Cathe Live Review: Total Body Giants Sets Vol 2 (#214)
Total Body Giants Sets 2 is a tough total body strength workout using giant sets to work every muscle group. This is another fantastic instalment in the ‘Total Body Giant Sets series’ of routines. Cathe now, at the time of writing, has three Live versions and one DVD. They are all excellent tough strength workouts and this one is no exception. Along with Cathe Live: TBGS 3 (for a detailed review of that workout – click HERE) this is probably my favourite. The workout just flies by but wow do you feel the work! My heart rate also stayed pretty elevated throughout the workout, as you are moving quickly from one thing to the next with very little rest in between either exercises or sets.
The routine consists of six giant sets - groupings of different exercises for the upper or lower body and finally core. Each giant set contains 3-5 exercises and each of these groupings is repeated once more before moving onto the next set.
The moves are all fairly traditional strength moves and are not too high rep – generally 10 – 16 reps so you can definitely go a bit heavier here. However, the pace is still fairly fast so as Cathe mentions if you want to really heavy up then you would have to slow down the pace and maybe do a few less reps for each exercise.
The workout ends with a core giant set of five exercises, which are then repeated. Be aware though that there is no break between the first and second set – you just go straight through all of the moves without stopping - so I was definitely feeling this by the end!
Overall, this was a superb total body strength workout that worked the whole body very well. I will definitely be feeling this one tomorrow!
(For more information about Cathe Live, how to sign up & to see all of my Cathe Live reviews, click HERE).
The Workout
Total Body Giants Sets 2 is a pure strength workout consisting of two lower body, two upper body and one core giant set. Each set is repeated before moving on to the next one. Cathe and class use dumbbells and a barbell at 45 pounds (2 large plates on either side) for this routine. The barbell is only used for deadlifts. As I prefer not to use a barbell, I just used dumbbells for everything.
What You Need to Know
(Rating scale – 1= lowest & 5 = highest).
The Moves
Total Body Giants Sets 2 is 58 minutes long and originally aired on 6th September 2018 (#214). The workout starts with a 5 minute warm up. The warm-up starts off without weights and then you pick up 5# dumbbells to simulate some of the upper body moves. Once completed, you then move straight into squats - so make sure you have your dumbbells handy. Also Cathe has her barbell already loaded to approx. 45# at the start of the workout.
Giant Set 1 – Lower Body
Squats – two 15# dumbbells (I used 20’s) – 16 reps
Static lunges – two 15# dumbbells – 16 reps each side
Deadlifts – 45# barbell (I used two 20# dbs) – 10 reps (2/2 count)
Crossback lunges – two 15# dumbbells - 16 reps each side (all reps on one side & then the other)
Repeat above moves
Giant Set 2 – Upper Body
Overhead press – two 12# dumbbells – 12 reps
Tricep overhead extensions – two 12# dumbbells – 10 reps
Tricep push-ups (on the knees) – mat – 10 reps (1st Set) 12 reps (2nd set)
Chest flys – two 15# dumbbells (I used 20’s) & mat – 12 reps
Repeat above moves
Giant Set 3 – Upper Body
Rear delt flys – two 12# dumbbells – 12 reps
Front raise – one 15# dumbbell (1st set), two 12# dumbbells (2nd set. I stayed with 15) – 12 reps
Lateral raise – two 5# dumbbells – 4 sets of 4 reps (alternating sets of arms to side of thighs & arms just in front of thighs) & 4 singles
Repeat above moves
Giant Set 4 – Lower Body
Side lunges – one 15# dumbbell (held horizontally in hands) – 16 reps each side
Front lunges (changes to diagonal lunges for 2nd set) – two 12# dumbbells – 16 reps each side
Alternating side to side sumo squats – one 15# dumbbell (held horizontally in hands) – 16 reps each side
Wide stance deadlifts – 45# barbell (I used 2x20 dbs) – 12 reps (3/1 count)
Repeat above moves
Giant Set 5 – Upper Body
1 Arm row – one 15# & one 5# dumbbell (I used 1x20) – 16 reps
Bicep curls – two 12# dumbbells (I used 15’s) – 16 reps
1 Arm back flys – one 10# dumbbell (I used 1x12) – 10 reps (1st set), 12 reps (2nd set)
W curls – two 12# dumbbells – 19 reps (1st set – as Cathe is walking around & not counting!), 16 reps (2nd set)
Repeat above moves
Water break & move to the mat
Giant Set 6 – Core
Triangle choke holds (roll back, 1 leg tucked behind the other, & roll-up to one knee with arms overhead) – 8 reps
Side plank with elbow dips – 12 reps each side
Reverse crunches – 64 reps
Straight arm plank & step out alternating feet / elbow plank & step out alternating feet – 8 reps straight arm & 8 reps elbows
Ankle grabber sit-ups – 16 reps
Repeat above moves
The workout ends with a 4 minute cool down and stretch.
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If you enjoyed this workout, check out my review of Cathe Live: Total Body Giant Sets (#108) - HERE.
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