ICE - Rock'm Sock'm Kickbox

Part of Cathe's ICE intermediate set, this cardio kickbox workout is mixed impact, solidly intermediate and a lot of fun. Cathe and her four backgrounders - Amanda is the modifier, though she does the easier version only intermittently - are in a well-lit gym setting (in fact, it is almost too well-lit, as Cathe looks bleached out at times). The music is upbeat instrumentals and Cathe is mostly on the beat. You need no equipment for the main workout or Blizzard Blast.

The warmup is fast-paced and mostly kickboxing: some light punching, some light kicking, and moves like side-to-side lunges to get the blood flowing. The main cardio section is 34 minutes long and has a little bit of everything: punching, kicking, leg conditioning, plyo and a LOT of jumping jacks. No one section drags on forever, though I would have liked a little more kicking and less punching. You can choose to tack on the 14-minute Blizzard Blast to extend your cardio and up the intensity. However, I didn't think this particular Blast was that hard: it's similar to Cathe's old hi-lo work but with more kickbox-type moves, like speed-bag arms. Some of the ICE Blasts are supertough, but this one seems like an extension of the regular workout and not a big jump up to advanced intensity. There are both low- and high-impact moves in this section, but again nothing is repeated or done for a million reps. A short cooldown and thorough stretch complete the workout.

I'm not a big kickboxing fan and I really like this workout. You will be sweaty but not exhausted by the end. Cathe's cueing could be better: she cues on the move a lot, even during the warmup and even her backgrounders need a rep or two to catch on.

My fitness background for point of reference: 54 years old, life long exerciser and in advanced exercise shape. 3 years ago found out I was born with hip dysplasia and in July 2014 had the left hip replaced, January 2015 had the right hip replaced. I am a swimmer and swim about 10,000 yards a week when not in recovery from surgery. :) I have worked hard this year to recover and am now doing most Cathe work-outs at my old heavy weights, but am cautious about jumping, which is why this series interested me.

I found this kick box workout a nice mix of higher intensity with some fun drills. None of the drills are complicated, and since they do not go on forever, they are quite fun. I liked the alternating between boxing combos and leg drills. Since this was the first time doing it, and I did it without preview, I removed the jumping jack jumps and the jump forward, jump back. I substituted either stepping to the side, bouncing on my toes, and for the jump forward and back did powerful v steps. I did do the jump kicks because they did not go on forever, so was not too harsh to do.

I enjoyed the music. It was motivating but not annoying.

The length was great for me. I tacked it onto the HiiT chest,shoulder, tricep work-out and the 40 some minute length was great for getting all the rubbery feeling out of my arms after that work-out. I did the core 1 work-out and it was very doable, and nicely worked the core. The stretch was also very nice and enjoyable. My favorite Cathe kick box is Kick Punch Crunch, and this one may become a second to that one, as I enjoyed it a lot. No big surprises, but nicely works you out.