Let me start out by saying how much I have learned from you guys - this forum is full of very helpful advice and information from a great group of people!!
I am just starting out on NROLFW and have a question on the lunges in workout b of stage 1. I understand the alternating between B1 and B2, but am I supposed to do 15 lunges with right leg up front, then a set of crunches then 15 lunges with left leg up front and another set of crunches (for a total of 30 lunges) or do I do lunges on both sides, crunches, lunges on both sides again and another set of crunches (for a total of 60 lunges). Lunges are probably one of the hardest exercises for me and it certainly won't hurt me to do 60 of them, but I want to be sure I am following the program correctly (plus 60 lunges really kicked my a$$ )
I *think* that we are supposed to alternate lunges, left, right, left, right for a total of 30 lunges (15 each leg). that is one set. Then do a set of the crunches. Then repeat the 30 lunges. Then repeat the crunches. That's what I've been doing anyway, and, yeah, damn, the lunges!
I think alternating is easier because if I do one leg at a time, I am quite tired when I get to the 2nd leg. By alternating, even if I get close to failure, at least I'll have worked each leg an even number of times if my total reps fall short. Not so if I manage 15 on the first leg and then crap out on rep 11 on the 2nd leg, when doing them separately.
Maybe it was so hard for me because it was my first time doing them That and the fact that my heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest (it was actually well below max as per my HRM, though!
People are different in what works for them. Either way is fine, alternating or not. Anecdotally, what I've seen is that people who have good core stability and balance prefer to alternate, and find the slight rest for each leg that alternating gives them helps them complete the set with more energy.
On the other hand, people who struggle with keeping their chest lifted, keeping balance and planting their foot correctly seem to prefer doing all reps on one leg first. They get into a groove with the movement pattern and don't "lose it" by switching legs each rep. For them, the set ends up with more energy from not alternating, because they are not staggering all over the place trying to find their balance.
Lisa, you are very insightful, are you a trainer? I have trouble with the lunges feeling awdward and "wobbly" so maybe I will try them one leg at a time next time.
...people who struggle with keeping their chest lifted, keeping balance and planting their foot correctly seem to prefer doing all reps on one leg first. They get into a groove with the movement pattern and don't "lose it" by switching legs each rep. For them, the set ends up with more energy from not alternating, because they are not staggering all over the place trying to find their balance.
This is me. Maybe next B day I will try one at a time.
On the other hand, people who struggle with keeping their chest lifted, keeping balance and planting their foot correctly seem to prefer doing all reps on one leg first. They get into a groove with the movement pattern and don't "lose it" by switching legs each rep. For them, the set ends up with more energy from not alternating, because they are not staggering all over the place trying to find their balance.
I use this method for the step-ups, too. I'm one of those balanced-impaired people, and I need to get the "feel" of the movement, and after several wobbly reps, I get the groove. Alternating legs with each rep was useless for me, just like your observation.
Hopefully, I hope to be able to improve my balance, but so far, I'm still wobbly and clumsy as hell.
Stage 1 Workout B question
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That and the fact that my heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest (it was actually well below max as per my HRM, though!
Linear Mode
