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Original poster

Anyone else doing Caroline Girvan's EPIC programme?

894 replies

BigButtons · 22/07/2021 15:50

I thought I was pretty fit and toned. I have exercised consistently most of my life: weights, cardio, hit, running etc ( now 53). I have just finished day 8 of EPIC and feel like a complete wuss. It was the lunges one. I wanted to be sick even though I was standing infront of a large fan the entire time.
How do people actually manage to get through these? I have just looked ahead to the burpee day and feel like I am simply not up to this. Sad

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Original poster
BigButtons · 10/09/2021 20:07

@Melassa oh I went to 4kg for the flies and that bloody hurt (due to the previous 8kg) so had to drop to 3kg for the last set.
My triceps burn and my shoulders were literally hot😮.
I will check out Anna for the hiit.
I did manage 6 proper push ups today. The rest I fumbled on my knees. After a while I gave up with them altogether.
Tomorrow i will do rl and lwl.
Hopefully by Sunday I can tackle the leg day.

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Melassa · 10/09/2021 21:44

[quote ManxRhyme]@Melassa I think for skull crushers your upper arm is perpendicular to the body and you move at the elbow joint. For pullovers the whole arm moves at the shoulder joint.[/quote]
Yes, the skull crushers I figured out, but couldn’t really see what the difference was with this version of the pullovers, just a bit lower yet still bending at the elbow, but how much lower? I couldn’t figure it out and what part of my tricep I was supposed to be working. Also I’ve been doing pullovers differently in other workouts, with a single weight past my head and my arms slightly bent, but these seemed different. Or else I’d completely misunderstood.

Sometimes some of the exercises baffle me and I need to go back and watch a couple of times. Today I was in a rush to get finished so raced through instead. My bad!

OrangeSunset · 10/09/2021 21:57

I did one of growinganana’s 15 min core workouts in the end. Didn’t love it to be honest - I feel like my Pilates teacher would have some things to say about alignment of neck especially on the move lying on side and moving both legs up. I feel like she’s straining and only gets away with it as she’s young?!

I think that’s what I like about CG - simple moves well explained. Some of the other YouTubers I’ve done there is so much leaping about and for a 40-something it feels all very risky!

ManxRhyme · 10/09/2021 22:30

@Melassa ah didn't realise you were referring ing to epic heat. Watched it because I was so intrigued. Agree they look the same! Only diff I can spot is the skull crusher had arms straightened back to 90 degrees and for the extension the arm stayed at 45 degrees when extended. Don't think my form will stay so perfect though so will probably end up with an extended skull crusher 😅

FlowerArranger · 10/09/2021 22:37

The more I work out with Anna, the more she grows on me.
No gimmicks - no sales talk or advertising - always professional.
No makeup - totally girl next door.
Better taste in music than Mrs Girvan....
Yes, a lot is somewhat repetitive, but somehow it's never boring.
And I like her body shape. She just looks..... wholesome!

FlowerArranger · 10/09/2021 22:44

... my Pilates teacher would have some things to say about alignment of neck especially on the move lying on side and moving both legs up. I feel like she’s straining and only gets away with it as she’s young?!

Hmm

I've never had this issue with any of her workouts. But then I never got on with Pilates... Different strokes........ etc...

Original poster
BigButtons · 11/09/2021 11:16

I’ve never done Pilates either. It’s supposed to be good though.
Today I am well and truly bed bound.
Pretty sure it just a head cold but will do a LFT later just in case.

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Melassa · 11/09/2021 16:48

Day 7 heat done, I increased weights and it was hard, but it was over quickly. Did regular lunges instead of the Bulgarians but it was enough.

My arms/chest were sore from yesterday, I had difficulty doing my bra up this morning. It seems the the Heat sessions are giving a lot more sore muscles the day after compared to Epic1. Let’s hope there are more visible results too!

Melassa · 11/09/2021 16:50

@BigButtons I also have a slight cold, from using public transport probably despite us all being masked up, but luckily nothing more than a slight sniffle. I hope your is just a cold abs nothing worse?

Original poster
BigButtons · 11/09/2021 16:56

@Melassa thanks
Mine started off as a sniffle on Tuesday. I hope yours doesn’t develop into anything horrible.
I did a LFT today and it’s negative. Thought it would be. It’s a nasty head cold. I have literally spent the entire day in bed.
I won’t try and exercise tomorrow either.
Hopefully Monday 🤞🏻🤞🏻🙂

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Original poster
BigButtons · 11/09/2021 16:57

Also agree re the sore muscles. Much more so with heat. I intend to do normal lunges only too. That will be enough!

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wetpants · 11/09/2021 19:54

Oh man, I’m sorry you’re feeling so ill @BigButtons Sad

I did Heat day 4 yesterday, have to say didn’t really enjoy it. First half was hip thrusts and I never know if I’m doing them right. I did feel the burn on my glutes and my back was fine but I just feel so akward when balancing against the bench.

wetpants · 11/09/2021 21:01

Ok, was bored and ordered proper training shoes from Under Armour Blush I’ve been using a very old pair of Nikes which are my strictly indoor training shoes but they keep lifting when I do lunges.

My plan was to invest in Nike Metcons but then came across this pair and best of all, they are discounted (fist pump).

Anyone else doing Caroline Girvan's EPIC programme?
FlowerArranger · 11/09/2021 21:47

Do you guys all wear sneakers when working out?
Is it easier?
I'm always barefoot...

midgemagneto · 11/09/2021 21:49

Barefoot for weight training

Melassa · 11/09/2021 21:58

I’m barefoot too. In fact I often need to move floor space when I do lunges as my back foot tends to leave a sweaty patch in the floor and it gets slippery.

I can’t imagine going back to a gym and having to wear actual shoes. Or even proper sports wear. Lately I’ve been working out in a sports bra and knickers. Less sweaty washing. Once it gets cooler I will add a t-shirt and maybe yoga socks

FlowerArranger · 11/09/2021 22:13

can’t imagine going back to a gym and having to wear actual shoes. Or even proper sports wear. Lately I’ve been working out in a sports bra and knickers.

So I'm not the only one.... LOL...Wink

Came across this lovely little core session from way back when:

And this isn't bad either:

I love a good plank challenge Smile

wetpants · 11/09/2021 23:01

I don’t like training barefoot, except for yoga. I also find nice exercise gear keeps me motivated. Wearing just kecks and an old t-shirt would really put a downer on my mood!

Original poster
BigButtons · 11/09/2021 23:28

I always work out barefoot. I used to run barefoot as well. My feet get so sweaty that I can’t stand anything on them.

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FlowerArranger · 11/09/2021 23:41

@BigButtons

I always work out barefoot. I used to run barefoot as well. My feet get so sweaty that I can’t stand anything on them.
Me too - I used to run barefoot, but it was at least four decades ago. If I could find a place where I could run barefoot I might take up running again.
FlowerArranger · 11/09/2021 23:43

@wetpants

I don’t like training barefoot, except for yoga. I also find nice exercise gear keeps me motivated. Wearing just kecks and an old t-shirt would really put a downer on my mood!
A fancy sports bra and my best Victoria's Secret knickers..... I'm good to go !!
wetpants · 12/09/2021 08:51

@FlowerArranger Ok then Grin

I’ve done the Heat Day 5 burpee bonanza. Howering between life and death Grin It was tough and the ticker didn’t seem to move at 45% mark Angry Had to modify the push ups and all the jumps. Tried to concentrate to keep core thight at all times. But I bloody did it. A year ago this time it would have been impossible, I was dreadfully unfit (and overweight).

Original poster
BigButtons · 12/09/2021 09:15

@wetpants well done!👏👏
I chickened out.

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Original poster
BigButtons · 12/09/2021 10:34

I am marginally better today, enough to attempt the LWR thighs. Blimey I had forgotten how painful that was. There was me thinking it would be easier because of my new Epic leg muscles- nope😮😮

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OrangeSunset · 12/09/2021 11:33

@FlowerArranger

... my Pilates teacher would have some things to say about alignment of neck especially on the move lying on side and moving both legs up. I feel like she’s straining and only gets away with it as she’s young?! Hmm

I've never had this issue with any of her workouts. But then I never got on with Pilates... Different strokes........ etc...

Pilates really emphasises the alignment of neck and spine plus the use of the core to support all movement. Ive done it for a few years after getting some knee pain whilst running. It’s brilliant.

My point re that particular video is that, in the side lying moves the neck seems a bit strained and a long way further forward of the central plane of the body than I have been taught. I guess it’s the risk of following a video versus in person instruction and the importance of learning any moves properly to both avoid injury and gain full benefit.