millalyte86
Cathlete
I'm trying to build muscle and become more chiseled. Right now the only pure strength training video I own is Muscle Endurance. Which of these 2 does everyone suggest... the slow and heavy series or gym style series? Thanks!
Slow and heavy or Gym Style?
- Thread starter millalyte86
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LaughingWater
Cathlete
I hate to say this, but BOTH. 
If I had to pick one, I'd go with Slow & Heavy. But seriously...both.
If I had to pick one, I'd go with Slow & Heavy. But seriously...both.
CollinsMom
Cathlete
I think that S&H will help you build muscle, and GS will help with definition. So both! But if I had to pick one, I would get Gym Styles. You could do as is, then occassionally go heavier, and pause the dvd for longer rests to get a "S&H" effect.
editted to add -- the form pointers in S&H are worth the $50 for the set alone, so you should eventually get this set as well.
editted to add -- the form pointers in S&H are worth the $50 for the set alone, so you should eventually get this set as well.
MAYNARDSMOM
Cathlete
Gym Style vote here too. Love those!!
millalyte86
Cathlete
hmmm... I think I'm gonna go with Gym Styles for now. Anne mentioned they have more premixes which is a good plus for me cuz I like to change up the workouts. Thanks for all the input guys!!
DirtDiva
Cathlete
I get more of a burn with Slow & Heavy. I have both sets, but I lean more towards S&H if I were only allowed one. This is only my opinion and that's where it gets to be a personal choice. If I could afford both sets, I would get them though. When I am splitting body workouts, I do both Slow & Heavy and the specific Gym Styles dvd in one session. Its a killer three-day split for building muscle. Even though some experts warn against going over 1 hour lifting weights, its worked for me.
aadams
Cathlete
How would you do this, S&H Tri/Bi's then GS Bi/Tri's? Just curious, seems the muscles would be pretty fatigued from the S&H.
Annette
crazystepr
Cathlete
Ok, my response is totally based on MY OWN experience. Here goes:
I purchased S&H first and I think it was really beneficial for the reasons that Katie (Collinsmom) stated. Cathe gives such amazing form pointers in S&H--everyone should start their weight lifting journey with this series! Her advice and instruction is phenomenal and I learned SO much about proper lifting form. I swear, once I learned about scapular retraction from this series my weight lifting did a total 180--for the better. I am now so much more educated about weight lifting in regards to form and technique. The 1 minute rests between sets also allows you to go super heavy--Gym Styles moves a bit faster.
That being said, I prefer Gym Styles to S&H any day. I do the GS series much more often and just find it to be more fun and more effective (for me). I can only handle about 1-2 weeks of S&H before I have to move on, but I never get tired or bored from GS. (Plus, GS Legs is probably Cathe's BEST lower body workout, in my opinion).
They're both excellent series and I agree with the other posters that you DEFINTELY need both. But if your main question is which one should you get first--than I would go with S&H just to hear Cathe's lifting pointers and instruction. It's an incredibly beneficial series. (Oh, and I LOVE the core work/planks in S&H Chest/Back and the ab work in S&H Bi's/Tri's. The Gyms Styles have no ab work--just an FYI.)
I purchased S&H first and I think it was really beneficial for the reasons that Katie (Collinsmom) stated. Cathe gives such amazing form pointers in S&H--everyone should start their weight lifting journey with this series!
Her advice and instruction is phenomenal and I learned SO much about proper lifting form. I swear, once I learned about scapular retraction from this series my weight lifting did a total 180--for the better. I am now so much more educated about weight lifting in regards to form and technique. The 1 minute rests between sets also allows you to go super heavy--Gym Styles moves a bit faster.That being said, I prefer Gym Styles to S&H any day. I do the GS series much more often and just find it to be more fun and more effective (for me). I can only handle about 1-2 weeks of S&H before I have to move on, but I never get tired or bored from GS. (Plus, GS Legs is probably Cathe's BEST lower body workout, in my opinion).
They're both excellent series and I agree with the other posters that you DEFINTELY need both. But if your main question is which one should you get first--than I would go with S&H just to hear Cathe's lifting pointers and instruction. It's an incredibly beneficial series. (Oh, and I LOVE the core work/planks in S&H Chest/Back and the ab work in S&H Bi's/Tri's. The Gyms Styles have no ab work--just an FYI.)
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maddiesmum
Cathlete
Note:
if you ordered STS, you don't need to buy either series since mesocycle 2 is GS and mesocycle 3 is S&H in their approach and timings.
Clare
if you ordered STS, you don't need to buy either series since mesocycle 2 is GS and mesocycle 3 is S&H in their approach and timings.
Clare
meowracer
Cathlete
Personally, I have STS on the way but would not do without either the S&H series, or the Gym Styles series. I can pop a DVD in and do a workout. STS is a little different, as I understand it. You won't be doing STS continuously, yearlong and will probably appreciate having the variety of both of these series in the interim. I love S&H legs. Just haven't done the other parts for a while. I just remember that the chest work seems to go on and on. I love PUB but it is time to branch out again before I get in a rut. I love Gym Styles b/c it is so thorough. You don't finish it and wonder if you got a good workout!
crazystepr
Cathlete
I disagree--especially since STS isn't going to be out for at least another 3 months. To me, saying you don't need GS and/or S&H if you ordered STS is like saying you don't need Rythmic Step if you already have Step Blast or like saying you don't need PUB if you already have CTX upper body. Variety is the spice of life! I love all of Cathe's workouts for different reasons. Some I love more than others and some hit certain body parts better/different than others. I couldn't live without these two series and I'm sure that even once STS arrives at my doorstep I'll continue to use these workouts down the road.
The comparison that Clare made is a good one, though and a valid point. I just think these series are great and worth having (even when STS does finally arrive).
DirtDiva
Cathlete
I really get a thorough workout doing it this way. For example, today I did Gym Styles Chest & Triceps, did the warm-up but skipped the stretch. After that I popped in Slow & Heavy and did JUST the Chest and Triceps section. I love the extended reps and moderate speed in Gym Styles versus 8 sloooow reps in Slow & Heavy. By the time I'm done, its about 1 hour 30 minutes, and I've hit every single muscle fiber in my chest and triceps. Love it!
CollinsMom
Cathlete
I disagree--especially since STS isn't going to be out for at least another 3 months. To me, saying you don't need GS and/or S&H if you ordered STS is like saying you don't need Rythmic Step if you already have Step Blast or like saying you don't need PUB if you already have CTX upper body. Variety is the spice of life! I love all of Cathe's workouts for different reasons. Some I love more than others and some hit certain body parts better/different than others. I couldn't live without these two series and I'm sure that even once STS arrives at my doorstep I'll continue to use these workouts down the road.
The comparison that Clare made is a good one, though and a valid point. I just think these series are great and worth having (even when STS does finally arrive).
I agree with Allison!
CollinsMom
Cathlete
