Getting fitter and stronger with Caroline Girvan- all welcome!

@ErrolTheDragon
The App has a Form Library Section where each move is shown within an explanation. There is also the Ultimate Beginner program where Caroline talks through the workout explaining as she lifts. It's really worth buying.

Hi gang!

I bit the bullet and ordered a small barbell and 40kg in plates ready to start Unleash next week! i've done basically zero exercise over Xmas, so it's going to be a painful few days at the beginning.

In other news have signed up for the MyBalancedKitchen (insta) Project Glow - a 6 week fat loss coaching program. Really hoping to work some of this fluff off and reveal the muscles I know are under it!

How's everyone feeling about the New Year? Anyone else planning to do Unleash?

When I was new to Caroline I would always watch the next day's workout the night before, paying particular attention to the introduction - which I would watch again before the workout. I find her explanations and demonstrations very clear and informative.

As for the music: I turn the volume down almost completely. I can listen to Radio 4 or whatever and still hear the beeps.

Yes, I probably need to look for some specific instruction vids - problem is, you don't know what moves she'll do beforehand.

The app has some more detailed explanations of the various moves apparently, although I've not looked at that section yet. What I have done is look at other youtube resources that explain a particular move in more detail if I feel uncertain, Bulgarian lunges actually specifically, which really helped me.

but caroline does explain the moves in the intro

Where? I've never seen an explanation of the Bulgarian lunge for instance.

Is the app any better than just YouTubes in these regards?

Yes, the app gives you the option to have your own playlist. I presume you could just turn off the music? Not sure as despite not loving all of the playlist I'm lazy so I just live with it.

I missed getting the verbal cues too(other trainers I use do speak throughout) but caroline does explain the moves in the intro and puts notes up on screen,plus I try to copy her form as much as possible.
The music! I agree with...and like you need the beeps especially when on the floor and can't see the screen.
Other whole though I've become accustomed to all that and really enjoy her style ofworkouts.
Maybe give it more time..I don't ha e the app so can't comment on that.

After falling off the wagon due to circumstances beyond my control, I had a go at the beginner epic day 1. It was mostly ok but...

I'm in two minds about whether CG suits me tbh. I wish she'd give some verbal instructions on correct form and lose the irritating music. I don't find turning the sound off works as I want the beeps for the end of the intervals, the screen isn't always easily visible from some positions.
Is the app any better than just YouTubes in these regards?

@roundcork I'm a runner too, I run 4 times a week and strength training 4 days a week so I e generally been following programs, but I actually prefer the hour long full body workouts. If you want to do 2 days I'd recommend full body for those 2 days as you will be hitting all the body parts twice a week. You can pick and choose from all the programs, there are lots there, on You Tube and the App. My favourites at the moment are Epic II Day 45 and Epic 1 Day 24, they are great strength workouts. Avoid the HIT full body, as you run it's more beneficial to concentrate on the strength and lifting,you don't need anymore cardio.

Ah thank you so much for the advice! I'll have a look at the other options.
I definitely need to up the weights as the 2.5 wasn't enough of a challenge on most of the moves - apart from the chest press when you're laid down on your back! It felt like I was lifting way heavier weights than the 2.5 🤪

@Happyinheels - I would suggest you look at a whole body session from several programmes and start with the one which appeals to you most. As @FrostyFifi says, Iron is "designed that you do 5 a week with two active rest days, and been designed that you'll hit all the muscle groups each week" - but so are all the otheat.

Some are very focused on lifting heavy, others have a significant cardio element. Some programmes' workouts are of longer duration than others. I always get confused as to which is which, but I always seem to come back to EPIC Heat. We all have our personal favourites, but they are all great.

Regarding weights, 2.5kg is a good starting weight, but I'd also get a 5kg pair. You'll find that you'll outgrow the lighter dumbbells quite quickly, and Caroline doesn't really use kettlebells. I generally have one set for arm work and a heavier one for legs. In time, the heavier
heavier dumbbells become my arm weights and I acquire a new set for legs. Currently using 8 and 10kg but working towards 12kg... (I'm nearly 70 and loving it!)

I'm pleased with myself as I've actually worked out today.
Epic day 39 so I have 11 sessions left then I'm going to start iron.

I got fabric bands for my Christmas. The ones Caroline has.

I'm also going to buy a 7kg dumbell and maybe a 4kg as well. Currently using 5kg for most exercises and occasionally 2kg

@Happyinheels welcome! The best thing is to pick and follow a program, most people love Iron. It's designed that you do 5 a week with two active rest days, and been designed that you'll hit all the muscle groups each week.

Hello! Hope it's ok to join. I started the Epic Beginners today. I'm wanting to get into lifting as I have been reading it's good for my bone density. I did day 4 as I wanted to do the dumbbell workout. I am totally new to lifting weights and I can only lift a mixture of 2.5kg dumbbells and a 4kg or 6kg kettle bell. I was just wondering is there a particular workout that is best to follow for lifting weights or do they all incorporate a bit of everything?

I am starting Fuel next.
I follow another Trainer on Patreon, and am behind with her workouts as I have been doing Caroline's Advent Series over December, So I need to catch up with these THEN get going with Fuel-looking forward to it,having a plan to follow really helps me.
As for fitness goals-I just need to eat all the cheese,crisps and
chocolate first!!! I also need to have more alcohol free days a week which is the plan going into Jan.

I hope you enjoy Fuel @moiraswigs . It's the only You Tube programme I didn't do except for the first week as there is too much cardio - I run so prefer to lift heavier and do less cardio on my strength training days.
I'm debating whether or not to continue with Beastmode 2 on the App or try the new Unleash program on the App which is launched 8th January. It looks really interesting. I've never followed any CG programmes in real time before.
For 2024 fitness plans, I actually need to do less sport, for years it's been it's been every day, running or strength training for at least 1,5 hours and on some days both. Plus evening dog walks of an hour, so no rest days.
As for alcohol, I only drink at weekends and only a couple of glasses of red because otherwise I don't sleep properly. The menopause is great for reducing alcohol consumption.

I started fuel yesterday after completing you tube iron on Christmas Eve. Fuel day one still has me aching so am very much dreading glutes tomorrow! Am off on holiday in 6 weeks so hoping fuel will get me in good shape (once I finish the Christmas chocs and booze of course!) Planning on doing dry January as well as getting all my steps in. Anyone else have big fitness plans for the New Year?

Greetings! I have finally finished IRON 2 on the app! Only 5 weeks behind but never mind, at least I did it. All 50 workouts!

Not sure what to do next, have lost a bit of my mojo. Signed up for a Project Glow (6 week fat loss group coaching) with My Balanced Kitchen, so hoping once January 8 rolls around I'll have a bit more pep.

Currently scouring Gumtree for a short barbell and weights to use instead of my Bootyband, finding that I dread hip thrusts becauseI don't have comfortable equipment.

I love the App! It's well worth the money. I still use You Tube but the way Caroline has evolved the workouts is interesting. The Christmas CGX workouts whilst sometimes only 20 minutes are extremely intense, the lifting and rest periods also a lot more varied. If you are a beginner the beginners progam is excellent, Caroline talks throughout the workouts explaining everything.
I got through all the long programs in 11 months except Fuel - I run so don't need cardio workouts - and so it's nice to have other programs and invididual workouts to do.
I cast to my TV usingAirplay, I used Chromecast with my old TV, both work perfectly.

Just wish on the app I could change the week streak to 2 per week becuase 3 is a bit much for me to fit in plus running

I'm not sure I understand, but then I've never used the App. I can rarely commit to following a programme religiously, so I do the sessions as and when.

These days I just pick a session here and there, depending on my mood, commitments and how strong I feel. So might do a full-body workout from EPIC 3 one day, an arms workout from EPIC Heat the next day, followed by a Legs workout from Endurance or whatever.

Once I'm more settled (🙏) I'll try to get back to following a programme - Fuel or Iron maybe, as I've never done either.

@herbaceous users do seem to love the app but there's so much free content on YouTube I would stick with that for a while. I started youtube CG workouts in January this year and do from 3 to 5 workouts per week. I'm nowhere near finished with the videos yet and I've completed beginners, Iron, Heat, Fuel, Beastmode, Epic 3 and the Christmas series.

Seems the beginner series on the app is different to on YouTube! The YT version is only five sessions, and no real explanation of the moves. Is the app worth getting? I am technically challenged - can you 'send' it to the telly?