Cathe Live Review: Fit Tower Bootcamp Workout (#268)
Fit Tower Bootcamp Workout is a fun cardio and strength routine using the Fit Tower. This was a really nice, more intermediate level, bootcamp workout and I really enjoyed it.
The workout is set up in rounds of one cardio interval, often using the Fit Tower, and a mix of strength exercises for the lower body, upper body and core. As I don’t have a Fit Tower, I did this routine using a chair and a step. I only had to modify a couple of moves and these are detailed in ‘The Moves’ section below.
The cardio intervals are all very familiar moves from Cathe’s other Fit Tower / barre workouts and are generally not that high rep. You also get breaks, before doing the interval again on the other side, and this also keeps it a little more moderate. Therefore, you are not breathing too hard during these but they are just enough to get you moving and get that heart rate up a little.
The strength moves were a nice mix of different exercises and targeted each of the muscle groups at least once. However, this is definitely not a comprehensive strength routine - as it is not very high rep and there just aren’t enough exercises to really provide a strong toning effect. The lower body, I felt, was hit a little more strongly than the upper body but definitely not Cathe’s usual high rep barre exercises.
The lower body moves are a combination of barre and dumbbell exercises. While the upper body is targeted using bodyweight and dumbbells. There were also a few new combinations of moves, such as, 1 arm scarecrows (rotator cuff) with a side leg lift and 1 arm bicep curls with calf raises – these were both fun and different! Cathe used light to moderate weights and I would probably go heavier next time to increase the intensity of this workout.
The core work, in this routine, I found to be pretty light - as there are only three exercises targeting that area. So I just added on a little extra core at the end to round out the program.
Overall, this was a slightly lighter bootcamp workout that is packed with variety and absolutely flew by. This is definitely one I will be returning to any time I want a fun cardio and strength workout to target a little bit of everything!
(For more information about Cathe Live, how to sign up & to see all of my Cathe Live reviews, click HERE).
The Workout
Fit Tower Bootcamp Workout is cardio and strength routine consisting of six rounds of 1 cardio interval and 4 - 5 strength exercises for lower, upper body and core. Cathe used a Fit Tower (I used a chair and a step) and light to moderate dumbbells for this workout.
What You Need to Know
(Rating scale – 1= lowest & 5 = highest).
The Moves
Fit Tower Bootcamp Workout is 50 minutes long and originally aired on 3rd October 2019 (#268). The workout starts with a 3 minute warm-up not using the Fit Tower. The Fit Tower bar is set at No.9 at the start of the routine. For equipment below, I just mention the Fit Tower where you can substitute a chair. Where you need other modifications I have detailed them below. Cardio moves shown in bold italics below.
Round 1
Plie pulls (jumping) – one hand on Fit Tower – 32 reps each side
Lateral walks – two 10# dumbbells – 8 sets
Incline push-ups – Fit Tower at No. 4 (I used a step with three risers or you could do these on the floor) – 12 x 2/2 count & 8x singles
Push dips – one 10# dumbbell & Fit Tower at No. 8 – 32 reps each side
Round 2
Mountain climbers – Fit Tower at No. 3 – 40 reps
Walking lunges & plie pulse squats – two 10# dumbbells – 8 sets
High & tight (feet together) – Fit Tower at No. 8 – 4 sets of 15 reps
Tricep dips – Fit Tower at No. 3 (I used a step with three risers or you could use the seat of the chair) – 56 reps
Round 3
Squat & side lunge combo (jumping) – Fit Tower at No. 8 – 16 reps each side
Deadlifts – two 15# dumbbells (I used 20’s) – 12 reps (2/2 count)
Wide stance deadlifts – two 15# dumbbells (I used 20’s) – 11 reps (3/1 count)
Pull-ups – Fit Tower at No. 8 (I did deadrows using two 15# dumbbells) – 16 reps
Chin-ups (underhand grip) – Fit Tower (I did bicep curls using two 15# dumbbells) – 8 reps (1/3 count) & 8 reps (singles)
High hip pulses – Fit Tower – 64 reps (1st side) & 72 reps (2nd side)
Round 4
Plie jacks - one hand on Fit Tower – 24 reps each side
High & tight in 4th position (one foot to inside of other & take a step apart, holding dumbbell down between legs – pulse down in this position) – one 10# dumbbell & Fit Tower – 32 reps each side
1 Arm bicep curl with calf raises – one 15# dumbbell & Fit Tower – 16 reps each side
Over under crunches (lying on back, crunch knees in then extend legs over and under the FT bar) – Fit Tower at No. 2 & mat (I did these on the mat just simulating the same move without the bar) – 22 reps (over & under) & 8 reps (under only)
Round 5
Power scissors – both hands on Fit Tower at No. 8 – 24 reps each side
1 Leg deadlift (lifting straight leg up behind you) – one 15# dumbbell & Fit Tower – 12 reps
1 Leg dips with one arm overhead press (these are reasonably fast) – one 10# dumbbell & Fit Tower at No. 7 – 16 reps each side
Heel tap crunches (lying on your back, 1 leg resting on the bar, turn out foot on floor - lift & lower it to meet other foot) – Fit Tower at No. 3 & mat (I just did these holding top leg in the air) – 28 reps each side
Round 6
Crisscross jacks – 26 reps
1 Arm scarecrows with side leg lifts – one 5# dumbbell & Fit Tower at No. 8 – 24 reps each side
Straight arm plank toe taps / knee-ins – Fit Tower No. 3 & mat – 16 reps (alt toes in under body), 16 reps (toe to shoulder) & 16 reps (knee-ins)
Glute squeezes / 1 leg hamstring raises – Fit Tower at No. 2 & a mat (I did these with my feet on step with two risers but you could also do these with your feet on the floor) – 16 reps (glute squeeze), 40 reps (1 leg), 4 reps (glute squeeze), 32 reps (1 leg – 2nd side) & 8 reps (glute squeeze)
The workout ends with a 2 minute cool down and stretch using the Fit Tower (bar at hole No. 8) or chair.
Take Action
Try it today! Find out more about how to subscribe and to check out all of my Cathe Live Reviews - click HERE.
If you liked this workout, check out my review of Cathe Live: Fit Tower Live Roadtrip – HERE.
If you enjoyed this review, please share it using the links below.
This workout moves fast, the rounds move one to the next fast. Its a solid intermediate workout.
My Modifications: I did the cardio away from the tower. I also substituted weights for the chin ups and pull ups.