Getting fitter and stronger with Caroline Girvan- all welcome!

@prescribingmum - I've been following Caroline Girvan for over 2 years and she has transformed my life. One thing I've done throughout is to intersperse her workouts with others, either to add more cardio (Growingannanas HIIT), or target my tummy/abs (Rebecca Louise's Best Abs plus some of Caroline's shorter, targeted abs sessions).

I do RL's Best Abs and the Bowflex 3-minute plank several times a week/almost daily and, together, they have made a huge difference to my form and tummy. A strong core feels sooooo empowering!

The iron series is serious stuff! If you are specifically looking for 30-minute workouts, I seem to remember the Heat serious being that kind of length. Also, I sometimes cut the longer EPIC 1-3 sessions in half and do them over 2 days. But only you can decide if you're ready for Iron!

I'd definitely go for CG vs a PT, particularly if it's a question of money. Maybe check in with your PT every 2-3 months for a tune-up? Caroline instills great discipline! If you're anything like me you'll get hooked and after a while you wouldn't dream of skiving off...😂

@Worldgonecrazy now that's the kind of info that will get me putting my trainers back on again tomorrow

Thanks @BigButtons . I had a couple of PT sessions recently who confirmed my form is good, deciding whether to continue - if I do, can only afford for a couple of months or if I should try this first.

Having a PT who I am accountable to does help but still keep deliberating if it is worth spending that much money on...! I am in reasonable shape but do need to lose body fat and have been making a big effort with diet recently to address that but not keen on going down the weighing and calorie counting route at all

Mid 50s and my boobs are definitely more pert since I discovered Caroline!

@BigButtons argh yes, I know you're right really! I am half heartedly following the Louise Parker diet but perhaps I need to embrace it a bit more.

@LegsOfJelly my issue is the tummy bulge that has appeared since DC2, also normal weight, more toned in some areas than others but need to shift this tummy. Not prepared to intensely calorie count/track macros but am being mindful and having protein at every meal

Thanks @milkfromthesleepycow, I fear that is where I will have a problem as I workout first thing then get kids up and have to do the school run!!

Day 2 of epic beginners done. Whoever said it's not really a beginners' programme wasn't kidding 😂

I can barely lift my arms now! Washing my hair afterwards was a challenge! But it goes to show that I definitely need to build up my strength, I'm a total weakling.

Can anyone tell me - will sticking with this see off the unwelcome bra band bulge that has appeared since I reached my 40s? I'm not overweight but not very toned. Please say yes 😀

Oh dear god my poor legs!
@prescribingmum I'd recommend going heavier than you would normally and aim to do 8-10 reps a set (and not scheduling ANYTHING for at least half an hour afterwards or maybe that's just me)

Hi all, I'm new to this thread. I followed the previous one briefly but struggled to get into EPIC - I hate workouts longer than 30mins! I thought I would get into them but never managed to do so. The thought of working out for longer than 40 mins means I just put off starting exercise!

I have just discovered Iron series and contemplating starting next week - I already strength train but predominantly follow Fitness Blender strength workouts. I have adjustable dumbbells, will start lighter than I think I need and can always increase if I am coping

Any advice from those who have started?

After taking advice from here I took a break for a couple of weeks but have now finally completed epic1 (and enjoyed it!) Going to start iron today. Usually use 5.5kg but thinking of trying 9 as its legs on day 1 but not sure if that's too big a jump?

Glad I found this thread. I did the first IRON workout this evening and it was too hard. I now realise I’ve started at the wrong end of the scale! Will restart with one of the EPIC programmes as they sound more suited to my level.

Hello there! I was on the previous threads then fell off for a few months as developed a shoulder injury and couldn't lift. I really missed it and am trying to get back into it but very slowly and really watching my form. My favourites are the full body ones and iron is great for the perfect 30 min length.

Thanks. I 'was' reasonably fit pre having covid 6 months ago but i've totally lost my mojo since then.

Good idea about skipping some of the cardio!

Definitely don't do Iron first, unless you already lift. It's more "proper" weightlifting than the Epic programmes. I would start with Epic Beginner doing the bodyweight exercises. I am working my way through Epic 1 but technically you could start with any of the Epic serieseses. Epic Heat is (I'm told) more geared to cardio than the others and the sessions tend to be shorter. It depends what you're wanting. I often skip the HIIT sessions in Epic because I also run for cardio plus my PT adds HIIT/explosive exercises to my workout with her, so my primary interest in Caro is the weight work.

I've been 'doing' 😆Caroline for over 2 years. Believe me, just attempting any one of her programs will set you on a path to a degree of fitness that you cannot fathom as you are setting out on this journey...

I'd suggest starting with EPIC Beginners. Always a good start. I do it at least twice a year - just to check how far I've come and recalibrate. If you find it easy, you'll have a benchmark. If not, it'll give you something to work towards 😂

After that, I'd suggest EPIC Heat. Tough but shorter than the other EPICs. Save IRON till last 😱

But do look at Growingannanas for some in between catching your breath HIIT days. Love Anna. I think she perfectly compliments Caroline 😎

I'm feeling inspired after stumbling across this thread. Can anyone tell me though- what's the difference between epic and iron? Jus a progression or a different focus? Thanks x

Don't be embarrassed @LegsOfJelly! You're working out and improving, which is all anyone can do. As they say, you're lapping everyone on the couch.

Epic 1 Day 14 for me today, 1hr full body dumbbells. I was really proud because I did almost the whole thing with 3/4 of the weight Caroline was using. Okay, fine, at least 70% of it!

Nothing shakes off a hard day at my desk like a Caroline.

Slightly embarrassed to be posting this after all your talk of 10kg weights, but after my ill-advised leap straight into endgame (I was in pain for days after that! I had to grip the banister to walk downstairs 😂) I've finally got round to starting her beginners' programme. It feels much more manageable and I'm looking forward to building up from it.

I like to imagine that she too has a barbie campervan and a pile of cat toys just out of shot in that minimalist set 😂

I also have adjustables, for the same reason as @BigButtons , I can’t afford to keep shelling out for new weights. I went to Decathlon to buy some new gloves with good wrist support, and saw they had bars there for €30. I’m now contemplating investing in one. I can use the same plates as my adjustable dumbbells (part of the same series) so I can build up my plate collection as I get stronger. Nowhere to put it but if I unload every time I might be able to slot it somewhere so one less thing to trip over. In theory.