Going to stick with Gym series for a while...

[KellyMarie65]

I have STS now but it looks like doing the 1RM is going to take some time. I also did High Reps this morning and have to admit I got a little discouraged, made me feel so weak. ugh.
So, I think I'll start the gym style series for now and build up more strength and do my 1RM's to get that done. I have such limited time so hopefully this works out and I'll eventually get to the STS program. lol

 

[psusoccer17]

I didn't do any testing prior to STS, I did the first week and adjusted the weights for the second week. If you are really excited about starting you could try this, I know that doing the testing is the ideal way to go but this worked great for me. I am doing STS for the 3rd time presently and even though I have my weights written down now I still change them somewhat with my energy levels.

 

[MidgetDogg]

Yeah, I didn't do the 1RM the first time through either. It does take a lot of time to do them all, so I just guessed what weight I'd normally use, then went to the next heaviest weight in my equipment. I adjusted as needed while I was doing the workout. Not the intended way to do it, but I still got great results.

 

[NY25]

I didn't do the 1RM either. For one thing, I know my one-rep is going to be higher than I expect and that I would not feel comfortable do the workout with the "recommended" weight at home alone with no spot. I just went with what felt like a good challenge and started making adjustments from there. Worked fine for me.

 

[Fit_mommy]

I did a bunch of 1RMs in prep for my first attempt at STS (3.5 month rotation) back last June. I lasted 3 weeks with the program and quit because I was bloated, gained 5 pounds in no time flat, was outgrowing my clothes, lost my ab definition,was completely exhausted an all around miserable.

I switched to a rotation that was primarily cardio adding in 1-2 f/b or circuit w/o's per week with the other 4-5 days being heavy cardio. Slowly but surely (it took about 2 months) my body got back to what it was before starting STS and I was not longer exhausted and miserable.

Fast forward to now and I've just started my 2nd attempt at STS at the beginning of January. I did not re-do my 1RM's and am, in fact, using the original ones as a gauge of what weight NOT to use for most exercises. I am going lighter and it's working out soooo much better!

My weights were just too heavy. Period. IDK if it's something I did wrong when doing my 1RM testing or what. I really don't care what the problem was but it didn't work for me so I am not using it and I am finding that it's totally not necessary. I am getting great work outs/great results and going into week 4 (of the 6.5 month rotation) with a fantastic attitude and looking forward to completing the program this time!

 

[KellyMarie65]

Oh, thank you so much for all your responses! This is great to know!
I should be able to start then. I am sure, like others, I need to start out slow and I can learn a long the way. I have alot of growth in the strength and endurance areas anywho, so I am sure, like you, I should make good gains then.
Should I start tomorrow even though I did High Reps today? Friday is usually a day I can not workout because I work a double that day. I am psyched now, wait until tell hubby he can start. He is so excited about starting her program too.

 

[Dela]

Since it's only 1 time, I really don't see the harm in starting tomorrow. The technically correct answer, is to wait 1 day because you did high reps, but I can't see in the long run it would really matter all that much. Now, I personally would not make a habit of doing a full body followed by an STS weight day, but I think an exception can be made once in a while .