Pyramids or Slow & Heavy

CollinsMom

CollinsMom

Cathlete
I am relatively new to strength training, I would consider myself intermediate. I did about 6 weeks with the Gym Styles series, and saw amazing results. Then I starting using the 4 Day Split with heavier weights, and I am again seeing amazing results.

I am wondering what other series would be good to add to my collection? I guess my goal is to continue to make strength gains, but I want a method that is different from GS and 4DS. Don't get me wrong, I love them both, but I want something different but equally challenging and fun!

How would you vote, the Pyramids or Slow and Heavy???
 
Hi Katie,

I'd vote for the S&H series! I got good results from the Pyramids, but much better results from S&H -- but, to be honest, that's also probably because I find them more fun and so I'm more motivated to do them!

I'm also really lazy about changing weights so much on my barbell, so all the constant weight changing with the Pyramids is a drag for me.

I'm sure others will chime in!

:)

Leanne
 
Hi Katie,

I vote for the Pyramids. I have both series but S&H is just too slow for me. I also don't like the 3-day split. I like the pyramids because I can do upper body in one day. Actually I did the whole series in one day and it was great. I have seen great results with the Pyramid series but I can't comment on results for S&H because I haven't done them consistently enough to tell the difference. I do agree with Leanne that it's a drag to have to change weights on the barbell, although this is only for the lower body portion. The upper body uses all dumbbells.

HTH!!
 
I agree that both workouts are great additions to your program. They are very different. I always have awesome strength gains with S&H, but every time I do either Pyramid, I have major DOMS the next day! Probably because I don't do it as often!
 
Hey Katie! I used to do Pyramids all the time and I loved them. I've only done the S&H a few times (never in a rotation) but I really want to. Sorry this isn't much help - love them both!
 
I like them both (well, love Pyramids), but they're very different. One is designed for total strength gains (S&H) and the other is strength and endurance (Pyramids). Both are incredibly effective. The bonus is, combined, you can shock your body more and see even greater gains. I vote to get them both!
 
I vote for S&H. You still get some pyramiding in the 4-day split and S&H is the only real true muscle building split Cathe has. I made great strength gains with S&H and true heavy lifting is what's worked best for me. I don't find S&H too slow; in fact, I like the extra rests between sets. When you're truly lifting heavy, you really need them. For me, I feel I waste too much time changing weights with the pyramids (I'm not as lucky as Cathe to have all the right weights at my disposal so I'm always changing plates).

Marcy
 
I own all of Cathe's weight workouts and without a doubt, I have had the most transforming, incredible results using Slow & Heavy. It's too bad that some people who own it, haven't given it a chance to work its "Magic!" It's the best.

Sarah
 
>I own all of Cathe's weight workouts and without a doubt, I
>have had the most transforming, incredible results using Slow
>& Heavy. It's too bad that some people who own it, haven't
>given it a chance to work its "Magic!" It's the best.
>
>Sarah

I'm giving the S&H a second chance now. I purchased them back in early Oct, did all three and never felt anything the next day. I was a little disappointed since i get a little sore doing the gym styles. So now I'm currently on my 3rd week of the June 07 rotation which incorporates the S&H one week and the Pyramids the next. So far I'm mixed on both workouts but I'm going to stick with it until the end and see. I did PUB yesterday and while I feel the muscles working while I'm doing the workout I don't feel much today other than in my chest area and it's not because of the lack of weight i'm using. I do, however, always feel it when I do PLB. I did that one on Monday and still feel it tonight.

So we'll see what happens. Just my .02 worth.

Annette
 
I usually don't get major DOMS with S&H, but I still definitely get results! I'm in the second week of a three-week cycle with them, and I can feel my muscles getting harder beneath the skin -- and they're starting to stick out a little more! ;-)

Sarah, do you mind if I ask how long of a rotation you do to see the magic of S&H? I've only been using them for three weeks at a time since Cathe suggested doing so in her intro to the series. I know she suggests three weeks since she says that they require a lot of concentration, but how long do you usually use them for before switching to a new rotation?

Thanks!
Leanne
 
Hi,

I have both, but I vote for S&H because it gets great results and is different from what you already have. The pyramids still have an endurance component, S&H doesn't.

Tracy
 
Leanne, the magic happened for me this summer. I did a three week rotation of S&H, followed by 2 weeks of Gym Styles, then another 3 weeks of S&H. I found that doing the GS for a couple of weeks, kept my strength gains and gave me a refreshing break from the focus of S&H. It worked like a charm! I have never had better results. I'm doing the same combination right now, after just coming off 6 weeks of a rotation of circuits and full-body weight workouts.
BTW~ I don't rate the effectiveness of a weight workout, based on DOMS; I never get DOMS.

I'm wishing you magic results. Keep me posted.

Sarah
;-)
 
Hi Katie,

All I can add is YES!!! to S&H. This is a great workout if you really push the weight up there. I have been alternating between S&H, GS and the Pyramids. Each works your muscles differently. A typical cycle for me would be:

Mon: GS Legs,Shoulders
Tues: Cardio
Wes: GS BI&Tri,Chest & Back
Thurs: Cardio
Fri: S&H Legs
Sat: Cardio
Sun: off
Mon: S&H Bi&Tri
Tues: Cardio
Weds: PLB
Thurs: Cardio
Fri: SH Chest,Shoulders and Back
Sat: Cardio
Sunday Off
Mon: PUB
Tues: Cardio
Wed: GS Legs, Shoulders
Thurs: Cardio
Fri: GS Bi&Tri, Chest-Back
Sat: Cardio
Sun: Off
Mon: S&H Legs
Tues: Cardio
Wed: S&H Bi&Tri
Thurs: Cardio
Fri: PLB
Sat: Cardio
Sun: Off

All of the DVD's are great and I have gone from using 2X5#'s at the lowest weight for PUB to 2X10#'s. Highest would now be 2X15#. I like to use DB's instead of the BB because I feel I am working each arm to it's fullest potential. If I use the BB I feel like one arm is doing all the work.

Good luck picking just one, but I know you will like them what ever order you put them in.
 
>Leanne, the magic happened for me this summer. I did a three
>week rotation of S&H, followed by 2 weeks of Gym Styles, then
>another 3 weeks of S&H. I found that doing the GS for a couple
>of weeks, kept my strength gains and gave me a refreshing
>break from the focus of S&H. It worked like a charm! I have
>never had better results. I'm doing the same combination
>right now, after just coming off 6 weeks of a rotation of
>circuits and full-body weight workouts.
>BTW~ I don't rate the effectiveness of a weight workout, based
>on DOMS; I never get DOMS.
>
>I'm wishing you magic results. Keep me posted.
>
>Sarah
>;-)

Thanks, Sarah, for the response! I'm actually doing a three-week cycle of S&H right now, and then (interestingly enough), I was going to switch to three weeks of GS, before going back to S&H. I am so glad to hear that that is exactly what worked so well for you! Thanks!!:)

Leanne
 
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