Basic program - Legs too easy, Let me ups way to hard

[MichaelZH]

Hi

I have to ask this again if I'm alone on this one or how you managed this. I've been working out for some years now, and about one year with YAYOG. I'm male, 28. Since I was sick for a while and in the end cheated myself a little bit during the ladders in the Master class, I've started over again with the basic program. First with 3.5 minutes each ladder exercise and now first week with 7.5 and I start the program now normally.

However again, as last time, I have to say the legs day don't really make me tired. I'm using now barbells for squats and the lunges to make it a bit harder but it's not really exhausting for my legs, rather for my heart. And I'm really struggling with the let me ups (knees bent!). I only get up to like 4 repetitions and then I drop down to 1. And I really only do like 1 repetition each 20 seconds (so after doing 1 rep I'm resting the remaining seconds) for the last 3.5 minutes, I cannot do more..and I'm not really a weak guy or anything. Do you find them so much easier than me or how did you improve?

[RichardH]

Hi Michael

I am finding the same challenges that you are - I am struggling to do the pull me ups, and find the legs relatively easy. I have completed the first 2 weeks of the basic workout, and doing the ladders for Let Me Ups was very tough, and I couldn't keep going for the full 7:30 mins. I managed to complete all the push ups (with occasional drops to the knees - I did classic push up not elevated ones), and all the Let Me Ins and all the Seated Dips, but I struggled with the Pull Me Ups. However, I found the legs pretty easier, although the balance elements associated with RDLs was useful for general stability.

Having now just started week 3 (intervals) and having completed day 1 and day 2 (push and legs respectively), I found the push as expected - i.e. going to failure and finding it tough. However, on the legs I found I could pretty much keep going until the time was up on each set. Some of the legs take time, such as RDLs so by the time you completed 20ish the time is almost up as it seems to be circa 2:30 mins on these.

I am sticking with it on the basis that it is not just about leg strength and muscle, but flexibility and balance, but I be interested to know how others have completed the intervals for the leg exercises.

[PatrickM]

Michael,

If you stick at it you will get better. That is all I can say from my limited experience. I have only been doing YAYOG since November 2011 and I am now into the 9th week of the Masters Class.
At the beginning of the basic program I could only do 0.5 to 1 let me up for each minute of the ladder, I know it sounds ridiculous but that was where I was at.
I couldn't get past two or three for at least six weeks. But eventually it just got better and then all of a sudden I could do them with knees bent. Slowly but surely
I then began to extend to legs straight version, but this would be one rep with straight leg all other reps with knees bent.

With respect to the leg exercises if they are too easy then use the harder variation or change them so that you do go to failure during the intervals and or super-sets secondary exercises.
In the book, it suggests four ways of increasing difficulty without having to add weight see page 11.

[bark50]

With respect to the leg exercises if they are too easy then use the harder variation or change them so that you do go to failure during the intervals and or super-sets secondary exercises.
In the book, it suggests four ways of increasing difficulty without having to add weight see page 11.

Or borrow the leg exercises (or whatever movement is too easy) from the next program. A mix-and-match approach. Of course, this won't work if you're on the Chief Class program.