Getting fitter and stronger with Caroline Girvan- all welcome!

[BigButtons]

New thread!🤩

Did your phone not connect with the chromecast on the TV at all? That's odd. It took me ages to understand I just had to click on the icon in the app once the CG workout program had started to get the cast to work, I didn't need to go into Google home at all.

If you have a big white wall another option is a smartphone projector, but it's yet more expense!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mini-WiFi-Bluetooth-Projector-Compatible/dp/B0BNH7GCGH/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=phone+projector&qid=1694442873&sr=8-4

@samthebordercollie I managed to get it to cast! Stupidly i hadn't realised I had to connect it to the wifi.- duh- thought it would pick t up through the tv. The app goes blank when it is casting but at least I can see it on the tv. Pity I didn't work that out before today's leg day-peering at my tiny phone screen. I found it brutal. I have no fan and it's still sticky hot here and I was soaked in sweat. Barely slept due the heat. Bring on the cooler temps.

@BigButtons yaay! It's so much easier to follow the workouts on a big screen. Quite a few people on a couple of FB groups have been criticising the lighting of the Iron2 series saying it's too dark.

I'm going to finish the YouTube long programs before starting the CGX Beastmode and Iron. Epic I is the last one and I'm up to Day 7, death by lunges but it was OK, I quite like lunges. It didn't compare to the screaming muscles I had after of Day 7 leg day of Epic III. I can actually match some of the weights in CG's early programs ( certainly not all) but there's no way I could in either of the Iron programs. 20kg in each hand for lunges, my arms would give out!

Well I have finished Iron, enjoyed the different way of training, slowing it down, and because of this i have increased my weights and managing to go heavier when doing other workouts by other trainers I use.
However today I started Heat (day 2 legs)
I could only lift about half of what Caroline used and do half the reps she did also.
I was feeling quite good but now I feel deflated...sure I will improve, I do find legs difficult, how the hell she can use 20kg in each hand for lunges-not only would my arms fall off but my legs would probably snap

@ellebelli congratulations on finishing Iron! Don't worry about the weights you use, or the reps, as CG says You do You. Her weights are lighter in Heat and the reps higher, your heart rate will be too! In a couple of Facebook groups I've seen members post photos of enviable muscles just from using fairly light weights consistently over a couple of years. And a lot depends on genetics, some people are just really strong and can increase weights more than others.
Do you eat plenty of protein and/or take a créatine supplément?

@ellebelli don’t be discouraged. Heat is a completely different beast to iron. It is faster paced with lighter weights than iron. I love heat but it is tough, make no mistake.
However, your body will adapt. Treat each session as a practice- that’s all.
I am enjoying the iron 2 on the app- disliked iron 1 though. She had a quad session yesterday and I really feel it today- I haven’t had quad doms like this for a looong time. Give yourself some grace- you are learning and your body is too. Stick with heat- it will become ‘easier’ as you get used to it.

@BigButtons what's the difference between Iron 1 and 2? I didn't like Iron 1 much, found it a bit dull, so haven't been in a hurry to do Iron 2!

@samthebordercollie so far I think they're much the same although Iron 2 has snuck in a few complexes which I don't remember in the first one.

@sam I find there is more variation in the sets and a better mix up of weights in iron 2- it's not all heavy weight focused, but more on making your weights work for you, your form etc. I was disappointed when I saw she was doing iron 2, but have been pleasantly surprised so far.

Checking in again- I am up to day 37 of Heat now and loving it! Have upgraded to 8kg weights for my "heavy" set.

I was doing a HIIT with the kids (!) in the holidays and DH got inspired to join in so now we do CG together every day! I did warn him he might end up with an hourglass figure but he doesn't seem to care....

Thank you @BigButtons and @samthebordercollie for the support.
I have just finished Day 3 of Heat and am starting to enjoy it,it is different each time with more cardio based moves so yes it definitely gets my heart rate up and leaves me sweaty!!!(love it haha)
I do take a protein powder because i do not think i get enough from food alone, don't take a creatine supplement- would you recommend one?

@ellebelli I was listening to Mindpump today and they had a podcast on supplements, the only ones they recommend are protein powder and créatine. I take 3g of créatine monohydrate everyday with my protein powder after a morning workout. I'm sure it's helped me recover more quickly. Not everyone is a créatine responder and no need to take any fancy créatine supplements most research has been done on the monohydrate and it's much cheaper than all the combinations with other substances!

Hello all just wanted to pop in and thank you for this thread. It inspired me to give iron 1 a go which I've just finished and absolutely loved.

It's the little improvements in functional fitness that I most notice and appreciate, like now being able to do some decent lunges when I was originally wobbling all over the place, and stronger core means I'm not aggravating a slightly dodgy lower back.

I've never managed to stick to regular fitness and I'm determined I will this time. I'm trying to think of it as a gift to my older self. Heat next :)

Hello old friends - I'm still around, still arranging flowers and working out with Caroline!

Just started a thread about adjustable dumbbells and would appreciate your input:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/exercise/4900031-best-adjustable-dumbbell-set

💐💐💐

Can I join? I did half of the first beginner vid yesterday and I cannot walk! I yelp each time I have to lower down onto the loo! I went for my usual swim today thinking it would help loosen me up but it’s made it worse. I HURT!

i do yoga daily so when recovered I plan to do 5 min warm up 10 mins of one of CG’s vid followed by 15/30 min yoga vid and build up the CG element very slowly.

My glutes are clearly non existent for such a short amount of time doing squats to have such a painful impact !

really liked her style though so will persevere !

Hi there @Taylorscat !

Oh yes, getting used to Caroline's way of working out can be brutal, but it is sooooo worth it!!

Your plan is a good one. There's a fine line between challenging yourself and potentially risking injury. I worked myself up from 5kg to 10kg dumbbells over a period of more than 2 years, but I doubt I'll ever get close to the weights she uses. I often reduce the weight or modify/substitute moves during a workout.

Having a strong core is absolutely critical when working out with weights. Here are a couple of workouts you may find useful:

Bowflex 3-minute plank - I still do this every day
Rebecca Louise's Best Abs
Caroline Girvan's Braced Abs & Core

I found the Thighs & Glutes workout by Lucy Wyndham Read invaluable in getting my legs ready for Caroline's Bulgarian lunges.

Thank you I’ll try those . It was frustrating having the soreness impact on my swimming, but overall I know it will help. I’m not a bad swimmer but last week a male swimmer’s push off long glide from the wall was faster than my fastest fc. I need more strength.

@Taylorscat you'll be amazed at how quickly you build up strength and stamina if you persevere, you sound like you have a good plan in place.
I've been working out with Caroline for a while now but there's still sometimes stuff I need to modify and I'm nowhere near matching her weights.

It's so motivating once you start to see and feel results. My arms and shoulders used to be just soft flesh over bone and now there's this satisfying dense stuff all over!

I’m still here! Finished Epic 1 and now half way through Epic 2. It’s feeling like a slog but I’m enjoying it and am so much stronger.

BUT… there were ads on YouTube today. Epic 2, day 25. None of the comments mention ads, was it a glitch for me or a new thing from YouTube? It was really annoying, about every 10 mins so I’ll either have to pay for the app or buy a YouTube subscription if it’s an ongoing thing

I've never had ads in her videos. Hope it was a glitch

I hope there won't be ads. I've only just started the past 2 weeks and really getting in to it.

I do mostly her you tube workouts and have never had ads in the middle of programs, I'm sure it was just a glitch

So my workout this morning didn't have ads in the middle.

I've just done 5 workouts this week. Proud of myself as about 3 weeks ago I didn't really do any exercise.

I've just been using 2kg.

You have good reason to be proud of yourself, @sparkle17 !! From nought to 5 a week in 3 weeks IS impressive 😎

It's a good idea to learn how to do all the moves correctly with low weights as it helps to maintain good form. Think about lining up your next set (4 kg?), so you'll be all set to challenge yourself when you feel ready.

It's an incredible journey. It's now 4 years since I started working out with dumbbells, and 3 years since I discovered Caroline. Working out has become a way of life. Now using 5, 8, 10 and 12 kg. And yes, I feel I have the right to brag - I'm nearly 70 and I'm fitter than most 40, nay 30 year olds.

Ok that’s a relief. Must have been a glitch. HIT tomorrow so i’ll see