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

[BigButtons]

New thread!

Nah, I hear you- the three sets are quite mentally boring esp with the lengthy pauses. Maybe that's why the youtube stuff is so great- you don't have time to build up any dread? Funny because I did most of youtube Bodybeast and the 4 sets don't seem to go on as interminably as these P.E. 3 sets!

I will do Day 4 on Friday just so the upper body is balanced, then I will try another app programme next week. What's everyone's favourite cgx programme?

@AtomicBlondeRose I agree! This morning I was thinking I can't do 50 of these workouts 😫.

I usually find the beginning of a series hard so will persevere a few more days but struggling this time. I've been working out with CG for 18mths so hoping I'm not just burned out now

I agree - 45 minutes is just too long. How many people really have 45 mins plus shower time every day to exercise? I really wanted to do it in real time but couldn’t fit it in yesterday. I probably would have done it if it was 25-30 mins

I can lose about five minutes or so by fast-forwarding through some of the rest periods but I find them too long, too. And I lose interest after about 35 minutes. I may carry on but perhaps just do two of each superset and see how that goes.

I'm not loving the sound of PE! I think my workout time is too precious to spend it doing body weight exercises like those in PE and I'd rather spend the full 30-50 mins doing weights. That's just my thoughts though. I'm sure CG knows what she's doing!
I've just started Beastmode on the app and really liking it. The rest times are short though so I get really out of breath and sweaty which I'm liking after just finishing Iron which is a lot slower.

Oh good, it’s not just me who’s struggling with them! I’ve done loads of CG so it’s just this format I’m not getting on with. Today’s workout had a 48 minute run time and it’s really hard to fit that in - I can get up earlier still but I always wake my DP when I get up, even though I creep out of bed, and although he’s OK about it I feel bad when it’s every day he’s getting woken sooner than he needs to, so I don’t like pushing my get up time earlier and earlier! Plus then I work all day so there’s a tiredness factor. 35 minutes is perfect for me tbh. And I’ve done hour long workouts in Epic and they were fine, because there’s a lot of variety in those.

I don’t know, I want to like PE but I don’t right now. I’ve never done Intent or Beastmode so I do have other programmes to try.

PE probably isn't the most 'fun' programme to do, but I lift weights for hypertrophy and to get stronger and this format with the 3 set pre exhaust format looks very promising even if it is dull! The unilateral work is quite long with 3 sets so the lunges seem interminable, but I listen to my podcasts and the time goes by quickly.
If you liked Beastmode on YouTube why don't you try Beastmode on the App @Gobacktotheworld ?

I am liking PE so far. I hated unleash. I liked intent for a while but my body got too tired. What I like about OE is the reduction in weights but the stress on the muscles.
i am also liking just having to work through the supersets and then they are done. I can just get my head down and dig deep.
i really liked the GVT series and this reminds me of it a little bit.
this format means I get to build muscles without trashing my ligaments and joints.

@Bigbuttons I remember you hated Unleash! I didn't like it at first but really enjoyed it in the end. Liked unleash all the way through even though it was a bit repetitive and I got fed up with getting so many weights out for each session, particularly the barbell! I'm finding PE the toughest so far, I actually feel a bit nauseous for the first time ever. I love supersets and that's another reason I'm enjoying PE.

@samthebordercollie I am enjoying reaching failure with much lighter weights. I am tired of half beating myself to death after all these years with CG. I look forward to the workouts if I know I am going to choose lighter weights. Lighter weights doesn’t mean less growth for me now. Anyway because bits of my body are not happy I have no choice! I got up to 14 kg for chest press but my left shoulder hurts like buggery so the max I can use is 11.5 now and even then I have to be very careful with the position of the shoulder when I lift- constantly rolling it back and down . My tennis elbow is much better but not gone so I have to be very careful with laterals and often choose 3kg now. It does feel like regression at times for sure. Either that or I stop working out and that’s not an option!
will be quads for me today. I will try 12.5 and 10 kg. My legs have very good definition without going higher than that!🙂

@BigButtons I used 12,5kg and 10kg for the PE quads workout. More than enough! I can't hold 15kg weights to do squats. Its better to have a full range of motion with lighter weights than go heavier and not do the lift very well. Most studies I see referenced recommend medium weights with 8 - 15 reps for hypertrophy, heavier weights with fewer reps (1 - 5[ for strength.

Hi! Can I join in? I’ve been reading lots of CG threads here and it seems promising? I just started at the gym myself and am an overweight weakling. I probably have 2-3 stone to lose, and very weak leg muscles. Any recommendations where to start? I’d be happy to do the workouts at the gym to use their equipment, I don’t really have any at home and have always found I lack motivation and give up with at home workouts

Welcome @MrsKurz 🙂
so you have any previous lifting experiences? What previous exercises have you done? Would you be working from YouTube?

Not really loads of experience with lifting. I’ve done some tutorials in the gym with instructors and used to do body pump classes so I know good form.

Bodypump is indeed brilliant for form. I used to do power lifting💪💪💪, then became a Pumper after giving birth. I learnt so much from Pump and was amazed I never hurt myself before that. Girvan uses lots of the same moves. A few things like dumbbell back rows it is worth watching YouTube tutorials for just to be sure you have good form (e.g. backrows: fully protract shoulder at the bottom and then lift to your hip pocket) as Girvan doesn't give audible cues or advice during the workouts. Overall, she is definitely accessible to someone who has done Pump.

Thanks for the app Beastmode recommendation, samthebordercollie. We (me and my partner) have been looking at those workouts today and they seem right up our street.

She also has a great beginner workout on the app. I started with that.

Ive given up on PE. It’s just too long and boring for me. I’ve started fuel on you tube instead. Much faster and it’s supposed to be 30 mins. First day leg day and it was a killer!

Hi all. Since I started CG workouts a few months ago, I've been using weights ranging from 2kg to 5kg. (I'm aware these are pathetically light!)

However, I think(?) I might finally be ready to need some slightly heavier weights, but I'm not sure what would be best to buy.

I don't have unlimited space or money so want to buy wisely. Any thoughts on what would be best to buy? I'm actually not keen on my legs becoming too big/bulky, but I also want to make sure I'm benefiting from each workout and not wasting my time by using weights that are too light.

Anyone have have thoughts or tips?

I gave up on PE, too. Mind numbing. Fuel is a good shout.

Anyone care to recommend any uses for unflavoured protein powder? I have an infeasible amount of the stuff by accident. I'm thinking I can mix it in with Greek yoghurt and maybe also make some shakes with it and flavour them with vanilla, or frozen blueberries?

I am enjoying PE a lot. I don’t find it boring at all. It’s good that CG has so many different series in different styles to suit different tastes.
i like the fact that I am getting very sore from using lighter weights than I normally would.
The way this is set up means I really concentrate on my form rather than just trying to lift heavy- which I hate and has caused all sorts of tension/ muscle issues over the years.
I am getting great definition from it already. All of me aches!
I think you can add unflavoured protein powder to flour to make crackers etc. I have just bought some to add to soup. Will try adding it to Greek yoghurt- that’s a good idea.

@Cherryblossom81 I got sets of adjustable dumbbells from Argos. Sure they are a bit bulky for some moves but they offer a huge amount of flexibility. I got the cast iron ones not the vinyl ones. I also bought extra 5kg weight plates.

I am enjoying PE. I think it's the pace of it (quite slow!) I like my weights sessions to be cardio free and it fits the bill on that front. I hated Fuel with a passion and gave up in the end. I can only fit in 3-4 sessions a week so am doing it at my own pace rather than in real time.

I love PE! It's tough. I'm in the UK for a few days visiting my dad so am having a break but can't wait to get back to it on Saturday!
I have unflavoured protein powder in Greek yogurt with raspberries (at the moment I have lots in the garden!), pumpkin and sunflower seeds for my breakfast every day.

I tried the unflavoured powder in a shake with some vanilla today and it was a bit underwhelming. Definitely Greek yoghurt next time, or else I'm going to have to crack out the blender.