In shape before beginning STS?

[sassymomma]

Hi. I was wondering if I need to be in relatively good shape before beginning STS. I have been off the exercise wagon for about 18 months (with baby #3) but was in decent shape before. I had been doing Cathe videos for 8 years. Since the workouts use personally determined weights will it still work for me? Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

 

[cats_meow_0911]

I don't see why you couldn't do it as long as you do the 1 RM beforehand. You are familar with weight lifting and with Cathe, so I would think it would be a great way for you to get back into shape.

It will be a challenge, though, no matter what shape we're in now!

 

[cheval]

I'm coming off an injury and am definitely not in shape as I was before the injury. I'm doing my 1RM and just going to plunge right in. I think it'll be great as long as I use MY 1RM and not Cathe's.

April

 

[peytonsmommy]

If that's the case i'm totally screwed. I think like pp said, as long as you work w/ your 1RM and it's challenging for you, then you will see some results. We may not look like Cathe at the end of the 3mos but we should see some change!

 

[Rocket]

I'm in the same boat, not because of a new baby but because of old habits. (Funny how I think I've got them licked and they come right back. OK, not funny at all.) It's VERY tempting to wait until I've lost some pounds and regained muscle to start STS, but I think that's mostly because I'll have to confront my dismal stats. But I know I'll get fitter faster if I jump right in, and waiting until I'm strong won't make STS any easier. After all, since we'll all be working at a percent of our maximum, the super performers will have it just as tough as the weaklings.

 

[princessbear]

I'm not in nearly as good shape as I was this time last year, or even 5 months ago - shoulder surgery in October slowed down my workouts and even now I'm maybe lifting 25-50% of the weights I was before shoulder problems. NOW, I may have pneumonia and am waiting for results of chest xray - so needless to say I'm not going to be anywhere near as strong at the start and am even waiting until a week before my planned start date to do my 1RM (although that date has not been set yet - I want to get at least 3 GOOD, SOLID weeks of working out under my belt and that just isn't happening right now....

 

[Stebby]

Hi, I see STS as a way to GET INTO shape. I'm not going to try to get into prime form beforehand. If we use our 1RMs as indicated we should all see some fairly dramatic improvements in the three months. (That's what I'm hoping for anyway!)

Stebby

 

[CLD]

Rocket - old habits die hard! I'm the same way, but I'm also just looking at STS as a way to get back into shape. And anyway, if we're not where we want to be at the end of the 3 or 6 month rotation (I'm personally leaning towards the 6), we can just do it again!!