Customer Reviews
The Best Advanced Workout 
2008-07-07
I have been exercising and teaching classes for over 20 years. I am always disappointed with videos and dvds because I don't think that they are challenging enough. This Body Max 2 dvd kicks my butt. I love it! I do the entire workout and I am dripping with sweat. Cathe starts out with a 9 minute warm up. This is followed by a 24.5 minute step workout. Cathe follows this with cardio power step drills immediately succeeded by a lower body weight circuit. These type of circuits continue for an additional 27 minutes. If you're not spent by now, there is an upper body weight segment for 20.5 minutes, abs for 9 minutes, and finally a stretch for 6 minutes. I do use heavier weights than Cathe for some of the moves. However, this is definitely an advanced workout. You can just do segments of the programs instead of the entire workout to make it easier. This is definitely the best advanced dvd that I own. I have everything from Gin Miller, the Firm, Amy Bento, and other Cathe dvds. If you're looking for a tough workout, you should definitely buy this video. I LOVE it! Good Luck!
Me Oh My! 2008-05-02
This DVD kicks some major butt. It has a little something for everyone. The music is awesome. It's challenging but with modifications anyone can do it. If you were to own only one fitness DVD this would be it. It has step aerobics, weight lifting for leggs, and upper body, interval training with blasts. It will work you out and work you good. You will need a barbell or dumbbells, a stability ball, and a step.
Not for people short on time! 2007-11-19
Cathe is definately the queen of step aerobics. This workout is over 90 minutes plus a 9 minute bonus cardio. When you get through the first section of step aerobics then you're on to another section of interval step aerobics followed by leg work. Then you work you upper body and follow with an ab routine and stretch. It really takes a lot out of you, but it can be done. I have to stop after each section and drink some water so it takes a while to get through this entire workout. Please be very careful as her step routines can be really confusing to even advanced exercisers. Be sure to watch the video first to really lock the step routines in your head. I've fallen off my step before and got a sprained ankle. This video requires an adjustable barbell for the leg workout, 5 pound dumbbells and 15 pound dumbbells. I only go up to 10 as I am weak in my upper body, but can really see an improvement. Of course you need a step and they use a stability ball during the upper body exercises. There is great music in all of Cathe's DVDs! I really have a huge ring of sweat when I have completed this workout. You'll be so proud when you're able to finish this one. For people that mean business when it comes to their bodies. Definately not a beginners workout in any way! Be prepared to work and have some fun along the way. Hats off to Cathe.
Love it!!! 2007-09-15
I have a few Cathe DVD's (Basic step/Body Fusion, Low Impact step; Total Body Sculpting; Total Body Stretching; Low Max) that I have fallen in love with, so I was looking for a good, more advanced step DVD with upper body conditioning. Based on the reviews, I decided to go with Body Max and I am SO glad that I did.
I LOVE the step portions--the choreography is certainly challenging but it was easy enough for me to learn after having done other Cathe step routines. The music is awesome and makes the routines even more fun. The step routines are longer than Low Max, which I like too. The blast, upper body and abs sections are challenging but fun--Cathe is such a great motivator and makes me want to keep going. And I LOVE the variety of premixes on the DVD. So many premixes will allow me to use this DVD each day of the week and still work different parts of the body and have plenty of variety. I highly recommend this DVD!
Bound to test your endurance and stamina... 
2007-05-28
BodyMax 2 is a revision of the original BodyMax from 1999 which I personally have never done. It's considered a classic to most die hard Cathe fans. She has come up with an equally or more enjoyable version of the original. She uses fun and upbeat music which keeps me going in this 90 minute plus sweatfest. You will need to have eaten your Wheaties for sure when you do this, plus have on hand a step, a barbell and/or assorted dumbells and a stability ball.
You will start with a fun warmup then proceed into the step portion of the workout, there are three different step combos. Some of the steps can be a little tricky but they aren't so complex that you won't get them down with a little practice. I myself am a bit choreography challenged but I was able to pick up most of it fairly quickly Some of the moves are higher impact, which I personally don't care for but I find it easy to insert lower impact substitutions that flow right along.
Following the step portion is the power circuit segment, there are 4 circuits total. Each circuit consists of a short step combo which is repeated several times, a step blast which will send your heartrate through the ceiling, and a lower body exercise. The lower body exercises that you will see in this section include a combination squat/front & back lunge exercise using the step, barbell squats, barbell plie squats, and static lunges using dumbells.
Next is the upper body portion which is short but is covered well. A stability ball, and a light and heavy set of dumbells are used here. You will start with back work, doing double arm rows, pullovers and seated rear flies. Then you will work the chest, starting with decline pushups using the stability ball, then a set of regular pushups on the floor and finishing off with chest flies. Shoulders are next, starting with a military press sitting on the ball, then a shoulder exercise starting with arm circles, then side lateral raises. Then it's on to biceps, here you will see hammer curls, then traditional curls while on an incline using the ball (very hard) and concentration curls. Finishing out the upper body section is triceps work, starting with a tricep dip exercise where your hands are propped up on dumbells and one leg raised in the air. I personally just do normal tricep dips off the step. Concluding this segment are french presses and tricep kickbacks. Cathe and friends used a set of 5 & 15 lb dumbells for this entire section. Following this is an ab routine which I haven't really done as I am too spent to go on at this point. Then it's time for a well deserved cooldown and stretch.
This is quite a workout, not everyone has 90 minutes to devote to a workout, so Cathe has included several premix options, there is also a bonus cardio section for those who crave a little extra and that have the energy for it. It is also very well chaptered so it's easy to pick and choose for whatever you are up to doing. This is probably the hardest Cathe workout I own and I hope it's one that will really improve my fitness level. She did a great job selecting the music in this one, as hard it is for me at times to keep going, somehow the music really give me the extra boost that I need. Overall I give this one 4 solid stars.
A Cathe Must Have! 2007-05-25
After the warm-up, the intense step routine lasts 30 minutes. Then it's on to 4 Power Circuit Segments of Cardio Step, Cardio Blast, and Legs; after that (whew! As if that isn't enough!), Cathe moves us on to Upper Body weight work, core, and a stretch.
Challenging, but enjoyable 2007-05-14
I love Cathe Freidrich dvd's. She is the best in the business. She starts off slow and is very descriptive and then she gradually progresses. The workout is 90 minutes long and incorporates strenth training as well.
My FAVORITE Cathe workout to date 2007-03-29
To give a little background on how I'm comparing this workout, I have the following other Cathe workouts:
Power Hour, CTX Kickbox, Rhythmic Step, the entire Intensity Series, the Terminator, Kick Punch & Crunch, Timesaver, Low Max, Kick Max, Muscle Max and Low Impact Circuit.
Hands down, this is my absolute favorite workout. I think what takes the cake for me is the music. It's not *just* 80's music, either - it's remixed techno versions of it, and since I'm a huge fan of techno and going out clubbing and dancing my heart out to techno, it's a small wonder I find this workout so enjoyable.
The step routines are a total kick. I'm not sure exactly how to recommend this workout as far as those new to Cathe's workouts goes. I think the choreography is easy to follow, but then I've been doing Cathe workouts now for around four years, so I've had a lot of practice (I used to not be able to make it through even the warmup of Rhythmic Step once upon a time ago.)
Basically, my recommendation is if you can't figure out the step routines, just take your time and keep trying.
I can't comment too much on the weighted portion of this workout - I tend to pop this one in and utilize all the cardio segments, including the bonus cardio track at the end for my cardio days. I plan this workout occasionally on my weights days on a weekend when I know I can dedicate a whole hour and a half to a workout, and I can tell you I am WIPED OUT by the end when I do the entire thing.
BEST BEST BEST Cathe workout so far, though! LOVE it. I hope Cathe can put together more jewels like this. I think it also helps that she's definitely in a very happy mood when she's doing any of the workouts in the series this DVD came out with. In her Hardcore series, she just doesn't seem quite so happy - more like she's worn out, so it puts a completely different mood on the workout.
Get this DVD! It's fantastic!
Tough but worth every dollar and every drip of sweat 2007-03-03
Body Max is a very tough DVD. I didn't find the step choreography too difficult to learn, but some of the combos were a bit quick and advanced. I do recommend watching the cardio before attempting, or you'll be rewinding quite a bit like I did. Cathe's cuing is great, especially while teaching the combo.
The complete workout is long and tough, but completely worth it. If you don't have enough time, there are several premixes that have shorter lengths. The premixes may be shorter, but they're no less intense!
One of my favorite Cathe's DVDs 2007-03-02
This DVD is tough... but don't be scared. Cathe does a great job with the premixes and you can pick shorter versions of the workout. I love the music on this DVD.... It's so much fun... it makes me want to keep jumping!!! The upper body routine is about 20 minutes long. It's efficient and straight to the point.
I've never seen results as quickly before... Cathe will definitely delivery results!!!
