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

Looking for a bit of advice here -

so I started my CG journey with Epic 1 - yep, right into the fire! I really needed something kickass to shift some body fat and get me working out properly and it really delivered. I really liked the variety and pace of Epic 1 but as I do it before work I struggled once they got over an hour. I also really don’t like the HIIT Sunday workouts.

After that I had 6 weeks until new year so I did Fuel. I enjoyed half of this and the shorter workouts were better but I just hated all the burpees and sprawls and was feeling really sick of it by the end. I did feel like I got a great workout though, but I disliked too many of the days to do it again.

Now I’m doing the original Iron because I wanted to progress to heavier weights. From that point of view it’s been perfect and I find the format and length spot on for me. I don’t mind the slow pace but I’m starting to feel a bit bored and think I’ll be over it by the end. I feel it’s amazing for my strength and form but I feel less challenged overall that with Epic 1.

I don’t have the app yet as I know there’s still a fair bit to do on YT so my question is what should I do next? From my research I think Epic 3 seems like a good call. I’m not sure I like the sound of her new App program - when I do get the app I think I’ll do Iron 2 but I think I need a more mixed programme before that.

today I did
epic 1 day 11: I think it can become my staple abs and legs workout as it didn't have lunges where I struggle with balance. The only thing was the music was off for 2-3 exercises but then I didn't have any wall in the living room to do a wall sit so I fwded those parts. I love epic 2 day 34 squat and press but if I am planning to do an upper body same day then this day 11 would be a good squat one.

epic 1 day 12: This was a thorough shoulder exercise and now it will be my goto exercise for shoulders. I replaced headstands with scapula push-ups. I was glad with 30 sec breaks but those single arm circuits were challenging!

@BigButtons , hope you recover soon from your injuries. And agree with you, too much blind following isn't right. Not everything suits everyone and not everything is perfect either. Even on app and youtube so many comments are like everything is amazing which isn't true.

Today when I woke up, I was feeling fatigued but didn't feel like eating breakfast straightaway so I started with Epic 1 day 9. The first exercise was snatch which set me in the mood for exercise and that followed with lots of different kinds of exercises. Some I could do, some I couldn't but my mind got busy trying to follow it all and soon it was finisher time!
I think it is a good session if you don't feel like lifting heavy but still want to exercise.

Unleash is the first program I've tried on the app. It does seem harder than anything I've done of hers before on YouTube. But I think I'm getting used to the format now.

I'm hoping that means better results! Time will tell. I prefer 30 minute workouts though, that extra 10 mins feels like much longer.

@BigButtons I'm sorry you've picked up injuries from Unleash. I'm still in 2 minds about it myself. I saw a good suggestion either here on FB about doing Iron for lower body and Unleash for Upper. I didn't mind Monday's legs one too much despite the hideous Bulgarians but my quads were sore afterwards.

I agree that the hero worshipping on FB is all too much!

I'm sorry about your injuries @BigButtons
Unleash seems like a strange program. CG's other programs were all great for hypertrophy, medium heavy weights with 8 - 18 reps for the most part
I know for strength very heavy lifting with 2 - 6 reps per set and long rest periods (minimum 2 minutes) is best. Unleash doesn't seem to fit into either category - I must go back and read her introduction! 180 seconds passes very slowly and injury risk must be increased!

@BigButtons , that's a shame about unleash. I never enjoyed long complexes in her sessions. If I pick too heavy I get fatigued midway and if I pick too light I get bored and it all goes out of sync. I like to be able to do nearly same number of reps as her.

Yes, you will find add ones recommended by CG in the You Tube description of each program which are often abs. Failing that just pick the ones you like, Caroline has lots! I rarely do a workouts because with the upper body exercises you need to keep your core strong so it gets worked like that.

@Vtm that's a great full body workout! I like Epic 1 and 2 with the abs included, I tend not to bother doing them otherwise. I remember Day 7 death by lunges. I like them so didn't mind it at all!

Today I did epic 1 day 6 and day 7.

Day 6 is good upper body workout, no pushups and there is session of abs in between which I liked.
Day 7 is too many lunges. I struggle with balance in lunges and ended up doing most of it bodyweight only. I do like the hold and pulses because then even with body weight, I can get an effective workout.

@samthebordercollie , that's very impressive weights to do. From what I remember beastmode has multiple sets of each exercise. That itself makes it harder to do. Personally I find no repeats easier than repeat but as CG says repeat is required to gain strength.

I did Day 41 legs and Day 42 Shoulders on Beastmode 2 from the App. They were both pretty intense. CG used 20kg for the staple for the leg day (static lunges[ but for me 15kg is the most I can do. I know for Iron 2 she goes a lot heavier, I just can't! She's a beast.

Today I did epic 1 day 8. Good upper body with no pushups. I was thinking of doing day 6 then I don't know how tv decided to run day 8 😂

Thanks @BigButtons, we will have a look. I have done classes before, just not regularly.

This is what I am hoping happens to my running!

I meant to add that my running has gone up several gears since adding in CG's workouts, I have more balance and much more muscle definition than before. I don't recommend starting with Epic 1 as it's a bit crazy, Endgame is perhaps a good one to start with as it has longer lifting periods than some other programs. I'd start with that one, or Epic 3 or Heat.

@samthebordercollie Thank you, I will have a look at the Epic Program.

@sunshineandshowers40 I'm a runner and started with Iron because I was new to lifting and it's slower than the Epic programs. I've done all the Epics now and much prefer them to Iron. I don't do the HIT days because I run 4 days a week and this takes care of the cardio.

Which CG programme is a good place to start? I run regularly so am reasonably fit. I have done a few kettlebell classes over the last few months. I have her app and am planning to sign up this week (although may need to order some dumbbells as I only have kettlebells).

@samthebordercollie , I also do upper body with 6kg dumbbells.

For anyone without app, epic 2 day 17 is also a good upper body session with variety though not as good as that 55 min all white one on app.

I do legs with 7kg , hopefully will gain more strength and balance over time.