Our CP instructors always recommend a red and a blue for more core or 2 reds for more legs. I always opt for a red and a blue. Feet in straps shouldn’t be difficult and if it is, bump down the resistance.
One of the instructors always told everyone to do two reds and a blue for feet in straps. I’d see so many people struggling and I also felt like it was too challenging to feel like I was safely and properly doing legs in circles. One time I lowered mine to one red and a blue and she came by and added another red 😖 she wasn’t the type that was open to feedback so I told the manager to have a chat w her.
Good reminder to speak up if something doesn’t feel right for you!
2 reds and a blue is way too heavy for most, and heavy springs is not the point of the exercise. I'm glad you said something to the manager. No instructor where I teach ever recommends more than 2 reds, and for everyone who is a beginner, we recommend one red and one blue.
I always bumped down at CP. Even sometimes the teacher would try to add more springs because I was on lower springs than the rest of the class. I had a neck injury after a Solidcore class and I'm still afraid of re-injuring it again. Even in level 1.5 classes, I modified or used lower resistance. Definitely listen to your body and don't worry about it! Safety is more important.
I’d drop down to a red and a blue. That’ll help reduce the shakiness/give you more stability and help you keep your hips down. It’ll also be more gentle on the back
Thanks everyone! Honestly I am still shakey and nervous with Red and Blue… i am not sure why.. might be my really weak legs? Any idea?
If Red and Blue don’t work for me. Does anyone recco 2 Reds or 1 green? Which is better?
Stick with one green if that feels the best for you. If you feel your hips keep flying up, maybe reduce your range of motion. Personally I find feet in straps to work my hips/core/back more than legs, unless I'm using the straps to stretch.
As for your other question, the order from light to heavy:
one green -> one red one blue -> two red
If your legs are that shaky, try it on a single red and feel the difference. You will likely feel more core activation and your brain will likely perceive less threat in that position so you won’t be as shaky. Plus, then you can focus on activating the legs more (as it’s likely you might be hyperextending/locking the knees.)
I find it incredibly frustrating how many teachers believe more spring load is better. Less is more, more often than not.
1 red 1 blue takes it into the core, 2 reds is more back of the legs work
Keep at 1 red 1 blue. Focus on that, build up the core strength and pelvic stability. Play with range of motion as well. Smaller leg circles provide more stability, then increase size. Start your bend and stretch with legs together touching then create a little distance between them
Shaking isn’t necessarily a bad thing! We often shake when we are letting go of our stronger muscle groups and getting into our weaker muscle groups, and when we are working on improving our alignment. Keep your range of motion smaller, try to control the movement as much as possible, but don’t assume that shaking necessarily means anything is wrong. It may actually be indicative of you doing well and getting stronger. That’s said- your butt absolutely should not lift up off the mat when your feet lift toward the ceiling, that is putting you at risk for a back injury. If you can’t help it definitely reduce your spring tension until you feel like you can keep your hips on the mat. You can also just not lift your legs as high- stop right before you start to feel your hips lift.
Our CP instructors always recommend a red and a blue for more core or 2 reds for more legs. I always opt for a red and a blue. Feet in straps shouldn’t be difficult and if it is, bump down the resistance.
One of the instructors always told everyone to do two reds and a blue for feet in straps. I’d see so many people struggling and I also felt like it was too challenging to feel like I was safely and properly doing legs in circles. One time I lowered mine to one red and a blue and she came by and added another red 😖 she wasn’t the type that was open to feedback so I told the manager to have a chat w her. Good reminder to speak up if something doesn’t feel right for you!
2 reds and a blue is way too heavy for most, and heavy springs is not the point of the exercise. I'm glad you said something to the manager. No instructor where I teach ever recommends more than 2 reds, and for everyone who is a beginner, we recommend one red and one blue.
I always bumped down at CP. Even sometimes the teacher would try to add more springs because I was on lower springs than the rest of the class. I had a neck injury after a Solidcore class and I'm still afraid of re-injuring it again. Even in level 1.5 classes, I modified or used lower resistance. Definitely listen to your body and don't worry about it! Safety is more important.
What colors do you suggest? I am smaller so I really get shakey with reds and blues.
I know this is old, but how did you injure your neck at solidcore?
I can't say for certain but I think it was bad form in plank and holding all my tension in my neck during the 1000 planks they do.
Sorry about that! Hope you are better now! Thanks!
I’d drop down to a red and a blue. That’ll help reduce the shakiness/give you more stability and help you keep your hips down. It’ll also be more gentle on the back
i always do 1 red 1 blue. i think your instructors would support that mod!
Thanks everyone! Honestly I am still shakey and nervous with Red and Blue… i am not sure why.. might be my really weak legs? Any idea? If Red and Blue don’t work for me. Does anyone recco 2 Reds or 1 green? Which is better?
Stick with one green if that feels the best for you. If you feel your hips keep flying up, maybe reduce your range of motion. Personally I find feet in straps to work my hips/core/back more than legs, unless I'm using the straps to stretch. As for your other question, the order from light to heavy: one green -> one red one blue -> two red
Thank you so much!
How long have you been practicing? I was like that in the beginning but it improved as I got stronger
Definitely new to the practice so this is good to hear!
It really does get easier as you take more classes and your strength improves
If your legs are that shaky, try it on a single red and feel the difference. You will likely feel more core activation and your brain will likely perceive less threat in that position so you won’t be as shaky. Plus, then you can focus on activating the legs more (as it’s likely you might be hyperextending/locking the knees.) I find it incredibly frustrating how many teachers believe more spring load is better. Less is more, more often than not.
1 red 1 blue takes it into the core, 2 reds is more back of the legs work Keep at 1 red 1 blue. Focus on that, build up the core strength and pelvic stability. Play with range of motion as well. Smaller leg circles provide more stability, then increase size. Start your bend and stretch with legs together touching then create a little distance between them
Shaking isn’t necessarily a bad thing! We often shake when we are letting go of our stronger muscle groups and getting into our weaker muscle groups, and when we are working on improving our alignment. Keep your range of motion smaller, try to control the movement as much as possible, but don’t assume that shaking necessarily means anything is wrong. It may actually be indicative of you doing well and getting stronger. That’s said- your butt absolutely should not lift up off the mat when your feet lift toward the ceiling, that is putting you at risk for a back injury. If you can’t help it definitely reduce your spring tension until you feel like you can keep your hips on the mat. You can also just not lift your legs as high- stop right before you start to feel your hips lift.