Taking it to the "next level"

[Timber99]

I consider myself to be in fairly good shape. I have some definition but still have a problem area or two. It's a work in progress, right!? I also consider myself to know a good bit about diet and exercise.

This weekend at the road trip, I spoke to a lot of ladies (Cathe and Crew included) that were very buff! It seemed to me that most of the more muscular gals supplemented weight work w/work outs at the gym. Or am I wrong on this?

To take it to that "next level" and gain more definition, is it absolutely necessary to work out and/or supplement in the gym? And to do that, should I get a trainer to assist?

I came home very inspired to request a PT for my birthday gift (ugh, 31 is around the corner). I consulted one PT and told her my exercises and weight amounts (up to 20# on dumbbells and 40# on barbell) and she said that I need to go MUCH heavier to see greater muscle definition. Yet, she had never "seen" me or examined Cathe's workouts.

Then I wondered if that is necessary or can I create my own gym supplemental workout? Can I consult an on-line trainer to help me create a supplemental workout (since I already knwo how to work the machiens, etc.)? Am I on the right track???

Thoughts? All help is much appreciated!

Christine

 

[Maximus]

RE: Taking it to the

Hi Christine! I for one love the gym for my weight training. The thing is you have so many more options there. There is equipment at the gym that would be virtually impossible to have at home (unless you're very wealthy & live in a mansion). For example, all of my leg workout is done on machines (smith machine, leg press, extensions, ham curls, calves). Much of my tricep & chest work is done with machines. Even some of my ab routine involves machines. And sometimes I'll train with someone else so I have that extra incentive to work a little harder.

On the other hand, I have seen women on this board who are in better shape than I am from home workouts. So I don't know, I think it depends on the person, what they can afford & what's available to them both at home and at the gym.

Guess that wasn't very helpful, huh?

 

[Timber99]

RE: Taking it to the

Hey Laura,

It's the same back and forth that I go through!!! I don't have very heavy weights at home and don't have any room for more equipment (until I buy a house and then I will have a home gym ).

I really need something to give me an extra push to that next level!

Christine

 

[Maximus]

RE: Taking it to the

Maybe you could do a trial membership at a local place, just to see how you like it? Some clubs have a monthly fee rather than forcing you to sign on for a year. In fact, I'd bet if you went in & said "I'm not buying a one year membership unless you let me try it for 3 months first" they'll let you.

 

[Timber99]

RE: Taking it to the

Whoops! I didn't mention that I belong to Bally's & do have access to a gym. Sorry, still horribly sick and not thinking clearly. But their personal trainers at Bally's are MUY EXPENSIVO!

It's just what to do & how much weight to do it with that has me stumped ;(

 

[Maximus]

RE: Taking it to the

I can PM you my routine if you want, including weight I use & what I'd recommend you start with. Just let me know how long you've been working out--I know you're tall & I'm guessing you're pretty strong, so I could probably give you a hand.

 

[Cbelle]

RE: Taking it to the

Maximus, I would be really interested in your workout routine! If you could please pm me or email me ([email protected]) I'd really appreciate it! I'm currently on a Cathe fat loss rotation but once I lose the fat I'm thinking I'll probably want to beef up the weights a bit. TIA! BTW, you look amazing! I hope to look half as good as you soon!

 

[Timber99]

RE: Taking it to the

Hey thanks Laura! You look absolutely fantastic so I will take your input and run with it!

I have been exercising since about 1995. I lost 80 pounds in 1996. Then I incorporated the Firm into my routine in about 1998 and Cathe in 1999. That made changes in my body and I lost more inches and from there, I just steadily increased my weights. I do have a bad right knee that I need to baby a bit. I hurt it about 2 - 3 years ago but it is pretty well rehabbed.

For Cathe's workouts, I use dumbbells from 5 to 20 pounds and a barbell up to 40 pounds. I am betting that I can do more than that at the gym.

Please mail me at [email protected] when you have a chance. And THANK YOU!

Christine

 

[RWattier]

RE: Taking it to the

Maximus - you should post your routine for all of us PLEASSSSSSE!

 

[Maximus]

RE: Taking it to the

Well WTH, OK, here goes:

First off, I do cardio 5-6 times a week. This usually consists of 2-3 Cathe workouts before work (a mix of aerobic & anaerobic, I never do one twice in a row), and then a mix of other stuff, be it running or equipment at the gym. The cardio is always the wild card for me & I like to switch it up a bit.

Saturdays & Sundays I do a home pilates & yoga workout.

I lift 3 times a week. I can't tell you which day b/c work usually dictates that. But here's my split:

Chest & Triceps

Start with bench press warmup--2 sets w/45 lb bar
3 sets 10 bench press @ 70-75 lbs
3 sets 10 incline press w/35 lb dumbbells
3 sets cable crosses @ 45 lbs
3 sets pec deck @ 50 lbs

I usually start warming up my triceps w/2 sets rope pulldowns @ 35 lbs on the cables during the pec deck exercise. Then....

3 sets 10 cable pushdowns w/ triangle bar @ 80 lbs
3 sets 10 extensions @ 50 lbs on tricep machine (I don't think I can explain this machine very well, sorry)
3 sets 10 kickbacks w/25 lb dumbbells
3 sets 10 one arm cable pulldowns @ 20-30 lbs (depending on the machine)

Biceps & Back
Warmup--2 sets 10 bicep curls w/45 lb bar
3 sets 10 bicep curls @ 50-55 lbs
3 sets of 21s on cables @ 60 lbs
3 sets 10 preacher curls w/ EZ bar @ 55 lbs
3 sets 10 concentration curls @ 20-25 lbs dumbbells

3 sets 10 pullups
3 sets 10 wide grip lat pulldowns @ 90 lbs
3 sets 10 close grip lat pulldowns @ 80 lbs
3 sets 10 rows @ 90 lbs
3 sets 15 back extension machine (my favorite!) @ 75 lbs

Legs & Shoulders--the killer!
Warmup--2 sets 10 squats on smith machine @45 lbs (this includes the 25 lb bar)
3 sets 10 smith machine squats @ 155
3 sets 10 smith machine lunges @ 135
3 sets 10 leg press @ 250-270 lbs
3 sets 10 leg extensions @ 90-95 lbs
3 sets 10 standing leg curls @ 30-35 lbs
(Oh & I superset calves w/the leg extensions--3 sets 15 @ about 70-80 lbs)

Shoulders--lat warmup--2 sets shrugs w/45 lb barbell
Lats--superset barbell shrugs (3 sets 10 @ 140 lbs) & upright cable rows (3 sets 10 @ 80 lbs)
delt warmup--1 set military press w/20 lb dumbbells
3 sets 10 military press w/ 25 lb dumbbells
superset flies & incline flies--3 sets 10 each @ 20 lbs
3 sets 10 front raises @ 25 lbs

Whew! I think that's everything. I do one weighted ab workout a week, usually superset it @ the beginning of my bicep workout, plus the pilates on Sundays. Darn, I actually had to break out the calculator for this.

Anyway, PM me if something doesn't make sense.

 

[SRP]

RE: Taking it to the

I have a big question! I've been posting lately about making a change in my own weight lifting. I have a weight bench at home - an old one - nothing fancy like they have at the gym. I've been using it for years but now have decided to switch to Cathe's routines in an effort to improve my legs. Am I going the wrong direction? What sort of results do you all see using routines like Leaner Legs, PLB and Legs and Glutes? Those are the tapes I just bought, but they haven't arrived yet. Thanks for any advice!