EPIC!! Losing, gaining and groaning with Caroline Girvan

@BigButtons thanks very much, that's really helpful. I've spent well over an hour researching Caroline now so it about time I actually did a workout. Thanks again

I'm looking for a home workout with weights and found this thread, can someone give me any advice on where to start? I'm used to doing weights and cardio but not sure which EPIC or heat to start with and whether they are meant to be done in order. Thank you

Well, I beat her in the finishers too (except anything burpee or push up related) but then when I watch her after finishing I realise that with a lot I’m not getting as deep as she is, or essentially just doing pulses in a quest to get it over and done with. Other than that I try to go slowly and get right down and do stuff properly. Just at the end I want to finish so it all goes out of the window!

I need to do a bit more cardio too, some days when wfh I barely move and this contributes to my general creakiness. I’ve started doing the odd upper body at speed with only 3kg weights so I can get a bit out of breath.

Yes, I agree, I’ve been taking it easier on the weights for upper body as my right shoulder also hurts, but on that arms day CG was using the same for all muscle groups so I thought I would give it a go even fit the skull crushers. More fool me! I’ve been watching videos on hand positions for push ups and planks as some days I’ve found those hurt my wrists too and maybe affect my position, which in turn makes my shoulder hurt etc. my wrists used to hurt doing yoga as well do it’s not just the weights. I just have weedy wrists!

I’ve also decided to stop at 8kg for the legs as I don’t really want to bulk up further on my lower half and I find that weight just the right level of challenge.

I might start doing a bit more yoga again and will take a look at Cat Megan, thanks @SophieLion. I find Adrienne too annoying although I don’t mind Kassandra.

I liked the Callisthenics from yesterday (but did today), plus an brief add on with the stability ball now that I’ve pumped it up. I’m quite chuffed I’ve finally discovered what to do with one, apart from sitting on it.

I have tendinitis in my wrist from the triceps reps from Wednesday, I guess 6kg were too much for my weedy triceps and wrist. Tomorrow I will go and buy a splint to support my wrist, today I tried a rollerblading glove but it was too annoying with the metal support, so I will need to shell out on something proper.

Here you go, @SophieLion

I particularly like cat meffan's mandala yoga if you want a particular workout recommended.

I'm very sorry to hear about your mother bigbuttons . I lost my father just over a month ago. I still can't come to terms with it because he was young and it was a shock. Exercise (especially running) helps me to take my mind off things and the endorphins help (highly recommend running for this)

I think you said you hated every rep of day 24!

For yoga I like cat Meffan a lot because her flows are always very creative. I also like Yoga with Tim because he really explains the form - I've learnt a lot from him. And he has a great sense of humour. I've done yoga with Adrienne and kassandra too but normally go for Tim or cat Meffan.

I think she does quite a lot of rows (bent over rows, supine, renegade), bigbuttons but (and I could well be missing something), not so much for the lower back. I think I've seen supermans once in a Calisthenics days. Perhaps supine rows work the lower back? And I think RDLs do too?

I had a look at that bowflex plank workout flowerarranger and I will definitely try it. I wasn't sure which Rebecca abs you meant. Rebecca Louise?

Travelling home today so it's a rest day but hopefully day 24 tomorrow. I recall you didn't like it at all bigbuttons. It's 2 minute complexes.

Yes to limiting weights to what feels challenging but not excessive. I think I should have dialed down to 8lb for some of the exercises, instead of pushing through with 15lb.

Unfortunately, as she uses such heavy weights - 15kg instead of my 15lb !!! - one is at risk of getting carried away…

I agree, @SophieLion - not enough abs work for me either. I do Rebecca’s Best Abs plus the 3 minute Bowflex plank most days to compensate. They really work!!

Hello bigbuttons! I've been enjoying it on the whole. Like it more than epic 3 I think (remember only really enjoying week 9 of that). Took a while to get used to the 100 reps finishers but now quite enjoying them (well the majority of them - I know there are 100 burpees and 100 tricep push ups coming up....)

I loved day 25 kickboxing (did that yesterday ahead of day 24 as been travelling). My favourite HIIT so far.

Still don't think she does enough abs/core for my liking (I have slight diastasis recti so need to do some focused abs most days to stay strong) and don't often have time for an add-on. I also feel I need to add in another cardio session each week so normally do a run on one day.

Not looking forward to a whole push up session or a whole Bulgarian lunge session....

I'm very curious as to what she is planning to do after endgame.

You are right to go easy on the push-ups, @BigButtons. I think that's how I buggered up my shoulders/collarbone/neck the other day, even though there were only a few dozen or so. As for 100 push-ups- that is just nuts!!