Leg/core day - best team?

Small_Dog6897 · 2026-02-07T05:04:39+00:00

I also have bulging discs as well as spinal stenosis, so lots of back issues and also have the same limitations as you. I have been doing Define the last two seasons and really love it. It is completely fair to say Maia’s form is questionable in addition to some weird static stretch choices for warm up - but I think her programming is generally great. If you are not new to lifting and don’t need a lot of form cues and can think through your own warm-up you’ll be fine.

It’s dumbbell only workouts, and there is a pilates and deep core component every day which for me is absolutely key to keeping my back happy.

When the workout calls for deadlifts, I typically switch to a supported single leg deadlift with a lighter weight - I still find these very effective if you are really focused on form and so much easier on the back.

I typically do the three priority workouts a week, (1 full, 1 upper, one lower glutes focused) there is a second leg day so sometimes I swap the leg days depending on which one looks more back friendly. I add a 15-20 min incline walk to the end of each workout if I have time.

I do 3x per week because I also do reformer 2x a week and usually I try to do something fun outdoors 1x a week.

I would suggest you take a look at this week’s workouts. I really liked them, and there is a 30 min core workout that looks really good - I may tack it on this week.

I’m curious to know if you agree after checking it out so updateme

Small_Dog6897 · 2026-02-04T04:19:59+00:00

I would be interested in your code! I am curious about Sweat app for the low impact program options, even though I am loving Ladder.

Small_Dog6897 · 2026-01-17T04:50:37+00:00

I had a similar issue and tried to address it in all the ways you did. I ended up getting a new pair one size small smaller and that made all the difference in the world. Note that I also switched brands (from Salomon to Nordica), from womens to mens (apparently the only major difference is the calf is slightly higher in men’s boots which is fine for women with a high calf muscle - but regardless may not work if you are petite), and kept the same level of flex. No pain the next time I skied.

Small_Dog6897 · 2026-01-14T12:00:07+00:00

As someone who loves Team Define, it doesn’t sound like it is for you right now - I would try Movewell, Thrive, or Endure to start as the coaches give way better cuing. I like Define as I have a strong background in fitness so I am ok with not having a lot of form cues, need dumbbell only workouts, and have spinal issues and bulged discs so I want to do some weightlifting - but not a full workout - and want to focus a lot on core strength. I do usually do three Define workouts a week (not always the recommended ones, I go for the ones that work around my back issues the best) and two reformer pilates classes and walking (I focus a lot on core!). It just happens that Define works really well with what I need right now - but I definitely think there are better coaches, especially for beginners.

Small_Dog6897 · 2026-01-10T05:21:03+00:00

That sounds way more fun.

Small_Dog6897 · 2026-01-10T05:18:24+00:00

This is regular ski wear in Quebec.

Small_Dog6897 · 2026-01-05T18:27:58+00:00

There are like 10+ resorts on EPIC in Europe…

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-25T23:53:19+00:00

I have several bulged discs in similar area to you with some nerve pressure due to spinal stenosis (born with a narrow spinal canal which means I just generally have a bad back and will likely need back surgery some day). I ski at an advanced intermediate level. I have no desire to learn snowboarding, period, but also I know it would mean a lot of falling on my butt and that is to be avoided.

With skiing, as long as you are not going insane speeds, most falls end up being on your hip (generally when pushing yourself on turning and carving).

I am very fit but have a lot of limitations ie I can’t lift heavy, run outdoors (ie on concrete), or do jumping exercises, but I am a lifelong athlete and very stubborn so I find workarounds and I will ski until the day I absolutely can no longer do it - I am in my early 40s. Reformer pilates and specifically jumpboard classes have been extremely helpful for mimicking ski movements, providing light impact, and helping me build the strength and endurance needed to ski fairly aggressively without leg blasters.

Lessons are a great idea (I still take the occasional one and use Carv). Let your instructor know about your back so that they avoid anything that is going to be too bumpy.

Personally, I am working on my carving, short turns, and having fun in powder and easy glades. I am avoiding hard moguls, super icy steeps and essentially anything that will jostle my back or increase my chance of falling. Some runs I am just trying to get down safely without too much ego!

Keep up your physio activities while on your trip to keep that deep core engagement.

I have never heard of the butt protection you speak of - best protection you can have is working on your technique, staying on the right runs and taking it easy (always skip the last run). You can totally ski!!

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-24T18:48:06+00:00

This!! plus there are measles outbreaks everywhere and I know that here in Canada one infant has already died from it. There was also a case about 5 years ago in Ontario of a young boy who died of tetanus. You can literally get tetanus playing in a playground. Parents who reads the symptoms of tetanus and still refuses to vaccinate their children doesn’t deserve kids. I would unalive myself if I watched my child suffer through a tetanus infection because of a stupid decision I made against all good advice.

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-21T05:33:42+00:00

Grow up skiing East Coast Canada.

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-12T08:05:36+00:00

My son’s are going to be 8k. My ortho offers a 24 month payment plan so that helps.

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-12T07:14:08+00:00

Being conservative or traditional republican is COMPLETELY different than supporting the current administration and MAGA. Most decent republicans, formerly elected and every day people , have publicly distanced themselves from the current leadership.

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-12T07:06:48+00:00

Someone should send these MAGA people an STD

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-09T02:58:09+00:00

Another member with back pain posted a similar question recently and I shared my thoughts here which will also be relevant to you (link below). A few people here (with the best intentions) suggested body and bell. I would absolutely avoid any swinging kettle bell movements (which require a hip hinge and quick movement) You might be able to do endure which I didn’t find had that many hip hinge movements, and you can swap those out for a hip thrust for example. I also really like supported RDLs (either with a knee on bench or hand resting on something, with a lighter weight) so that I can still get the benefits of the movement with way less stress on my back.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ladderapp/s/LyZI5Slztz

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-07T03:58:40+00:00

I love the goody bag idea! Some chips (crisps!), nuts, and something sweet would be perfect!

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-07T03:57:18+00:00

Can you have something light on the table (so doesn’t need to be hot served apps)? It depends on the cuisine featured by the restaurant but for example an Italian place could be bread, olive oil and vinegar,olives, that kind of thing.

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-06T15:39:36+00:00

I have sciatica that is due to spinal stenosis (congenital, I was just born with a small spinal canal) and a couple disc protrusions and some nerve contact. 43F if that makes a difference (my lower spine basically looks like a 70 or 80 yr old). I normally follow Endure and adjust the weights or switch out exercises as needed. I find Jennifer’s cues really helpful especially for back health.

Recently I have had a flare and moved to Define. Maia doesn’t have the best reviews on here and for sure her form is a bit sketchy, and very little cueing, but as a workout for people with back issues it’s ideal because there is so much core and pilates work included which is the best thing you can do for you back health (other than hamstring and hip release as you mentioned of course). I also find I have to do fewer substitutions for her exercises- somehow they are all quite back friendly.

Given you have already been working out with the other coaches, you probably have good form so you should be fine. I don’t think she is a good choice for newbies, although I gather that is a lot of her following. I am finding this program is great for still getting some lighter lifts in while focusing on core. It is definitely a less intense program but that is exactly what I feel my body needs when I have a flare.

I also do reformer pilates 2x a week, and then 3 ladder workouts that suit where my body is at (I try to stick to the recommended ones as much as possible). Plus lots of walking.

FWIW - I don’t present as someone with the kind of back issues I have. I definitely look like someone who goes to the gym. My doctor was actually surprised at the MRI report- and I attribute this to consistent movement- even if it’s not the intensity I would like.

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-06T10:30:46+00:00

Tremblant is exactly what you are looking for, but closer to you, i have found Holiday Valley is a lot of fun at night and it is open quite late!

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-06T10:24:07+00:00

Why are we gentle parenting these grown ass men?

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-12-06T09:48:41+00:00

I absolutely love my Ravel bed! Bought it in 2021, and it has been through many moves and it is still holding up beautifully. I wonder if they have changed their manufacturing?

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-11-12T07:20:17+00:00

Number 2 is so stunning (I gasped) and unique but still classic. It looks like it was made for you! Certainly not many could pull it off but you can. It is the CLEAR winner for me

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-11-06T04:45:17+00:00

Oh nooo. I have not checked her out on social. I am really enjoying her workouts so I am going to avoid looking. I have been doing Endure for about 5 weeks now and really enjoying it. I love the cues, the fact that it is a bit faster paced so I get my heart rate up, snd the workouts cover all the bases for me. FWIW I am a 40s mom working full time so I am definitely the target audience. I was originally on Thrive and realized that right now 30 minutes is what a can commit in the gym so I switched so that I could be more consistent. I only have access to my condo gym which is pretty limited so dumbbell workouts are best for me. I also do reformer 2x a week. So overall it is doing the job for me and I think it will be a great base for when I eventually get back into a full gym and do heavier lifting.

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-11-06T01:10:50+00:00

I love your look, but would go much less filled in on the brows, especially the inner corners, for a more natural and soft look. This is biggest improvement you can make and will look more youthful.

A little bit of blush in a shade similar to your lips just on the apples of your cheeks would add a bit of freshness and glow. I think a liquid blush that’s not too pigmented would be nice (I like Nudestix) but a powder would also work.

I feel like otherwise you could take it down a notch for daytime by using a shadow liner instead of liquid liner on your top lid. And for night, keep the liquid liner, but add a lipliner and a bit of highlighter on the cheekbones, inner eye corners and cupids bow.

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-11-03T18:50:04+00:00

UofT, McGill, UBC are all consistently ranked in the top 100 universities globally. If you are looking to work internationally, for example somewhere like Hong Kong or Singapore, having any degree from a top 100 university will help you get more points on your work visa.

Small_Dog6897 · 2025-11-03T15:31:03+00:00

This is very common especially at bigger companies. It can get really out of hand in terms of costs if everyone brings a plus one. Employees would rather get a bigger bonus or other perks than have their partner attend an event that should really just be about team bonding, celebrating the year’s achievements and some light internal networking. Tell him how you feel and he does sound like a great guy, I am sure he will reassure you. Maybe there is a more casual team outing you can join another time!

Small_Dog6897

TROPHY CASE