Wednesday, January 14, 2015

I Was Disappointed By The New ZWOW#5, Zuzka DOES answer my question! Day 60 of HIIT MAX, IS BR Plus Worth the Cost?

Zuzka posted her ZWOW#5 and it was the same as she did it last time except she used LIGHTER dumbbells (shouldn't we aim to get stronger?), and she used the dumbbells when she did the mountain climbers instead of a med ball. Nothing new and improved for her new ZGym on this one - if anything she made it easier. Also, on the sumo deadlight high pulls she doesn't pull her elbows up higher than her wrists in the top position - and this is how I've always been taught. I sure hope JRC#4 is better than this one tomorrow.
I posted a question on her web-site about using lighter dumbbells (from 15lbs down to 3kg) and I'm curious to see her response - IF I get one. There are dozens of comments up there, but mine is awaiting moderation. Really? WHY?


As you can see I'm the ONLY one here who is awaiting moderation.
This hasn't happened to me before, so my name must be flagged for some reason.
I know I have asked her some pretty tough questions - but always about the workouts. Nothing about her past, about BR, about Jesse, etc, etc. My questions are legit!

UPDATE - Zuzka did reply just a little while ago (though still not sure why I was awaiting moderation), but here is her answer to me asking her shouldn't we get stronger and why using lighter db's:

ZUZKA ADMIN  |  

Yeah absolutely,however I started using lighter dumbbells, because all you can do with them are more isolated moves such as the curls or overhead press, which is still good for adding challenge and variety to your workout, but I prefer a kettlebell for building my upper body and arms strength via more natural movement and weight distribution. It makes more sense for my ZGYM members that are getting more variety into their training.
Not sure that makes sense, but it clearly is working for her. I've always wondered how Zuzka keeps so much muscle on her body - and I still think it is largely genetic. I was reminded of this by a girl who workouts at my gym. She is a runner. Runs, runs, runs. That's all she does. Can't touch her toes, or do a single push-up. She has muscles like Zuzka. Sigh.... frustrating for us of those who work so hard to put on muscle. I also remember this woman training for a Mud Runner race and she gained strength faster than anyone I've ever seen. Oh - to be blessed like that! :) 
Anyways, Lisa's day 60 is here. I like both the cardio - the 'boxing' move, and the strength - lunges with overhead press. I think alternating between cardio and strength works best. I perfer it that way a lot unless it is a cardio move that I just don't like. I typically will always like the strength stuff!

She does another one legged deadlift row combo and says it is very advanced. I think it is more advanced to separate the moves and go heavy. She also does a monkey push-up with a jumping plank. I think straight monkey push ups are harder.
Then she also does Dive bombers. Love! I suck at them, but love them anyways. :) Love the single arm squat and swing too. I've done this with 2 Kettlebells and it is a pretty cool cardio move.

Lisa looks super tired and sweaty after this workout, and since she is filming them all together I bet she is wiped out by now. Lets remember she is also filming the Bonus Workouts for BR Plus.

What do you guys think of the Plus? Is it worth the $10 a month? I think if you are a loyal BR follower and always do their workouts, you are getting your money's worth. They have added so many things like past challenges (RTC Bootcamp, Fry Fat) into the Plus section that you have a lot of variety to choose from. I love the PDF file that you can print out to have a description of each exercise. Some of it is a bit disorganized though. I am missing the PDF files for this week. :(
I wouldn't recommend it for the casual BR who just does the workouts here and there. Not that it would be a waste of money, but you just might not use it all that much. I personally do enjoy the bonus workouts. I like that they focus on a body part, have less jumping and are a little different.
The downloads can take a little long, but once it is downloaded, that's it. You have the workouts to do at any time without any internet connection - which is a HUGE advantage.








12 comments:

  1. It has to be genetics or roids. Lisa does way more than zuzka and she still super skinny (in my opinion). Lisa seems to be stronger than zuzka too and she has less muscle mass.

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    1. Suri - you are not the first one to mention steriods to me about Z, but I think it is genetics. You think Lisa seems stronger? I think it depends. Z is better dive bombers and burpees. Lisa can do all sorts of crazy pushups, planks, etc without getting tired, but I think her form them often diminishes.

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  2. I was skint so I have had no access to zuzka's gym and you know I am not missing it at the moment, however I really love love zuzka's take in yoga very gymnastic style which I love do you know of anyone else that does gymnastic style workouts? its so much more fun :-)

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    1. Rachael - try Ali Kamenova's youtube channel. She has some funky yoga up there and does Christina Sell.

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  3. Gina, let me explain the moderation :) It means that the blog publish comments after the admin read them, it is not a bad thing. And you can see onlu already published comments and your in moderation comment. You don't see other comments that are wating to be published (in moderation). I also publish comments manually, after I read them. These days spam is BIG. Actually it is much easier to read, publish and then answer the comment, this way I don't forget to answer :)

    I think the way someone looks is mostly genetic (for fit people).

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    1. Thanks for your comments Rumi. You understand moderation, and I don't think it's a bad thing. My point being is that she never did this to me before and it Took her much longer to moderate my comment than others. I checked about eight hours apart and mine was still waiting! I agree with you about genetics too.

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    2. When I approve comments from my phone, I publish only those that don't need answer, and others wait until I am on my laptop, because typing from phone is not easy. I don't know what is the case with your comment :) If you ask tough questons, they need to be thought longer :)

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    3. Ah! Good point Rumi. Maybe because I needed an answer where others did not. I was certain she was picking on me! LOL. Thanks for the tip. :)

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  4. I appreciate that you love moves that are difficult, lol -- I don't hate dive bombers but I don't enjoy them at all and try to avoid doing them (burpees, too). That said, I'll suffer through them because they do build strength.

    I really liked today's workout on BR. I did the routine four times through, doing cardio all the way (high knees and the boxer move). One day I will stick to strength, but as they say, old habits die hard. I enjoyed the one legged deadlift row and will use that in other workouts.... another exercise I've liked from another season of HIITMAX (I forget which one) was the windmill with two squat jumps. I use that in other workouts, too.

    I saw the burnout for Friday posted with Thursday's workout, so I did that this morning, too. AMRAP is always fun.
    Happy Thursday!

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    1. I do love moves that are difficult. :) But I hate high knees! Cramps my hip flexors and pull on my low back. I always thought it was because of my long legs, but Lisa has long legs too. I just think certain exercises work better for certain body types.

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  5. Sometimes I love very basic moves like the one in Zwow 5. This was a no brainer workout, very easy on the moves but also very challenging with 10 pounds dumbbells! Also, it,s great for beginners! I'm kind of scared with JRC #4 it seems hard!! I'm doing it tonight!

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    1. Yes, I hear you on the basic moves. They are better most times than the crazy new moves that are out our way sometimes! I was just disappointed because the workout #5 was NO different from the first time Zuzka offered it to us. With the new and improved ZGym, I expected this to have some variety. There was none other than her using LESS weight that the first time. :)

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