Do I Really Need Special Equipment for P90X?
I started reading an article today that implied the reader had to purchase a specialized plyometrics mat for the P90X plyometrics workout. I wonder if this writer has ever completed P90X because this is not a true statement. It bothered me so much that I decided to share my thoughts with what equipment is needed for the P90X program.
Plyometrics Mat The plyometrics routine can be done without a mat and on any surface. Plyometrics means “jump training.” Therefore, it can put pressure on your joints if you do not have a mat. I know this from my own experience, so I do recommend getting some kind of mat or modifying the exercises to low impact. What worked for me was the four squares of waffle connecting gym matting that you can get at sporting good stores for about $25.00.
Yoga Mat I’ve done Yoga X with a yoga mat and without a yoga mat. I like using a mat because it helps give me traction, especially in the downward dog position.
Yoga Block I highly recommend getting a yoga block to help you get through Yoga X. You could use something like a block of wood, but it’s nice to have the slight cushion of the yoga block while still getting the support your body needs to maintain a pose.
Selectec Dumbbells I absolutely love the Bowflex Selectec dumbbells, but I didn’t get them until after I completed the P90X program. They don’t take up as much room as a standard set of dumbbells. I got them, so I could keep them in my living room where I usually do my Beachbody workouts.
Dumbbells Nope, you don’t need dumbbells for P90X either. You will need something to create resistance though, so if you do not have dumbbells, you’ll want to ensure you have a couple of good resistance bands. The Beachbody bands are nice. I have a full set of them.
Chin Up Bar You will need some type of bar to do pull ups because you will do a lot of them in P90X. I bought an Iron Gym doorway style chin up bar which worked great for me and installs easily. I initially used the bar on my power rack, but I got tired of moving my gym around everytime I needed to do pull ups.
Heart Rate Monitor In my opinion, you dont’ need a heart rate monitor any more than you need a pedometer to go for a walk. If you learn how to time and count your heart beat, you can be your own heart rate monitor. Over time, you will learn what your body feels like and how your breathing feels when you are working in an aerobic zone.
Towel and Water Bottle These two items were present for every P90X workout I did. You are going to sweat. You will appreciate being able to towel off and hydrate frequently.
Push Up Stands Push up stands are not required for P90X either. I started without them and felt strain on my wrists because I wasn’t used to doing so many push ups. So, I went to my local sporting goods store and bought a pair. Push up stands do take pressure off your wrists. They also let you do deeper into each push up which allows you to put more work on each muscle group.
I am sure there are those who have opinions different from mine on what equipment is needed for P90X. Use whatever works works for you and modify as needed.
P90X Legs & Back
It’s been a while since I’ve done the P90X Extreme Training System Legs and Back workout which is just under an hour. As you probably know from reading my reviews, I usually tried to avoid ab work when I tried staying fit using home equipment or the gym. I didn’t pay much attention to my legs either.
I didn’t like to work my legs because I feared they would get bigger. I already had what I consider “thunder thighs” and didn’t understand that I needed to do a combination of strength training and cardio to shape my legs. I knew this at an intellectual level, but somehow, I seem to forget stuff like that when I get around fitness equipment.
That’s one of the reasons it’s so good for me to have a “personal trainer” in my living room. I’ve got a routine and someone to help me stay focused and in form. That’s how you get results.
The P90X Legs and Back workout routine is sure to fatigue all your leg muscles as well as your back muscle group. All of the back exercises in this workout are done using a chin up bar or a resistence band. The leg exercises rely on the weight and position of your body. We’re not just talking about classic squats and lunges. You’ll work your butt off (literally), sweat a lot, and your muscles are going to shake. That’s good stuff.
I can do one unassisted chin up. Prior to P90X, I couldn’t do any unassisted chin ups at all. I know my back is getting stronger though, so I keep doing my best…not beating up on myself if I can’t do everything…refusing to use the difficulty of the exercise as an excuse to not even try.
Excuses steal your health and fitness. Determination develops your strength and stamina. I know this because I can do that one chin up now. I know that because I recently went to an event and wore a backless black dress. I wasn’t self-conscious about my legs. I even got a compliment on my back! What? Where’s a mirror? Let me check that out….I’ve got real muscles back there?
I really needed that compliment. When people mirror back to you the progress they see, it serves as a great motivator to press play. Speaking of motivators, if you want one great motivator to press play on this Beachbody workout guys, check out a picture of Tony Horton’s legs. He has awesome cuts. Gals, don’t worry about getting big leg muscles like Tony…check out Drey and while you’re at it, check out her back muscles. Wow!
P90X Extreme Home Fitness Kenpo X: Loving the Stretch
I never get tired of P90X Extreme Home Fitness workouts. I just completed the P90X Kenpo X routine. It’s far easier for me than the first few times I did it – maybe even the first month or two that I kicked, punched, blocked and jabbed with Tony Horton.
Kenpo X is probably one of the most favored routines in P90X. Perhaps because it’s fun to focus all the day’s stress and aggression toward an imaginary opponent?
What I really appreciated about this 58 minute cardio session from Beachbody tonight was the warm up section. Although I know that sounds strange, the stretching to warm up your legs and lower back felt good.
Stretching and warming up your muscles is important in any workout. Kenpo X has a lot of kicks, punches, twists, and movements in all planes. Take the warm up session seriously.
Your muscles will appreciate the time you’ve taken to prepare them for an extreme workout. You’ll also be able to push yourself a little harder and maximize your cardio workout. Wow! I feel really good now.
I burned a lot of calories and probably a little fat. I also got a full body workout for strength and flexibility. I did something good to rev up my metabolism. It’s not hard to get fit and stay fit. All you have to do is find something you like doing and then, do it. Are you up for P90X?
P90X Yoga X – More Calm, More Storm
P90X Yoga X made it to my dvd player today. I hesitated before pushing play because I haven’t done this 92 minute power yoga workout in about two months. I looked forward to the workout, yet I dreaded some of the poses. I wondered if the workout would be as difficult this time around. I decided that I would commit to the first 45 minutes of the routine. I pushed play and set out to do my best.
Guess what? It’s still a difficult workout, but it’s better in the second round of P90X. I’m stronger now, and I know what’s coming. I used to shake a lot in upward dog and side plank. My core muscles are much stronger now. These yoga poses are no longer mastering me and kicking my butt.
On the other hand, the half moon sequence still causes a lot of shaking! At least I’m not stumbling, losing my balance, and falling to the floor in the half moon series any longer. So, the good news is I’m stronger and more flexible. The bad news is that to gain more calm….I’ve got to experience more storm.
I tell everyone that there’s nothing easy about the P90X Extrme Home Fitness program. You’ve got to really commit yourself and work all aspects of the program. You have to remain accountable to yourself and above all esle, be willing to fail and try again. That’s been my experience with P90X Yoga X. I commit to do my best. I struggle. I fall. I try again. I get stronger. I gain flexibility and balance. I master one move and still struggle with another. Calm. Storm.
I’m waiting on this month’s Tony Horton One on One to arrive. It’s his new yoga routine named “Patience Hummingbird”. It’s only about half the length of Yoga X. I know it will have it’s own challenges as Tony’s One on One program was designed to keep P90X graduates motivated with new extreme fitness workouts. I’ll write a review this week after I get a chance to experience the new calm and storm.
P90X Fitness Results
I just finished updating my stats and my fitness goals on my fitness tracker. It’s amazing to see how far I’ve come in just 90 days of P90X. I didn’t go for the “ripped” hardbody look. I wanted to tone up and fit in my clothes without having the “skinny” look. I receive compliments almost daily since I’ve toned up and dropped a few pounds. It feels great. I feel great!
The fitness tracker is one of the free tools I get to use as a Beachbody Club member. And, since I’m starting a new program tomorrow with new fitness goals, I used the calorie calculator to help me set up my nutrition plan. I want to drop 15 pounds and trim my thighs by three inches over the next six weeks. Now, I have my fitness program selected (Slim in 6) and my calorie intake targeted for weight loss. I can hardly wait to publish the results from my new set of goals.
Lost 10 Pounds
Lost 4 inches around my waist
Lost 2 inches around my chest
Lost 2 inches around my hips
Reduce my body fat from 24% to 16%
Increased my max push ups from 12 to 30
Increased my verticle leam by 3 inches
Increased my toe touch by 5.5 inches
Increased my max In and Outs ab reps from 25 to 60
It’s been an amazing journey. What are your fitness goals? Decide. Commit. Succeed. It works.
Are You Struggling with P90X?
If you’re struggling with P90X, you’re not alone. Maybe you saw the infomercial and the results that P90X graduates from all walks of life are achieving. Maybe you wanted to watch the fat melt off and the muscles turn from flab to ripped. Maybe, you even know someone who’s getting awesome results from the P90X Extreme Training System. I’m writing this article because I believe one of two things is probably contributing to your struggle.
The first reason you may be struggling with P90X is because it is an extreme fitness program designed for people who are already working out and need a challenging workout routine to take their fitness to the next level. Even if you passed the fitness test, you may not be ready for P90X. This doesn’t mean you’ll never be ready or that you can’t struggle through it. You can. You’ll just need to modify your program. Do your best and forget the rest. Set reasonable goals and expectations. Small steps add up to big results over time.
I had a friend who wanted to try the P90X program and soon learned that it was more advanced than her current fitness level. She didn’t want to let me down. You know what I told her? You’ve got to do it for yourself. You can’t do it for someone else. The desire and commitment must be yours. What I recommend for her (or for you if this fits your situation) is Tony Horton’s Power 90 or Debbie Siebers Slim in 6.
The Slim in 6 program is a six week program designed especially for weight loss. It teaches you about basic nutrition for health and fitness and gets you started on a daily regimen of fitness for beginners to mid-level exercisers. It’s also a great program to toss a few pounds and throw in a little variety for those who are serious fitness fanatics.
Power 90 is Tony Horton’s workout program that was used as the basis for P90X. It is not considered extreme fitness. It’s interval training that uses a lot of the same moves in P90X but at a lower intensity. It’s a great starting point to get you ready for P90X if you’re struggling with the advanced program right now.
Ok, what’s the second reason you might be struggling with P90X? It’s hard! It wasn’t meant to be easy. It was designed for you to be able to push yourself. You have a lot of control with the intensity and modifications you use in each exercise routine.
One great place to get help on a particular workout or routine is the message boards. I was having trouble with the Yoga X in my first thirty days. I spent a lot of time on the message boards chatting with other people who were doing the same program as me. We gave each other a lot of support. Some of us were at about the same level in the program while others had already been through it. We once received advice from someone who had done yoga for years. She advised that the routine would get easier with time and that it was actually just the first half of the routine that was so challenging. I found both of these statements to be true.
The second thing I recommend is joining the club. You’ll be able to get advice from expert trainers on exercise and nutrition. The nutritional tools in the club are very helpful in getting your diet planned right for the program you’re doing. Until I used this tool, I was getting stronger and my muscles were getting toned, but I was staying about the same weight. I wanted to lose a little more weight than I was and discovered that I needed to adjust my nutritional intake to gain muscle and lose weight at the same time.
I hope I’ve given you a little encouragement if you’re struggling with P90X. By the way, if you haven’t joined Beachbody yet, get your free account. I’d be happy to be your coach!
P90X Yoga X – Storm & Calm
What is it that keeps me coming back to Yoga X, a grueling 92 minutes of P90X extreme training? Is it the sweat that pours from my forehead and drips from my chin? Is it the challenge of completing a push up before going into each downward facing dog? Maybe it’s the thrill of making it through the first 45 minutes of the routine which seems more like cardio than any yoga I’ve ever done.
Yoga X is based on hatha yoga. If you think yoga is easy, you better be prepared to sweat! The first time I did this routine, I was wiped out after about the first 20 minutes. I followed the mantra of trainer Tony Horton who reminds us in each session of P90X to do our best and forget the rest.
This is one of the love/hate routines of P90X. As you focus on each breath and try to work through the discomfort of the pose, you’re secretly trying to watch the timer to see how much time is left in the strenuous pose. When you’ve completed the full routine, however, your whole body is transformed into a relaxed, fully stretched and peaceful state. Oh, it feels so good.
I look forward to Yoga X the day after I do a weight lifting routine because I know I’ll get a good stretch on the muscle tears I formed doing strength training exercised. It’s better than a hot tub for relieving back aches or a massage chair for relaxing the body.
I still struggle with pull ups, and I still struggle with a couple of the poses in Yoga X. That’s ok – I do my best, forget the rest. Over time, I get stronger, more flexible and better able to hold difficult yoga poses.
As with all the P90X workouts, the basic form is demonstrated and then, variations of the exercise are introduced so you can modify to better fit your fitness level. I like the fact that I can always relate to someone in the video. It’s nice to see a super athletic fitness professional float through the moves like there’s no struggle at all, but I relate more to the guy in the gray shorts who shakes in almost every move. He’s my hero. If he can do, I can keep on trying.
So what yoga moves are difficult for me? I’d have to say that the hardest two moves for me are the half moon and crane. I keep trying the half moon sequence. I can feel the stretch in my hamstrings, back, and glutes. I stumble. I fall. I try again. As for the crane, I’m not ashamed to say I do child’s pose in place of crane. I take a mini break rather than fighting against gravity to hold my body up on my elbows.
My favorite part of this Beachbody workout is the “Yoga Belly Seven”. It comes at the end of the routine right before the cool down series. Maybe knowing that the end is near is what keeps me looking forward to reaching this point? It’s not because it feels exhilarating while you’re doing these seven yoga exercises for the abs. My abs burn more during and after doing yoga abs exercises than working them at the gym on abdominal machines, using an ab roller, ab rocker, medicine ball or just doing crunches.
Like most people, I’ve tried a lot of ab exercise machines. I’d take Yoga Belly Seven over those machines any day. And if you really want to work your abs, try the P90X Ab Ripper X. It takes your abs to a new level. Of course you wouldn’t want to do Ab Ripper on the same day you’re doing Yoga X. Once you do P90X Yoga X, I don’t think you’ll want to try Ab Ripper in the same day anyway.
You’ll want to sit back and enjoy the accomplishment of making it through this challenge extreme training routine. You’ll be doing a cardiovascular, strength training, muscle toning, lean gaining, flexibility, core and ab burning, calming exercise routine. You’ll come to love those 92 minutes even if you don’t make it through the workout the first time you push play. Yoga X is definitely one of those routines you’ll want to rant and rave about on the community message boards.
Oh by the way, you can join our Beachbody community and use the message forums for free. It’s a great way to meet people who are doing the same routines as you. We encourage each other and listen to each other as we’re having a hard time. The message boards help you have accountability to stick with your program even when “life” tries to get in the way.
I found a forum that was starting for P90X at about the same time I was starting. This was set up for women in particular. I personally enjoy the understanding and support that comes from other women. We sure talked about Yoga X. We complained about the length of the routine and that it was too hard. Slowly, we worked through our rants and started posting raves…made it through Yoga X, it’s getting better. I truly believe that the message boards set Beachbody workouts apart from any other program available.
If you’re ready to start the P90X Extreme Training System and challenge yourself with Yoga X, I’m ready to help you define and meet your fitness goals as your personal coach. You can get your 13 DVD set here, but if you want to save 10% on your purchase, join the club. And, if you have an interest in helping other achieve their fitness goals, you might be interested in becoming a Beachbody coach yourself and saving 25% on all Beachbody products. Namaste.
Kenpo Karate Kicks Tips
Kenpo X is a favorite routine for many who are undergoing the challenging extreme home fitness program, P90X – a Beachbody workout with trainer Tony Horton. What’s not to love? Jabs, cross, hook, upercut…kicks, blocks, something different from the usual grueling workouts. That doesn’t mean this workout is for beginners. The kicks alone can make your hips and butt hurt for a couple of days.
I enjoy this workout as much as any other fan of P90X, but I struggled with the back kick. It just didn’t seem right when I attempted this move. For weeks, I just kept trying. I kept doing my best. I kept moving. I focused on this move because it was hard for me.
Then, Tony’s words just hit me one day. He used the phrase “mule kick.” It hit me! The form should be more like the kick of a horse, donkey, cow, or mule. The form should feel more like the kick back machine at the gym that is designed to work the glutes. The difference is the back kick should drive with the heel of the foot. I’m sure if I made contact with anything or anyone, the ball of my foot or toes would be what was hitting.
I gave this some thought and realized that I was doing the same thing on my front kick. I’d certainly break a toe the way I was kicking! I felt silly envisioning myself kicking someone and then, falling to the ground because I’d either broken a toe or had been flipped by my opponent because I threw such a pansy, soft kick.
The key to kicks in Kenpo Karate and
Speaking of Wesley, observe how he leans away from the direction of the kick. The further you lean your body away from your kick, the higher you can get your kick. The fitness manual for
This workout is about cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, balance, strenth training, toning, and focusing. The routine starts out slowly and builds momentum as you learn the moves. It’s just under 56 minutes, including the warm up and cool down. And, I’ve read nothing but positive comments from men and women on this routine. Hats off Tony! This is one of our favorites!
What Rocks Your World? Working Out Music
“We whistle while we work…” The Seven Dwarfs never got tired of singing the same old song. As for me, I like variety when it comes to music and workouts. I know I can’t be the only one who’s tired of listening to the same old music in the gym, on fitness walks, and on my exercise dvds?
What would you like to hear? How about a little country, classic rock or R&B for a change? You don’t have to listen to dance music or the oldies to get a good workout. You don’t have to listen to hard rock or pop. You just might want to try something inspiration like gospel or perhaps throw in something motivational from Brian Tracey or Jim Rohn.
I’ve found that different forms of audio help me focus on the routine at hand. I learned this secret from walking with fitness CDs. I’d keep a nice steady pace while listening to the upbeat music and listening to the trainer encourage me to set goals and keep moving. When doing cardio dvds, I did well with both dance music and the oldies. For yoga, it always seemed to be some new age music that I’d never listen to on my car radio. At the gym, I preferred Metallica and AC/DC, but of course the gym never plays hard rock.
It really wasn’t until I started working out with the Beachbody workout P90X that I realized that I could decide what music I wanted to hear. I could listen to whatever motivated me, kept me focused or even inspired me.
The P90X Extreme Home Fitness dvds allow you to listen to music and cues dubbed for the program, but you also have some options. You can turn off the music and just listen to the cues to move from one exercise to the next. You also have the option of turning off the music and the cues. These options give you a lot ways to customize your program.
In the beginning of my P90X journey, I listened to the music and cues on all 13 dvds until I had the routines down pretty well. Then, I started experimenting. I turned off the music and listened to some relaxing flute music or ocean sounds while doing yoga. I tried the Chest, Shoulder, & Tri routine with the 22 themes of 007 blaring in our loft. (Don’t laugh. That really is a good cd to drown out the world and keep your blood flowing!)
Most recently, I tried something totally different. I listened to an audiobook while doing Chest & Biceps. Please don’t try this until you can do your routine with your eyes closed. Listening to words is different than listening to music. You have to focus somewhat on the audio to comprehend what you’re hearing. If you don’t have your routine down yet, this might take too much focus off your exercise session which may affect your performance or make you more prone to injury.
Of course, there are days when I just listen to my favorite music on my ipod. I’m usually walking when the ipod earphones are on. I prefer the freedom of stereo speakers when I’m doing my Beachbody workouts at home. There’s nothing like the adrenaline you feel when the stereo is too loud and no one’s at home to remind you.
Experiment a little and see what works for you. Music is our universal language. Be inspired. Get motivated to move. Feel peace and serenity. Focus. Energize. Perform at your best. Turn it on. Turn it up. Work in silence or at the lowest volume. Let music enhance your workouts. Let music rock your world.
Plyometrics Jump Training Not For Everyone
I talked about interval training in an earlier post and Shaun T’s upcoming Insanity program that incorporates MAX interval training. Well, I thought about interval training a lot today as I worked my way through the P90X Extreme Home Fitness Plyometrics DVD.
I remember being overwhelmed the first time I pressed play on plyometrics day. It was day number two. I was feeling my workout from the previous day (Chest & Back, Ab Ripper X). I hoped I had what it would take to do the whole 90 day program. Tony Horton started talking about something called “plyometrics” or “jump training.” He went on to say that plyometrics was designed to increase speed, strength, and sports performance. Ok, I thought. I can handle that.
I didn’t make it through my first plyo workout. I wondered if I had made a mistake. I decided to take Tony’s advice and keep pressing play, give it my best and…forget the rest. Then, he’d really push me harder by saying you can do anything for thirty seconds. Believe it or not, that was enough to keep me going. I’m much better at plyometrics these days, but there are a couple of moves that are still very difficult for me, and I can always count on a workout that maintains a high heart rate.
The plyometrics session is just over 58 minutes. It’s no joke! It works in a series of four exercises that repeat themselves followed by a short (30 second) active break. The first three exercises are usually 30 seconds long and the fourth one is 60 seconds with a higher intensity. Once you work through one series of exercises two times, a new series is introduced which kicks up the volume a little. Sweat pours off every square inch of your body.
Plyometrics follows the philosophy of all Beachbody workouts. It uses real people in the DVD, not perfect models. There’s always someone in the video you can watch as a mentor. Some participants are extreme and can jump high and wide. Other participants are more like me and typical family members – giving it their best and forgeting the rest.
The hardest two exercises in plyometrics for me are the Jump Knee Tuck and Rock Star Hop. The Jump Knee Tuck requires you to jump vertically, pulling your knees in towards your chest. It sounds easy, but the execution if far from easy!
The Rock Star Hop is a variation of the Jump Knee Tuck. You don’t bring your knees to your chest in the jump move. Instead, you kick your feet to your butt like a “rock star” strumming down on an electric guitar. I’ve got to say that the Rock Star Hop is more entertaining whether you’re doing it or watching someone else do it.
Plyometrics jump training may not be for everyone, but if you want to get some high intensity cardio interval training, you’ve got to add plyometrics to your routine. If you have any questions about plyometrics or any of the P90X Extreme Home Fitness DVDs, don’t hesitate to ask. My best advice for plyometrics? Don’t give up before the miracle and keep pressing play. You’re going to grow to love this extreme workout.
