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Whining about the Body Weight Matrix
I have finally finished the last one of these, at least for stage 3. I see it comes back back in stage 5 so I'm not celebrating yet. So far I haven't been able to finish the whole set without taking at least a few seconds to stop and breathe during both the lunge jumps and the squat jumps.
So that leaves me just one more workout in stage 3.
On a lighter note, I see stage 4 has the dreaded stepups again! 
Sounds intriguing. I'm anxious to try it but I am still in stage 2. I have done 2 HIIT sessions using the jump rope in this stage. I haven't hit my goal there yet. I'm trying to do 5 cycles of 2 minutes slow followed by 30 seconds at max speed. I've only been able to do 3 cycles each time I tried it. Today I started the 4th cycle but only finished 1 minute of the slow part. Couldn't go any further. I'm enjoying this program so much.
I've done the rest of A in stage 3, but was recovering from a nasty cold and pretty wiped by the last few exercises - plank and reverse chop, so I skipped the matrix. Now I'm healthy and have no excuses. I'll do this, or it will do me, not sure which, for the first time tomorrow and I'm a bit intimidated by it. It helps that you've shared your experience, and that you were able to at least type afterward - which indicates survival. That's my goal tomorrow, survive.
Kudos on your achievements!
Yikes! The Body Matrix is some sadistic shizizzle! I'm not even doing full reps yet. yesterday I pathetically huffed my way through three sets of 12 reps for each exercise. By the time I got to the squat jumps my jump was missing some umph. I could get through 4 "jumps" <read, sad attempts to put more than an inch between the floor and my feet,> and then I had to catch my breath for a few seconds.
I'll be doing the 4th workout in stage 3 today. The body weight matrix is amazing. I find that if I dog it a little, I can complete all the required moves. If I jump with everything I've got, I die 1/3 of the way through the squat jumps. Which is better, dogging it to make it all the way through, or giving it everything you've got and failing to finish? With both scenarios I am exhausted when finished.
I'm also loving YTWL.
I think either scenario is probably good really. I had to take short little breaks in the jumps just to catch my breath - is that what you mean by dogging it? I insist on finishing all of the moves, but that's just me.
I'm starting stage 5 tomorrow so the matrix comes back. We'll see how I do.
By dogging it, I mean that I don't jump quite as high or as hard. I drag my feet a little, especially toward the end. Embarassing really. I will be giving it another go tomorrow morning. I will try harder.
Gotcha, well in that case, I'm totally dogging it! I forgot how much it wipes me out, yikes.
Oh, and I found this thread on the jpfitness forum that's also devoted to NROLFW about the bodyweight matrix, an interesting discussion. And one of the users over there posted a video of herself actually doing the bodyweight matrix. Can I say that she's in way better shape than I am, because she didn't have to stop to huff and puff? Ha ha.
http://forums.jpfitness.com/new-rules-lifting -women/32010-body-matrix-vid.html
http://web.mac.com/n.a.t/Natalias_lifting_vid s/Body_matrix.html
Wow. Thanks for that. The video was very informative. I was doing the stationary lunges wrong. I was doing 12 on one side, then switching to the other leg. So will change that. Also, compared to the video I am not doing so badly. I was trying to get a lot more height on my jumps, especially the squat jumps. Early in the set my feet clear the ground by several inches. Later in the set, I barely get my toes off the floor. But overall I think I am improving. Thanks for finding the other threads.
I just did my first matrix last night. All I have to say is - for those of you who finished - you are much better than me!!!
Yikes - I did the 24 squats and 12 lunges each leg just fine.... then the lunge jumps! I can't believe he would have us do lunges and then lunge/jumps straight up after. Is he insane??? I only did 6 and then switched to squat jumps and did only 6 of those too. Took me about 2:35 and then did again - same thing.
Should I have rested a bit and then finished the reps? Or is it better to just stop when you can't do anymore? ....or should I cut to 12 squats and 6 lunges and then do 6 lunge/jumps 6 squat/jumps? Which would be better?
There are only 4 workout A in stage 3, so not sure if I will EVER finish these!
I'm sure he is definitely insane. Evil and insane. But you know, in a good way.
I'm facing the matrix for today's workout.
For your question, I'm not sure what would be better. I think for me personally, I would do all of the squats and lunges and then as many of the jumps as I could. Then rest and do as many more as I could. I really try to finish all of the reps, but that may not work for you, depending on your own level of endurance. If you don't finish all the reps each time, I think that as long as you strive to do a few more each time, that's the key.
Thanks Meg... I will try resting and then finishing the matrix next time.
As far as the rest of stage 3, workout A - I loved the 6 reps!!! I found it really difficult to wait so long in between sets though. 105 seconds is a loooong time to wait and with 3 sets of each exercise, the workout takes forever. It seems to be more waiting than action!!
It is definitely a nice change-up from stages 1 or 2!
Isn't though? I still have not completed 5 cycles of HIIT with the jump rope. Today I did 4 and that was a triumph for me.
I am frightened
I looked to see what the matrix was and tried a few jump sqauts and I almost past out. I then tried the lunges and fell over.....but that is typical with a normal lunge. I am still in stage 1.
I hate lunges and now I have to do them with jumps?? I better look like a goddess when this is all done...lol
Original Post by puppykisses:
I am frightened
I looked to see what the matrix was and tried a few jump sqauts and I almost past out. I then tried the lunges and fell over.....but that is typical with a normal lunge. I am still in stage 1.
I hate lunges and now I have to do them with jumps?? I better look like a goddess when this is all done...lol
Be afraid - be very, very afraid! lmao
I didn't fully appreciate this thread until I tried to do the body weight matrix. I was barely able to do it and I am certain I looked like an idiot! Oh well, my body felt the workout this morning so that is good.
SO---what are we supposed to do during the 105 sec rest period? I feel awkward standing around the gym. I feel like I am just staring at people. Should I start dusting the equipment? (just joking) I couldn't rest that long so I went on to the next set.
Hey Carolann, I love the image of women walking around the weight room dusting the equipment between sets :) During the resting time I've taken to doing jumping jacks to keep my heart rate up. Of course, if the set really knocked me out, I just rest. What does everyone else do?
Heh heh, I stare at other people in the weight room, especially some of the cuter young ones. OK, just kidding. A lot of times I walk to the water fountain and get a drink, otherwise just kind of stand around or pace a bit like everyone else is.
I workout at home, so I don't have to worry about staring at anyone! lol i usually pace, work on cleaning up, putting my weights away, etc.
On a good note!!! - I DID BOTH SETS of matrix to the end! Yahoooooey. I am sure my form was way off from good, but I did do them. I think my problem before was that I was trying to go parallel or lower on the squats and have some good lunge form. Once I gave up the good form, it was much easier. I guess now I'll have to work more on form.
Also on the dumbbell incline shoulder bench press I couldn't do 25 pounder dumbbells last Sunday, but I did last night with ease!
Yeah for stage 3! I really like the 6 reps.
