Product Details

• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007YRXMM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,535 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Low Max exercise DVD is a 70 minute High Intensity Low Impact workout performed on an 8 inch step height (this height is optional and no higher than 8 inches is recommended). The workout begins with an 8 minute warm up and is followed by 7 low impact step combo's alternated with 7 low impact intensity blasts. A 6 minute stretch completes the workout. All of the step combo's are approximately 5 minutes in length and all of the intensity blasts are approximately 3 minutes in length. The combo's are broken down with just enough learning curve so that they do not become overly repetitive for future workouts. Step Combo #1....You will see some mambo's, pivot turns, rock horse variations and things of this nature. Blast #1....Low impact defensive squats with rhythmic changes and patterns to bring the heart rate up while shaping the thighs. Step Combo #2...A more athletic/kickbox step approach with dynamic movements. Blast #2....A long series of rhythmic lunge kicks that will surely elevate the heart rate a shape the legs. Step Combo #3....Slightly intricate step choreography with a bit more learning curve included. This has some triple steps, step sweeps, pivots, slap claps etc. Blast #3....Dynamic outer thigh movements and sculpting drills. Step Combo #4....a slightly tricky combo but easy to catch on. Blast #4......Slam It's and leg drills Step Combo #5.....A straight forward combo consisting of high leg kicks and other moves Blast #5.....high intensity leg drills with a few variations Step Combo #6....a fun march, mambo, and shuffle combo. Blast #6....low speed skaters, hammer punch lunges and other low dynamic moves Step Combo #7....A fun and unique kickbox combo that is a little tricky but worth the effort Blast #7....Tap n side kicks followed by low reaching lunges. Cool Down & Stretch: A two minute cooldown followed by a 6 minute stretch.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intensity and sweat!, April 6, 2005

By 

Kara "Kara" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cathe Friedrich's Low Max DVD (Hardcore Series) (DVD)

Finally, I was able to try one of Cathe Friedrich's new DVDs. Her "Low Max" workout is intense, but fun. I really enjoyed it and burned a TON of calories in the process.

This workout is mostly a low impact step routine with intervals of floor toning, but it isn't easy by any means. I don't recommend it for beginners or anyone with two left feet! The music is great, but the fast tempo and intense pace will frustrate those new to step aerobics. Cathe mixes a few dance moves, like the mambo and the chacha, so the choreography may require some amount of practice. Still, if you're up for the challenge and looking to workup a SERIOUS sweat, this DVD is for you. :-)

I plan to order more DVDs from Cathe in the future. She does a good job of cueing and looks great!

Wow scale: 9 (out of 10)

Difficulty: Advanced

Studio setting: A bit boring, but current for the times

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't let the name fool you..., July 14, 2006

By 

Tammy (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cathe Friedrich's Low Max DVD (Hardcore Series) (DVD)

Don't let the name fool you. Low Max is anything but low intensity. As other reviewers have stated, this workout is not for beginners, it is truly for advanced exercisers. With that being said, I thoroughly enjoy this DVD and it is currently the workout I do most often. I love that the DVD has several "premixes" so you can choose to do just the step aerobic segments, just the power blasts, or two shortened versions of the aerobics & blasts combined when short on time (or less motivated.) The choreography is a little tricky, but if you are familiar with other Cathe videos you can pick it up pretty quickly. Unlike Imax 3, you get a chance to practice the moves a bit before you combine everything together- good for those days when I'm a little less graceful, shall we say. I also love the fact that Cathe finally has a good lower impact workout that doesn't skimp on the calorie burning. My knees are thankful & hopeful Cathe will do more DVDs of this type. Definitely crank up the ceiling fan & have a towel handy for this workout.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cathe Does it Again, January 24, 2008

By 

Miss Jane "book girl" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cathe Friedrich's Low Max DVD (Hardcore Series) (DVD)

I have just started exploring Cathe's workouts, in DVD format and on her cable tv show, and am impressed. If you've been working out for awhile and want to take your program to the next level, Cathe's workouts are a good place to start. Lo Max is fantastic, getting right to the heart of every woman's trouble zone: hips, thighs, buttocks, etc - And she's not messing around! Increasing the Step height to 8 inches is a bonus, but do this within reason. If you're new to Step, or have knee issues (or if you step frequently during the week), I highly suggest you take Cathe's advice that "any Step height that keeps you in your target zone is perfectly fine" - and use a height comfortable for you. Now, as to the workout... It's a series of increasingly challenging cardio and "blast" segments with exercises designed to target the areas above, and it is great fun (you will not notice the passage of time), with just the right level of choreography. The mix-n-match option is great if you're short on time, or want to vary the work out a bit. I will definitely try other Cathe DVDs, and highly recommend this one.