few STS questions-Biceps, steps, and what next?

[shannoncorrin]

Hello,

I'm in my 2nd week of Meso 3. Plyo legs about killed me. I dont have the exact step that Cathe has, I have the Firm's transfirmer. Its the same height, but not quite as long, and certainly not quite as sturdy. My question is when doing the down up jumps in plyo legs, I'm afraid to jump on my step. I think I would be fearful even if I had a sturdier step. im just afraid Im not going to jump high enough or something and miss the step. any pointers for overcoming this fear?

Also, when I am doing bicep curls, particulary seated isolater curls, the first 6 reps are always 'easy' and I complete them no problem. Once I reach the 6th rep, I can no longer lift the weight all the way up. I completely reach failure. How can I hit a brick wall so quickly and go from easy to failure? Is there a way to avoid this?

Lastily, what happens when I decide to redo STS once I am finished? Do you have to redo your 1RM since you technically should be stronger?

Thanks!
Shannon

 

[LasVegasFitGirl]

a couple solutions

1) I don't trust anything of that height not nailed down to do those jumps on. But, I make sure I focus all my attention to clearing the height and using all my strength to make it so I don't miss the step and fall. Otherwise, the only other thing I could suggest is using something not as high to do them if there's anything like that in your home. Or, substitute something like tuck jumps.

2) You can use your other hand to assist you in getting the weight up or have a dumbbell with a slightly lighter weight nearby that you can switch out real quick, but I think the assist would be ideal. Cathe uses that method when she did the "to failures" in meso 2.

 

[JanetP1507]

If there's any way you can afford it, get an actual Step. I used to have that transfirmer thing too and I couldn't believe the difference when I finally invested in a real Step...the tread, the cusion, it really does make big difference when you are jumping on and off it like that. The transfirmer is not made to be jumped on like that, the Step is. A real Step is well worth the price.

 

[Melclear]

SNM recommended redoing the 1RM once a year. When I restarted STS, I didn't redo all the 1RM tests, but I did increase my weights on nearly exercise. Anytime I could go heavier in M2 or M3 (for STS round 1), I updated my 1RM. So when I printed out my workout cards for round 2, most had gone up. And for the ones that didn't, I usually increased my weights by a few pounds, just to see. On nearly exercise, I could go heavier. And now, even in the middle of round 2, I still update my 1RM every time I can go heavier. I think by now, I have a better sense of how much my body can handle, so I can increase my weights without redoing the testing. Good luck!