Getting fitter and stronger with Caroline Girvan- all welcome!

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New thread!🤩

Ah thank you so much for the advice! I'll have a look at the other options.
I definitely need to up the weights as the 2.5 wasn't enough of a challenge on most of the moves - apart from the chest press when you're laid down on your back! It felt like I was lifting way heavier weights than the 2.5 🤪

@roundcork I'm a runner too, I run 4 times a week and strength training 4 days a week so I e generally been following programs, but I actually prefer the hour long full body workouts. If you want to do 2 days I'd recommend full body for those 2 days as you will be hitting all the body parts twice a week. You can pick and choose from all the programs, there are lots there, on You Tube and the App. My favourites at the moment are Epic II Day 45 and Epic 1 Day 24, they are great strength workouts. Avoid the HIT full body, as you run it's more beneficial to concentrate on the strength and lifting,you don't need anymore cardio.

After falling off the wagon due to circumstances beyond my control, I had a go at the beginner epic day 1. It was mostly ok but...

I'm in two minds about whether CG suits me tbh. I wish she'd give some verbal instructions on correct form and lose the irritating music. I don't find turning the sound off works as I want the beeps for the end of the intervals, the screen isn't always easily visible from some positions.
Is the app any better than just YouTubes in these regards?

I missed getting the verbal cues too(other trainers I use do speak throughout) but caroline does explain the moves in the intro and puts notes up on screen,plus I try to copy her form as much as possible.
The music! I agree with...and like you need the beeps especially when on the floor and can't see the screen.
Other whole though I've become accustomed to all that and really enjoy her style ofworkouts.
Maybe give it more time..I don't ha e the app so can't comment on that.

Is the app any better than just YouTubes in these regards?

Yes, the app gives you the option to have your own playlist. I presume you could just turn off the music? Not sure as despite not loving all of the playlist I'm lazy so I just live with it.

but caroline does explain the moves in the intro

Where? I've never seen an explanation of the Bulgarian lunge for instance.

The app has some more detailed explanations of the various moves apparently, although I've not looked at that section yet. What I have done is look at other youtube resources that explain a particular move in more detail if I feel uncertain, Bulgarian lunges actually specifically, which really helped me.

Yes, I probably need to look for some specific instruction vids - problem is, you don't know what moves she'll do beforehand.

When I was new to Caroline I would always watch the next day's workout the night before, paying particular attention to the introduction - which I would watch again before the workout. I find her explanations and demonstrations very clear and informative.

As for the music: I turn the volume down almost completely. I can listen to Radio 4 or whatever and still hear the beeps.

Hi gang!

I bit the bullet and ordered a small barbell and 40kg in plates ready to start Unleash next week! i've done basically zero exercise over Xmas, so it's going to be a painful few days at the beginning.

In other news have signed up for the MyBalancedKitchen (insta) Project Glow - a 6 week fat loss coaching program. Really hoping to work some of this fluff off and reveal the muscles I know are under it!

How's everyone feeling about the New Year? Anyone else planning to do Unleash?

@ErrolTheDragon
The App has a Form Library Section where each move is shown within an explanation. There is also the Ultimate Beginner program where Caroline talks through the workout explaining as she lifts. It's really worth buying.

@ladybranstonpickle I was thinking of doing Unleash but I think I'd better try Iron 2 before. I'm not used to lifting very heavy (20kg for lunges 😱) and Unleash goes heavier than Iron 2 if wristbands are recommended. It's interesting to see how Caroline's programmed have developed from Epic 1 through to the latest programs!

@samthebordercollie do you try and match Caroline's weights?

@samthebordercollie i absolutely loved Iron. No HIIT (which I do but really don't enjoy much) and a big emphasis on muscle-mind connection/pristine form. I don't match her weights, at least not often! I'm at about 75% of hers but could prob go a tad heavier but lack the right weight dumbbells. For example, when she uses 15kgs I use my 10kgs, but that's because I don't have any 12kgs. If my weights feel too light I try to slow down the exercise and really focus on my form - that's how you make the most of the weight even if its not as heavy as you could go.

I did in Epic 1 when she used 10kg for nearly everything but certainly not for later programmes. Generally around 70% of her weight, possibly will be even less with Unleash!

@ladybranstonpickle that's some good advice about the mind muscle connection. It's very important and you are night slowing down the action helps. I use 12,5kg for some leg workouts but don't really want my legs to get much bigger now so not sure about going heavier even if it's possible with wristbands!

Only started CG in December, and was enjoying it before extended break due to illness and then being away for Christmas! Back on it today, with one of her 20-min full-body numbers. Could barely walk afterwards, but it is bizarrely enjoyable.

Am going to look out in Aldi, Lidl etc for bargain heavy weights...

Try Factory Weights and Argos for reasonably priced dumbbells.

I‘m with you re. bizarrely enjoyable, @herbaceous … 😹

@herbaceous I've always managed to get lots of weights from Facebook Marketplace, if that's any use to you. There's lots of people that sell barely used equipment

I got my current weights from FB marketplace as it happens! Though the petrol I expended may well have been more than it was worth...

Hi everyone! I’ve fallen off the wagon for the last few months but am hoping to start again more consistently. My issue is that as soon as work gets hectic or I catch a cold etc, I stop training and then don’t get back into it straight away.

As i have the App, I was wondering whether to do Unleash in real-time but have now decided against it. I will struggle to train 5 times a week and I really need to get my strength up again. So I’ve started doing the Beginners Programme on the App (again!). Day 1 done today and I really enjoyed it.

I did day 2 of Iron this morning which is upper body. Feeling it in my arms! I've now got a variety of dumbbells and interchanged them throughout the workout. I found the renegade ones - can't remember the proper name sorry - really flipping difficult and hard on my hands leaning on them. Determined to keep on though. I have no terrible upper body strength!

I use exercise gloves for things like renegade rows. Also, to do them properly, your core needs to be perfectly straight, i.e. you are not supposed to rock from side to side. Which is where the importance of a super-strong core comes in.