I added weight to the single leg squats - I held dumbbells in each hand. Not sure if we're supposed to, but I'm not sure how else to get a burn on only 6 reps.

I feel like the deadlift/row combos are tricky, I keep messing up when to count each rep. So I started thinking about it like: alright, just do a deadlift, then lean over until the bar is below my knees, pump up (row) the bar into my chest and back down, and then deadlift again. Repeat. I totally screwed up the count though, like every set.

Had to do yesterday's HIIT today since I didn't get to it before the gym closed and I was crazy beat after weightlifting. Kicks my *kitten* every time!

Today's A workout was wierded out by the storm. ... I go to a 24 hr gym and of course, on Sunday evening it was dead in there. Then a storm hit and the power went out during the planks and then again during the body weight matrix...I drove home in pouring rain and there was a tree down across the road...yikes! I much prefer the gym when the lights are on and other people are working out too...

At least you weren't doing intervals on the treadmill! Ugh...that's always been a fear of mine! :noway:

I was pretty pleased with my BWM during Friday's workout. I actually did lunge jumps halfway decently! I workout at 24 hr fitness and for some reason, it was PACKED during my workout. I normally do stuff that requires lighter weights, planks, pushups, etc in the group x room (the one that looks like a dance room with all the mirrors and stuff) but it was packed too. Not that there wasn't room for me to do the BWM but I look like a freak so I snuck into the cycling room (which has opaque glass too -- win!) and felt much more comfortable since absolutely nobody could see -- unless there were cameras but mentally I'm assuming there aren't.

I'm just having a hard time doing Stage 3 in a decent amount of time. Friday, my nanny was sick so I was off and was able to do 2A completely by the book and it took me a GOOD 90-100 minutes! That resting for 105 seconds is tough. I know we're only doing 6 reps which means pretty serious weight and then 105 seconds enables us to do 3 sets at that heavy weight, but still!

Finally joining you lovelies over here in Stage 3. My God, that body weight matrix almost killed me today-I literally had the shakes after the 2nd round. Ugh.

Starting weights:
One armed DB snatch-started with a 25 lb. DB and went up to a 30. That felt good.

DB Single Leg Romanian Deadlift-used two 20 lb. DBs. Was off on my right foot, but the left felt good. Would y'all stay with that weight or increase on only the left side?

Barbell Bent Over Row-started with 55 lbs, went up to 65 lbs, ended with 85 lbs.-I felt like my form was a little compromised with that increase, should have went to 75.

DB single arm overhead squat-used a 30 lb. and 15 lb. DB. The thought of going to 17. 5 and 35 is pretty scary.

Incline Bench Press-used two 25 lb. DBs- that was perfect for me!

Plank- did 2 min., 90 sec. then 2 min. again. Tough!

Reverse Wood Chop-I felt like I was doing these wrong-when I pulled the rope handle up, it kept rubbing my shoulder. 30 lbs. was good.

BWM: 2:35, 2:37-and then I had to sit down until the shakes subsided. Good Lord!

Oh-and did this workout seem to take forever or what? I reset my watch to time the matrix, but was in the gym for almost 2 hours!

Did my first workout tonight... Question? Really necessary to wait the 105 seconds between sets? I could tell with the increased weight that I needed more of a rest but 105 is a long time!!! What is the harm in shortening the rest period to say 75 sec like stage 2?

Did my first workout tonight... Question? Really necessary to wait the 105 seconds between sets? I could tell with the increased weight that I needed more of a rest but 105 is a long time!!! What is the harm in shortening the rest period to say 75 sec like stage 2?

Both of these workouts take forever. Plus, I don't get as winded either. Normally I'm completely soaked with sweat. I'm wondering if it's because Stage 3 isn't very leg intensive like stage 2 (ALL those variations of lunges)? I hate it because I just don't have time to do HIIT the same day and I REALLY want to do it directly after lifting. I"m doing it today which is much better than nothing, but still. On the A workouts, I just suck it up and take a long (LONG) lunch because I'm sure the BWM would be a piece of cake (okay, maybe not THAT easy) if I were completely fresh.

I took 60 seconds for my B wokout yesterday and I was still in the gym for an hour.

BTW I absolutely hate the single leg squats. Never felt so awkward in my life.

And Mrs. T, with the single leg RDL, I would NOT use 2 different weights. Sidenote, I really LIKE this lift!

Starting stage 3 over tomorrow with you guys. Had a break due to some health issues. Here I come BWM!

I have never had knee issues until this stage. My right knee started to feel weird. I think it is the ligament that crosses the knee. I'm going to see an ortho in a couple weeks. I wanted to get it seen about before it's a problem, because I do NOT want to mess up my lifting. In the meantime, I decided not to do the one-leg squat and lunges, as those really seem to aggravate the problem.

Rest enough so your heart rate comes and you catch your breath. I did about 60 sec in stage three, but I need the 90 in stage 4. apparently the structured breaks are a thing of the past in his new I've heard.

I agree with Samantha. I have never actually timed the rest periods. I use my HRM and when my HR is back down to a normal range, I move on to the next exercise and I actually don't rest between the ab movements at all because my HR doesn't get up that high and that helps cut out some the time length.

HELLO STAGE 3! Did 1A today and I have to admit that I kind of liked it (except for the BWM, of course, that is just pure evil!) Glad to see others' opinions on rest time. 105 seconds is just TOO long! I'm resting around 75 seconds but also going by my heart rate/breath.

Starting stage 3 over tomorrow with you guys. Had a break due to some health issues. Here I come BWM!

Welcome back!

Got down to 2:38 on the BWM yesterday. I went directly to my car afterwards (should have walked on the treadmill for a bit but wanted to get back to the fam) and it took me a GOOD 20 minutes before I recovered enough to be able to talk on the phone. Hahaha!

Did 1B today. Enjoyed the workout, but did anyone else find that they didn't really get their heartrate up like in the other workouts? I never really felt winded or anything, even though I felt I was doing adequate weights. Maybe because it is mostly upper body/back exercises?
Did 95lbs on the Dead/Rows, 20lb DBs on the partial squat, 80 lbs pulldowns, 25lb plate on back extension, 5lb DB YTWL (tried 10 lbs but that didn't work so good for the Ys and Ts...!)
And on a somewhat-whiny sidenote, I really wish my gym had something in between 5 and 10 DB for the YTWLs. I can handle the 10's for the Ws and Ls, but not so much for the Ys and Ts.

Yes on the HR thing. I said the EXACT same thing about it probably being due to not working the legs as much.

And that blows that your gym doesn't have anything between 5-10lb dumbells. UGH! Maybe just do more reps with the 5lb'ers?

My gym has ONE set of 27.5 lb dumbbells which is what I use for the incline press. Yesterday, one of the dumbbells was missing. I looked EVERYWHERE for it (and at all the weight others were using) and couldn't find it. I ended up doing 25lbs 10x's. I *may* have been able to go up to 30lb'ers but mentally don't have that confidence yet!

Yes on the HR thing. I said the EXACT same thing about it probably being due to not working the legs as much.

And that blows that your gym doesn't have anything between 5-10lb dumbells. UGH! Maybe just do more reps with the 5lb'ers?

My gym has ONE set of 27.5 lb dumbbells which is what I use for the incline press. Yesterday, one of the dumbbells was missing. I looked EVERYWHERE for it (and at all the weight others were using) and couldn't find it. I ended up doing 25lbs 10x's. I *may* have been able to go up to 30lb'ers but mentally don't have that confidence yet!

Oh, good.....I was hoping I wasn't the only one! The weights in my gym are ALL over the place too.....its SO frustrating! I really don't understand why its so hard to put something back in its place when you're done with it.....today I walked in and on one of the squat racks there was a barbell loaded with 10lb plates. I assumed someone was using it so I went to the other rack. I watched the whole time I was in the room (about 45 min) and no one ever used that loaded barbell. Who just leaves the plates on and walks away?? Clean up after yourself! Clearly this is a hot topic for me.......

I'm sure could do 30's for 6 reps if you knocked out 10 reps with 25's! Give it a try next time!

I also power through the ab section as a super set. I rest for about 1 min after I finish all 4 exercises. I've enjoyed reading the Stage 3 stuff as I get ready for stage 5.

I did that too-only because I was rushed, but it seemed to work out better. I'd rather save those long rests for when I really need them.

Yes on the HR thing. I said the EXACT same thing about it probably being due to not working the legs as much.

And that blows that your gym doesn't have anything between 5-10lb dumbells. UGH! Maybe just do more reps with the 5lb'ers?

My gym has ONE set of 27.5 lb dumbbells which is what I use for the incline press. Yesterday, one of the dumbbells was missing. I looked EVERYWHERE for it (and at all the weight others were using) and couldn't find it. I ended up doing 25lbs 10x's. I *may* have been able to go up to 30lb'ers but mentally don't have that confidence yet!

Oh, good.....I was hoping I wasn't the only one! The weights in my gym are ALL over the place too.....its SO frustrating! I really don't understand why its so hard to put something back in its place when you're done with it.....today I walked in and on one of the squat racks there was a barbell loaded with 10lb plates. I assumed someone was using it so I went to the other rack. I watched the whole time I was in the room (about 45 min) and no one ever used that loaded barbell. Who just leaves the plates on and walks away?? Clean up after yourself! Clearly this is a hot topic for me.......

I'm sure could do 30's for 6 reps if you knocked out 10 reps with 25's! Give it a try next time!

You are preaching to the choir. I have seriously been this close (my finger and thumb are REALLY close together as I'm typing this ) to absolutely going balistic about not reracking weight. Biggest pet peeve EVER. I just imagine everyone dropping their weights all at once to turn and look at the crazy woman (me) yelling at some muscle head that I don't get paid to rerack his 500lbs that he "squats" half an inch in between sets of flexing in the mirror (can you tell I've rehearsed this?). Hahaha!

Did 1B today. Enjoyed the workout, but did anyone else find that they didn't really get their heartrate up like in the other workouts? I never really felt winded or anything, even though I felt I was doing adequate weights. Maybe because it is mostly upper body/back exercises?
Did 95lbs on the Dead/Rows, 20lb DBs on the partial squat, 80 lbs pulldowns, 25lb plate on back extension, 5lb DB YTWL (tried 10 lbs but that didn't work so good for the Ys and Ts...!)
And on a somewhat-whiny sidenote, I really wish my gym had something in between 5 and 10 DB for the YTWLs. I can handle the 10's for the Ws and Ls, but not so much for the Ys and Ts.

Super woman! How do you hold the DBs when you do the partial leg squats? I don't think my balance is there yet.

Thanks! I just hold the weights down at my sides. I actually think it helps me with my balance....kind of weighs me down so I don't wobble too much.