When to start!?!

[mom2one]

I'm sitting here with all my STS discs and a bit overwhelmed! I got back from vacation last week but haven't had a chance to do my 1RM tests! I did manage to read the guide while on vacation. I wanted to start the program tomorrow (Monday), but if I try to do my 1RM test today then I don't see how I can likely lift tomorrow. Should I just use this week to do all my 1RM tests or can I go ahead and start the program tomorrow and note how much weight and reps I could do with each exercise...then record into the Workout Manager? I guess I'm a bit confused as to when to do the 1RM tests so as to not be lifting weights on consecutive days...does that make sense? The only logical way I see to do it, is to just use this week to do my tests and start the program the following week. Do you then use the "active recovery week" to do the next Phase 1RM tests or should I just take this week to do ALL the 1RM tests for ALL the Phases in STS?

I sure hope I'm making sense!

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

~Amy

 

[mini-natty]

Hi Amy,

I had the very best of intentions to do the 1RM, but a little something called "life" got in the way . This is what I did:

1) I printed up all the workout sheets for M1.

2) My first week of M1, was sort of a trial/error. For each exercise performed, I wrote down on my sheets what # I used while I did the workout. If it was too light/too heavy/perfect, I made a note. Try to be honest with your weight selection, picking a weight that will challenge you while maintaining proper form.

3) By M1 W2, I had pretty much done all the exercises with some new ones thrown in. I was able to make specific adjustments in W2 (increasing/decreasing my weight if needed) and found that my weight selections were pretty much spot on. I was challenged and got a nice bout of DOMS after every disc, so I guess I did something right. I saw a noticeable definition in my UB muscles too .

4) Go on CatheTV on YouTube and watch her tutorials on STS form pointers/tips weekly. Very helpful!

Of course, this is probably not the most ideal method for everyone as the 1RM seems to be the best option, especially if you are fairly new to weight training.

Good luck!

Natasha

 

[marazoe]

Hi Amy. You are going to love STS. It is the best. I am on my 4th round of STS. The 1st. time I did it , I only did partial of the 1rm's and wrote down what I actually used. The 3rd time I did STS , I did the 6 mos program . The 1st week I wrote down all the weights I used and logged them into the w/o manager. Then the 2nd week , my weights were spot on. I advise to do like Carolyn said and make sure you do the 1rm's. I know I got better results by knowing the appropriate weights to use. Also as advised , only print one w/o sheet at a time. I have made so many changes and made so many copies. I wish you the best of luck. We have a forum called STS FIRST TIME. If you want to join us or have any questions , come on over. We are all at different stages but it is fun discussing it with everyone.

Jean

 

[daybreak]

Welcome Amy!

I too was SO excited to start STS but I took a full week to do the 1RM's for the entire program. I originally thought it would be such a chore as I JUST wanted to get started. But I made it my strength training workouts for the week and I ended up really enjoying it!

Even though I hadn't technically started the program - I was working with it (watching Cathe and crew on the videos, learning the exercises, etc.) It really felt like I HAD started it.

I think you'll have fun this week if you make it your 1RM week! And you'll be very happy when the program starts and you have those accurate numbers all set to go.

Let us know what you end up doing!