gym style vs slow and heavy
- Thread starter cin
- Start date
I can only speak for the S&H and the GS Legs. I have not done the GS legs yet, but I did preview it today and will attempt tomorrow night. I think they are totally different. I just finished a S&H rotation and now will be doing an endurance one. The GS legs seemed to be endurance, but I know Cathe made a comment on the ask Cathe forum that GS was for strength training.
I find Gym Style legs to be aimed more to endurance. The weights are light, for the most part, and Cathe plays with the tempo so you do a lot of pulses, etc, with just 2 * 8 pound weights for lunges, for example. This is so different from the 50 pound barbell static lunges in Slow & Heavy. Slow & Heavy does not play around with tempo. Each exercise comprises three sets of 8 reps at an 8 count per rep. This does not vary. You are encouraged to go as heavy as you can with good form and stay there for as long as you can. The feel is very different from endurance because there is simply no momentum helping you to lift that weight.
I think Gym Style legs is probably an excellent idea for most women, since we do tend to accumulate fat on hips, thighs and butt. I can't think that there are many women who want to bulk up their lower half. That's not to say that I never do S&H for the lower body, I do sometimes, then follow it with an endurance focus later in the week, or the next week. I like to keep changing it up for legs & glutes.
The S&H for the upper body is simply excellent. I am an ecto, with long skinny arms, small if wide shoulders and cannot do a single push up straight legged. With this series I have managed in 4 weeks to build some nice muscle and definition and have shed the skinny look for a sleek muscled look, with real bicep, tricep and shoulder definition. My back and chest are way stronger than they were. After these 4 weeks I am lifting heavier for the upper body than I ever have in my life before. I am happy!
I have not done the Gym Style for upper body so cannot comment on those yet. Perhaps someone else can chime in here?
Clare
I think Gym Style legs is probably an excellent idea for most women, since we do tend to accumulate fat on hips, thighs and butt. I can't think that there are many women who want to bulk up their lower half. That's not to say that I never do S&H for the lower body, I do sometimes, then follow it with an endurance focus later in the week, or the next week. I like to keep changing it up for legs & glutes.
The S&H for the upper body is simply excellent. I am an ecto, with long skinny arms, small if wide shoulders and cannot do a single push up straight legged. With this series I have managed in 4 weeks to build some nice muscle and definition and have shed the skinny look for a sleek muscled look, with real bicep, tricep and shoulder definition. My back and chest are way stronger than they were. After these 4 weeks I am lifting heavier for the upper body than I ever have in my life before. I am happy!
I have not done the Gym Style for upper body so cannot comment on those yet. Perhaps someone else can chime in here?
Clare
thanks for all the replies, i will probably end up getting it, i just didn't want to buy it and it end up being the same wk/out, congrats on your muscle build up clare, being very thin my self i know how hard it is to build up! i am hoping to shed my skinny look too! keep me informed. thanks again for all the replies,it helped my decide on th gym style series!
cin
cin
The gym styles have exercises with slow counts, 2 up-2 down, 4-4, 3-1 and 1-3. S&H relies on the 6-2 method, which makes the moves much slower and the need to focus more urgent (at least for me, because I tend to daydream
).
The gym styles have more variety and, as has been said, are more fun. I was able to stick with them for 4 weeks. When my week off is over, I'm also going to start a rotation using the gym styles and S&H like Carole. I've had this rotation brewing in my head since I first tried the gym styles. I think both series complement each other well.
Pinky
).The gym styles have more variety and, as has been said, are more fun. I was able to stick with them for 4 weeks. When my week off is over, I'm also going to start a rotation using the gym styles and S&H like Carole. I've had this rotation brewing in my head since I first tried the gym styles. I think both series complement each other well.
Pinky
hi carole! hi pinky, thanks again, i think this will be a good rotation and i didn't even think about the dynabands, your right,that would be a good shock and keep "everything" going!..and since it seems more fun it will be a good boredom buster, i guess it's pretty much confirmed, they are different and worth getting both! thanks again
cin
cin
runninggal
Cathlete
I also plan on using GS and S&H in my next rotation. Of course you have been dreaming of that combo, Pinky! Gym Style is effective and has a fun-factor (party-colored bands), but S&H forced me to concentrate on proper form, therefore getting the most from the exercise. I'm a Slow and Heavy groupie. IMO, Slow and Heavy is an absolute must-have.
runninggal, it seems we're usually on the same wavelength. You must be a very smart woman.;-)
I'm actually very glad Cathe came out with the Gym Styles where many exercises are done slowly, but not TOO slow my mind starts to wander off. It also gives me great motivation to use S&H more often.
Pinky
I'm actually very glad Cathe came out with the Gym Styles where many exercises are done slowly, but not TOO slow my mind starts to wander off. It also gives me great motivation to use S&H more often.
Pinky