is anyone doing cathe's sts program?

dskline1

Hello,

Just wondering if anyone is or has done the STS program by Cathy Freiderich (sp?) I checked out the website and for the price, I am curious about feedback. Any info, good or bad, will be helpful.

Thanks,
Sheryl

Lauralovesmfp

I am ready to start the third cycle on Saturday. I love it. Cathe's dvds are really top notch. You get the best quality dvds out there. Everythings is well thought out and the music and people are great. The excercises are tough! I am loving it and think is is well worth the money I also pre-ordered her STS shock cardio which is how I order all her stuff because you save big bucks. It will go well with STS for sure.
HTH,
Laura

dskline1

I am ready to start the third cycle on Saturday. I love it. Cathe's dvds are really top notch. You get the best quality dvds out there. Everythings is well thought out and the music and people are great. The excercises are tough! I am loving it and think is is well worth the money I also pre-ordered her STS shock cardio which is how I order all her stuff because you save big bucks. It will go well with STS for sure.
HTH,
Laura

Thanks for the input....I watched several of her videos on you tube and liked what I saw...I am hoping that this will help with becoming bored with my current dvds....can I assume that the workouts change from week to week...legs on wk 1 is different than legs on week 2???

Again, thanks for the info....

Lauralovesmfp

Every workout is different! How cool is that? There are some that have similiar moves but YES all different! Each mesocycle is different too. Way better than P90X which I have also done. You will not be bored at all.

beckyi88

It's on my wishlist! If you head over to cathe.com, there is an entire forum devoted to STS.
My understanding is it is similar to P90X in the fact that it is constantly different workouts...the differences being...it's all weights and abs, no cardio or yoga and there are 40! DVDs in the set.
There are other differences and personal preferences as well, but I haven't heard a negative word about it!

Becky

jljohnson

Every workout is different! How cool is that? There are some that have similiar moves but YES all different! Each mesocycle is different too. Way better than P90X which I have also done. You will not be bored at all.

Really? Better than P90X? I've been looking into P90X, but I noticed that this is based on the same "muscle confusion" priciple. Would you say you got similar results from both workouts? What other info can you tell me about STS? Length of each workout, number of days, nutrition plan, equipment required, etc. I'm very interested now too...

dskline1

bump

Lauralovesmfp

Well they are both based on the muscle confusion principle but like I said the STS workouts are all different. For example, in P90X the leg workout is the same for the three months. In STS you get 12 different leg workouts for the three months plus bonus squat rack legs that can be done at the gym. In P90X there is one back and bicep workout and in STS there are 12 etc. The workouts are (in the first two mesocycles at least) around 45 minutes to an hour. The warmup and cool down are very short where in P90X they are quite a bit longer. There is an extended stretch on every Cathe dvd (it is the same one I believe) that you can do if you want a longer stretch. There is an sts ab dvd that comes with Pilates abs, Yoga abs, weights and plates abs, medicine ball abs (also bonus partner medicine ball abs) and no equipments abs. In P90X you get ab ripper X and that's it. Same ab routine for three months BORING! You work out 3X per week with the STS weights and 3X with abs. Then you can do cardio whenever you want. I do it three times per week.

Now for results, um my problem is the diet aspect of things. I get awesome results with anything if I eat right. But there are MANY people in both programs who have gotten awesome results. But remember diet is 80% of your results. There is a diet guide with the P90x and not with STS.

Again HTH!

Laura

Lauralovesmfp

Equipment in STS is different sized dumbells and resistance band, stablilty ball and step with risers. You will need light and heavy weights as in each mesocyle you up your weights. I have the bowflex select techs and they work great for this program. You also need ankle weights for some of the leg workouts.

2BLean

Ripley36 ~ So glad that I found this thread! I have been strongly considering Cathe's STS program for quite a while but just haven't made the big plunge yet ...... I have done P90X and also ChaLEAN Xtreme, which I am actually doing that whole program again right now. I have quite a few of Cathe's DVD's and think I would really love this. Do you have to have a chin-up bar? In P90X I used the bands from the doorway for the pull-ups. Would this be the same for her STS program? How long is the entire program again? Is it somewhere like three months each for each Cycle?
So you would say you do have good results from this program then? I seem to be in a HUGE plateau and would love to boost it up. Thanks in advance for any help on this! :flowerforyou:

dskline1

Well they are both based on the muscle confusion principle but like I said the STS workouts are all different. For example, in P90X the leg workout is the same for the three months. In STS you get 12 different leg workouts for the three months plus bonus squat rack legs that can be done at the gym. In P90X there is one back and bicep workout and in STS there are 12 etc. The workouts are (in the first two mesocycles at least) around 45 minutes to an hour. The warmup and cool down are very short where in P90X they are quite a bit longer. There is an extended stretch on every Cathe dvd (it is the same one I believe) that you can do if you want a longer stretch. There is an sts ab dvd that comes with Pilates abs, Yoga abs, weights and plates abs, medicine ball abs (also bonus partner medicine ball abs) and no equipments abs. In P90X you get ab ripper X and that's it. Same ab routine for three months BORING! You work out 3X per week with the STS weights and 3X with abs. Then you can do cardio whenever you want. I do it three times per week.

Now for results, um my problem is the diet aspect of things. I get awesome results with anything if I eat right. But there are MANY people in both programs who have gotten awesome results. But remember diet is 80% of your results. There is a diet guide with the P90x and not with STS.

Again HTH!

Laura

I think that you have answered every single question I had....I like the fact that all the discs are different vs. repeating the same one week after week. I am not too worried about the diet aspect of it....I have been on a nutritionists plan since March 11th and have had great results....in all my years I never did understand that you can't outrain a diet, but, I sure do now!!! And, who new it could be so easy!! She gave me a meal plan, said "don't get in your own way" and "stay on track" and each day has been better than the last with how my body feels. I wished I would have done it in my early thirties!!! My body is loving it!

Again, thanks for all the great insight!!! It sounds like it will be well worth the money!

Have a great weekend!!

~Sheryl

2BLean

dskline1 - "I think that you have answered every single question I had....I like the fact that all the discs are different vs. repeating the same one week after week. I am not too worried about the diet aspect of it....I have been on a nutritionists plan since March 11th and have had great results....in all my years I never did understand that you can't outrain a diet, but, I sure do now!!! And, who new it could be so easy!! She gave me a meal plan, said "don't get in your own way" and "stay on track" and each day has been better than the last with how my body feels. I wished I would have done it in my early thirties!!! My body is loving it" ................................

First thank you for starting this thread because I have had questions too! THANK YOU. Also, from above your mention of a nutrtionist, etc. I would love any insight on a food plan. The words "don't get in your own way" I think must be applying to me. I have been so frustrated being very commited to eating really clean and good but NOTHING seems to be happening even though I follow a good workout schedule as well. Any help or advice on researching a good nutrtionist would be so appreciated! Thanks. :flowerforyou:

dskline1

dskline1 - "I think that you have answered every single question I had....I like the fact that all the discs are different vs. repeating the same one week after week. I am not too worried about the diet aspect of it....I have been on a nutritionists plan since March 11th and have had great results....in all my years I never did understand that you can't outrain a diet, but, I sure do now!!! And, who new it could be so easy!! She gave me a meal plan, said "don't get in your own way" and "stay on track" and each day has been better than the last with how my body feels. I wished I would have done it in my early thirties!!! My body is loving it" ................................

First thank you for starting this thread because I have had questions too! THANK YOU. Also, from above your mention of a nutrtionist, etc. I would love any insight on a food plan. The words "don't get in your own way" I think must be applying to me. I have been so frustrated being very commited to eating really clean and good but NOTHING seems to be happening even though I follow a good workout schedule as well. Any help or advice on researching a good nutrtionist would be so appreciated! Thanks. :flowerforyou:

2blean~

I would love to share my meal plan, but have to ask what your daily caloric intake is presently...she gave me two plans to go off of - to zigzag so to speak.....and it wasn't so much a "weight loss" plan, but, start putting healty food in your mouth plan and learning to pair the right foods together as well. Without trying to lose any weight..I did end up losing 6 lbs since March...now, I am not complaining since that is alot with starting where I did, but I have been able to maintain my weight now and just compensate my meals on heavy workout days. Let me know where you are calorie wise and I will enter the info closest to that number. Now, please remember... I am not a nutritionist and this is only what was provided for me, but, I think it can be adapted for anyone to use. Also, it is a higher protein plan so that I can improve my lean muscle mass. My bf% went from 21% to 18.3% just since March, so something is working!!! The best way I can describe the effects of healthy eating coming from a former non-healthy eater, is that a layer of sludge just falls off your body.....kinda wierd, I know, but that is the best way I can describe it.

~Sheryl

Lauralovesmfp

Ripley36 ~ So glad that I found this thread! I have been strongly considering Cathe's STS program for quite a while but just haven't made the big plunge yet ...... I have done P90X and also ChaLEAN Xtreme, which I am actually doing that whole program again right now. I have quite a few of Cathe's DVD's and think I would really love this. Do you have to have a chin-up bar? In P90X I used the bands from the doorway for the pull-ups. Would this be the same for her STS program? How long is the entire program again? Is it somewhere like three months each for each Cycle?
So you would say you do have good results from this program then? I seem to be in a HUGE plateau and would love to boost it up. Thanks in advance for any help on this! :flowerforyou:

I have a chin up bar that goes in the door way. Whoops forgot to mention that you need something :embarassed: . Bands work fine. You can do each cycle once for 1 month = 3 months or all cycles times 2. EX: mesocyle 1, repeat, mesocycle 2, repeat, Mesocycle 3, repeat.

2BLean

2blean~

I would love to share my meal plan, but have to ask what your daily caloric intake is presently...she gave me two plans to go off of - to zigzag so to speak.....and it wasn't so much a "weight loss" plan, but, start putting healty food in your mouth plan and learning to pair the right foods together as well. Without trying to lose any weight..I did end up losing 6 lbs since March...now, I am not complaining since that is alot with starting where I did, but I have been able to maintain my weight now and just compensate my meals on heavy workout days. Let me know where you are calorie wise and I will enter the info closest to that number. Now, please remember... I am not a nutritionist and this is only what was provided for me, but, I think it can be adapted for anyone to use. Also, it is a higher protein plan so that I can improve my lean muscle mass. My bf% went from 21% to 18.3% just since March, so something is working!!! The best way I can describe the effects of healthy eating coming from a former non-healthy eater, is that a layer of sludge just falls off your body.....kinda wierd, I know, but that is the best way I can describe it.

~Sheryl
[/quote]

Should I go ahead and e-mail you so we don't take up the thread? Daily intake on non-exercise & exercise days then? This is so great! I would love your input from what you have learned! ~ Tami

2BLean

Ripley36: OK. so the bands would work then? Thank you so much. Another question. Is ordering them from her site do you think the best way to go money wise or should I look on Amazon, E-bay, etc... :flowerforyou:

Lauralovesmfp

I don't know about those sites but check out advancedworkouts.com and collagevideo.com and Cathe.com and see what the different rates are. I know some people on Cathe forums have said they got bad dvds on ebay. So I would be wary of that jmo.

Laura

2BLean

I don't know about those sites but check out advancedworkouts.com and collagevideo.com and Cathe.com and see what the different rates are. I know some people on Cathe forums have said they got bad dvds on ebay. So I would be wary of that jmo.

Laura

Thanks again! I hope to get them and if I have questions I would love to ask you since you have been through the program! :flowerforyou:

Lauralovesmfp

No problemo!

alf1163

Thanks for sharing! I am considering this program after I am done with ChaLean Extreme. I decided on this one over P90X because of the length of the videos in P90X and had had good reviews about CX. I like it but we do the same videos in the same circuit for 4 wks at a time. I tend to get bored. Thank God it is just for 4 wks and then move on to the next phase...There's another MFP'er in my 40+ thread that is doing STS as well. She loves it and is getting great results. Stiring, where are you?? :laugh:

Sheryl, I would love to learn more about your nutritional plan if you don't mind!! I too struggle some with my diet. I am doing much better these days but I would like to get more ideas from someone who is seeing a professional. I am 45yrs old, 128lbs, 5'5" and I exercise 5-7 days a week. I lift weights, run, Zumba, etc. The ratio I am eating now is 50-25-25. I recently changed it from 50-30-20. I am not so sure about this, I have been playing with it for a while. I have tried zigzagging as well. Thanks!!! :flowerforyou:

2BLean

No problemo!

So I more question already .... :embarassed: I have the SelectTech dumbells as well. Is that all you use or do you also have a barbell? Thanks again.

Lauralovesmfp

Cathe does use a barbell in some moves but I have just used the select techs and that works fine for me. I have those barbells that are a pain to change weights and the program moves fairly quickly so it is just easier.

Laura

StiringWendel

Just wanted to chime in for a second (since alf asked for me!!). I've just started the third mesocycle of STS. I'm doing the program as a six month rotation (repeating each week twice before moving on), and I can't say enough good things about this program. I've lifted weights for years (with Cathe) and have never had results even close to the results I'm getting with this program.

One of the best things about the program is the variety. She really does change up the exercises enough that each week feels new. Because of that....and the fact that I do whatever cardio suits me best on my cardio days....I don't actually feel like I'm stuck in the middle of a six month rotation at all. In other words, there is absolutely no boredom factor for me from repeating everything over and over again (unlike I had when I tried to do P90X).

The workouts are having a tremendous impact on what I can do outside of lifting weights. For instance, I'm much stronger when doing cardio. I do step aerobics a couple times a week, and have increased the height of my step because my legs are strong enough to do it. I can do things like side planks (I've ALWAYS struggled with those) now with some relative ease. Cathe does an ab move called levitation holds which I'd never been able to do before. Now I can. So it really is having a positive impact on my overall body which is amazing.

2BLean, I only use dumbells for the program. I don't have a barbell even set up, and it is no problem for me.

lgolden

Love love Cathe workouts! I have many but STS will be on my Christmas list this year. I started this week using her DVD's and a rotation that she has posted on her website. You can not go wrong with Cathe. She always provides plenty of fun and variety! Each DVD that I have has the original work out plus additional "premixes" so you really have several workouts in just one DVD. Also, most of her workouts are intermediate or advanced but I have found that it is very easy to modify no matter what level you are at. Good luck on your decision!

2BLean

Just wanted to chime in for a second (since alf asked for me!!). I've just started the third mesocycle of STS. I'm doing the program as a six month rotation (repeating each week twice before moving on), and I can't say enough good things about this program. I've lifted weights for years (with Cathe) and have never had results even close to the results I'm getting with this program.

One of the best things about the program is the variety. She really does change up the exercises enough that each week feels new. Because of that....and the fact that I do whatever cardio suits me best on my cardio days....I don't actually feel like I'm stuck in the middle of a six month rotation at all. In other words, there is absolutely no boredom factor for me from repeating everything over and over again (unlike I had when I tried to do P90X).

The workouts are having a tremendous impact on what I can do outside of lifting weights. For instance, I'm much stronger when doing cardio. I do step aerobics a couple times a week, and have increased the height of my step because my legs are strong enough to do it. I can do things like side planks (I've ALWAYS struggled with those) now with some relative ease. Cathe does an ab move called levitation holds which I'd never been able to do before. Now I can. So it really is having a positive impact on my overall body which is amazing.

2BLean, I only use dumbells for the program. I don't have a barbell even set up, and it is no problem for me.

Thanks for your input -- I know I've heard you talk about it on the other thread and it sounds so fantastic! As soon as I finish up with ChaLEAN I may go for it! Glad to know I don't need a barbell too.

Thanks also Ripley36 for letting me know... both of you have confirmed it now! I was worried about that. The SelecTech's are great and didn't want to have to buy another piece of equipment!

darlenehovis

I just finished the entire program and wow! I am lighter and stronger. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire thing. Cathe is so wonderful to work out with. She is so motivating. I did not miss one workout. There is absolutely no dread factor. I am also a P90X grad. I developed a major dread factor there. One more plyolegs and I think I would have gone berzerk.