How do you modify Circuit Max?

[daisyheather]

I did CM today for the first time in several weeks. I have been doing a lot of short cardios like CTX, just because of the rush of the season. So today I did Circuit Max thinking I could get both weights and cardio in. But you know I don't even feel like I focused on the weights very well. Half the time I would be thinking about the upper body motion and practically forget about how well (or not so well) I was doing on the lower body motion. Then I would think about my lunge or squat and I would realize I was totally messing up the upperbody. I'm not an un-coordinated person, at least I don't think so. Does this happen to anyone else and how do you handle it? Maybe it's the fast pace of the movements? What do you all think? Heather

 

[EricaH]

Hi Heather,
I don't do the compound movements in Circuit Max - I use a heavy barbell and just concentrate on lower body. Like you, I didn't feel like I was getting a good upper or lower body workout when I was doing both.
Erica

 

[wendyloo]

I also dislike compound moves for the same reason: you just don't work one area enough, nor can you concentrate or use heavy enough weights. I suppose it has it's benefits, but I do either upper or lower.
Wendy

 

[kweller]

Heather,
There are a lot of threads on this subject - alternate modifications for the compound movements in CM. Try a search.
Quick answer: Sometimes you can concentrate on upper only w/ weight, sometimes lower only w/ weight. Sometimes you can do the compound moves with very very light weight to keep it 'aerobic weight training' a la the Firm. Or, you can skip through the weight portions altogether (even though they aren't chaptered if you have DVD, you can flip through pretty quick).
Have fun!
Kathy

 

[kathryn]

I don't modify the routine myself, but I can imagine doing some of the moves while concentrating on upper or lower at one time. For example, the squats and overhead presses: you can do one rep with a squat, then do one rep as an overhead press, and keep alternating. This may not work for all the cycles (I'm wondering about the "three pulse lunges" sections).

 

[dansinnfoo]

I just did this one today!
I don't modify really, although, I do admit, I get confused(i don't know if that is the right word!) at the point where you do side raises and front lunges, for some reason, I can't get the lunges down right, so it doesn't feel like I am working my legs at all. That is the only one where I have trouble..
I think the rest of them with the squat moves are better, but that part with the side raises...whoah!
I love Circuit Max!
jaime

 

[daisyheather]

Thanks to everyone for their responses. These are the ideas I came up with from you and added my own...

1. Just do the lower OR upper body movement with a light/medium weight, following Cathe's count.

2. Just do the lower OR upper body movement with a medium weight doing a slower count than Cathe.(down 2 up 2)

3. Alternate between the lower and the upper body movements every other rep. So it would go squat then overhead press, but not together. This also might work with a heavier weight. This one seems pretty of interesting to me.

I will keep you updated on what I try next time I do this workout. It's like having three new workouts to try. Thanks again, Heather

 

[jillybean]

For me, (and this is just me), I have a hard time getting a maximum leg or glute contraction while doing upperbody movement. When I do CM, I use a 35 lb. barbell and only do leg work. Squats, Plies, Static Lunges, Low End Squats, and Low End Static Lunges. This is what I do during the circuit segments. I just do them at a moderate pace until Cathe and the gang put their weights down. It's kind of like doing the circuit segment of Body Max or CTX Power Circuit. I really like doing it this way. I might rotate this tape with Cardio and Weights once the new tapes arrive. Have fun!

 

[Aquajock]

I'm with the Legs-Only Circuit Max crowd; I tried to do it strictly as produced and got precisely nowhere (in large part because of my own klutzery), but when I switched to a 45-lb barbell and did the same kinds of leg work Jillybean described it was awesome! In fact I'll be doing that tonight, along with CTX-KB abs and a 1/2-hour upper body set. Love that combo!

annette q. aquajock

 

[Lizzie]

Here's to a great Monday night of Circuit Max w/only lower body work! It's on my agenda too. ;-)