Another question re: S&H

[Kristine36]

I think I've asked this before, but how many of you do primarily heavy weight workout rotations, or do you split them up, i.e. heavy weight for a certain amount of time (2-6 weeks, etc.), then do a muscular endurance rotation, i.e. Power Hour, BodyMax, (now Muscle Endurance, BootCamp), etc.?

I'm finding that I'm quite wimpy when in comes to strength, but I get the best results and endurance when I primarily focus only on muscular endurance rotations. I don't do the same one, but mix it up. I'll do Power Hour and BodyMax or something like that, working each body part (strength) 2-3 times weekly for 4-8 weeks, then I'll do a similar rotation that focuses on the muscle endurance aspect. I'm finding that I can't go much heavier than 12 lbs. for biceps, and up to 36 lbs. for lower body (heaviest).

I know I shouldn't gauge my progress on what other people use, but when I did a S&H rotation, I did notice a definite improvement in strength, but I found that being as short as I am, the results weren't exactly as I wanted. Cathe looks fabulous, but I just don't get those results.

I'm primarily working out to feel better, but I was wondering if others prefer the endurance or just plain cardio or circuit style workouts instead of heavier weight workouts? Just curiousity speaking.

Kris

 

[Jilliana22]

Hi Kristine,
For me personally, I love strength training workouts. The majority of the workout rotations that I've made up for myself center around PS, S&H, CTX Upper Body/Leaner Legs, and now the 2 new Pyramid tapes. There's just something about feeling that burn when working out. However, I like to do muscluar endurance workouts (i.e. Power Hour, Body Max) for the time saver feature. But for me since I'm overweight I like the slower pace of strength training as opposed to circuit training. I'm just one of those people that like her cardio and weights seperated. But will pop in a circuit tape if that is all I can squeeze in for the day.

 

[Kristine36]

Jilliana, thanks for the answer (I know this response is late, sorry)!

I'm thinking of sticking to a mostly endurance rotation series, but adding in PS (or slower paced weight work) every couple of months to shake things up.

Thanks again.

 

[kathryn]

I like to mix up my rotations because the different workouts are good for different aspects of strength. For example, I started a long cycle with PH (which I consider endurance) for about 2-2/12 weeks, 3x/week, mixing in MIS during the second half of the second week, and continuing with MIS (and maybe a PH thrown in there) for about 3 weeks. Then I did two weeks of PS, followed by two weeks of S&H. Then I got my intensity series (yippee!) and am using each of the weight routines from that, so I'm mixing endurance (ME, C+W?) with more pure strength oriented (PLB,PUB).

 

[nancy324]

I'm totally with Jilliana. I adore my S&H rotations, but always separate them with endurance rotations. I think the variety is very important for the body and the mind.

 

[Jilliana22]

Your welcome Kristine. I posted some of my rotations over on the rotation forum if you want to check them out. However, they are mostly strength rotations but I like to do 5 to 4 days of cardio so that helps lean me out.