Bigger influence on the fitness industry: Kathy Smith or Cathe Friedrich?

pumptmuscle · 03-03-11, 08:34 PM

Which instructor has had the bigger influence on the fitness industry Kathy Smith or Cathe Friedrich?

Aside from the fact that they have the same name, albeit spelled differently, both have had significant impacts. They've both released a lot of videos each catering to different types of exercisers. They've also both been around for a long time.

What do you think? It's a tough call and I like both, but I'd have to give the slight edge to Cathe.

hotncmom · 03-03-11, 09:35 PM

IMO Kathy Smith. I had never heard of Cathe Friedrich until I came to VF. I think Kathy S. is more mainstream and one of the pioneers of bringing home fitness to the masses.

F1mom · 03-03-11, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotncmom

IMO Kathy Smith. I had never heard of Cathe Friedrich until I came to VF. I think Kathy S. is more mainstream and one of the pioneers of bringing home fitness to the masses.

Ditto. I found Kathy Smith at Blockbuster in 1987. I didn't hear of Cathe until 1999/2000 when I joined VF.

JeepGirl · 03-03-11, 09:39 PM

I would say Kathy S, because a)since she is not advanced, she attracts a much bigger audience of beginners through intermediates. b) I think Kathy has a much bigger variety of workouts--(walking, long slow cardio, interval cardio, weights, belly dancing, yoga, pilates, etc.) c) Because her workouts have historically been available retail, I would guess she has more exposure. She has also written several fitness and diet books. As an almost life long intermediate worker-outer I find Cathe intimidating but Kathy S is familiar and comfortable.

Lucky Star · 03-03-11, 09:40 PM

It's true that many have heard of Kathy Smith, while almost no one I know has a clue who Cathe is.
Cathe's definitely made a major impact among the already-exercising and already-fit, though.

caligurl · 03-03-11, 09:40 PM

KATHY smith.... no one in the real world has even heard of cathe.... but everyone has heard of kathy smith.....

fschulman · 03-03-11, 09:41 PM

Kathy Smith was one of the early forces in building the home DVD business. Her DVDs introduced at home exercisers to many types of fitness. Most, if not all of her fitness routines, were created by others, but her celebrity was necessary for marketing.

Cathe Friedrich is much more creative, but her target is advanced exercisers, not the mass market. Also she is next generation, benefiting from people who were introduced to exercise DVDs by Kathy Smith and Jane Fonda and wanted more advanced fitness routines.

Sue B · 03-03-11, 09:46 PM

Kathy Smith for sure. Although they appeal to somewhat different audiences.

Alan · 03-03-11, 10:41 PM

Kathy Smith by a long shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1hNxlvoNxw

Don't confuse "the Fitness Industry" with "the Videofitness Forum."

Cathe has carved out a nice niche for herself but her unique style doesn't seem to have caught on with the masses.

berryblondboys · 03-03-11, 11:12 PM

Definitely Kathy Smith.

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03-03-11, 08:34 PM
pumptmuscle Join Date: Apr 2005	Bigger influence on the fitness industry: Kathy Smith or Cathe Friedrich? Which instructor has had the bigger influence on the fitness industry Kathy Smith or Cathe Friedrich? Aside from the fact that they have the same name, albeit spelled differently, both have had significant impacts. They've both released a lot of videos each catering to different types of exercisers. They've also both been around for a long time. What do you think? It's a tough call and I like both, but I'd have to give the slight edge to Cathe. __________________ Bob "We all have our own issues" - Lashaun Dale "Hi, I'm Billy Blanks and welcome to Tae Bo" Billy Blanks - Tae Bo 50 time marathoner 15 time ultramarathoner (the longest was 40 miles) ** All time high scorer at Blast Billiards

03-03-11, 09:35 PM
hotncmom Join Date: Jan 2009	IMO Kathy Smith. I had never heard of Cathe Friedrich until I came to VF. I think Kathy S. is more mainstream and one of the pioneers of bringing home fitness to the masses.

03-03-11, 09:39 PM
JeepGirl Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: near Chicago, IL	I would say Kathy S, because a)since she is not advanced, she attracts a much bigger audience of beginners through intermediates. b) I think Kathy has a much bigger variety of workouts--(walking, long slow cardio, interval cardio, weights, belly dancing, yoga, pilates, etc.) c) Because her workouts have historically been available retail, I would guess she has more exposure. She has also written several fitness and diet books. As an almost life long intermediate worker-outer I find Cathe intimidating but Kathy S is familiar and comfortable.

03-03-11, 09:40 PM
Lucky Star VF Supporter Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: A helluva town	It's true that many have heard of Kathy Smith, while almost no one I know has a clue who Cathe is. Cathe's definitely made a major impact among the already-exercising and already-fit, though. __________________ ~ Gina ~ "Remain cheerful, for nothing destructive can pierce through the solid wall of cheerfulness." ~Sri Chinmoy "We are so fortunate that we get to exercise!" ~Erin O'Brien

03-03-11, 09:40 PM
caligurl Join Date: May 2004 Location: SoCal	KATHY smith.... no one in the real world has even heard of cathe.... but everyone has heard of kathy smith..... __________________ ----- evil enabler! ----- it is NOT against the rules to say DIET on this forum! ----- "VFers have a right to post negative opinions about an instructor, and there is not a limit on the number of times they do so". - WWWendy ----- "...no matter how unpopular you perceive your opinion to be, we guarantee you are not the only one here who holds that opinion, and you should feel free to express it." - WWWendy via forum guidelines

03-03-11, 09:41 PM
fschulman Join Date: Nov 2001	I vote for Kathy Smith Kathy Smith was one of the early forces in building the home DVD business. Her DVDs introduced at home exercisers to many types of fitness. Most, if not all of her fitness routines, were created by others, but her celebrity was necessary for marketing. Cathe Friedrich is much more creative, but her target is advanced exercisers, not the mass market. Also she is next generation, benefiting from people who were introduced to exercise DVDs by Kathy Smith and Jane Fonda and wanted more advanced fitness routines.

03-03-11, 09:46 PM
Sue B VF Supporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Maryland	Kathy Smith for sure. Although they appeal to somewhat different audiences. __________________ Move your body often, sometimes hard. Every bit counts. Drop Two Sizes, Fit Body Blueprint, STRONG Eat. Lift. Thrive. and Revamp grad DISCLOSURE: I have a professional relationship with a seller or producer of fitness videos or products. For details, please see my profile.

03-03-11, 10:41 PM
Alan Join Date: Nov 2003	Kathy Smith by a long shot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1hNxlvoNxw Don't confuse "the Fitness Industry" with "the Videofitness Forum." Cathe has carved out a nice niche for herself but her unique style doesn't seem to have caught on with the masses.

03-03-11, 11:12 PM
berryblondboys Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Columbia, MD	Definitely Kathy Smith.