Question for Kathryn About Functional Fitness

[Soosan]

Kathryn, I've been contemplating buying the new TLT DVD's but am hesitant because I own TLP Core Foundations and never seem to want to fit it into my rotations (I've only done it once). Because I'm a hard gainer, I also sacrifice Pilates workouts in favor of weight training because I just don't have the time to fit it all in without sacrificing even the minimum amount of cardio I seem to require (although my core strength definitely improves when I do Pilates regularly). I've read many of your posts where you tout the benefits of functional fitness, saying that you often use this type of workout during recovery weeks. Do you do FF workouts during your nonrecovery weeks as well? If so, in what capacity? If not, do you find that you progress even though you're only doing these workouts for one week out of 4-6 (or whatever the number of weeks is)?

TIA! If anyone else has some advice, I'd be grateful!

 

[kathryn]

Hi, Soooosan (sorry if there aren't enough "o's" there.

I've primarily been using FF workouts after doing more traditional, Cathe-type weight training for several weeks (3-4), though I actually include some FF principals in other workouts as well by sitting on a stabiilty ball for doing seated weight work, for example, and incorporating a medicine ball in some of my cardio wrokouts (moving it in a figure 8 pattern, for example, when doing a side-to-side hop). I've definitely gotten better core strength, and I've kept it.

I ordered the TLT's, and I'm going to try something different for a couple of weeks: using TLT's alternating with cardio. I'm a hardgainer as well, especially in upper body, so I'm concerned about that and don't want to lose any of the definition I've developed, but if I see that happening, I'll start a few weeks of P90X upper body to catch up!

I've also thought of doing a split like the Pyramids on days 1 and 3, and a FF workout on day 5, getting both types of workouts in on e week.

I'm not sure if I've answered your questions, or if I'm just babbling, LOL!

 

[Soosan]

Thanks, Kathryn! (I'll forgive the amount of o's this time;-).)

When sitting on a stability ball during weight work, do you use the same amt. of weight as you would when sitting on a stable surface? Do you do this every time you do seated weight work?

I like your idea of doing a two-day split and a FF workout in the same week, but I'd personally be hesitant to try alternating the TLT's and cardio. I'd love to know how it works for you.

 

[kathryn]

>When sitting on a stability ball during weight work, do you
>use the same amt. of weight as you would when sitting on a
>stable surface? Do you do this every time you do seated
>weight work?

It depends on the workout. I usually use a bit lighter weight (like 12# instead of 15) for overhead presses, but for biceps, it's about the same. If I feel it's "too easy," I either move my feet closer together (for more of a balance challenge) or lift one leg (if they are already as close as they can get), which can be very challenging.


>I like your idea of doing a two-day split and a FF workout in
>the same week, but I'd personally be hesitant to try
>alternating the TLT's and cardio. I'd love to know how it
>works for you.
>
I'll let you know how it works! (If that's what I end up doing...we still won't get the workouts until the end of December, and I could easily change my plans by then!)