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

[BigButtons]

New thread!

@disappointed101 I liked most of pe and the set up. Going against the grain here but I much prefers the pre exhaust.
Max seems to be ok but for one big big bug bear for me: I do my training in my living room so all the weights get put away. Love to have a home gym where everything can be left out but hey go.
She seems to be doing thrusts quite a few times a week so lugging all the plates out and putting them away is a faff rather than one whole glute session.
Also my barbell is not Olympic size so my plates are smaller. She sets the thrusts with an upper buddy move so so am having to lug the bloody thing on my lap and then try and get out again in time for the upper body move- three times.
I had a really awful nights sleep last night and just cannot be arsed to go through with the barbell tomfoolery again today so with just do it body weight with a band.

@Gobacktotheworld my posts never get approved- ever. They either sit pending or I get a direct reply with the answer to my question.
it doesn’t matter what question I ask. Then I see others being allowed to post basically the same question.
I would love the app to have a section of alternative moves.
CG is always suggestions we switch to suit our needs but I don’t always know what the best switches are.
I didn’t mind Bulgarians for years but now they bore the crap out of me and I want a move that does the same thing.
anyone got any ideas?
I am going to block silly boy aiden. He last post with amended lyrics to like a prayer was the last straw for me.
don’t get me started on the pick me girls.

@BigButtons that‘s interesting about the setup for PE. It sounds like you need lots of weights and using the barbell for both thrusts and upper work. Hmm not sure.

@disappointed101 Bigbuttons was referring to the Max programme regarding the dumbells as it's full body every time, not PE which is an upper/lower split so barbells only required on leg days and not even on leg days if working quads only. I know what she means, I work out in my living room too and hate having to get the barbell out every time!
I'm finishing off PE for the second time, it's definitely my favourite programme and the one where I saw the most muscle gains. Rev definitely didn't give me any strength gains and I'm doubtful about Max too regarding strength gains. I may just do PE on repeat. I loved pre and post exhaust equally but found the pre harder.

@BigButtons Alternatives to Bulgarian lunges:
Regular split squats
Reverse lunges
Single leg hip thrusts
Curtsey lunges
Weighted step ups

@samthebordercollie thanks- think I will go with the step ups- I like those. I don’t hate Bulgarians but I just get bloody BORED of doing endless 75 second sets😣
I’m not sure about max. I am pretty well matching her weights- not for chess press due to a shoulder issue. I never feel properly worked- like there is more in the tank.
I did really like CGX iron and PE. I didn’t like unleash and I got bored with intent after a few weeks- maybe 7 weeks. It was just too samey. Quiet often times I think I must have already done a session I click on as it’s almost exactly the same as a previous session a bit it’s supposed to be a new one .
I also have a feeling that despite the full body moniker MAX will be lower body biased which is absolutely NOT what I need!

@samthebordercollie doh my mistake!! Do you add in cardio to PE? I definitely feel my body needs more than walking but sometimes hard to fit in with a full time job and mum duties 🤦‍♀️

Yesss weighted step-ups! Underused by Caroline. I did love that day of Rev that had clusters of them (Day 5?) and Day 11 of Intent just because they had step ups!

Max is well-designed I think but it's a shame she doesn't include optional add ons as she did on youtube. It's hard to know which add ons to choose without knowing what exercises she plans for the following day.🤔

Samthebordercollie, do you have a BC? BEST dogs

I couldn't bring up the energy to do Max this morning. Not like me to give up, not sure if I'm a bit under the weather or just not liking the format. I did another short session instead. I was hoping for 30mins sessions, but the extra 10mins is annoying me as I'm short on time.

Also feel the full body split means I'm not really resting properly in between. I'll keep trying though. Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow.

@disappointed101 I run and cycle as well as following Caroline's programmes so that's my cardio! @Gobacktotheworld yes I have 2 border collies and yes, I agree, they are the best dogs ever - as long as you have enough time to give them lots of exercise!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/exercise/5313432-lifting-and-getting-stronger-with-caroline-girvan-2025
new thread!

Thanks for the new thread, @BigButtons!
I've gone back to finishing off PE, in two minds whether to do Max after as I've only got 2 weeks left with PE.
On the variation of exercises, a lot of the exercises she did in Epic weren't very effective for building muscles, moves like knee to squat, or any moves that combine lifts are really inefficient, perhaps that is why she sticks to the more traditional lifts now.

@samthebordercollie possibly?
I do wish she would have a great variety of actual lifting moves though. I live a Tate press and face pull- she hardly ever uses those for example. I sub them anyway as I am getting bored.
lateral raise are all good but there are other moves ahead uses much less frequently. I much prefer around the worlds- I sub with those too😁

Morning! I'm outgrowing my 2 x 15kg dumbbells for RDLs. However I cannot lift them on my shoulders easily for squats like CG does so generally have them at my sides for squats and lunges. Is it worth looking into 2 x 17kg just for the RDLs? Or shall I make do with what I have. I also have 2 x 12.5kg as well.

There is a new thread now @Stumpedasatree https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/exercise/5313432-lifting-and-getting-stronger-with-caroline-girvan-2025
To answer you - I bought 17.5kg which are good for RDLs and rows. I can now get the 15kg on my shoulders for squats, but can't manage 2 of them for rear step lunges without wobbling....yet!