Phase 1 - Workout 4

a_new_dawn

Workout 4 is a 34-minute metabolic circuit training workout focusing on the back of the body that you perform during weeks 3 & 4 of the program. The workout follows the same pattern as the other metabolic training workouts in the system: short warm-up, 4 circuits repeated twice and a short cool down. Each circuit consists of 4 exercises performed back-to-back with a 1-minute cardio interval before repeating the circuit again. The workout consists of the following circuits:

Circuit 1 – alternating front lunges, static squat with rows, single leg deadlift with upright row (right) and single leg deadlift with upright row (right). Cardio interval: skaters.
Circuit 2 – side lunges with bicep curls, bent-over rows, kneel down/stand ups and step ups with hop. Cardio interval: side-to-side hops.
Circuit 3 – leg lifts (right), alternating leg raise in plank, leg lifts (left) and hollow man. Cardio interval: fast feet.
Circuit 4 – terry pulls (right), good mornings, terry pulls (left) and squirms. Cardio interval: jab/cross/hook/upper cut combinations.

a_new_dawn

Ok, today was my first attempt at workout 4.

This is one of those workouts where it's only as hard as YOU make it - It's all about the weights..the resistance determines the intensity.

I am using 2.5kgs and 4 kgs (5.5lb & 8.8lbs), and in some of the moves i did feel a little "challenged", not to the point of dying, but more-so than workouts 1-3, which is good.. it's not meant to be easy. One exercise in particular, "Terry pulls" made me realise just how much stronger my right arm is compared to my left when having my arm locked with my 8.8lb-ers. I'm gonna hurt in the morning, but it's all good!!

There are few balance moves in there and a little more plyo.

LOL @ mimi's good mornings - crazy woman!! :laugh: she's cool.

ericapabis

So sore from this workout....a good sore though!!!!

a_new_dawn

it was my last day of WO4 today, and it's amazing how i've adjusted to the heavier weights already. I love the feeling of strength, it's a brilliant natural high!

Gana1017

Doing this workout tonight and looking forward to it. I find after weeks 1 and 2 I have more energy and don't dread the workouts as much.

JABGoochie

Preferred W4 to W3

I need to get heavier wrights. My heaviest weights are only 2.5kg I neeeed heavier!!!!

a_new_dawn

Preferred W4 to W3

I need to get heavier wrights. My heaviest weights are only 2.5kg I neeeed heavier!!!!

i also had to invest in some new weights, i got some 4kgs. I might buy some even heavier ones for deadlift moves.

cristino1985

So today was my first day on workout 4 and it was another great burn 313 calories it was a killer on my shoulders though those surrenders and was it terry pulls?....they kill! But just got to think how great my arms will look in the summer yay! Did anybody else feel that the cool down at the end didn't stretch the shoulders enough for the amount of work that is done on them in this workout? I did a couple extra so I can make sure I am able to lift the children out of their cots

carolina822

Did this for the first time today. The kneel downs were a lot tougher than I anticipated but I made it through the rest pretty well. I had to bump down in weight on the bent over rows because they hurt my lower back. Any ideas on how to adjust for that?

I definitely prefer this one to workout 3. I predict I'll need more than two weeks with this set and that's okay.

I'm debating going to Zumba again tonight. It seemed to stretch things out yesterday.

a_new_dawn

So today was my first day on workout 4 and it was another great burn 313 calories it was a killer on my shoulders though those surrenders and was it terry pulls?....they kill! But just got to think how great my arms will look in the summer yay! Did anybody else feel that the cool down at the end didn't stretch the shoulders enough for the amount of work that is done on them in this workout? I did a couple extra so I can make sure I am able to lift the children out of their cots

My arms felt those terry pulls, especially as i was using 4kgs! I quite often do a few extra stretches, you kinda have to listen to your body and go with it when you need it. I think it helps prevent soreness the following day to some extent.

a_new_dawn

Did this for the first time today. The kneel downs were a lot tougher than I anticipated but I made it through the rest pretty well. I had to bump down in weight on the bent over rows because they hurt my lower back. Any ideas on how to adjust for that?

I definitely prefer this one to workout 3. I predict I'll need more than two weeks with this set and that's okay.

I'm debating going to Zumba again tonight. It seemed to stretch things out yesterday.

bent over rows used to hurt my back. Its all about form. Keep your core tight and your back strong, its all about positioning, try adjusting it slightly until it feels more comfortable.

cristino1985

HOLLOW MAN.....today jillian, I hate you! Haha feels good though!

a_new_dawn

HOLLOW MAN.....today jillian, I hate you! Haha feels good though!

We can all relate to your love/hate relationship with Jillian!!

wade78

I did WO4 yesterday for the first time. WHAT THE HELL? That woman is trying to kill me, I just know it. I'm still sore from WO3 so lord knows how I'm going to feel toorrow. I never thought I would say thank God its Cardio Day today!

mariposa224

The backs of my legs hurt... Hamstrings, but only in the middle-ish of them, wrapping around the sides. lol Yesterday was my first time with WO4. Shoulders & mid-back are tight & sore as well. :happy:

cristino1985

I really prefer wo4 over wo3 though I must admit I do find them both difficult, I don't know what muscles they are working different from wo1+2 but once again my right hip and left calf are feeling it. I will struggle on though because I know it will all be worth it. I'm just slightly disheartened the scales haven't moved in two weeks, I wasn't too good on the diet last week but this week I've been amazingly good for me and still no shift! Oh well patience is a virtue!

a_new_dawn

I really prefer wo4 over wo3 though I must admit I do find them both difficult, I don't know what muscles they are working different from wo1+2 but once again my right hip and left calf are feeling it. I will struggle on though because I know it will all be worth it. I'm just slightly disheartened the scales haven't moved in two weeks, I wasn't too good on the diet last week but this week I've been amazingly good for me and still no shift! Oh well patience is a virtue!

I seem to prefer even numbered workouts over odd numbered workouts, eg i prefer 4 over 3, and 8 over 7.
Make sure you take time to warm up thoroughly, even if that means doing extra stretches not included on the DVD before the main workout. You can only try your best, and do what you can, i loved this quote from Jillian in one of her other DVDs:

"It's not about perfect. It's about effort. And when you bring that effort every single day, that's where transformation happens. That's how change occurs"

So true!

It's really important that you know how to distinguish between "good" pain (muscle soreness) and Injury, if you are at all worried about your hip and calf maybe you should get checked out. It's great for you to be keen to push through but we only get one body, and we need to take care of it!

I'm sorry to hear the scale hasn't moved, do you drink plenty of water? This can flush out excess sodium and keep you hydrated. Even though your weight hasn't changed i'm sure alot of other changes are happening, your muscles are getting stronger and you stamina is increasing, little by little, day by day.

a_new_dawn

cristino1985

Thanks dawn, you are so supportive, I have slight osteoarthritis in my hip so it's normal for me to get a bit of pain with it, it is a lot better than it used to be so that is progress which I can only thank jillian for! I don't know why I love doing her DVDs so much when any others just bore me but I definitely love the change I'm seeing in my body and stamina, even when the scale doesn't move!

a_new_dawn

Thanks dawn, you are so supportive, I have slight osteoarthritis in my hip so it's normal for me to get a bit of pain with it, it is a lot better than it used to be so that is progress which I can only thank jillian for! I don't know why I love doing her DVDs so much when any others just bore me but I definitely love the change I'm seeing in my body and stamina, even when the scale doesn't move!

Ah i see, good on you for still getting stuck in though, some people would use something like that as an excuse to not workout, but keeping active actually helps!

I am a big fan of Jillian's DVDs too, i have bought lots of non Jillian's in the past and got bored after 3 days! I've stuck with Jillian for almost a year now, and lost all my weight with her, so she's definitely doing something right!

lolaluv4

Luv luv luv workout 4! The first half made me sweat second half not as bad but i definately feel like i did something today!

mariposa224

Luv luv luv workout 4! The first half made me sweat second half not as bad but i definately feel like i did something today!

I kinda like workout 4, but what I *don't* like is having all the weighted moves back to back. By the time we get to the one with our arms straight up, I'm quite ready to throw my 8s at her head. Other than that, though, I like it. :drinker:

izraa18

much much easier than workout 3 a bit challenging that's all. I used 3 kg weights = 6.6 pounds

StephieWillcox

I can't do the leg lift in plank AT ALL. As soon as I take my foot off the floor I feel so unstable, I get it like 2 inches off the floor and then have to put it back down again. Stupid Anita kicking about a mile in the air and making me feel bad.

I did do WO 3 & 4 back to back today though so maybe I'll have more luck when I do it on it's own (had to kick start myself this week, so back to back was necessary)

a_new_dawn

I can't do the leg lift in plank AT ALL. As soon as I take my foot off the floor I feel so unstable, I get it like 2 inches off the floor and then have to put it back down again. Stupid Anita kicking about a mile in the air and making me feel bad.

I did do WO 3 & 4 back to back today though so maybe I'll have more luck when I do it on it's own (had to kick start myself this week, so back to back was necessary)

Perhaps you could come down onto your forearms in plank? Or maybe just start of with a very small range of motion to begin with until you master the stability? You're trying your best so credit to you!

Vyshness8699

My abs are sooo sore from those dreaded inchworms , hollow man and squirms ! No pain no gain right ?! Lol I also I have alittle trouble w/ thr leg lift plank bc I'm soo focused on getting the form right

Mist1981

I did workout 4 today for the first time, and boy it kicked my butt. I actually got light headed several times!

kayenne78

Ths was my favourite workout so far!

a_new_dawn

You're all doing so well!

don't forget - you are getting stronger with every workout... keep them coming!!!

wl4good

I definitely like this one better than workout 3. Even though I couldn't do all the exercises straight through, I had to take some breaks, at least I could actually do them. Workout 3 has some moves that seem a little more advanced. I don't think 3 and 4 pair up as well together as 1 and 2 did.