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

[BigButtons]

New thread!

I did today two sessions with some modification
Epic 1 days 1 : lunges without dumbbells and bridge instead of hamstring march
Epic 1 day 2: swapped some pushups for crunches

@HorseAreBetterThanHumans , I am 46 and have shoulder and hip pain issues. I try my best to follow what CG is doing and if I can't do I modify to something similar and carry on.

@HorseAreBetterThanHumans I second what @BigButtons said, Iron is a great programme to start with if you are new to lifting because it's slower than the Epics so you have time to learn the lifts and format. I was fit (a runner) but had never lifted and it's how I started, with weights a lot lighter than Caroline of course! After I went onto the Epics and much prefer them to Iron. But it's an excellent starter programme. Good luck, I love lifting now, had always made excuses to avoid strength training before but Caroline makes it fun!

I am now in two minds about unleash. As with fuel it is very leg heavy and my body is feeling stressed and tired. I did an epic three back and bicep session today and felt much better.
i might have to abandon the series if things don’t improve.

I'm still finishing off Beastmode II but with a FOMO decided to try a session of Unleash, the glutes and hamstrings. I didn't enjoy it at all. I don't like the really long lifting periods and found it quite boring!

What’s Beastmode 2 like? Just finishing Beastmode 1 on YouTube, quite liked the format and the length. Is the second one the same?

not liking the sound of Unleash at all. When I finally register for the app I’ll take a look but you’re not selling it to me. But @BigButtons 45kg? Wow! Seriously impressive!

I've just finished my second round of the YouTube beginner epic.

I reckon she's missed a trick by not having a true beginner set available outside the app. I'd be more likely to have signed up for the app by now if so had.

@Melassa thanks . I got up to 50kg last week!
I haven’t done beast mode on the app- but looking at the sessions- yes a 4 set up.
CGX iron was great and I saw really big strength gains. Yesterday I did an epic three back and bicep session and it was almost 45 minutes of rows with some bicep work. I managed with 14kg but could have done 15kg. When I first did that series I was maxing out on 12.5.kg. That’s all down to the app iron!
apart from the series she does have brilliant stand alone sessions on the app. It’s a great app and worth the money imo🙂

At the time it was never aimed at beginners. You can always try out the app for free for a couple of weeks and see what you think!

At the time it was never aimed at beginners.

Which isn't remotely obvious from the name or anything I noticed in what she says! 'Introductory epic' might have made a lot more sense.
I want to see if I can keep up a regular regime of workouts when my DH is back this week, before signing up for a time limited trial or the app itself.

Today I did epic 1 day 4. I had forgotten those makers!

When I had app, I liked those standalone sessions more than series. There is one upper body one where she is wearing all white, that was my favourite. At some point this year I will get the app again.

Bigbuttons, that's amazing strength gain.

@Melassa Beastmode 2 on the App is the same format as You Tube, 4 sets of the same exercise with a staple in between each exercise. It's getting quite tough later on in the program but I'm finding it a really effective program to follow, traditional lifting. I'm going to do Iron 2 next. I second what Bigbuttons says about the App, it's well worth the money. There is a 55 minute arms and shoulder session I do weekly in addition to Beastmode which is brilliant, and many more too. Plus lots of recipe ideas.

@BigButtons i am in awe. We started pretty much at the same time with Epic 1 and you kept up with all the programmes while I dipped in and out and you’ve obtained some amazing results!

thanks @samthebordercollie for the info re Beastmode 2. I am determined to get the app (already downloaded on my phone, yet to register) as soon as I decide the logistics of how to view it, not practical from my phone. I’ll probably end up buying a new iPad (undecided between that and an Apple watch, both are in my basket).

@Melassa I cast directly from my iphone to the TV, before with my old TV I coudn't but it worked perfectly with Chromecast. You won't regret getting the App!

@Vtm the arms/shoulder workout I was referring to is the one where she is in an all white outfit, it's a fabulous workout. Although I can only do it using 6kg, 7,5kg is too heavy for me with that intensity!

I know- it was poorly named, but at the time she probably was only thinking of training people with previous lifting experience and an already good strength base.

@samthebordercollie , I also do upper body with 6kg dumbbells.

For anyone without app, epic 2 day 17 is also a good upper body session with variety though not as good as that 55 min all white one on app.

I do legs with 7kg , hopefully will gain more strength and balance over time.

Which CG programme is a good place to start? I run regularly so am reasonably fit. I have done a few kettlebell classes over the last few months. I have her app and am planning to sign up this week (although may need to order some dumbbells as I only have kettlebells).

@sunshineandshowers40 I'm a runner and started with Iron because I was new to lifting and it's slower than the Epic programs. I've done all the Epics now and much prefer them to Iron. I don't do the HIT days because I run 4 days a week and this takes care of the cardio.

@samthebordercollie Thank you, I will have a look at the Epic Program.

I meant to add that my running has gone up several gears since adding in CG's workouts, I have more balance and much more muscle definition than before. I don't recommend starting with Epic 1 as it's a bit crazy, Endgame is perhaps a good one to start with as it has longer lifting periods than some other programs. I'd start with that one, or Epic 3 or Heat.

If I were you I would seriously do the ultimate beginners on the app - simply because it will show you how to lift safely and with good form using dumbbells.

This is what I am hoping happens to my running!

Thanks @BigButtons, we will have a look. I have done classes before, just not regularly.

Today I did epic 1 day 8. Good upper body with no pushups. I was thinking of doing day 6 then I don't know how tv decided to run day 8 😂

I did Day 41 legs and Day 42 Shoulders on Beastmode 2 from the App. They were both pretty intense. CG used 20kg for the staple for the leg day (static lunges[ but for me 15kg is the most I can do. I know for Iron 2 she goes a lot heavier, I just can't! She's a beast.