple of weeks, I can complete two of my favorite "Premixes" (a great feature of this dvd): the 48 minute "Timesaver" and the 50 minute "Kickbox Bootcamp Challenge." I still have not completed every rep of the 75 minute full video from start to finish, and look forward to doing so.

Bottom line: this is a hard workout that will grow with you, and you will sweat a lot while your heart and breathing rate go way up (particularly during the plyometric sections). Cathe makes the workout fun (she reminds you to "get your game face on" and she means it!) without being overly cute about it. I can also say, having worked with a professional boxing trainer, Cathe's punch technique is spot-on and fierce, and a good tool for those who want to continue to hone their punching technique while they become more fit. If you enjoy kickboxing and a hard workout, this dvd is for you!

This is a fantastic and tough kickbox inspired workout. Wow it will have you sweating. Cathe is one of the best cuers out there and so you know ahead of time what's next. You need good instruction here because you are so busy huffing and puffing and sweating, you don't want to have to worry about your next move before you need to. It's one of the most challenging kickbox workouts I've ever done.
It's broken up into three segments. You can either choose one only or two or if you are in the mood for some tough 'punishment' then you can do all three together for the most effective workout. It's about 75 minutes all up, and let me say - this ain't for the faint of heart. Do not make the mistake of thinking you can get through this if you are new to exercising. Even for more advanced exercisers, you'll find this tough - but in a good way.

I love this entire workout, but wanted to include a couple quick notes on my favorite segments: the KICKBOX/BOOTCAMP CHALLENGE and the LEG CONDITIONING DRILLS ...... First, KICKBOX/BOOTCAMP CHALLENGE. Here you'll do 10 high impact conditioning drills (the "bonus burn"!) for those who are wanting a hardcore, calorie / fat burning, challenge. Good news for those who are not interested in this segment....simply skip to leg conditioning drills and you still get a close to an hour kickbox workout. I never skip this part, though--it's too fun, and way to effective. Talk about calorie burn! This is TOTALLY my favorite part of the workout--but butt is kicked by the time I'm finished! Gotta love that! :)

And about the awesome LEG CONDITIONING DRILLS . . . well, I'm used to doing the typical leg workout of squats, lunges, etc, and use heavy weight (at least a 40 lb barbell) so I didn't think this segment would challege me. HA! I was wrong. These drills have totally enhanced the muscle structure of my legs. I've definitely noticed the change--and am definitely pleased beyond belief at the change. I've even used 5 lb ankle weights to add to the segment (*GULP!*). Talk about "OUCHIE" Love it!

This is a decent intermediate workout. I had expected something more advanced and challenging after reading some of the other reviews so I was a little disappointed, but not through any fault of Cathe. The kickboxing combos are mainly arm based, easy to follow, but could be more intense and get your heart rate up a . I will probably switch to weighted gloves to get a better workout. The cardio blasts definitely get your heart rate up, but are only a small segment of the workout. The standing leg work is great for toning and strengthening. I will add this workout to my regular routine. It is a good all round workout, but if you are looking for more of a straight intense cardio workout I would research other options.

I loved this dvd. I like the way she started off slow and explained the moves and then gradually progressed. The warmup was a great precursor
for everything to come. The blast challenge is very intense and I recommend it for advanced participants. The first time I did her workout, I was sore for three days, especially in my legs. I will do it again and I recommend it to everyone. I would recommend that if you are a beginner or have bad knees, skip the blast challenge. I am looking forward to buying all her dvds.

I am in very good shape and was well challenged by this video. (Classes are always harder, but for a video this is impressive.) Ignore the viewer that said it was easy, that is impossible. If you do the video from start to end you will have a great workout. There are very few videos that really make you work hard and this one does.

I have been exercising with Cathe's workouts for about six months. In that time I have built muscle, strengthened my core, and shaped and toned my body. Kick Max is another great Cathe workout. I love the challenging kickbox combos and the intense bootcamp blast challenge. I did this workout from start to finish and it is intense! The instruction is easy to follow and Cathe explains clearly her technique and how it will benefit your body. I plan on ordering more DVDs from Cathe. You will sweat during this workout, but you will feel your body getting stronger the more you do it. Cathe makes it fun.

I read reviews here and elsewhere that this is one of the toughest kickboxing workouts. I love Cathe Friedrich and have several of her workout DVD's, and Circuit Max is one of my favorites. I thought for sure I'd love this one: I love Cathe, and I adore kickboxing!

This workout is dull and repetitive. Instead of combos and cardio moves, it is mostly standing in place doing the same sequence over and over: jab, cross, uppercut, then a kick or two, but nothing that is challenging or raised my heart rate.

Thirty minutes into the workout, I had just started to break a sweat. I kept waiting for the intensity I expected, and during a short section of Bursts, it did pick up, but only briefly. Just as I started to sweat, it was time to take it way back down and do the leg drills, which again was standing in one place and repeating one move over and over.

I am very disappointed in this workout. It's far from a cardio workout, and I am not sure how anyone thinks it's tough. I work out most days of the week but am no super-athlete, so much as I'd like to think it's because I'm so super-conditioned, I doubt that is it! It's simply not a particularly tough workout, and definitely not Cathe's best workout.

This DVD is very good. I especially like the bootcamp/blast challenge (quite challenging) and the leg strengthening drills. I'll look to purchase additional Cathe DVDs.

I AM A TAE-BO JUNKIE, THAT IS NO LONGER CHALLENGED, I NEEDED A WORK OUT TO MAKE ME SWEAT AGAIN- JUST LIKE 'GET RIPPED' USED TO. THIS IS IT! YOU COAST ALONG AT THE BEGINNING TRYING TO GET THE COMBOS NOT REALISING YOU ARE SWEATING AND THEN COMES THE BLAST BURN WOOOH! I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT IT TAKES ME A LONG TIME TO GET ALL THE REPS DONE AT 100% BECAUSE AFTER THAT I WILL BE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER DVD. THERE IS NO STOPPING TO GET ON THE FLOOR AND PUSH-UP AND CRUNCH (I HATE THAT LOSS OF MOMENTUM) ITS JUST KICK AND PUNCH AND JUMP, SHE IS NOT ANNOYING IN ANY WAY, MUSIC COULDVE BEEN A BIT BETTER, LOUDER THATS PERSONAL CHOICE. IF YOU ARE A HOME WORK-OUT DIVA AND NEED TO SWEAT AND GET THE HEART RATE UP GET THIS.ITS LESS PRISSY AND MORE MATURE THAN TURBO JAM AND THAT SUITS ME FINE!!