Tips for new workouts...post 'em here!

[Utah Gal]

>>Another tip - for B&G
>>
>>In B&G, be VERY careful about that option of putting your
>toes
>>up on a small barbell for the low-end forward lunges.
>
>I assume you mean dumbell, which is what Cathe shows (if you
>ARE using a barbell, I can see how it could be very
>dangerous!).
>
>I make sure to use a very small dumbell (a 2# 'rehab'dumbell I
>have around, that is somewhat of a hex, so won't roll easily).
>

Kathryn - Yes, you're right, I meant dumbbell. I use a 5 lb - my 3 lb is round with two flat sides, so it rolls too easily. I actully like using the dumbbell under the toes for lunges and squats with the barbell... but those low end sets are so challenging I find it hard not to lose control at the end and the dumbbell makes it even harder!

I wonder if I'm the only one who's ever had the dumbbell go skidding

Cheryl

 

[AusMish]

I don't like the feel of those squat turn things either. I just do forward facing squat jumps on the floor instead (like in the Imax 3 blast).

Michelle

 

[kathryn]

>I wonder if I'm the only one who's ever had the dumbbell go
>skidding

I'll bet you aren't! The possible 'dumbell popping out from beneath the foot' problem is why I don't go beyond using a 2# dumbell for this move. I'd rather stay a bit lower, but be safer!

 

[kathryn]

>BTW - any tips/modifications for doing those squat turn things
>w/1 foot on step? Those really feel awkward & bother my
>ankle...

I usually do these at more of a 45-degree angle, and more weight on the foot on the floor, so the other foot is just tapping (I didn't intend this modification, it's just what my body did with what it was presented!). You could also try doing it 1/2 time and see if it feels any better (I sometimes find that moves are too-fast for my slow-twitch-preference body, so doing them 1/2-time gives me more time to prep).

 

[rose2boys]

The part that feels awkward is not so much the actual squat, but turning on 1 foot so fast to switch sides several times in a row. I'll try doing it half time to see if that helps.


rose2boys

Keep smiling & sweating!

 

[kathryn]

>The part that feels awkward is not so much the actual squat,
>but turning on 1 foot so fast to switch sides several times in
>a row. I'll try doing it half time to see if that helps.


You could also try doing them 1/2 time, with the 'missed' turn changed into an extra squat (that could also build up some momentum for the turn...in fact, I think I might try that next time I do it!)

 

[Aquajock]

For a little added intensity in the Drill Max drills (either in the Drill Max workout or Cardio Fusion) I substitute a 7.5-lb weight plate for the 5-lb dumbbell for cardio blast #1, and use the same 7.5-lb weight plate in place of the stability ball for the cardio blast there she uses the ball.

A-Jock

 

[saia11]

For a little more intensity during the DM drills I sub air jacks for the jacks off each side of the step in cardio blast #4.

Mattea

 

[gym_mom]

That's enough about adding intensity - I thought this thread was meant for those of us who CAN'T keep up with Cathe yet. :+ :+

I do plyo jacks any time Cathe calls for Air jacks as my slow twitch body just doesn't cooperate on air jacks. I guess this applies to all workouts, not just the new workouts.

As for the squat turn things in B&G, I just do a squat jump on the same side for one set then do the whole set on the other side. I just can't turn as quickly and keep my form as Cathe does.

Claude

"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Satchel Paige