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

[BigButtons]

New thread!

Anyone done Unleashed? I finished it yesterday. I really like the format - 3 rounds of lifting heavy on two exercises and then circuits. Really looking forward to what's next!

Although the problem with the app is that you really want to keep up with the latest programme especially if you're on her FB page. Which means there's no time to go back to programmes you haven't done yet - i was planning to do Beastmode but I won't be able to fit it in before Intent starts! But i guess once people start paying she needs to get them out faster.

I like Heat too, imo the right balance of weights and cardio. I also stick to 6 or 8kg max on my legs as that gives me a good workout and tones without bulking up too much.

I’m doing a few random upper body and abs sets this week, then will start Pyramid (thanks @BigButtons ). Then I might go back to Beastmode as I liked the format, but this time with slightly heavier weights, at least on top.

@Minesril I hated unleash. Looked good on paper. In reality is was really tedious and I got so bored with it.

Having done 3 full rounds of the YT beginner epic while DH was away from home, I fell off the wagon when he returned (apart from my regular Pilates class and walking). It's a bit hard to plan on a regular schedule when we want to be able to look at the weather forecast in the morning and go somewhere nice (he's retired, I work part time). I think I need to identify some full body half hour workouts that I've no excuse for not fitting in as and when possible. So I did the beginners epic day 4 today which fits the bill pretty well, only substituting the lunge sets with various types of squats (or for one set some cobras as my back was feeling like it needed a stretch). That worked pretty well - and despite the break some of it with slightly heavier weights than last time.

I really need to do some sort proper cardio/HIIT as well as strength but one of my knees is twinging oddly - absolutely fine most of the time but some movements/kneeling on it the wrong way feel like I've carpet burned the outside lower part of it. I'm not sure why but feel like burpees or anything high impact might be foolish.

Meanwhile, January pilates featured quite a lot of functional exercises. One was single leg sit to stand. I couldn't do this at first, then could manage a few on my right leg but not the left. Today I did 10 good ones each side for the first time while I was waiting for the kettle to boil! That's the sort of real world useful improvement that's very motivating!

I abandoned epic 1 as I am unable to do core exercies. Today I stared with epic 2.

I did half of day 2 and then day 3. Actually day 3 is also a very good upper body session though I was not sure why some exercises 3 times and some only once.

How is everyone doing? I am going through epic 2 sessions. Not able to do everyday as still busy with job search and interview preparations. I have two first round interviews lined up but both are going to be tough. Job market is not good atm.

On epic 2 there are two sessions which have become my favourite staples. Any morning, if I am not sure then I do one of these based on if my arms are tired or legs.

day 17: upper body
day 18: legs

I create my own variations of day 18 like for the 60 second bit i change it to slow tempo style or 40 second bit to pulses etc. I replace calf raises with bridge or something else for hamstring/glutes.

I am still dabbling in her YouTube videos but not following a specific programme. I can’t do hardly any of the core exercises she does - I think it’s a combination of not a strong core, big heavy legs (I have lipoedema) had an abdominal hysterectomy 2 years ago and spinal compression L4/5 in 2015 so I might never be able to do them. It just feels like nothing happens when I try pull myself up 😂 or I can get one leg up at a time but not both at the same time and I can’t hold them.

I can do some of the core Pilates ones in my class but it’s my weakest area by a mile. I’ve stuck with Mighty and some of the kettlebell videos so far.

I need heavier weights at home but I don’t want to spend a fortune so I am stuck with 4kgs at home so I go to the gym to use heavier weights but space is hard there - I can’t do CG on the spongy mats they have there as they throw me off my lunge balance and there is not really any room to do floor work

@vtm good luck with the job hunting. It really is so time consuming.
I'm not disciplined enough when there's not a set program to follow, will dither which workout to choose

@menora have you thought about something like this? Cheap adjustable dumbbell/barbell set? I've got it at home, but mainly use the barbell, there's 2 dumbbells too included

www.argos.co.uk/product/6047081?storeID=4211&istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=30f62ea9-9626-4cac-97c8-9ff3921f8558&istItemId=ixititlaw&istBid=t&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7Cacid:629-618-1342%7Ccid:20368875273%7Cagid:%7Ctid:%7Ccrid:%7Cnw:x%7Crnd:7708308278725442108%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:%7Cmt:%7Cloc:9046413&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20368875273&utm_term=6047081&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=629-618-1342&GPDP=true&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_5WvBhBAEiwAZtCU781H4w7KaFGxGd1_8J1U8E3t-k5FN5BlKj7k7fS2x7Vrk7uIoRIpGhoCRcUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I've been doing Drop It week on the app. It's been my favourite so far. Quick simple workouts. Just lifting to near limits and then dropping the weight and lifting some more! It's been a nice break after Unleash which was hard going for me.

@IrisBearded Thanks so much I have been looking but seen a lot of reviews on items saying the locking rings fail! So I was unsure what to get

4kg is not enough for me at all but it’s been better than nothing! I might get this one. I’ve seen one on Amazon I’ve been eyeing up

@menora, I got my dumbells from amazon. I have 6kgs for upper body and 7 kgs for lower body. I also struggle with ab exercises because I had umblical hernia op and I really dont want that hernia to come back. I usually do something else whenever there is an ab exercise.

I am pretty sure I can lift 7kg or maybe more in one of her offset/one side RDL’s or during lunges but 5kg is my current limit for an overhead press as I found I fail a lot faster any higher.

for abs I kind of just muddle along with what I can do then do something else if I can’t.

The Argos ones aren’t available near me!

The drop it series sounds quite good.

I'm half through iron on YouTube.

I had 4 different weights out during an upper body one this week from 7kg down to 2kg.

Might need to buy so e 10kg next for a few exercises like RDL's.

@Vtm good luck with the job search! I did your Day 19 Epic 1 isometric full body the other day again, maybe it was because I was ill, but it was a lot harder than I remembered from the last time!
I've had a very nasty chest cold for two weeks so haven't been able to do my normal 10 mile runs every other day so have been cracking on with Iron 2 on the App -I do 2 sessions back to back. Today was Day 20 Leg Day and Day 18 posterior chain which I loved. As @BigButtons said it's been a good program to up the weights and whether it's because I'm not running long distances - I still do a 3 mile run after weights - I'm definitely getting stronger. 15kg for lunges, single arm rows, pullovers and RDLs today - before I started Iron 2 I was using 12.5kg. I'm still chucking in the odd one hour full body from Epic 1 or 2 which I love so not getting through Iron 2 as fast as I should. I'm enjoying it a lot more than Iron on YT.

@samthebordercollie that’s hard core exercise! Hope you feel better soon. I have been plagued with yet another bug that needs antibiotics.
i am actually backing off the weights a bit- I seem to be prone to injury with heavier weights and have to be careful.
I liked the drop it series- although missed the leg day.
back to heat again now.

I bought adjustable set from Amazon I am looking forward to it arriving now!

@samthebordercollie and @BigButtons , hope you both recover completely. I have a feeling these are not normal colds, but some new form of covid/flu. It takes a while to get back to being myself after each round of catching it and I totally loose all my strength and stamina and restart again. Atleast I dont need to buy new set of dumbells!

Today I did epic 2 day 25 full body. Great full body workout!

I’m going to start the new cluster mini series on the app tomorrow. There are three lower body/ glute days this week which doesn’t make me happy. ☹️
will continue to keep the weights very low for any squats and lunges though.

I'm going to try the new cluster sets today too. Had a week off after finally getting to the end of unleash. Not sure what it was about that one but I was really struggling at times to get through them. As in, they're always hard but this one felt different somehow and my body really didn't like a few of them. Don't think it's a program I'll return to.

I found Unleash a bit too long in terms of minutes per session, but got through the complete programme. Just back from skiing and I have to say that at 60, it has improved my strength and stamina. I could just about keep up with my 20-something children.

I think my attention span struggles over about 35 minutes, though I did manage to fast-forward through some of the longer rest periods in Unleash to prune the odd minutes off here and there.

I decided to follow your advice and re-did this yesterday. It's not easy, my shoulders were aching after the first complex of snatch and shoulder press. I only used 7,5kg throughout and not the 10kg used by CG!

Other than the odd full body I'm half way through Iron 2 now. Definitely going heavier than before with the longer, slower lifting and longer rest periods. Still in 2 minds as to whether or not to try Unleash, I really didn't enjoy the one session I tried. I don't have a stability ball and have no more room in my living room for equipment, the barbell with bumper plates already takes up too much space. But soooo worth it as it's easy to get underneath and use compared to the small plates I was using before which was far harder to manipulate.

How is everyone doing? I am still doing epic 2, though a bit random and not in sequence. I had to miss a few days in between due to job interview prep and hip pain.

If you know of any good physio sheet/site for hip pain, please share. It is taking forever to get a physio appointment through NHS.

I would also love to find some exercises which are not easy as physio, not as complicated as yoga and not as challenging as CG for days when I am ok with hip and shoulder pain but not up for CG routine. I have sort of made my own list like Cobra push-up, bridge, donkey kick, dubmell pullover, skull crusher etc but would love a full body routine.

Today I did epic 2 day 27 but replaced some abs moves with bridge etc.

I liked this song in today's routine so found it on you tube: Naiad - Sweep (Official Lyric Video)

Hello everyone!
I am full of aches and injuries. I have been foolish and pushed on through and have now broken bits of my body🧐

I am taking my time moving up weights - it isn’t the weight that is as important as it is the movement being done correctly. I am just doing the same 6 routines on rotation to get all the moves correct before increasing any weight. I also adjust my dumbbells down to lower if I am having any difficulties. I will also take the time to change all the weights around for arms vs legs it takes longer but I am not injuring myself as much now doing this. Arms I am shoulder pressing 8kg (4kg each arm) (and struggling on last few reps) but rdl (15kg) or bent over rows (10kg) I go higher. Lunges and squats I stick at 4kg x 2 dumbbells for now as I am still wobbly at lunges. I started working out in converse as they stick better to the floor than normal trainers. I think I can chest press more than 8kg and pull downs but I want to work up to it

I do all my workouts bare foot, Anyone else?
Am working through Epic 1 at the moment.
Thought I would struggle with the one hour workouts, but they go quickly with the format she uses.
I am liking seeing the small changes in my legs, I have a small wine belly going on though-my own fault, need to cut down!!
Does anyone else drink?