How did you prepare for STS?

[Mercurial]

Hi! I dont own STS, but I'd love to one of these days. (But for now, I am a poor college student, and $300 is too steep for me. Maybe for Christmas, eh? Or more likely, next year's Christmas... ) Besides, as you'll learn, I'll definitely need time to work up to such a commitment anyway.

Before I make such a huge investment in STS, can I ask some of you STS veterans a few questions?

I dont usually do weight training because for a long time I've been brainwashed by the idea that weight training is more of a man's workout, and that women will bulk if they lift weights, and gain weight. However, it is something I'd like to get into more. Regardless of whether this was your intention, did you find that you bulked up during STS, or did you gain lean muscle? I've seen a few people complaining that their legs bulked up more than they'd hoped using STS, so honestly I'm more than a little wary.
Is there a specific way to gain lean muscle instead of definition? I dont know if I want to purchase STS if I'll end up gaining a lot of muscle. I dont want to reshape my body --I want to tune it by improving my overall strength.

If I do end up purchasing STS, how would I go about preparing for it?
I'm asking this because I've seen the preview of those pushups on the very first disc! If this is any indicator, than I'm definitely in trouble! You see, I'm more of a cardio addict, and the only resistance training I do is isometrics, especially for my core. I do own a barbell (with weights up to about forty pounds), light free weights (up to just 20 pounds --I told you, I'm weak! ), a resistance band, and a stability ball. I use everything but the barbell regularly in light workouts.

I also own the Butts & Guts DVD and the 4 Day Split series, so I use equipment during those programs, but with serious modifications --and I dont do the equipment training all that frequently. I would assume doing the weighted portions of 4DS would be a good starting point... but do you guys have any other suggestions?

I'm more of lurker than a poster, but from what I can tell, all of you are lovely and I cant wait to hear from you! I hope that one day I can say that I too have accomplished a Cathe STS program.

 

[Loralie]

I just started STS and I am like you...I love the cardio and hardly ever do weights. I feel like such a weakling! I started STS because I lost a lot of weight (70 pounds!) a few years ago. I kept most of it off but did gain some back over the last few months. I also started STS because I felt that when I lost the weight, I still had problem areas...like my lower stomach and the back of my arms. I thought lifting weights would help...only time will tell. I have only done discs 1, 2 and 3 so far. Today I am going to do disc 4. I did not do the 1 rep max test...although now I wish I did. I can't lift a lot of weight. I lift what I can and if it seems too hard I put it down and switch to a lower weight. I am just doing the best I can with what I got. LOL.

I got the Push-pull tower and Mesocycle 1 for Christmas and just got around to doing the program now. I just purchased mesocycle 2 & 3 using the $40.00 coupon for March. Now I HAVE to finish it! LOL.

I hope I see good results even though I did not do the 1 rep max test.

Hope you get the STS DVDs for a gift and you can join us in our pain. Ha Ha Ha.

Loralie

 

[Mercurial]

Thanks, Loralie, and good luck! I look forward to seeing how you do these next few months, since we are similar in fitness (lots of cardio, not as many weights, want to lose some weight but not a whole bunch, etc)!

I wonder, do you guys think that STS is a good buy even if you have access to a gym?
I've seen a few people mention that STS is the best program they've ever done outside of a gym OR at home. Are you suggesting that a gym workout is better? I ask this because I am probably going to be spending the next seven to eight years in university (assuming I am accepted for all the programs I apply into), and so the on-campus gym is well-equipped, nearby, and low-cost (about $25 for all-access per semester).

I like the convenience of an in-home workout, and space is not really much of an issue for me. (I do have a small dorm, but it's a single dorm, and therefore I can work around space constraints.) I also like the fact that Cathe is there coaching you and pushing you. And you never have an excuse not to work out if she's right there in your room.

I did mention that I cannot afford STS right now (perhaps next March when the big-deal coupons come again), so I suppose in time I will see if the gym grows on me, and if I prefer it over the Cathe workouts I own. But I'd love to know what everyone thinks!

 

[JoanC]

The most important thing to do for STS is your 1rm. And if you have correct form for all of the exercises you are home free. STS would prepare you for STS. You lift the weight you are able to even if it is only 1lb. You keep going through the program until you can lift heavier and heavier. Because my legs could bulk up I used lighter weights (10lb) when doing squats and lunges etc. I lost inches in thighs and wasn't dieting.

If you can't afford it right now, I would still do the 1rm. Print off the wo card from the workout manager and take it to the gym. You can do everything at the gym. It's easier for me to work along with Cathe but you should get the same results at the gym.

Hope this helps.

Joan

 

[mrsprincess07]

Joan,

I am going to do what you do. I gain muscle evenly with both my lower and upper body. I don't mind it, but I really need some good definition in my legs and after two knee surgeries, I'm fearful to lift what I "know" I can until my knees and muscles have had many months to completely heal.

For the original poster- Lifting weights will produce results unlike anything you have ever known. Too much cardio burns more muscle and thus actually gives you a higher Body Fat%. You will find it not only improves the look of your body but also the strength and stamina for the cardio that you enjoy. If like the other poster mentioned you can only lift 1 lbs dumbbells for certain exercises, then that's what you pick! Do the 1RM test and if you're not sure you could safely lift that weight, go down one more increment. Example if the test says you can lift 15 lbs, but are worried about form or injury, drop to 12s.

I have gym membership with all the bells and whistles but I find that I stick to my workouts more when I do them at home. I still go to the gym to use the pool or to give my mind and body a break with DVDs, but I have over the past several years gotten better results at home. I chalk that up to being able to focus without the distraction that can happen (for me) at the gym. It also saves drive time for me too. I would say do what is ever best for you. STS is available for downloading as well. So if you prefer the gym and have access to one, download STS onto your IPod. That way you get the best of both worlds: Cathe at your finger tips, but the weight selection and motivation of the Gym. If you think you'll stick to the gym more so than in-home workouts do that. If you find that working out is more reliable for whatever reasons, do that.

 

[Mercurial]

Joan, thank you! I feel much better about the program and being prepared for it now; I knew there was a 1RM guide and how it worked, but you've really put it in perspective for me on how the two work together to create an ultimate workout experience.

Mrsprincess, you've really sealed the deal for me; I've long been aprehensive about the ominous workout known as weight-lifting --I'm afraid of bulking and I'm afraid of muscle turning to fat if I go off a program, but what's living in worry and aprehension doing for me, right? The benefits of lifting you've outlined sound really appealing to me, and I'm ready to give it a try.

Until I can afford STS (and am confident and know that my purchase will not end up on the shelves after one or two cycles), I will use the weight-lifting programs I already have and perform a 1RM to maximize my results. Thank you both so much!

I hope you both are enjoying your STS programs if you're on them at the moment, and I hope one of these days I can call myself an STS alumnus as well. I feel more informed about and comfortable with STS and general weight-lifting now. I'm so grateful you guys took the time to read through my text!

 

[mrsprincess07]

Good luck and enjoy!