CLX questions

[lreidgreen]

Well I just purchased the Burn, Push and Lean circuit DVDs from yayas. They were a good price so I couldn't resist. Burn Intervals and Burn it off were not for sale but since I tried them in a temp trade and did not care for them it was no biggie. I am thinking of starting either a kettlebell or CLX rotation once I am done with Action Hero Babe in 3 weeks.
Don't think I can take Chalene for a 12 week rotation so I am thinking of doing the following:

1) Doing Burn, Push and Lean for 2 or 3 weeks each. I would alternate the circuits with cardio workouts during the week. Someone posted that they did this and liked it.

OR

2) Doing Debbie S's abbreviated rotation. I liked this because it had a kettlebell workout in it. She also said results came fast! Can this be done initially or only as a maintenance rotation?

Other questions: I vaguely remember reading that some did not care for the Burn Intervals and Burn it off but don't know what they did in place of those workouts in the regular rotation. Straight Cardio? kettlebell workouts?

Also my dumbells only go up to 12 pounds but I have pairs of 15 lb, 17.6 lb and 26.4 lb kettlebells. Do you think these can be used in place of dumbbells? If not, I will have to wait to do this rotation because I do not want to spend $ on more dumbbells right now.
Thanks in advance for your advice.

Leslie

[Debbie S.]

Hi Leslie.

I highly recommend doing each phase for at least 2-3 weeks before doing the abbreviated rotation. It's especially important for the Lean phase, because it is so core intensive. For my first CLX rotation, I did 3 weeks for the Burn and Push phase. After each phase, I did an active recovery week focusing on synergistic workouts like kettlebell training. This helped me prepare for the core intensive Lean phase.

I do use my kettlebells when I can and you can do the same.

Also, depending on my energy level, I would add on either a short kettlebell workout or tabatas using kettlebells after my CLX workouts. The strength workouts are short enough that depending on your fitness level, it is doable to add on.


I really do love this series. It's pretty near perfect for me.

[Helen S]

Hi Leslie,

I also added a short kettlebell workout after the CLX workouts because they are short. I've done kb tabatas but I don't remember if it was during the CLX rotation. You should look at Debbie S's rotation for Lean since it makes more sense than what's in the book. I used her rotation during the Lean phase.

You can use your kbs instead of dbs. I also used my Olympic barbell during the Push Phase because I didn't have heavy enough weights.

I did use the CLX cardio workouts once in awhile but I also used other cardio workouts as a sub. I think the weight DVDs are what's really important for this rotation.

Helen

ETA - Besides kettlebells, I also added pull-ups and chin-ups.

[lreidgreen]

Thanks Debbie and Helen. I am thinking of following Debs suggestion of 3 weeks each of Burn and Push following each phase with one week of kettlebell workouts. If I have time and energy I can always add on a kettlebell workout after a CLX circuit.
Deb, what is your revised Lean rotation Helen is referring to?

I am going to try to use my kettlebells if I can't find heavier dumbbells on freecycle or cheap. I also have a barbell which I hate dragging out but I will if necessary. It beats spending $ on more dumbbells that I don't have room for. I don't think it will work using my barbell dumbbells because the weight plates are sand filled and HUGE. Will try it though...
I checked Craigslist and found a set of the selecttechs that go up to 52 pounds each for $300 but I really don't want to spend the money if I don't know if I will like this set.
Thanks for your advice!

Leslie

[Debbie S.]

Leslie,

I revised both the regular CLX rotation and the maintenance rotation. Even though the workouts are great, I don't think they gave much thought to the rotations.

Here is my revised CLX rotation:
My revised CLX rotation

Burn Phase:

Burn 1-Chest, shoulders, legs

Burn 2-Biceps, triceps, back, legs

Burn 3-Shoulders, legs

Day 1 - Burn 3
Day 2 - Rest
Day 3 - Burn 2
Day 4 - Burn Intervals + Ab Burner Disc 6
Day 5 - Burn 1
Day 6 - Burn it Off + Recharge Disc 5

Push Phase:

Push-3-Back, chest, legs

Push 2-Shoulders, legs

Push 1-Biceps, Triceps, legs


Day 1 - Push 3
Day 2 - Rest
Day 3 - Push 2
Day 4 - Burn Intervals + Ab Burner Disc 6
Day 5 - Push 1
Day 6 - Burn it Off + Recharge Disc 5

Lean Phase:

Lean 3-Chest, Shoulders & minimal Legs

Lean 1-Arms, Legs

Lean 2-Back, Iso Shoulders, Legs

Day 1 - Lean 3
Day 2 - Rest
Day 3 - Lean 1
Day 4 - Burn Intervals + Ab Burner Disc 6
Day 5 - Lean 2
Day 6 - Burn it Off + Recharge Disc 5

Here is my revised CLX maintenance phase:
I just took some time to look over Chalene's maintenance phase as written. I found it very lopsided as is.

I then spent more time and created a "balanced" maintenance phase. This is what I came up with:

Week 1:
Lean 3-Chest, Shoulders & minimal Legs
Burn 2-Arms, Back, Legs
Push 2-Shoulders & minimal Legs

Week 2:
Burn 1-Chest, Iso Shoulders, Legs
Push 1-Arms, Legs
Lean 2-Back, Iso Shoulders, Legs

Week 3:
Push 3-Back, Chest, Legs
Lean 1-Arms, Legs
Burn 3-Shoulders, Legs

Both week 1 & week 2 have shoulders being worked twice. Week two is the only week that has isolated shoulder work done twice. But, it still kind of balances itself out, because Burn 1 has more posterior delt work than Lean 2. Unfortunately, it has to be this way if you want to do all the workouts in the maintenance phase.

This is how Chalene's schedule looks like:

Week 1:
Burn 1-Chest, Iso Shoulders, Legs
Push 2-Shoulders, & minimal Legs
Lean 1-Arms, Legs

*Shoulders are worked twice
*No back work

Week 2:
Burn 2-Arms, Back, Legs
Push 3-Back, Chest, Legs
Lean 3-Chest, & minimal Legs

*Back and chest are worked twice

Week 3:
Burn 3-Shoulders, Legs
Push 1-Arms, Legs
Lean 2-Back, Iso Shoulders, Legs

*no chest work
*shoulders are worked twice

Week 4:
Burn 1-Chest, Iso Shoulders, Legs
Push 1-Arms, Legs
Lean 3-Chest & minimal Legs

*no back work
*Chest is work twice

I think you already have my abbreviated rotation.