P90X Core Synergistics Workout vs. X2 Core Exercise Routine in P90X2
I just started my fourth week of Phase I with Tony Horton’s recently released P90X2. I love this program. It is similar to P90X but totally different. Tony says it’s not P90 X harder but P90X different. I’m starting to understand what he meant. A comparison of the P90X Core Synergistics workout and the X2 Core routine from P90X2 will give you a good feel for what he means.
This is a corathon!
— Tony Horton on X2 Core
I had a little anxiety when my P90X2 first arrived. I was used to the P90X routine and wondered how different P90X2 would be from the original P90X program. I had a feeling it would add variety to my workouts though because I had done several of his P90X One on One workouts. So, I opened up my box and the first workout on the P90X2 schedule was X2 Core.
I thought this was a little odd since the Core Synergistics workout wasn’t on the schedule until week 4 in P90X. And that P90X core workout was presented more as a recovery workout. Alas, I was starting P90X2 with a core routine? I soon learned that there were similarities and differences between the two core exercise workouts. I love the X2 Core routine more each time I do it.
There isn’t much of anything wimpy about P90X unless you compare the P90X Core Synergistics workout warm up to the warm up for X2 Core. In Core Synergistics, you run in place, do a few jumping jacks, a few lunges, and some static stretches. The warm up for X2 Core is a workout in and of itself. It takes up about half the workout time. I’m not complaining because the warm up is more like stretching, strength training, yoga and massage combined. And, just when you’re looking at the timer wondering where the time has gone, it’s time to get busy.
Both of these programs have about the same number of core exercises (excluding the warm up and cool down periods). The biggest difference is the X2 program forces you to use more of those tiny little stabilizer muscles in your core muscles. Core Synergistics was a recovery workout, a workout you do when you need to give your body a little bit of a rest. X2 Core is a core routine with 18 challenging core exercises. It builds on some of the Core Synergistics exercises and adds a some new moves.
For example, the Banana Roll from P90X is modified into the Banana Ball Switch Crunch in X2 Core. There isn’t a “superman” to go with the banana, but just see how many times you can tranfer a medicine ball from your feet to your hands and back while crunching in the banana position. Add a medicine ball to the Dreya Roll from P90X and you’ve got the Med Ball Dreya Roll.
There are plenty of new core exercises in X2 that challenge your strength and balance. Sphinx Plank Crunch and Warrior 3 Cross Crunches start the line up. I’m getting better at all 18 core exercises, but the one that still perplexes me is the Plank Burpee On Stability Ball. Yep, I’ve got to modify this one. Take a look at this trailer for X2 Core:
Warrior 3 Cross Crunch
Single Leg Walk Out to Sphinx
Half Angel
Roller Boat
3 Speed Med Ball Push Up
One Leg Lateral Leap Squat
Core Circles
Holmsmen Screamer Lunge
Med Ball Dreya Roll
Plank Burpee On Stability Ball
Banana Ball Swich Crunch
3 Point Squat Press with Med Ball
Slo Mo Balance Climber
X2 Diver
Ryan Sphinx Twist Crunch (2 sides)
One Leg Med Ball Burpee
Doesn’t that make you tired just reading about it? Really, I have so much more energy after I complete this workout. Although there are similarities between the two workouts, I can see why it is the first workout in the P90X2 lineup. It is definitely not a recovery workout. So, is it harder? No, it’s different. The P90X Core Synergistics workout is different from the stability, med ball, sphinx centered core stability engaging P90X2 X2 Core routine!
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P90X2 Schedule, Exercise and Fitness Guide
The P90X2 fitness and exercise guide helps schedule the three phases of the program. It also discusses the fit test, nutrition, supplements and equipment. But, let’s start by talking about the warning and quickstart guide.
Open up the P90X2 fitness guide and the first page you’ll see is actually a warning! It’s a reminder that P90X2 is an extreme, high intensity, and physically demanding exercise program. It reminds you that you are in charge of your safety and fitness as well as a few other suggestions like it’s not a good idea to do P90X2 if you have a history of knee, ankle, shoulder, wrist or spinal problems or injuries. The warnings actually fill a full page.
If you feel ready for P90X2 after reading the warning page, you’ll find the quickstart guide and a welcome letter from Beachbody’s CEO in the next few pages. The quickstart guide is simple:
- Visit your Team Beachbody account to download your free P90X2 worksheets, and link to the P90X2 message boards and chats.
Sign up for your free Team Beachbody account. By signing up here, you’ll also get me as your Beachbody Coach to help you through your P90X2 program.
- Watch the “How To Bring It Again” dvd. Curious about what’s on the How To Bring It Again dvd?
- Make sure you have all the equipment and supplements you need to support your P90X2 program.
- Workout in the WOWY Supergym for a chance to win prizes.
The last note in quickstart guide encourages you to fully read both the P90X2 Nutrition Guide and P90X2 Fitness Guide to maximize results. I personally believe that following all of these steps is critical to your success.
Like the P90X Fitness Guide, you’re going to have a fit test. The good news for anyone that’s done P90X is it is the same fit test used for P90X. You’ll still want to take pictures, measurements and your weight as well as your current performance on the P90X2 fit test. This sets your starting point and helps you set, meet, and even surpass your goals!
The P90X2 Fitness Guide is unbelievably beautiful. I know that’s a strange thing to say, but when you see some of the pictures in the guide, you’ll be amazed. The poses are remarkably athletic. You’ll see the strength of the person photographed in each picture.
Going back to the P90X Fitness Guide, you might remember that the guide could easily be used along with the workout or without the dvd while traveling. The P90X2 Fitness Guide doesn’t give us this luxury. It does not have a breakout of each exercise in a workout. You’ll have to play the dvd in order to do a P90X2 workout.
In addition to the individual exercises not being listed, the workout lengths are also not listed. I didn’t realize that I’d actually be looking for that. We know that the P90X Yoga X workout is 92 minutes. I had heard that the P90X2 Yoga X2 was only about an hour. I couldn’t find that information in the P90X2 Fitness Guide. To get workout times, I’ll have to press play and then, record them somewhere in my journals.
Another difference between the P90X Fitness Guide and the P90X2 Fitness Guide is the timing of exercise phases. With P90X, everyone changed phases every 30 days. P90X2 also has three phases in the exercise schedule, but each phase lasts from 3-6 weeks depending on the comfort level of the participant. You are more in control of how you progress through the phases based on your assessment of your current fitness level. Remember, P90X2 assumes you have some level of fitness, athleticism going in.
Nutrition and supplementation are also briefly mentioned in the P90X Fitness Guide; however, the P90X Nutrition Guide covers these topics in more depth. And finally, the guide goes over the equipment required or recommended for use in P90X2. We won’t go into depth on the equipment in this post!
The P90X2 fitness and exercise guide will help get you on schedule with the three phases of the program. It will help you get the most out of your program with the quickstart guide, fit test, nutrition, supplements and equipment recommendations. The P90X2 Fitness Guide will help you understand and implement the theories of functionality, instability, and why form is king.
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Tony Horton on How to Bring It Again in P90X 2
P90X 2 comes with a very important “How to Bring It Again” dvd from Tony Horton. If you’ve done P90X, you might be tempted to skip over this dvd, but it really is a good introduction, overview and tutorial on what to expect with P90X 2.
P90X 2 Before and After Photos
Tony starts by talking about the importance of taking before and after pictures. He recommends taking pictures on days 1, 30, 60, and 90 so you can see your progress throughout the program. He also recommends journaling throughout your P90X 2 journey. Record reps, weights, and bands or equipment used just like you did with P90X. This allows you to have a starting point for each workout.
The P90X 2 Fit Test
To establish your starting point for the program and ensure you are ready for P90X 2, Tony says to take the “Fit Test” which is in the exercise guide book. I expected the fit test for P90X 2 to be different than the fit test for P90X, but it is the same. If you’ve been doing P90X, you’re ready for the new P90X. Tony likes to say that P90X 2 isn’t harder than P90X…it’s different.
P90X 2 Online Tools
Hopefully, if you are taking on P90X 2, you are not new to the online tools available at Team Beachbody. Tony doesn’t assume anything though and talks about them in the introduction dvd. The online tools allow you schedule and track workouts, find workout buddies for motivation and support, get nutritional information and support as well as tap into a free Team Beachbody coach.
P90X 2 Coach Opportunity
I don’t think I’ve ever heard Tony Horton talk about the Team Beachbody coach opportunity, but he takes the time to talk about it in “How To Bring It Again”. He really makes sense when he talks about coaching being a good opportunity for people who have gone through P90X because it’s really about sharing your results with others and earning a little income from something you’re probably already sharing anyway.
P90X 2 vs P90X
What’s the difference between P90X 2 and P90X? Tony describes how P90X 2 isn’t harder than P90X, but it may feel hard in the beginning until your muscles adapt to the new routines. Ironically, going back to P90X after P90X 2 may bring a new “hard” to P90X!
P90X 2 has three phases. The first phase is a foundation phase to get you ready for the next two phases. The second phase is all about strength and will remind you of P90X. The third and final phase is the performance phase – what Tony calls the secret weapon. (Hint: This is where PAP enters the picture.)
The P90X 2 Nutrition Plan
In Tony’s introduction dvd, he doesn’t go into great detail about the nutrition plan other than to tell us the plan has a lot more options than the original P90X plan. He reminds us that if we want results, we’ve got to follow a good supporting nutrition plan. Even with more options, the P90X2 Nutrition Guide is easy to follow.
Medicine and Stability Balls in P90X 2
In reference to the medicine and stability balls, I think Tony takes his own advise to do his best and forget the rest. He said he struggled initially with moves that involved the balls, but practice makes perfect.
Where’s the cardio in P90X 2…
I think Tony likes to startle everyone with the question of where’s the cardio in P90X 2. There’s not a dedicated cardio program, but Tony emphasizes the cardio work that comes throughout the program and in the Plyocide and PAP Lower in particular.
Supplements for P90X 2
Tony mentions five different Beachbody supplements to support the P90X 2 program: P90X Peak Health Formula, Activit Multi-Vitamins, P90X Peak Performance Bars, P90X Results and Recovery Formula, and Shakeology. I personally like and use the latter three and highly recommend the last two.
Shakeology is hands down the best superfood protein meal replacement shake I’ve found and like. The P90X Results and Recovery Formula is incredible in reducing muscle soreness and getting your energy back following a tough workout.
P90X 2 Equipment
P90X 2 can have a little or a lot of equipment depending on how you choose to do a particular exercise. Tony talks talks about a lot of equipment from the chin up bar to yoga blocks. What come with P90X 2 depends on which package you choose. I got the P90X 2 Deluxe package.
The one piece of equipment that does not come with P90X 2 but that is worthwhile in my opinion is the Pull Up Assist. It helps you modify chin ups if you are not strong enough to do them or continue doing them after a while.
Are You Ready for P90X 2?
I know this is a lot of information. That’s why I highly recommend watching the “How To Bring It Again” dvd and not skipping over it. Tony says P90X 2 will be “the hardest fun you ever had”. Are you reading to bring it again with P90X 2?
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What’s in the P90X 2 Deluxe Package?
What’s in the P90X 2 deluxe package? How about a mental challenge, a total body transformation, and the latest scientific athletic training available? How about your own personal trainer, the creator of P90X, Power 90, and 10 Minute Trainer? Tony Horton’s new program officially made it to my house this week. I’m so excited that I’m going to share with you what’s in the P90X 2 deluxe package because I know you’ll want the nuts and bolts of what’s in the box.
At the heart of the program is a wallet full of workout dvds, 14 workout dvds to be exact. I won’t go into details about the actual workouts in this post, because I’ll be writing more on each workout in later writings and will link them back to this post as they’re written. In the meantime, here’s a brief summary of the workouts:
- X2 Core
- Plyocide
- X2 Recovery and Mobility
- X2 Total Body
- X2 Yoga
- Balance and Power
- Check & Back + Balance
- X2 Shoulders and Arms
- Base and Back
- PAP Lower
- PAP Upper
- X2 Ab Ripper
- V Sculpt
- X2 Chest + Shoulders + Triceps
The last two workouts are bonus P90X 2 workouts that only come with the deluxe and ultimate packages. They actually come in separate packaging from the dvd wallet, but there are spaces in the back of the wallet to add these two workout dvds and complete the set.
I should also mention a very important dvd that you’ll find in the very first sleeve of the P90X 2 dvd wallet. It’s a “How to Bring It Again” video of Tony Horton introducing the P90X 2 program. After drooling over the rest of the contents of the P90X 2 deluxe package, you’ll want to start by watching this tutorial.
Oh, if you order P90X 2 from a coach like me, you’ll also get two additional bonus workout dvds in your P90X 2 deluxe package. You’ll get the P90X One on One 4 Legs and P90X One on One Upper Body Balance dvds for free.
Ok, so what else is in the P90X 2 deluxe package? How about two eight pound medicine balls, a stability balance ball, and a foam roller to help you challenge your mental and physical capabilities? As you can see in this picture, you’ll have to inflate the ball. It comes with a foot pump to blow it up or you can take it to a gas station and use an air pump to fill it.
The P90X 2 deluxe package will also include a P90X 2 workout calendar, the P90X2 Nutrition Guide and of course, the P90X2 Fitness Guide. The exercise guide even includes a hybrid program for P90X 2 and Insanity The Asylum. I can see these two programs working well together.
What’s not in the P90X 2 deluxe package that FedEx will deliver to your door? What’s not in the box is the online support you’ll get through your free Team Beachbody account or your free coach to help you maximize your results. Once you order P90X 2 and I’m your coach, contact me to join one of my P90X 2 challenge groups.
I know you’ll be excited when your own box arrives. I know you’ll be excited when you pull out your medicine balls, your foam roller and all the other goodies that come in the P90X 2 deluxe package!
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Beachbody Challenge Packs
I love the holiday season. I love getting together with friends, co-workers, and family. Every gathering involves food, and how I love to eat! With all the tempting sweets from cookies and fudge to candy, cakes, and pies – well, let’s just say it’s hard to be good during the holidays. We eat out. We put more on our plates than usual and go back for seconds. Is it any wonder weight gain brings on guilt and new year’s resolutions to repent, work hard and take it off?
If this sounds like your typical holiday season from Halloween to New Year’s, you are probably a perfect candidate for one of my Beachbody Challenge Groups. Don’t let the holidays keep you from reaching your health and fitness goals.
I want to be the best coach I can and help you work through your program, so you get the results you deserve! I don’t want to just sell you a fitness program or nutritional shake. I want to sell you on yourself and your ability to get results. If you follow the program and don’t get results, rest assured you can get your money back with Beachbody’s 30 day money back guarantee.
My Challenge Groups are based on a simple formula: Fitness + Nutrition + Support = Success. To simplify the formula even more, Beachbody has Challenge Packs which saves you up to $50 off the retail price of a fitness program and Shakeology and gives you a trial month of the Club membership, so you can use the meal planner. You’ll also save $10-15 in shipping – not a bad deal. This video explains it a little more.
On 11/11/11, my first Challenge Group will launch. If you want to be part of this group, contact me immediately. The group is limited to five individuals who are serious about getting into shape and willing to invest in themselves. Participants must be stay dedicated to one of Beachbody’s programs and be on Shakeology home direct.
We will use an exclusive closed Facebook group to get to know one another better. This group gives us a forum to communicate daily, share struggles and successes, motivate each other and help us all reach our goals. I will also stay in touch with you via email, text and a weekly call. If this sounds like the type of support you need, get in one of these Challenge Groups now. Click on this image and then, the Beachbody Challenge banner. Register for the Beachbody Challenge Contest for a chance to win up to $100,000. You will have the opportunity to get your Challenge Pack during this process.
Once you’ve ordered your fitness program and Shakeology home direct, contact me to get into the next Challenge Group. I cannot do the work for you. I can show you a proven formula and hope you decide to apply it. What I’m offering you is the formula for a healthy lifestyle change. As long as you have all of these elements, you will succeed.
Your Results and Success will come by combining Fitness, Nutrition, and Support. My challenge groups are limited to five people who are sick and tired of living out of breath and out of shape, who want vitality, weight loss, and energy. If you are ready to commit to a Beachbody Challenge Pack, commit to yourself, commit to the group, and commit to me, I will work with you through your whole program to maximize your results.
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