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Original poster

Caroline Girvan Iron Series

43 replies

BiteyShark · 02/01/2023 10:46

I have done free weights a bit many years ago but really a total novice.

Decided to start this today as I need to tone up whilst losing some fat from sorting my diet out plus I am conscious I need to do weights for my bones/age.

OMG my legs are like jelly. I took the dog for a walk after the 1st session and my legs almost gave way walking down a hill.

Anyone else done this? Did you manage the 6 weeks and did it make a difference?

OP posts:
UglyModernWindows · 02/01/2023 14:24

I've done the iron series twice, it's my favourite CG series by far. That leg day on Day 1 is bloody brutal Grin But you'll recover and the subsequent days won't feel as awful! Keep going!

I still don't look like Caroline though but my whole body is much improved. My thighs are solid muscle now or at least they feel that way Grin No fat folds hanging over my knees anymore. I also like my shoulders and arms.

I'm hoping there'll be a new series coming up very soon. I need to decide what series to start next so here's hoping there'd be new one dropped soon.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 02/01/2023 14:26

So pleased that the other days might not be as bad 😁

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samthebordercollie · 03/01/2023 20:31

I've just started it, am doing 2 sessions back to back to get an hours workout. As each session generally focuses on different parts of the body and my weights are half that of,CG it's doable! I like iron because there isn't any jumping around and I'm recovering from bunion surgery so can't. Legs hurt more after one of her sessions than mine ever did after a marathon! Love the effect on the body of doing weights rather than just cardio! Good luck with the programme.

florenceandthemac · 23/01/2023 07:37

How are you all getting on? I'm going to start this today

Original poster
BiteyShark · 23/01/2023 09:22

I had to postpone it for a few weeks as I couldn't commit to the sessions but started it again and now on the third session on week 2.

I can feel I am stronger as always struggled with lunges but after the first week I can now do them (although very slowly).

I am liking most of the sessions except the glutes 😁

OP posts:
Original poster
BiteyShark · 23/01/2023 09:26

And as PP, my weights are much much lighter than recommended but it is still making a big difference in just 1.5 weeks.

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samthebordercollie · 23/01/2023 09:33

I finished Iron a week ago and did Beastmode last week too (2 sessions which I found much harder, including 2 HIIT sessions): I preferred Beastmode, have now started Heat, again 2 sessions back to back; Defnitely seeing a difference in body shape now!

Original poster
BiteyShark · 23/01/2023 09:37

Just had a quick look at Beastmode. If I make it through Iron might give it a go 😁

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RestingMurderousFace · 23/01/2023 09:49

Please link the Iron that you’re doing, I fancy giving it a go.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 23/01/2023 10:17

I haven't got the link to hand but if you search YouTube for Caroline Girvan Iron Series it should be a 6 week plan.

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RestingMurderousFace · 23/01/2023 10:18

Thank you.

refreshingseahorse · 23/01/2023 10:24

I did Iron last year, I really enjoyed about 90% of it and definitely got stronger.

I didn't like the endless dumbbell glute thrusts, there's one video where its basically half an hour of just those. I gave up and did KB swings instead.

TheFormidableMrsC · 23/01/2023 10:27

I've not long finished Fuel and I'm now on day 7 of Iron. It's hard work! I also don't like hip thrusts. Will keep on with it. Planning on starting Epic after that. These are probably all in the wrong order but I just want to make sure I'm doing regular strength training.

bluesuitcase · 23/01/2023 17:02

I did day 7 of iron today. I’m really enjoying it so far.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 23/01/2023 17:20

Today was number 8 glutes and hamstrings. I don't like the glutes but pushed through it as tomorrow is a rest day.

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TheFormidableMrsC · 23/01/2023 18:06

BiteyShark · 23/01/2023 17:20

Today was number 8 glutes and hamstrings. I don't like the glutes but pushed through it as tomorrow is a rest day.

I've just done it too. Absolutely hated it, so boring. I hate the hipthrusts. I ended up doing things with my barbell instead. That's the first one out of any I've done that I really hated!

Original poster
BiteyShark · 24/01/2023 06:01

Hipthrusts are confusing me. Where she suggests they target isn't the place they impact me and I think my sofa is too high and all my chairs are the same height. I did them hoping that it targets some muscles even if not the right ones 😁

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Ursula82 · 24/01/2023 06:04

Anyone else here a Heather Robertson fan instead of CG? HG has completely changed my approach to strength home work out over last two years. I found CG so…. I don’t know the word but in terms of whose body I would adore to have. Well, Heather Robertson’s hands down!

lorn195 · 24/01/2023 06:07

Ursula82 · 24/01/2023 06:04

Anyone else here a Heather Robertson fan instead of CG? HG has completely changed my approach to strength home work out over last two years. I found CG so…. I don’t know the word but in terms of whose body I would adore to have. Well, Heather Robertson’s hands down!

Me! I am currently doing the 12 week plan. The last abs session was a killer.

Prefer HR over CG any day.

TheFormidableMrsC · 24/01/2023 07:01

BiteyShark · 24/01/2023 06:01

Hipthrusts are confusing me. Where she suggests they target isn't the place they impact me and I think my sofa is too high and all my chairs are the same height. I did them hoping that it targets some muscles even if not the right ones 😁

I do them on the floor as I have the same problem as you. She did say somewhere during the Fuel series that it was ok to do that.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 24/01/2023 08:46

I do them on the floor as I have the same problem as you. She did say somewhere during the Fuel series that it was ok to do that.

Thanks. I'll try that next time.

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samthebordercollie · 24/01/2023 09:29

It's fine to do glute bridges instead of using a chair, my sofa seat is low enough to use but they aren't my favourite exercise! Am now on Day 5 of Heat, it's lot faster than Iron with more cardio, some moves more complicated as they go so fast:
Heather Robertson seems easier than CG? I don't kid myself I'll ever look like Caroline but I'm definitely getting more muscle definition since following her programmes:

Ursula82 · 24/01/2023 10:38

I think HG has a beautiful feminine body where CG’s body personally isn’t one I aspire to as seems very “hard” to me

samthebordercollie · 24/01/2023 13:20

I suppose it depends on where your start point is - for me I'm 57 and did loads of cardio before, mainly long distance runnng, so already very slim: I'm doing the resistance training to gain in strength and muscle but I'm under no illusion that I will ever get CG's body as I'm a long way off the weight she lifts! However I really like the way she gives explanations before every session, there is a detailed description on You tube plus a suggestion for an add onto session to compliment the session: I like her mentality, she isn't a model (like HG!), she doesn't do protein shakes and is passionate about fitness, eating healthily and life in general) and I love her accent!

bluesuitcase · 24/01/2023 14:13

Day 8 complete - luckily my sofa is the perfect height for me.

I don’t think I’ll ever have a body like CG’s as I’m lifting relatively light!

I’m not a fan of workouts with lots of jumping around nowadays. I used to do Jillian workouts - I did the body revolution programme last - and I don’t get any better results from doing that kind of stuff, so I’d rather do something like iron and then do my own preferred cardio.

Iron is my first time with CG and I can’t fault it so far.