Has anyone completed Caroline Girvan Ultimate Beginner?

[Shudacudawuda]

Hi,
I'm relatively new to resistance training, started using light dumbells in January and have been pretty consistent since.
I recently decided I needed a proper programme to follow so have started CG's ultimate beginner programme on her app - I've just done session 4.

I'm enjoying it so far, she says if you follow the programme you should see an increase in strength by the end - has anyone completed it?
I would love to hear some positive stories from people for inspiration and motivation! I'm definitely in this for the long haul.
Thanks.

How are you getting on? I will be doing day 8 later today or tomorrow. You could join this thread and ask - I think some posters may have done absolute beginner but not sure https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/exercise/5313432-lifting-and-getting-stronger-with-caroline-girvan-2025?page=16&reply=144724867

So sorry I seem to have missed your reply, thank you for taking the time!

I've just done session 11.....so far so good. Thanks I'll check out the other thread 😀

Ooh hello! This is the thread for me! I have just done session 1 of Ultimate Beginner.
I’d love to have some company.

I’m a perimenopausal plumpy trying to shift a couple of stone so I’m hoping that I can stabilise my blood sugar by building some muscle.

Hello! I'm also perimenopausal, aiming to maintain bone strength and muscle mass is my main motivation.
I'm really enjoying the programme so far, I'm almost at the point where the workouts change from full body to being specific to upper or lower body, which I'm weirdly looking forward to.

I must be enjoying it because I've already been looking through her other programmes to decide which one I will do next - definitely a good sign 🙂

How did you find session one?

Hi @Shudacudawuda - I’m also aiming to future proof my aging body by building some muscle.
I really enjoyed it yesterday, much more than all that bouncing about you get with Joe Wicks. Struggled today though, didn’t feel stiff but felt I was walking and cycling through treacle. Wasn’t sure if it was the CG workout or the heat.
Congrats on making it more than half way !

Just done day 13 which is the first day that is not a full body workout, it focuses on legs.
I'm really liking how much Caroline explains the right way to do each exercise, I feel like I'm learning so much and still getting to grips with some of the lifts. It's interesting how much it changes where you can feel the effort with just a small change in position.
It could still be novelty value but it's been a long time since I've felt so positive about a new exercise regime! My legs were trembling at the end 😁, yet only a 30 minute workout so easy to fit into my day.

Well done @Shudacudawuda ! Congrats on doing 13 workouts. I also like the explanations.
I’ve been doing this for 10 days and have done 5 workouts and already feel better for it.
What weight do you use? I’ve been going to the gym to do mine and use a pair of 3 and 4 kg. Might have to buy some when I go on holiday.

About to start ultimate beginner, I'm a small but slightly overweight 50 year old, anybody any idea what dumbbells I should purchase? I have no idea what weight to buy. I'm very weak.

Caroline uses hexagon dumbells Hex you could get maybe 2 sets of those - maybe 2 or 3kg set for your mid weight and 4 or 5kg for heavy? She recommends water bottles for your light weights. Alternatively you could get a set of 3 weights or a set of adjustable dumbbells.

Oh just to add I have finished ultimate beginner! I have definitely increased my strength and also my confidence. My only gripe is I think the warmup is a bit hard for beginners. I potentially would do this workout again and try to increase my weights, but my subscription is about to run out so I am just trying random workouts - they are significantly harder in my opinion! I will probably start iron on YouTube in a week or two.

I accidently did Day 1 of beginner Epic instead of Ultimate beginner and now can't walk. Please reassure me that ultimate beginner is not too bad

@Chilli81 Ultimate Beginner is very manageable.
@ladygindiva I have a small weight set at home with 1, 1.5 and 2.5 kg weights. I am very feeble but it wasn't enough for me. I now do it at the gym with a pair of 3kg and 4kg weights. I did notice yesterday I had a sore wrist so used 2kg for any arm lifting today. It feels fine.

@Chilli81 is that on YouTube, funnily enough someone on the other CG thread just advised someone not to do the beginner workout on YouTube as it’s definitely not for beginners! Based on what I have tried ultimate beginner is much more doable than her other workouts.

Yes. I didn't realise she had a website/app until after. It all makes sense now especially after reading the comments on you tube from others saying it was pretty hard for beginners. Glad i wasn't the only one! I'm going to give the ultimate beginners a go. I've been meaning to start strength training for a while but need some help to get going.

Good luck, it’s a good place to start!

Yes,Ultimate Beginner is very doable and she gives loads of advice on the correct way to do each move, it's a really great place to start.
@Bluebootsgreenboots I'm using 3kg to 6kg weights for upper body, depending on the move (3's for shoulders usually, 6's for chest press). Then for legs I have some 8kg's. I did get some 10kgs but in hindsight I'm not quite there yet, unless it's one where you hold a single dumbell....actually I could do with something heavier for those I think.
I'm gradually building a collection! 😆

Interesting @Shudacudawuda - that sounds too heavy for me, as I’m just worried about hurting my back. One of the gym trainers saw me today and stopped by to give me some tips. I might take some sessions with him to make sure I’m doing it all right and to optimise my weights.

Sounds like a good idea @Bluebootsgreenboots . I started consistently lifting light weights in January so when I started UB I had already increased the weights a bit. I am being fairly cautious though, the last thing I want is an injury.
One thing i like on the app is the short videos that focus on technique. I've repeated the one for the RDL's several times to make sure I'm getting it right. I definitely wasn't at the start, think I'm doing better now but I do have to really concentrate to not lose focus. It feels like a lift that has potential to go horribly wrong if not being careful!