Lifting with Caroline Girvan 2024: What's not to love?!

samthebordercollie · 22/04/2025 12:00

There is a new thread now @Stumpedasatree https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/exercise/5313432-lifting-and-getting-stronger-with-caroline-girvan-2025
To answer you - I bought 17.5kg which are good for RDLs and rows. I can now get the 15kg on my shoulders for squats, but can't manage 2 of them for rear step lunges without wobbling....yet!

Stumpedasatree · 22/04/2025 10:29

Morning! I'm outgrowing my 2 x 15kg dumbbells for RDLs. However I cannot lift them on my shoulders easily for squats like CG does so generally have them at my sides for squats and lunges. Is it worth looking into 2 x 17kg just for the RDLs? Or shall I make do with what I have. I also have 2 x 12.5kg as well.

Original poster

BigButtons · 12/04/2025 18:01

@samthebordercollie possibly?
I do wish she would have a great variety of actual lifting moves though. I live a Tate press and face pull- she hardly ever uses those for example. I sub them anyway as I am getting bored.
lateral raise are all good but there are other moves ahead uses much less frequently. I much prefer around the worlds- I sub with those too😁

OP posts:

samthebordercollie · 12/04/2025 16:36

Thanks for the new thread, @BigButtons!
I've gone back to finishing off PE, in two minds whether to do Max after as I've only got 2 weeks left with PE.
On the variation of exercises, a lot of the exercises she did in Epic weren't very effective for building muscles, moves like knee to squat, or any moves that combine lifts are really inefficient, perhaps that is why she sticks to the more traditional lifts now.

Original poster

BigButtons · 12/04/2025 12:03

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/exercise/5313432-lifting-and-getting-stronger-with-caroline-girvan-2025
new thread!

Lifting and getting stronger with Caroline Girvan: 2025 | Mumsnet

New thread !

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/exercise/5313432-lifting-and-getting-stronger-with-caroline-girvan-2025

OP posts:

samthebordercollie · 10/04/2025 19:22

IrisBearded · 10/04/2025 18:35

I couldn't bring up the energy to do Max this morning. Not like me to give up, not sure if I'm a bit under the weather or just not liking the format. I did another short session instead. I was hoping for 30mins sessions, but the extra 10mins is annoying me as I'm short on time.

Also feel the full body split means I'm not really resting properly in between. I'll keep trying though. Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow.

@disappointed101 I run and cycle as well as following Caroline's programmes so that's my cardio! @Gobacktotheworld yes I have 2 border collies and yes, I agree, they are the best dogs ever - as long as you have enough time to give them lots of exercise!

IrisBearded · 10/04/2025 18:35

I couldn't bring up the energy to do Max this morning. Not like me to give up, not sure if I'm a bit under the weather or just not liking the format. I did another short session instead. I was hoping for 30mins sessions, but the extra 10mins is annoying me as I'm short on time.

Also feel the full body split means I'm not really resting properly in between. I'll keep trying though. Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow.

Gobacktotheworld · 10/04/2025 18:20

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

disappointed101 · 10/04/2025 17:46

@samthebordercollie doh my mistake!! Do you add in cardio to PE? I definitely feel my body needs more than walking but sometimes hard to fit in with a full time job and mum duties 🤦‍♀️

Original poster

BigButtons · 10/04/2025 15:56

@samthebordercollie thanks- think I will go with the step ups- I like those. I don’t hate Bulgarians but I just get bloody BORED of doing endless 75 second sets😣
I’m not sure about max. I am pretty well matching her weights- not for chess press due to a shoulder issue. I never feel properly worked- like there is more in the tank.
I did really like CGX iron and PE. I didn’t like unleash and I got bored with intent after a few weeks- maybe 7 weeks. It was just too samey. Quiet often times I think I must have already done a session I click on as it’s almost exactly the same as a previous session a bit it’s supposed to be a new one .
I also have a feeling that despite the full body moniker MAX will be lower body biased which is absolutely NOT what I need!

OP posts:

samthebordercollie · 10/04/2025 15:49

@BigButtons Alternatives to Bulgarian lunges:
Regular split squats
Reverse lunges
Single leg hip thrusts
Curtsey lunges
Weighted step ups

samthebordercollie · 10/04/2025 15:45

@disappointed101 Bigbuttons was referring to the Max programme regarding the dumbells as it's full body every time, not PE which is an upper/lower split so barbells only required on leg days and not even on leg days if working quads only. I know what she means, I work out in my living room too and hate having to get the barbell out every time!
I'm finishing off PE for the second time, it's definitely my favourite programme and the one where I saw the most muscle gains. Rev definitely didn't give me any strength gains and I'm doubtful about Max too regarding strength gains. I may just do PE on repeat. I loved pre and post exhaust equally but found the pre harder.

disappointed101 · 10/04/2025 15:39

@BigButtons that‘s interesting about the setup for PE. It sounds like you need lots of weights and using the barbell for both thrusts and upper work. Hmm not sure.

Original poster

BigButtons · 10/04/2025 11:06

@Gobacktotheworld my posts never get approved- ever. They either sit pending or I get a direct reply with the answer to my question.
it doesn’t matter what question I ask. Then I see others being allowed to post basically the same question.
I would love the app to have a section of alternative moves.
CG is always suggestions we switch to suit our needs but I don’t always know what the best switches are.
I didn’t mind Bulgarians for years but now they bore the crap out of me and I want a move that does the same thing.
anyone got any ideas?
I am going to block silly boy aiden. He last post with amended lyrics to like a prayer was the last straw for me.
don’t get me started on the pick me girls.

OP posts:

Original poster

BigButtons · 10/04/2025 11:01

@disappointed101 I liked most of pe and the set up. Going against the grain here but I much prefers the pre exhaust.
Max seems to be ok but for one big big bug bear for me: I do my training in my living room so all the weights get put away. Love to have a home gym where everything can be left out but hey go.
She seems to be doing thrusts quite a few times a week so lugging all the plates out and putting them away is a faff rather than one whole glute session.
Also my barbell is not Olympic size so my plates are smaller. She sets the thrusts with an upper buddy move so so am having to lug the bloody thing on my lap and then try and get out again in time for the upper body move- three times.
I had a really awful nights sleep last night and just cannot be arsed to go through with the barbell tomfoolery again today so with just do it body weight with a band.

OP posts:

disappointed101 · 10/04/2025 10:22

Cool thanks for the review. Lots of people say the second half is better

Gobacktotheworld · 10/04/2025 09:31

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

disappointed101 · 10/04/2025 09:03

@Gobacktotheworld how are you finding PE? I’ve nearly finished fuel and trying to decide on my next move. Have done Iron, Beastmode, Unleash, Christmas workouts and Rev from the app

Gobacktotheworld · 10/04/2025 07:37

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

Original poster

BigButtons · 09/04/2025 21:34

disappointed101 · 09/04/2025 17:59

Oh yes finally where we can voice annoyance 😂 it’s really annoying to see the same people show the same progress photos again and again. We see you’re ripped. I used to be motivated by the facebook page but it’s more about fangirling. I’m too old for that and have too much cellulite

It really is. I can’t seem to tear myself away from the group. The app comment section is just as bad. Same people getting in there in their clique.🥱

OP posts:

disappointed101 · 09/04/2025 17:59

Oh yes finally where we can voice annoyance 😂 it’s really annoying to see the same people show the same progress photos again and again. We see you’re ripped. I used to be motivated by the facebook page but it’s more about fangirling. I’m too old for that and have too much cellulite

samthebordercollie · 07/04/2025 21:05

I did Day 1 and 2 this morning (wouldn’t usually double up but Sunday I run and I’m away for a few days with no room to pack all the weights!)
liked Day 1 and matched Caroline on weights except for chest press (did one set 15kg but very wobbly so went down to 13,5kg).
it was the first time I’ve dared use 10kg for shoulder press, a big win and I wouldn’t have been able to do that on the upper/lower body split I’ve been doing by redoing PE.
so that was nice. Day 2 I found really easy and not terribly interesting, after doing PE where you have supersets of 60 secs for lunges the 60s of Bulgarians with just 15s bodyweight were a walk in the park. Maybe she’s easing us in gently??

Gobacktotheworld · 07/04/2025 16:56

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.

Original poster

BigButtons · 07/04/2025 14:04

ellebelli · 07/04/2025 09:33

Silly boy adian and the caroline clone...Do my head in!
Fair play to them putting the work in but...obsessed?
He looked better before he got big imo

Edited

Oh god- the pair of them do my head in. I think he looks way too beefy.
i can’t believe there was one post with over 200 replies about the change in rest days.
i slept very badly last night and attempted fay 2 but hated it so gave up and went for a walk in the sun.
As much as I love CG there’s only so many exercises on her repertoire when she could choose others and K am getting bored with it- which worries me.

OP posts:

Gobacktotheworld · 07/04/2025 13:49

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ.