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Original poster

Caroline Girvan Beginners Epic

57 replies

Mangolover123 · 14/12/2023 11:32

I see the other CG thread and it inspired me to start at the Beginners Epic.
Anyone want to join me?

I have just done workout warm up and session 1 - lower body workout with no weights.

I am 58, overweight but do workout and I found it tough but doable with adaptations. Sitting squats and the kneel to squats was especially tough and I needed extra balance support.

But I a proud I have done it and will do session 2 tomorrow - who wants to join me.

Thanks to the other thread you got me off my butt!

Link to program
Beginner EPIC Series - YouTube

OP posts:
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Original poster
Mangolover123 · 01/02/2024 15:11

Day 3 completed. Day 4 is my favourite Day so looking forward to that tomorrow.
I very rarely ache after exercise except the first session. So I never really feel the progress.

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PaminaMozart · 31/01/2024 16:37

Planks is something you just have to work at, @Mangolover123 , there's no way around it. But you won't regret it because you'll find that a strong core makes every other form if exercise, including walking!, so much easier.

I wouldn't focus on which type of plank is 'easier'. Just do a few each day. Here is a brilliant plank workout by the lovely Caroline - just do it in chunks over several days and see which exercises you like best. And keep repeating 😄

Another workout which I still do quite often and c which has been instrumental in building up my abdominal strength is Rebecca's Best Abs (you may want to mute it though...):

Best Exercises for Lower Abs | Rebecca Louise

These are the Best Exercises for Lower Abs with Rebecca Louise. Use your Ab muscles to the max & get that Six Pack! If you want to kickstart your healthy lif...

https://youtu.be/CKcYWBwFXWo?si=G4SOZSTgCGTrQVZw

Original poster
Mangolover123 · 31/01/2024 14:17

My god guys you have upped the ante.

Just had a go at the Blowflex 3 min work out. On the basis if I don't start I can'twork up to it! Definitely something to work up to.
Is it easier with arms straight then on your fore arms - is that the easier option with the plank? Find the marches and crunches easier when I am up higher.
Need support for the side planks. Not the complete 3 mins and a bit of stop start but something to work up to.

This week I am back on the EPIC Beg series, day 1 & 2 done. Day off today. Got to complete 3, 4 & 5 this week.

OP posts:
PaminaMozart · 29/01/2024 21:55

I did this today (though much slower and with a few adjustments/substitutions):

Followed by her 10 minutes Weighted Abs and 20 minutes Glutes & Hamstrings...

Plus the Bowflex 3-minute plank, as always.

30 Min TOTAL Tabata Full Body HIIT Workout | EPIC Heat - Day 20

Let’s go!!!! Total Tabata style session to get you working hard! The aim is to really up the intensity hiit workout, give it 100% during the 20 seconds and e...

https://youtu.be/PQGsmyKY7eQ?si=yI2dizMggufQ0DZ4

ErrolTheDragon · 29/01/2024 20:27

Finished my third time round the block today - I did my regular zoom Pilates first, and then as the weather wasn't conducive to having a walk it made sense to do the day 5 HIIT. I managed 3 burpees in the time for about the first half, quite enjoyed the workout, with a couple of rests to let my heart rate recover a bit.

PaminaMozart · 23/01/2024 13:36

I do occasional sessions with Kassandra as well. She is great. I never got on with other online yoga 'influencers', but she is calm without being patronising or annoying, and her exercises are just right for stretching and unwinding at the end of the day.

ErrolTheDragon · 23/01/2024 13:31

I did try that but it didn't work for me. Maybe I need to experiment more with what else to listen to.
Otoh I'm very much liking the yoga with kassandra I've started doing in the evening - calm clear instructions and minimal non intrusive music.

PaminaMozart · 23/01/2024 13:16

the music on iron is incredibly annoying but I need the sound on for the beeps

I turn the volume to the lowest setting and listen to talk radio, e.g. Radio 4. I can still hear the beeps but the annoying music is tuned out.

(Works for Rebecca Louise too...)

ErrolTheDragon · 23/01/2024 12:29

I thought about giving Iron a go (I more or less did it last year, obviously with much smaller weights than CG!) but decided to have another go through the beginner epic (partly because the music on iron is incredibly annoying but I need the sound on for the beeps) . So back to Day 1 legs. Definitely a bit better. There's a few things I can't do - single leg squats (I can sometimes do a few on my stronger leg), and the single leg bridges would bust my lower back for sure, though I managed a few not too high ones on the floor this time.

Original poster
Mangolover123 · 23/01/2024 11:54

Have done day 5 with out the burpees, swapped out with 8kg weighted squats. Still found it tough even with a few adjustments, but I did get to the end.
Will do day 4 and day 5 again this week, then probably back to the schedule next week.

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 22/01/2024 14:34

I had Saturday off and did day 5 yesterday. I can only do max 2 burpees in that time.
Today I had my regular zoom Pilates, we're doing a lot of functional exercises this month so quite tough, probably enough for today.

I've started down some yoga in the evening, Kassandra has a nice 30 day evening series I'm working through - finding it quite good for adding more stretching.

Original poster
Mangolover123 · 22/01/2024 11:22

Am mixing it up this week. Have started on day 4 and will do day 5 tomorrow but swapping out the burpees for squats with 8kg weight. I am going to alternate for a week slowly introducing SOME burpees.

OP posts:
Anjelika · 20/01/2024 10:14

Not me. I did a few after Xmas whilst waiting for her Unleash programme to start. Thought they were good though and came on here to recommend. These are the beginner ones on the App, not YouTube.

LadyWithLapdog · 20/01/2024 09:49

@Mamadoodoo did you start on the easier beginner programme? Or was it @Anjelika ?

LadyWithLapdog · 20/01/2024 09:48

Well done @ErrolTheDragon

eurochick · 20/01/2024 06:56

Day 5 is tough! I was shattered for the rest of the day after that one. But the DOMS have stopped now and the other sessions are fine.

Original poster
Mangolover123 · 19/01/2024 13:51

Well done @ErrolTheDragon - can't face the garden at the moment, though I did clear our my cut flower beds.

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 19/01/2024 13:29

So I made it through the (youtube) epic - really bad DOMs but I managed my gardening weekend too - and decided to do it all again. Definitely better this time, I did day 4 today.

Original poster
Mangolover123 · 19/01/2024 12:54

How is everyone doling?
I will be honest I find it hard but I have persevered.
I have done days 1 to 4 for the last few weeks slowly getting better and stronger. Still taking the easier options on some of the planks.
I did day 5 the HITT for the first time today got to 90% but the burpees killed me. So I am going to do it again, take the burpees out, swap them for weighted squats and slowly introduce them bit by bit (you do them after every exercise).
Anyone still with me?

I am quite enjoying it and I like the no talking!

OP posts:
Mamadoodoo · 06/01/2024 10:54

I'll join! I downloaded the free trial yesterday but I'm going to start it later today! I've got around 4 stone to lose and I've got really unfit over the past few years

LadyWithLapdog · 06/01/2024 10:13

@Anjelika thanks for that. So there is an “easier” beginner program.

PaminaMozart · 06/01/2024 08:23

For most beginners, 3-5kg is a good starting weight. Use dumbbells rather than kettlebells.

Re. The hamstring exercise that confused some: yes, you also lift your bum off the ground.

It's a good idea to watch her introductions and go over the exercises before doing them. I do this the night before so I know what I'm in for...

Very important for working out with weights: a strong core. It will make everything so much easier. Try these to get your core into shape:

Bowflex 3-minute plank (do this every day)
Rebecca Louise's Best Abs
Caroline Girvan's Braced Core and Abs
Caroline Girvan's 15-minute plank workout

Trampauline · 05/01/2024 23:06

Joining! I've just done the first 3 sessions on beginners EPIC. Having to take a break though after the upper body session (no weights). Muscle at back of right upper arm has been really painful for a few days. Realise I have really weak arms and do need to do this. Will be back on it soon!

ErrolTheDragon · 05/01/2024 22:33

dancinginthewind · 05/01/2024 21:10

I am planning on starting this tomorrow. Do I still need weights for the beginner programme? I have some, just need to dig them out

Weights on day 4. I've not done it yet but watched the intro. I think she said she's using a pair of 10kgs which means normal actual beginners will want significantly less, I will for sure.

dancinginthewind · 05/01/2024 21:10

I am planning on starting this tomorrow. Do I still need weights for the beginner programme? I have some, just need to dig them out

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