Help, I'm New

S

Snotlocker47

New Member
Hi everyone. I'm wanting to buy one of the STS series, probably series 2 or 3, as I am looking to increase strength and size mostly in my upper body.

Do I need to purchase the whole 40 DVD set? Is it a progressive thing, start with 1, then 2 then 3?

And, I have some equipment at home but some of you mentioned in your results you were pressing up to 50 pounds. Do all of you have such heavy weights in your homes or are you doing some of this at the gym?

I belong to a gym, and I just started seeing a trainer. But I prefer doing "The Grunting" at home for now while I gain confidence and a little strength. Right now I'm using 8-15 pound free weights at home. (Hey! I started with Campbell's Chunky soup cans, so it's progress!) :p

I am nervous to commit to buying the series only to get it and realize I need an actual full gym in my home.

Help for the newbie!!

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Thank you!))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
 
Hi and welcome. I'd say get the whole set as I think it is a progressive process. I've been working out for years at home and had a lot of equipment but had to buy more for this series. Mostly wrist/hook weights (got a 2# and a 4# set at Target). And a gliding disc. BUT I've had great results and love STS!!!
You need dumbbells, a bar and tubing if you don't want to get a chin up bar thingy. I use tubing if I don't feel like setting up my Fluidity Barre (which works great for chin ups). I have the dumbbells with screw on collars and several weight plates in 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 pound increments. Bands, a high step, a step bench with several risers.
 
You can do everything with a set of dumbbells. Cathe even says this in the videos. You do not need barbells. Mine go up to 25 lbs. and that has been plenty for me so far, and I've been doing Cathe for years. I also have an exercise band, a ball, a step, a chinup bar, and that's mostly all I use. (Granted, I've only done week one of STS.) I'd recommend getting the entire set of STS videos. You'll be able to mix and match the videos into an almost endless variety of rotations.

Cheryl
 
I also definitely recommend getting the whole series. It is a progressive program, and I personally couldn't imagine starting it with Meso 2 or 3. Personally, these are the weights I use for STS (although everone's weights will be different according to your personal one rep max, explained in the stickies on the top of this forum page): 5,6,7,8,10,12,15,20 and I also have 2 adjustable weight dumbells that I use to get over 20 lbs. I also have a barbell with various weights, a squat stand, 1 lb.weighted gloves, and 2 sets of wrist weights which I use to up my weight 5% each week. And like was already mentioned, you'll also need a step bench, a high step, an exercise ball, and bands. May seem like a lot, but I've been working out with Cathe for years at home, so instead of investing in a gym membership, I invest in home fitness equipment. Hopefully this doesn't seem too overwhelming to ya!:D All I know is, I LOVE working out with Cathe at home, and in STS she totally outdid herself!! It's great!

Welcome to the forums!!:p

Dani
 
I also recommend getting the entire set. You won't regret it! It's the best exercise investment I've ever made.

Before I started STS my highest dumbbell weight was 15#. After starting STS I bought 20 and 25# dumbbells and also got a barbell, but as previously posted, you could just use dumbbells throughout. I also got some wrist weights and Cathe's weighted gloves, and together they add a couple extra pounds when needed. (I already had a band, tubing, ball and steps)

For the legs discs you also need paper plates for some great killer exercises! Some people use gliding discs, frisbees, etc. I exercise on carpet, and I got a couple cheap Corelle lunch plates and they glide beautifully.

I also recommend that you do your 1 rep max tests prior to starting, so you'll push yourself to your max, but within your own limits of what you can safely lift. At first I wasn't going to do the 1RM, but was so glad I did. You can print out a workout card for each workout and know exactly what weights you'll need to use for each exercise.

I recently finished the 5 month STS rotation and I'm going to start it again when STS Cardio comes out. STS rocks!

Good luck!
 
Thanks!

Cool, thank you so much everyone for your replies. Believe it or not, I only JUST discovered Cathe while reading reviews of other videos I have tried. I feel like I have been on another planet and now here I am at planet Cathe!

I will take your advice and buy the whole series. Why am I so nervous!?:confused:

I'm sure I'll end up investing in some equipment. Including a chin up bar (although my mind's eye can't even imagine how those work and where they are set up in the home.)

The idea of gaining weight and muscle is extremely exciting to me. I'm into my third solid year of recovery from an eating disorder, which I had for over 18 years! It's a miracle to be at the point where I want to get stronger and stronger. Buff even!!!

Ultimate dream/goal is to get certified as a personal trainer and share what I've learned through the healing powers of movement, and the journey of finding inner and outer strength.

Thank you Hot Mamas!! I look forward to reading more of your posts and joining in the STS family!

xo,
The Snot
 
Hey Snot,

Now that you're on planet Cathe, you won't ever want to leave!

I was also nervous prior to doing STS, even though I'd done Cathe's weight videos previously. I guess it's just a fear of the unknown... but STS is just so motivating. I never used to do rotations until STS. I used to just do what I felt like at the time. With STS, I looked forward to each workout (sometimes with a little dread!;)) and liked that I didn't have to figure out what exercises to do that day!

As far as the chin up bar goes, I have the Iron Gym. I got it at Bed Bath and Beyond for around $30. It sits in a doorway on the molding and is removable. It's hard to imagine, but it does feel secure! You have to have the right width door and molding for it to work, but there's nothing to permanently install. I'm still struggling with doing chin ups and pull ups, though, so I also supplemented those exercises with tubing that attaches to a door, and also by using a lat pull-down bar on a weight machine.

Good luck with all your fitness goals and congratulations on how far you've come! You've come to the right place for great support and advice, and you just can't go wrong with working out with Cathe!

Take care,
 
If you only get one of the Meso's I would get #2. Meso #1 moves so quick that it's hard to do in a gym. Meso 2 or 3 could be done in a gym if you can get a bench and keep it for 40 min.

I have a small foldable bench that inclines, the valor bd-8 squat stand that I also use for chin ups/pull ups, the troy short barbell, and a set of dumbells from 5-30#.
 
You guys are awesome.

Guess what I did today girls! I gained 570 pounds! ahhaahhaah

I bought a used olympic barbell set with plates, bench, squat bench, and a whole set of dumbbells that go up to 35 pounds each.

Calluses, here we come.

Thank you so much for being here. I will definitely need some guidance from you guys as I start this process. But right now, I am kind of proud I carried 570 pounds up the stairs to my apartment. I think my car was relieved to let go of the load.:rolleyes:

It makes me extremely proud to be a part of a group of WOMEN who find their own strength!

Snot
 
Oh you're such a Snot!:p;):p
(I love that, by the way:D)

Congrats on your purchase, and believe me when I say your purchases have just begun! There are so many cool ideas on these forums, and most of them are very hard to resist! You will never regret it though, imo. Enjoy your fitness journey, and grab a towel cuz you're gonna sweat!!!

Dani
 
Mine??? :eek::rolleyes::D:p:eek::cool:

Hate to say it but I think I earned it over the years!

I'm delightfully sore today. My BF thinks I've lost my marbles.

Has anyone seen them?

Have a beautiful day!
:D
 
Get the Cathe weight lifting gloves and you won't have any callouses. I did not get the STS strength series (yet) but I did pre-order the cardio which is supposed to come out late this year.

As for dealing with an eating disorder, I have found IOWL to be really helpful. I don't know if you already do Inside Out Weight Loss, its a free podcast on iTunes. I talk about it all the time because it helps you become "naturally slender' and calm around food. I hope I'm not talking out of turn here,because I your post wasn't about that really.

Alisha
 
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