I'll start stage 2 next Thursday. I'm so so ready. Stage 1 is fine, but I'm starting to get a little bored with it. I keep doing stuff to make it harder (push ups: hands in blast straps feet on bosu ball, step ups: stepping onto a weight bench instead of a standard step with a 65lb bar instead of hand weights). And I despise the smith machine, it is the bane of my existance, I would kill for a lifting partner.

I'll start stage 2 next Thursday. I'm so so ready. Stage 1 is fine, but I'm starting to get a little bored with it. I keep doing stuff to make it harder (push ups: hands in blast straps feet on bosu ball, step ups: stepping onto a weight bench instead of a standard step with a 65lb bar instead of hand weights). And I despise the smith machine, it is the bane of my existance, I would kill for a lifting partner.

I really do not recommend the smith machine. Can't you start with only the bar then when you feel more secure you add weight.

The bar is too light, I squat 140 pounds on the smith (probably 110 free), I can't clean 110 pounds to get it on my back and I don't have a partner to help me get it up and I don't have a squat rack, so I have a smith. I hate the smith, but if I want to do squats that's my only option. It has nothing to do with "feeling secure" it has to do with not having anyone to help me get it in the air.

I loved stage 1! Stage 2 have some odd stuff-like the ever so popular Cuban snatch that kicked my butt with 5 lbs. DBs. Or the super odd Hanna Flexions. But anyways, it will be over before I know it.

I start Stage 2 in two weeks and I can tell you already I'm not looking forward to the "super odd Hanna Flexions"...lol. I already feel awkward working out with the boys as it is

Are you guys enjoying this stage? Is it more intense already? Before I started NROLFW I would be in the weight room for an hour, not so with stage 1 so I'm hoping stage 2 will be longer and more challenging.

I have jumped straight into stage 2 since I have been lifting weights months prior to the book. My quads are feeling it this evening. Love that pain.

i did all days of the swiss ball crunch in stage 1 and before i start stage 2 next month, i need suggestions for an alternative to the swiss ball crunch...i just do not feel anything doing it...i've tried with my feet narrow, with my feet wide, with my back high on the ball, with my back low on the ball, with my arms crossed over my chest, with my hands behind my head....i just DO NOT FEEL the ab area being worked at all - not when i'm doing it and not after either....suggestions please before i jumped into stage 2...
thanks in advance,
denise

Perhaps try with a medicine ball or a 10lb+ plate or dumbbell? Also having the ball lower on your back will give you more range of motion, so you were heading in the right direction with that refinement.

Try a weight on your chest first, if that is too easy, try hands over head with weight in hands.

ahhh, the hands over my head with a weight is a good suggestion...thank you...

I am in LOVE with stage 2. I did my 2nd "A" workout this morning. I don't mind the front squat, except that I don't feel it in my squat so much because my push-press is only 60 pounds. Those step ups and raised lunges to make up for it though! What I really like is that I was stalled on my over head dumbell press but this has me pushing weight again. I think it would be different if my trainer hadn't had me doing something similar a few months back. I do have to say, however, that the bar positioning during the squat did start irritating my wrist during the second set.

I am in love with Workout A! My only complaint is with the second half of Workout B. It feels so....well...girly I don't think all of the crunches are really necessary.

Compound movements like deadlifts and even basic core work like the plank take care of this, so why all of the ab work? That's my rant.

Anyone else agree or disagree?

I don't working abs as "girlie." When I'm in the weight room I notice some of the guys doing way more abs than I'm doing. I don't, however, like the swiss ball crunches. I'm doing 15 of them with a 35 pound plate in my hands and feeling nothing in my abs. However, I'm also doing the more advanced flexion and using the stand to do straight leg raises instead of doing my reverse crunches on the floor. I may just remove the swiss ball crunch altogether and do V-ups.

It went by so quickly! I started the weekend following Thanksgiving and as of Saturday morning will be on Stage3, A. I have now done Stage 2, A four times and love it. I think I'll miss these workouts when I move on!