Do you focus more on eliminating trouble zones or on developing total fitness?

T

TurquoiseEyes

Cathlete
There's no judgment in this question, I am just curious about the various strategies people employ as Cathletes.

I guess when it comes down to it, I do end up focusing on total body fitness. I often think I should focus more on trouble spots. (When I use that term "trouble spots" I don't mean saddlebags or whatever else I could come up with that's purely aesthetic, LOL. I mean particular weaknesses in strength, flexibility, or cardiovascular endurance.) But I like variety too much and end up just working on whatever that day both seems to need some training AND what workout will also be enjoyable to do.

I also find unexpected gains come from activities totally unrelated to a "weakness". I got better at stepping after working my core more intensely, because I'd strengthened my hip flexors. I wasn't even thinking about that type of connection, it just happened. :) Fitness is fun, isn't it?
 
I used to just focus on what I really enjoyed, which was heavy weights with split routines, along with a lot of plyo/ spinning/ Hiit. But I ended up with muscle imbalances, tight ligaments which caused quite abit of knee pain. Since taking a break from heavy weights and starting some high rep/ low weight workouts like Tonique, I've finally managed to work my glutes properly and the knee pain is almost non-existent. I also used to hate floorwork and those dreaded glute tucks with the stability ball but now I know why - my glutes were so weak. Now I can do stability ball and floorwork til the cows come home LOL! One day I'll go back to heavy weights but will have to be careful and use variety so I don't lose what I've gained with Tonique - those high reps can sure do a number on me mentally though....o_O
Jamie
 
TurquoiseEyes said:
I also find unexpected gains come from activities totally unrelated to a "weakness". I got better at stepping after working my core more intensely, because I'd strengthened my hip flexors. I wasn't even thinking about that type of connection, it just happened. :) Fitness is fun, isn't it?
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Interesting quote above:):)

To reply to your question. Overall fitness is the main priority.
I do from time to time question my routine to ensure I put emphasis on my weakness rather than increasing
frequency on what I enjoy the most.
 
I never really thought about this. I have focused on listening to my body and doing what I feel it needs. For example, I might do heavy weights and shorter cardio for a few weeks and then feel like I need to do more metabolic or endurance workouts.

One thing I have done in my weight workouts is to try not to run from what I don't like. Example: for a long time I dreaded ab sections. So I started doing them all the way through and just pausing when I needed a break. Now I like doing abs and pause a lot less. Another example is push ups. I do all the reps, just pause when I need to. I'm finally starting to feel like I don't dread them! My next body part to conquer is biceps...I'm very weak compared to what Cathe and the crew lift. Yesterday I did the muscle max bicep section with a 30 lb. barbell and 10's...so I'm getting closer! Anyway...I started with my core, moved on to push ups and will continue to follow this pattern.

I am enjoying reading others' responses. Good question!

Beth
 
I'm a bit like Beth in how I approach my workouts- although I don't alter what's on my schedule, I concentrate on different body parts. For example, I might spend a month focusing on hamstrings, by putting all my effort into those exercises, even if it means lightening up on the quads. At the moment it's hip flexors, a weak spot for me.
 
Justinef said:
I'm a bit like Beth in how I approach my workouts- although I don't alter what's on my schedule, I concentrate on different body parts. For example, I might spend a month focusing on hamstrings, by putting all my effort into those exercises, even if it means lightening up on the quads. At the moment it's hip flexors, a weak spot for me.
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I think I know what you mean. Still doing the same workouts scheduled for your rotation, but focusing your energy (and heavier weights) for weaker areas? Right now I'm going to need serious attention on my glutes and hamstrings. I've been doing tons of step aerobics and that's quite hip flexor- and quad-centric (without doing nearly enough hamstring and glute work!) I can see my bun definition disappearing! My glute-ham tie-in looks atrocious. But my inner thighs, quads, and waist look better from Cathe's step aerobics. All that instep kicking and knee-ups have been defining my waist nicely. :) Sigh. I can never seem to achieve strength gains all at once or maintain every muscle group visually at once. But I'm training and getting better all the time at something- that's what's important! :)
 
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TurquoiseEyes said:
I think I know what you mean. Still doing the same workouts scheduled for your rotation, but focusing your energy (and heavier weights) for weaker areas?
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Exactly. I use this technique for strength training. Say I'm doing trisets consisting of squats, side-slide lunges and step ups, and I wanted to focus on my adductors, then I'd do the squats and step-ups with a heavy-but-not-exhausting weight, but use the heaviest weight possible getting as deep as possible for the side lunges.
 
I focus on overall fitness as well and what works for my body type :) I am very active through the day and I always mix things up.
 
jamie vaughn said:
I used to just focus on what I really enjoyed, which was heavy weights with split routines, along with a lot of plyo/ spinning/ Hiit. But I ended up with muscle imbalances, tight ligaments which caused quite abit of knee pain. Since taking a break from heavy weights and starting some high rep/ low weight workouts like Tonique, I've finally managed to work my glutes properly and the knee pain is almost non-existent. I also used to hate floorwork and those dreaded glute tucks with the stability ball but now I know why - my glutes were so weak. Now I can do stability ball and floorwork til the cows come home LOL! One day I'll go back to heavy weights but will have to be careful and use variety so I don't lose what I've gained with Tonique - those high reps can sure do a number on me mentally though....o_O
Jamie
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Same here. I got myself into very similar situation like tight ligaments, sore knees and very tight and hurting lower back and now focusing on body weight training, floor work, non weighted glute work and high reps like, Tonique method (specifically LOWER BODY) cause I'm still lifting heavy for my upper body.
Can you please tell me which Tonique DVDs you prefer or are the best for toning lower body (I don't need her cardio workouts, just high reps toning ones, cause I have Cathe workouts that I use for cardio.) I have 4 of Tonique DVDs which I got a few days ago and I really like her style.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yep, overall fitness is my focus! I try to mix it up and throw in challenges so I don't get complacent. I've been doing the RWH/STS rotation and notice that I really need more stretching with this one! The STS extended stretch feels fantastic after an STS workout, and I also need to do a longer stretch session on my rest day (like Yoga Relax/Max or Stretch Max).
 
Nanbo said:
Yep, overall fitness is my focus! I try to mix it up and throw in challenges so I don't get complacent. I've been doing the RWH/STS rotation and notice that I really need more stretching with this one! The STS extended stretch feels fantastic after an STS workout, and I also need to do a longer stretch session on my rest day (like Yoga Relax/Max or Stretch Max).
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Yeah, I find I have to stretch more than Cathe and crew do after most workouts. My hip flexors and quads are always in need of extra stretching, especially after heavy weight-training. I love the resistance band segment of Stretch Max and the non-equipment Total Body Stretching segment.
 
Hi Rafiayunus,
I find the Tonique Born to Move DVD the most glute intensive, especially workout one, segment 1 - she spends 35 minutes or so on one leg before switching so i do take short breaks. Addicted to Movement is also really good and then Royale is hard in terms of length and alot of plank/ downward dog / pushup movements - but it's also nice to work the upper body this way. I don't have any of her downloads but apparently they're shorter if time is a problem for you. I hear Sylwia is coming out with another DVD soon with several shorter workouts and was shot in Hawaii - can't wait for that. I do have to mentally prep for the longer workouts but at least Born to Move has 3 other sections which are shorter for those days i can't cope with anymore LOL!
Jamie
 
Thanks for the reply Jamie. I have her Mat workout DVD (which is very nice in terms of toning), her sculpt dynamics (not my favorite), her addicted to movement (I love this one) & famme fatale (I didn't tried yet). I'm looking forward to buy Born to move and Royale, it's nice to know that, born to move has some shorter sections so I can do some cardio or upper body along.


Rafia
 
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