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

@Vtm the arms/shoulder workout I was referring to is the one where she is in an all white outfit, it's a fabulous workout. Although I can only do it using 6kg, 7,5kg is too heavy for me with that intensity!

@Melassa I cast directly from my iphone to the TV, before with my old TV I coudn't but it worked perfectly with Chromecast. You won't regret getting the App!

@BigButtons i am in awe. We started pretty much at the same time with Epic 1 and you kept up with all the programmes while I dipped in and out and you’ve obtained some amazing results!

thanks @samthebordercollie for the info re Beastmode 2. I am determined to get the app (already downloaded on my phone, yet to register) as soon as I decide the logistics of how to view it, not practical from my phone. I’ll probably end up buying a new iPad (undecided between that and an Apple watch, both are in my basket).

@Melassa Beastmode 2 on the App is the same format as You Tube, 4 sets of the same exercise with a staple in between each exercise. It's getting quite tough later on in the program but I'm finding it a really effective program to follow, traditional lifting. I'm going to do Iron 2 next. I second what Bigbuttons says about the App, it's well worth the money. There is a 55 minute arms and shoulder session I do weekly in addition to Beastmode which is brilliant, and many more too. Plus lots of recipe ideas.

Today I did epic 1 day 4. I had forgotten those makers!

When I had app, I liked those standalone sessions more than series. There is one upper body one where she is wearing all white, that was my favourite. At some point this year I will get the app again.

Bigbuttons, that's amazing strength gain.

At the time it was never aimed at beginners.

Which isn't remotely obvious from the name or anything I noticed in what she says! 'Introductory epic' might have made a lot more sense.
I want to see if I can keep up a regular regime of workouts when my DH is back this week, before signing up for a time limited trial or the app itself.

I've just finished my second round of the YouTube beginner epic.

I reckon she's missed a trick by not having a true beginner set available outside the app. I'd be more likely to have signed up for the app by now if so had.

What’s Beastmode 2 like? Just finishing Beastmode 1 on YouTube, quite liked the format and the length. Is the second one the same?

not liking the sound of Unleash at all. When I finally register for the app I’ll take a look but you’re not selling it to me. But @BigButtons 45kg? Wow! Seriously impressive!

I'm still finishing off Beastmode II but with a FOMO decided to try a session of Unleash, the glutes and hamstrings. I didn't enjoy it at all. I don't like the really long lifting periods and found it quite boring!

@HorseAreBetterThanHumans I second what @BigButtons said, Iron is a great programme to start with if you are new to lifting because it's slower than the Epics so you have time to learn the lifts and format. I was fit (a runner) but had never lifted and it's how I started, with weights a lot lighter than Caroline of course! After I went onto the Epics and much prefer them to Iron. But it's an excellent starter programme. Good luck, I love lifting now, had always made excuses to avoid strength training before but Caroline makes it fun!

I did today two sessions with some modification
Epic 1 days 1 : lunges without dumbbells and bridge instead of hamstring march
Epic 1 day 2: swapped some pushups for crunches

@HorseAreBetterThanHumans , I am 46 and have shoulder and hip pain issues. I try my best to follow what CG is doing and if I can't do I modify to something similar and carry on.

Well, I'm a relatively unfit 63 yo. I walk a lot but have a sedentary job and do very little with my upper body. I did the YouTube beginner epic starting in the first week of January and was very sore after the first three days. I could hardly put my hat on because of the triceps DOMS! But finished it off and now repeating. It's definitely better this time around, not much soreness at all though it may help that I've had time this week to start doing some stretchy yoga in the evening. Today I did day 4 with weights. Obviously much smaller than hers but I didn't need the 5lbs at all , used the 3kgs for most and 10 for quite a few. I could have done with a bit more for the RDLs but DH is away and took one of the 6kg pair.

So... yes I found it a bit brutal (and there's a few things I can't do, eg I have to modify most side planks) but it didn't kill me and I think has already made me that bit stronger.

I'm hoping to join you but worried that even the beginner sessions will be too much for me at 30 minutes...

How brutal are they for a relatively unfit 49 year old? Im used to walking miles and wrangling horses but essentially a weakling!

I managed to do one upper body session today from epic 2 💪

Thank you bigbuttons and ellebelli. I have some favourites from epic 1 and 2 series which I like to repeat. I got my dumbbells from Amazon. 4, 6 and 7 kg pairs. I was thinking I might not need 4s but feels like flu/COVID has totally reset me. I will try exercising from Monday.

My name is given by my 6 year old daughter - VTM is very tired mum 😆

Repeat of day 3 YouTube beginners epic. So far better than previous round, not much DOMs in evidence which is encouraging.

@Vtm YouTube has so many to choose from.
I will definitely get the app once I've completed all of the programmes on youtube.
I don't really like repeating a series.

I would also like to join you all. I started with epic 1 last September and have done epic 1 and 2.
Haven't done anything since last week as I caught flu. Hopefully next week I will get some strength to do anything.
I also struggle with lunges and do it bodyweight only. Sometimes I rest my fingers something next to me to keep me stable.
I was thinking of getting the app but I think I will do some more on YouTube for now.