Lifting with Caroline Girvan 2024: What's not to love?!

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New thread!

hi all, I was on a previous thread with a different name. I have a question about the app. Is it possible to use it on a laptop rather than a phone? I did subscribe for a bit, but find the phone screen too small!

@MonikerBing the CGX team are working on a PC version but I don't think it's available yet. Can you cast your phone to a TV?

Also a feeble beginner (DP calls me “the weed” 😂 )and I’m using 5kg dumbbells. Just cheap rubber type ones, possibly from Aldi?

We’ve got fancy adjustable ones too but I’m not ready for anything heavier yet.

After wrecking myself with days 1-3 of the beginner epic last week, back to day 4 today. Quite enjoyed it, obviously much smaller weights than her 10kgs, hopefully enough to get some benefit without overdoing it. I have a mix of dumbbells acquired over the years so today used 3kgs and 5lbs, with a 10lb pair for the RDLs.

Survived yesterday ok - possibly helped by trying something new yesterday evening, an evening yoga session by Kassandra with lots of stretches. I think I'll try to find more of her stuff - she's got the sort of calm clear verbal instructions and non-intrusive music (I think there was some... it's actually a positive in my book that I'm not sure and certainly not got an irritating earworm).

Day 5 beginners epic HIIT - not too bad though I can't do more than 2 burpees in the 20secs, not sure how many Caroline was doing but seemed to be up and down like a yo-yo.

So now trying to decide what to do next. I had a go at iron last year and enjoyed some of it though not the ones heavy on lunges and hip thrusts. Debating trying the app. DH is away at the moment which gives me total flexibility on time. (When he's here we usually try to do an 8km walk and he usually wants to drive somewhere not just walk out the door so it takes a while and then there's the inevitable delays when you're waiting for another person and also need to make sandwiches and.... it's good but makes it hard to schedule workouts too. )

But I'll probably be away for a few days next week so not sure if starting the app free trial now makes sense - is it a fortnight or a month?

I also like Kassandra, she’s my favourite yoga person. There’s also Sarah Beth who has lots of short and simple programmes. https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=sarahbethyoga. Didn’t get on with Adrienne, she talks far too much.

Burpees are horrible, I only ever manage about 4 a minute myself, no idea how anyone gets off the floor more quickly than that.

I’ve not yet tried the app as it only seems to work on my phone, or on my desktop Mac which is in another room impractical for workouts. I have no TV. I am enticed by the free trial though so might try to yank the computer out into the living room and find somewhere for it, at least for the trial. Or buy a newer iPad. It does seem from all your comments it’s well worth it and if I need to pay for it I might actually stick to
the programmes.

I had a go at iron last year and enjoyed some of it though not the ones heavy on lunges and hip thrusts.*
*
All Caroline's programmes are heavy on lunges and there are hip thrust (glute days) every 2 weeks minimum! Lunges shape your leg so well and get easier the more you do them.

Hip thrusts are evil, although I’m getting to hate them less. I’ve also been doing some of the body weight only callisthenic glute exercises (she has a couple, one is in the Xmas one) which firm up but don’t bulk.

Lunges really helped with my dodgy knees from running. I think they’re a really useful exercise which seem to cover more if the leg and they do get easier quite quickly. I much prefer them to squats, for instance.

A significant part of my problem with lunges is that my big toes don't bend much nowadays

No, agree with you there. My right toe is a bit creaky and hurts sometimes when it’s my back leg. I think it might be worse as I exercise barefoot, maybe using trainers with a more rigid sole will help. I’ll have to try it.

I had a bunion removed a year ago and all my toes were broken during the operation- I don't think I'll ever recover full toe mobility and I certainly can't go as low during lunges on that leg as the other when I do lunges, but it's only dead stop lunges that are really difficult. Kneel to squat I manage really well for some reason!

I also now have trouble with dead stop lunges, I get up badly on one side so as not to put pressure on my back toe. Not ideal and probably not great for that knee. I’ll probably need to limit myself to regular static lunges. Not too sad about that…

So on the principle that what doesn't kill you probably really does make you stronger, and also because I'm not sure how I'll be able to fit in a regular program once DH is back home again I'm going to do the beginners epic again. Day 1 done, I think it was generally better than last time. I did some extra hamstring stretches afterwards and intend to do the yoga again this evening.

I would get adjustable dumbbells tbh. Yes- they are a tad bulkier but you soon get used to them and I really love the flexibility they give. Sure I would love the money and space to have a full set of normal ones but needs must as the devil drives!

I would also like to join you all. I started with epic 1 last September and have done epic 1 and 2.
Haven't done anything since last week as I caught flu. Hopefully next week I will get some strength to do anything.
I also struggle with lunges and do it bodyweight only. Sometimes I rest my fingers something next to me to keep me stable.
I was thinking of getting the app but I think I will do some more on YouTube for now.

Welcome @Vtm hope you feel better soon 🤗

@Vtm YouTube has so many to choose from.
I will definitely get the app once I've completed all of the programmes on youtube.
I don't really like repeating a series.

Repeat of day 3 YouTube beginners epic. So far better than previous round, not much DOMs in evidence which is encouraging.

Thank you bigbuttons and ellebelli. I have some favourites from epic 1 and 2 series which I like to repeat. I got my dumbbells from Amazon. 4, 6 and 7 kg pairs. I was thinking I might not need 4s but feels like flu/COVID has totally reset me. I will try exercising from Monday.

My name is given by my 6 year old daughter - VTM is very tired mum 😆

I managed to do one upper body session today from epic 2 💪

I'm hoping to join you but worried that even the beginner sessions will be too much for me at 30 minutes...

How brutal are they for a relatively unfit 49 year old? Im used to walking miles and wrangling horses but essentially a weakling!

Well, I'm a relatively unfit 63 yo. I walk a lot but have a sedentary job and do very little with my upper body. I did the YouTube beginner epic starting in the first week of January and was very sore after the first three days. I could hardly put my hat on because of the triceps DOMS! But finished it off and now repeating. It's definitely better this time around, not much soreness at all though it may help that I've had time this week to start doing some stretchy yoga in the evening. Today I did day 4 with weights. Obviously much smaller than hers but I didn't need the 5lbs at all , used the 3kgs for most and 10 for quite a few. I could have done with a bit more for the RDLs but DH is away and took one of the 6kg pair.

So... yes I found it a bit brutal (and there's a few things I can't do, eg I have to modify most side planks) but it didn't kill me and I think has already made me that bit stronger.

Hi there.
On you tube there're no beginner sessions. She has a short series called beginners, but it is just an into to her style rather than a beginners session. The app has an ultimate beginners series which would be more appropriate.
If you have never lifted before it is really important to first learn how to lift for various moves so to avoid injury .
Many new comers like the iron series bessie the moves are slow and you can choose to use lighter weights. maybe try that? Modify if you need to.