Getting fitter and stronger with Caroline Girvan- all welcome!

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I get my dumbbells from Argos or Factory Weights.

Heavier weights are expensive, there's no way around that. You have to weigh (...sorry) that up against the cost of gym membership.

They're annoying and fiddly but the cheapest option is adjustable dumbbells. I get most of my weights from Decathlon, which is good value.

@roundcork are you doing the beginner's program on the app? It looks excellent, Caroline explaining in detail how to do each lift. I agree your weights are too light. You might find some second hand, I've bought some like that, otherwise it's Decathlon.
I've stopped Beastmode temporarily and am doing full body 1 hour workouts from Epic 1 and 2, plus add ons from the the Christmas Advent series on the App. They are short workouts, but very, very intense! Her programmes are so well thought out. It's been nearly a year since I started training with her and from being a skinny but saggy runner I have a firm body all over with lots of muscle definition.

The heavier weights are indeed expensive. I treat myself to a new pair every so often as I need to go heavier - as previous posters have said, your rate of increase does slow with time. That plus the app membership still works out a lot cheaper than a gym membership and the commuting costs to get there.

When I started I had a set of 2kg, 3kg and 5kg and I managed to find a pair of 6kgs in Argos for 20 quid.

I'm eyeing up a single 17.5kger now for sumo squats and hip thrusts 😁it's a happy, happy day when you're ready to order a new, heavier weight. But yes, expensive...

Snap! I'm up to 15kg pairs but could do with something slightly heavier for sumo squats - I'm wondering if a kettlebell would be good for that?

Agree with the weights I can't get on with adjustable dumbells my DH has some. I "treat" myself to a size up when needed via eBay - second hand weights are much cheaper and I have also found some new ones on there from factory discount sites. Worth having a hunt round for given the price.

I've thought about that but I think a dumbbell is more long-term versatile against the theoretical day I am rowing or chest-pressing 17.5s. We do have a barbell (and I also work out in an actual heavily subsidised gym onsite at my office) but I must admit I prefer the dumbbells.

@GregBrawlsInDogJail you are chest pressing and rowing 17,5kg? Wow! I can just about manage 12,5kg but not for 3 sets.
Regarding kettlebells, it's a good option as you can just buy one but you need to go heavier than you would on a dumbbell. I currently use a 20kg dumbells for sumo squats but want to go heavier so either a 25kg dumbbell or a 32kg kettlebell

Hahaha. Nope! I'm also maxing out at 12.5 for chest press and rows (although I do chest press a 30kg bar with my PT). But I'm hip thrusting and sumo squatting a single 15 quite comfortably, so I'm merely thinking about buying a single 17.5 for those purposes, and only ever investing in a second if I do someday reach that threshold.

Finished the Epic Beginner last night, with an HIIT horror involving burpees at the end of each set. I HATE burpees and they make me cross. I managed one in the same time that she did five.

Now have to decide which programme to do! Not sure I can commit to a workout a day, as some seem to expect...

Seems the beginner series on the app is different to on YouTube! The YT version is only five sessions, and no real explanation of the moves. Is the app worth getting? I am technically challenged - can you 'send' it to the telly?

@herbaceous users do seem to love the app but there's so much free content on YouTube I would stick with that for a while. I started youtube CG workouts in January this year and do from 3 to 5 workouts per week. I'm nowhere near finished with the videos yet and I've completed beginners, Iron, Heat, Fuel, Beastmode, Epic 3 and the Christmas series.

Just wish on the app I could change the week streak to 2 per week becuase 3 is a bit much for me to fit in plus running

I'm not sure I understand, but then I've never used the App. I can rarely commit to following a programme religiously, so I do the sessions as and when.

These days I just pick a session here and there, depending on my mood, commitments and how strong I feel. So might do a full-body workout from EPIC 3 one day, an arms workout from EPIC Heat the next day, followed by a Legs workout from Endurance or whatever.

Once I'm more settled (🙏) I'll try to get back to following a programme - Fuel or Iron maybe, as I've never done either.

I love the App! It's well worth the money. I still use You Tube but the way Caroline has evolved the workouts is interesting. The Christmas CGX workouts whilst sometimes only 20 minutes are extremely intense, the lifting and rest periods also a lot more varied. If you are a beginner the beginners progam is excellent, Caroline talks throughout the workouts explaining everything.
I got through all the long programs in 11 months except Fuel - I run so don't need cardio workouts - and so it's nice to have other programs and invididual workouts to do.
I cast to my TV usingAirplay, I used Chromecast with my old TV, both work perfectly.

Greetings! I have finally finished IRON 2 on the app! Only 5 weeks behind but never mind, at least I did it. All 50 workouts!

Not sure what to do next, have lost a bit of my mojo. Signed up for a Project Glow (6 week fat loss group coaching) with My Balanced Kitchen, so hoping once January 8 rolls around I'll have a bit more pep.

Currently scouring Gumtree for a short barbell and weights to use instead of my Bootyband, finding that I dread hip thrusts becauseI don't have comfortable equipment.

I started fuel yesterday after completing you tube iron on Christmas Eve. Fuel day one still has me aching so am very much dreading glutes tomorrow! Am off on holiday in 6 weeks so hoping fuel will get me in good shape (once I finish the Christmas chocs and booze of course!) Planning on doing dry January as well as getting all my steps in. Anyone else have big fitness plans for the New Year?

I hope you enjoy Fuel @moiraswigs . It's the only You Tube programme I didn't do except for the first week as there is too much cardio - I run so prefer to lift heavier and do less cardio on my strength training days.
I'm debating whether or not to continue with Beastmode 2 on the App or try the new Unleash program on the App which is launched 8th January. It looks really interesting. I've never followed any CG programmes in real time before.
For 2024 fitness plans, I actually need to do less sport, for years it's been it's been every day, running or strength training for at least 1,5 hours and on some days both. Plus evening dog walks of an hour, so no rest days.
As for alcohol, I only drink at weekends and only a couple of glasses of red because otherwise I don't sleep properly. The menopause is great for reducing alcohol consumption.

I am starting Fuel next.
I follow another Trainer on Patreon, and am behind with her workouts as I have been doing Caroline's Advent Series over December, So I need to catch up with these THEN get going with Fuel-looking forward to it,having a plan to follow really helps me.
As for fitness goals-I just need to eat all the cheese,crisps and
chocolate first!!! I also need to have more alcohol free days a week which is the plan going into Jan.

Hello! Hope it's ok to join. I started the Epic Beginners today. I'm wanting to get into lifting as I have been reading it's good for my bone density. I did day 4 as I wanted to do the dumbbell workout. I am totally new to lifting weights and I can only lift a mixture of 2.5kg dumbbells and a 4kg or 6kg kettle bell. I was just wondering is there a particular workout that is best to follow for lifting weights or do they all incorporate a bit of everything?

@Happyinheels welcome! The best thing is to pick and follow a program, most people love Iron. It's designed that you do 5 a week with two active rest days, and been designed that you'll hit all the muscle groups each week.

I'm pleased with myself as I've actually worked out today.
Epic day 39 so I have 11 sessions left then I'm going to start iron.

I got fabric bands for my Christmas. The ones Caroline has.

I'm also going to buy a 7kg dumbell and maybe a 4kg as well. Currently using 5kg for most exercises and occasionally 2kg

@Happyinheels - I would suggest you look at a whole body session from several programmes and start with the one which appeals to you most. As @FrostyFifi says, Iron is "designed that you do 5 a week with two active rest days, and been designed that you'll hit all the muscle groups each week" - but so are all the otheat.

Some are very focused on lifting heavy, others have a significant cardio element. Some programmes' workouts are of longer duration than others. I always get confused as to which is which, but I always seem to come back to EPIC Heat. We all have our personal favourites, but they are all great.

Regarding weights, 2.5kg is a good starting weight, but I'd also get a 5kg pair. You'll find that you'll outgrow the lighter dumbbells quite quickly, and Caroline doesn't really use kettlebells. I generally have one set for arm work and a heavier one for legs. In time, the heavier
heavier dumbbells become my arm weights and I acquire a new set for legs. Currently using 8 and 10kg but working towards 12kg... (I'm nearly 70 and loving it!)