Getting fitter and stronger with Caroline Girvan- all welcome!

Thanks for that @samthebordercollie perhaps I will join for a month or two and see how I get on with the app! I am definitely a beginner!

@OkyDoke Hi and welcome! The beginner week on YouTube isn't really for beginners, it's more of an introduction to the Epic programmes. Not sure if you are a beginner but there is an excellent beginner series on the App where Caroline explains in detail all the moves during the session - she doesn't speak on other programmes during the workout. I'm really happy with the App, it's worth the money in my opinion.

Just wanted to say hello, am going to start doing some Caroline in between gym sessions, so won't be quickly moving through programmes, but looking forward to starting! Think I'll start with Beginners on YouTube then consider the app.

Hello all 👋🏻 I've not been on for a while I've now completed Iron twice and dabbled with CG abs and glutes 10/20 min workouts. I'm gearing myself to try Epic when my DS is back at school 💪🏻. My Dad has recently been diagnosed with Osteoporosis which has spurred me on to keep weight training I'm looking at CG's app with the new Iron 2 program. Hope everyone is progressing well.

@KittyMcKitty Endgame is a great program to do after Iron, it's slightly slower paced than Epic III ( my favourite) and Heat. For no equipment workouts check out the calisthenic playlist Caroline compiled, you'll find are all the no equipment sessions from all programs listed there.

@FrostyFifi thank you - I think I’m going to repeat Iron with slightly heavier weights next and maybe have a look at Endgame for afterwards.

Need to find something with no equipment to do on holiday - maybe the Epic (I think) beginners.

I should be doing Day 3 today.

But my bum and thighs are screaming in pain from Day 1. What to do?

Looks like I will have to swap days around and do another arm and chest day.

@KittyMcKitty my right knee certainly does not love Bulgarian lunges! I tend to modify quite a bit or do them bodyweight due to this.

I'm in the fb group and many people do repeats of Iron with increased weights. I've moved onto Endgame. I'd say that as well as being longer it's a bit faster-paced and there's more compound movements so I often need to drop my weights compared to what I'd do for Iron. The format for each week is either two upper body, one lower body, a full body and a HIIT or same but one upper body and two lower. I find the lower body and full body pretty cardio intensive as well.

I've not used the app yet as I'm still getting plenty of mileage from youtube but people seem to be loving it, I'll definitely sign up when the promised Iron 2 lands.

Hi all

I’m 15 days into Iron and loving it and can already feel the difference in my strength and endurance (although pretty sure I will never feel the love for Bulgarian lunges).

im after some advice from those more experienced as to what to do when I finish Iron - at the moment Im thinking I’ll probably repeat it. How do the other series compare?

Also considering paying for Carolines content via the app - if anyone does this how do you find the daily workouts and do you feel it’s value for money?

Thank you

Hi, just joining the thread as I have got into CG workouts through hearing about her on MN - thanks. I'm about four weeks in (did a couple of runs through beginner epic and now doing epic heat).

New challenge is working out with kids present. DD(6) quite enjoyed joining in with HIIT day but at the end of it she did say "mummy don't do any more, you'll die!" 😮

Hoping to keep it up during the holidays- for some reason I feel ridiculously embarrassed if anyone sees me exercising so I am trying to normalise it for the kids so they don't grow up with the same hang ups.

@tostaky
I thought her workouts looked really scary at first too! I'd never lifted weights before, but was sporty like you. I started aged 57 with Iron, as @BigButtons says it's a good one to steady with if you're a beginner because it's slower and you have time to learn the lifts. But with much lighter weights than Caroline uses. Good luck, have fun and the great thing about lifting is that you see results quite quickly if you are consistent!

Hi all, ive just looked at CG videos... she is a bit scary!
My son has some dumbell. What weight did you start with and am inright in thinking that i should start with the iron videos?
Many thanks
Ps: 46yo, 3 kids, used to be sporty now my weight has gone through the roof and i spend most of my days sitting in an office in a demanding job or sitting in my car....

I have only just found caroline on YouTube and am on day 8 of the iron series.
I follow two other trainers(kaliegh cohen and shelly dose)I will still do their workouts alongside Caroline's.
I am used to hiit style workouts and cardio so to slow it down and go heavy is something I'm really enjoying.
I have just ordered 12.5kg weights so I have a heavier pair.
Caroline's body is unreal, but I don't think i want to get like that(no chance anyway as I love food and wine too much)but I definitely want more definition in my legs.
I do like her legs.

I'm at 6 months now following Caroline's programmes. I'm really happy with the improvement in strength and the emergence of some muscles! I was just a runner before with some cycling and swimming, so strictly cardio. I can lift a little heavier than than in January too. I now lift 4 days a week and run 4 times a week, running is so much easier and no more knee pain thanks to stronger quads! Warning, the after photos involve a little flexing 🙈

Brilliant, thank you so much!

@BigButtons thank you! Would you recommend the ones I linked to from Argos? I read that you have similar adjustables.

I have this problem with farmers carry at the gym. I'm now carrying 2x 32kg kettlebells, but my hands (and most of the other females) are so small, that the grip is the issue, and it's so frustrating

Vinyl are so big and bulky, I wish I had cast iron.
But I only use them once a week and I have access to other dumbbells elsewhere the rest of the time, so I can manage. If I was using them more regularly, I'd invest in cast iron definitely