What weight do you use?

[CarenG]

Hello! I just started using Cathe's Maximum Intensity Strengtb and the Power Hour. I thought I was in halfway decent shape - but I tell you, these tapes really kicked my butt! I felt like I had never worked out before! I love them. In my opinion, they are in a whole different league from any video workout I have done before.

I started weight training a few years ago w/ Denise Austin's Totally Firm, then Power 90 3/4 Sculpt, then for about the past year or so I have been doing Firm Body Sculpt. With the firm I was using 10 lb. freeweights, which was still pretty challenging for me. So I had never worked out with a barbell before. The first time I did these, I used my husband barbell w/ about 30 lbs on it, but it was too heavy for me, so I went out and bought a 22 pound barbell, which is much better, but still hard. It makes me feel like such a wimp compared to Cathe's 35 pounds! For free weights, I am still using the 10 pound, because I haven't found any 12's and 15 is still too hard for me.

Anyway, my question is, what weights did you start off with, and what are you up to now? Also, if you used to do tapes like the firm and switched to these, how long did it take before you saw even more results, because I can tell it will happen with these videos and I am really ready to take it to the next level.}(

 

[pace1987]

Hi Caren and welcome I don't know if you know this or not but the total weight that Cathe is referring to is with the bar and plates, so the bar I think is 15 and plus the 20lb plates. I've worked my way up to Cathe. It took me around 6 monthes. Sometimes I even lift heavier. So I guess it does take time, hey maybe you can now if you are using 35lb total plates only!!

 

[hippahips]

Believe it or not, I started with 2-lb. dumbbells on each hand. That was ten years ago. A set of ten bicep curls and my arms were basically dead. Over the years, and through many turning points in my life that required me to slow down or stop working out, I worked my way to 3 lbs., then 5, then 8, then 10. In 2000 I got pregnant, and while pregnant I continued to work out using my 10-lb. dumbbells, with my ob's consent of course. Well, into my second trimester the 10 lbs. suddenly felt like feathers and I moved up to 12's. The cashier at Target glared at me when I checked out with my new weights. I worked out until my 34th week, when I developed this fear of going through premature labor. Looking back, I think it was a good move since my son arrived 2 weeks before his due date, healthy and strong and roaring like a lion. My son is 3 now, and I'm using 15's. I wish they made 17 or 18-lb. weights because I feel like moving it up yet another notch.

Before Cathe, I used mostly Tamilee Web, Kathy Smith and Gin Miller. Tried Denise Austin, Gilad, and the Firm but their styles didn't appeal to me. When I discovered Cathe, these instructors went on E-bay. With these other instructors, I saw good results, but after doing Cathe's workouts since May, I can say that the results I've gotten have never been this good. My legs are toned, my arms have more curves in them, my back is defined, and my tummy is hard as a rock. I still have to work on my ab definition though. Cathe is excellent in explaining how to do an exercise correctly, and in constantly reminding me of my form. Her style is very straightforward. Nothing slick, no excessive chit-chat. And her cueing is perfect.

As for barbell weights, I'm using 35 lbs. for leg work, 37.5 lbs for back work, and 30 lbs. for chest work. For the smaller muscles in my arms, the weight ranges from 15 to 22.5 lbs. It all depends on how strong I feel, and how far I want to push myself. My weights are probably chickenfeed for many Catheites on this board, but for someone who started with puny 2-lb. dumbbells, these numbers mean a lot to me. I never imagined myself going this heavy, much less being capable of it. I'm very small, only 5'1", and was 98 lbs. at my thinnest, about a year after childbirth. I have bad knees, as well as scoliosis and osteoarthritis in my spine, and I am constantly amazed by how far I have come. I don't know how much farther I can push it, but if this is the farthest I can get... hey, I'd die a happy woman.

How long will it take before you see results? I guess that will depend on your diet and your body. We all respond differently to diet and exercise. I can only speak for myself. I got serious with weight training when my doctor said I need strong muscles so my bones will be better supported. I didn't need to lose weight but I do need to pack more muscle. When I started Cathe, I was a good 103 lbs. In four months I've gained a couple of pounds, dropped down a dress size though I never really meant to, and when I need to bodily haul my 30-lb. toddler away from places he's not supposed to be in, I can do so easily with only one arm and even with him kicking and squirming and trying to break my bones.

You'll probably hear stories unlike mine in this forum, but I promise you you're in good company -- whether or not you can relate to the things being said. As a rule I do not join forums but I joined this one because I feel good in the company of these ladies. Many of them have very inspiring stories.

Good luck with your program.

Pinky

 

[WD]

I started out with the older Firms. I remember when it was so hard lifting 10 lbs. That was around 1994. Now I lift around 70 lbs, sometimes more, with the barbell for heavier workouts on lower body and up to 50 on upper depending on what it is. I really try to avoid telling what I lift as I worry that it can be discouraging to others that are starting out. It takes a lot of time. For some more than others. It has taken quite awhile to build up that far. I had a lot of definition at lower weights when I first started out. Which was motivating for me. A lot of people noticed and that was before Cathe. Now I get a lot of comments so I guess it is more noticeable to others than to me.
Diane Sue

 

[naughtoj]

Asking "what you lift" on this board really does not apply unless you are asking workout specific weights. For example, I can bench 95 pounds in the gym for three sets of 8, but certainly not for the Power Hour chest press segment!! For that, it may be as low as a 25lb barbell!!! For lunges in Power Hour it is common for me to have to drop all weight for the low ends because of the burn factor in my quads, but at the gym 25lb dumbells are no prob..see what I mean???

But overall, yes, I will agree that Cathe tapes make you feel like a big wimp. If I really want reassurance on my strength I head to the gym or break out Slow and Heavy. Anything endurance and I am wondering why I even bother.....

Janice

 

[Buttercup]

I agree with Janice. Also remember no matter what anyone lifts now, they all were beginners at some point. I lift pretty heavy now, but that is after 5 years of consistent weight training. I think you should focus on what is a challenge for you because that is the most important thing!

 

[kathryn]

I remember starting off MUCH lighter than I thought I would use on Power Hour. I had grabbed a 25# bar for biceps, then when Cathe said she was using 15#, I quickly changed to a 12# body bar! That was a good start. I eventually got to the point where I was using a heavier weight than Cathe.

Don't feel like "a wimp". Not even Cathe would have used the weights she does in the videos when she was just starting out! It's best to start with a lighter weight and excellent form than try to be all macha and lift HEAVY, and risk injury, and probably cheat the movement so that other muscle that aren't supposed to be doing the movement help out. (Though it's such a temptation to do it! ) Your tendons and ligaments need time to get used to the weight, as well as your muscles, and you can risk injury by pushing too fast.

Remember, though, that different muscle groups take different weights because some are larger than others. Your 10 pound dumbbells (both dumbbells and barbells are "freeweights" vs. "machine weights") are probably too heavy for triceps and biceps and shoulders at this point, but maybe a bit light for chest and back.

Be patient! If you were able to do all the moves Cathe does with the weight she uses, there wouldn't be anywhere to go from there, would there?

As for moving up in weight: it helps to be able to do it in smaller increments (about 5# of the weight). A jump from 10 to 15 pounds it pretty big for the smaller muscle groups (arms, shoulders) and even for larger groups, it's tough (chest, back). YOu might want to consider getting some "Platemates", which are magnetized weights that you add to theh ends of your dumbbells (I have them in both 1.25 pounds--to add 2.5# to a dumbbell, since you use two at once--and .625#--to add 1.25# to a dumbbell). Also, you can pick up 2.5# or even 1.25# plates for the barbell.