Are S/H tapes for me?

M

Mariela

Cathlete
Hi! I am new in this forums. I am a petite (5'1") ectomorph, slightly bigger on the upper body than the lower body. I am an intermediate exerciser and my goals are to INCREASE the size of my buns and legs and to define my upper body.

I am planning to buy Cathe videos for the first time. Do you think that the series "Slow and Heavy" are the best choice for me? Also, according to my goals, how many times per week do you think I should train each part.

I have read many times that an ectomorph should train heavy and less reps, sets, and days. But I have never read how much is considered heavy for a woman.

Any helpful response will be appreciated. I am so overwhelmed with information on losing weight and trimming legs and buttocks, when my goals are totally the opposite!!! Please, help.

Thanks in advance.
Mariela
24 years old, mother of two
 
Hi Mariela!

I can't wait to read the responses you'll get! I am in the same boat as you are! I'm 5'3", weigh 107 lbs, and am desperately trying to gain weight. I have a hard time just keeping weight on and I eat several small meals throughout the day, everyday! It seems that as soon as I gain a pound or two, I get a cold or start feeling a little under the weather and the pounds I've gained come right off plus an extra one! It's very frustrating!

I've been contemplating purchasing the Slow & Heavy Series but have doubts because I was told before that the PS Series would do the trick, but I only saw minimal results with that. I love the set - it's great for seeing definition but not increasing mass (at least not for me).

Cathe or anyone else with advice, I hope you respond soon! :)

Thanks much,
Angie
37, mother of 3
 
Hi Mariela,
First of all, Welcome to the Forum! You certainly can't go wrong with any of Cathe's workouts!
I'm not Cathe (obviously!) but wanted to give you my experience. I am also larger through my upper body than my lower body, although I am taller than you at 6ft. For the last 3 weeks, I have been doing the S&H series (each tape once per week) and have increased my muscle mass in both upper and lower body.
Whether the S&H series is for you really depends on what you want to achieve. S&H is definitely the series to go for if you want to build and increase muscle mass through your WHOLE body. You mention that you want to build muscle in your lower body, and that you want to define your upper body. S&H will definitely help you build muscle through your lower body, but you will also increase muscle mass in your upper body as well. If, however, you want a more lean defined look in your upper body, then the Pure Strength series might be more suitable.
Another thing to consider is that if you have not done any serious weight work before, then you will get great results from any of Cathe's strength tapes initially, as your muscles will respond well to this new type of training.
A good definition of Cathe's 2 main strength building series would be:

Slow & Heavy: shorter reps, longer rests, heaviest weights you can use maintaining good form and completing all the sets. Builds/increases muscle mass through the whole body.

Pure Strength: Longer reps, shorter rests, medium/heavy weight maintaining good form and completing all the sets. Builds endurance and lean, defined muscles.

If your goal is to lean and define your upper body and build your lower body, perhaps you could use the PS series, but increase the amount of weight used for the leg work.

If your goal is to build muscle all over, then S&H would be the way to go.

There isn't really a definitive definition of what a heavy weight is for a woman, as everyone is different. For some women, 10lbs is heavy, whereas for others, it's 40lbs. Heavy is whatever works for you and whatever taxes you greatly without compromising your form or causing you injury.

I hope this helps. I'm sure you will get valuable advice from others!

Kaz.
 
Sorry to but in but:

Hey Angie!! So good to "see" you posting somewhere. I think of you and your DH often. I'm hoping things a going well for you guys. Please let me know how you are doing. You sound like you've lost some wt. I know you don't believe it, but I worry about you all the time. Email me at [email protected] if you want to talk.

See ya, Robin.
 
Hi Mariela,

I've been "skinny" all of my life and have tried unsuccessfully to put on weight. I didn't discover weight training until my mid-20s. Cathe's Pure Strength and Slow and Heavy tapes are all excellent for building muscle, but for us ectomorphs, the Slow and Heavy series is perfect. Lower number of reps and slow speed allow you to handle heavier weights. Longer rests between sets is better for us, too. You'll love it!

Also, I found this book that addresses weight training for different body types. You'll find a whole chapter devoted to "I-Frames!" It's called Shape Training. Check it out on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/A...6061291/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-6699304-2619925

It discusses exercise frequency, diet, etc. Very informative.

Good luck!

Angela
 
Mariela,

Just to introduce my qualifications (but not dwell on them), I am an RN and have been active in the medical field for 25 years. After reading your note, it occured to me that you may want to discuss this persistant weight loss with your doctor. Have you ever been screened for thyroid disease? It might be something to think about. If your TSH and T3/T4 blood levels are normal, then you must be one of those (in my mind) "fortunate" people who have more trouble keeping weight on than worrying about taking it off.
Actually, I think I've been on a diet since I was about 11 years old...which would mean, so far, 36 years of deprivation... Thank God I discovered Cathe and exercise.
Hugs to you,
Lynn Finn
 
Thank you for replying. Well, I have always been slim, but I don't think I have trouble putting on weight. (If my husband takes me out to dinner every day, I gain weight.) Before my pregnancies I used to weight about 100 pounds, but after my second pregnancy I have kept seven pounds more, which puts me in a safe weight, the minimum according to the guidelines.

I don't think I have thyroid disease because I took several blood tests (including thyroid) when I started taking lithium and my psychiatrist mentioned that everything was ok with the analysis.


Mariela :)
 
Hi Lynn Finn

Lynn, I've thought about that too. I think it's really due to a lot of stress that right now just can't be helped. But I have been skinny since toddlerhood. :) I do have plans to visit my FP but there are so many things going on right now that it just not a top priority. I know, I know! My health is a priority but trust me when I say it can wait a little while longer. My having weight gain-maintaining trouble is not really that pressing. I think I mentioned that I eat well and often and exercise regularly, so I'm sure it's just the stress.

I do thank you for the advice! :) And will keep the tests in mind when I do manage to get an appointment.

Thanks,
Angie
 
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