Yoga X was great. I have never done yoga in my life and it was quite unique. It just goes to show you how diverse the P90X workout really is, they really have thought of everything! This routine is a little longer than the rest I have done so far. It's 1hr and 30min. The first 30-45min is actually quite difficult, or at least it was for me :). My hamstrings have been aching since Plyometrics and I mean aching! Yoga X definitely works the hamstrings a lot! You get into several positions that have you holding most of your weight on one leg. Yoga X is about breathing, balance, and staying focused. Once you get past the first half the rest is much more relaxing. I can describe the first half as focused, calm, sweating.
After the last 3 days I needed this routine. It seems like they knew I did! It felt great to just relax and stretch. I will tell you this, some of the moves will really challenge you. If you are not that limber yet you'll have to work your way into these positions over time. I had a couple of bad cramp ups in my neck and legs during this, trying to get into the positions. Once they passed, I was good to go. I don't think I ever really moved my body in this way, so that probably explains the cramps. I'll say it again the first week is hard. Each workout has dozens of moves and you repeat them. I've learned that I have to push myself, but sometimes I just have to stop and take a mini break...that's ok and it's not just my saying so, Tony Horton will tell you the same!
You can't do this on the hard floor you will need to either have a carpet beneath you, or better yet just get a yoga mat. The P90X Yoga Monster Mat can be seen here:
Yoga Monster Mat
If you want to learn more about the P90X workout or want to give it a try see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
P90X Workout Day 3 Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X
This morning it was hard getting out of bed. All of me hurts. Especially those areas that got destroyed by Plyometrics. At this point I'm actually strongly considering the P90X Peak
Recovery formula. I want to bounce back quickly and adapt to this ASAP. I've never really seen myself as a supplement guy but, when your body is aching like mine is you may just be reaching for something that will help get you back up to par. The "Shoulders & Arms" workout was actually a relief from the last 2 days of brutality :). A lot of bicep workouts in this one. This is where you really get into the resistance bands if you went that route, otherwise you need dumbbells.
Probably the most difficult routine (I can't remember the name) was the one that has you get a chair and position your self off of the front with your hands gripping the corners. Then you dip down with your legs either bent, or fully extended. That's a tough one, I'll be working my way up on those. The whole point of the P90X workout is to document how many reps you can do now for a given exercise so that you can increase this number as you move through the program. After Shoulders & Arms it goes on to Ab Ripper X. It's an intense ab workout as the name implies. lots of crunches and sit up style routines.
One thing that is great is that Tony Horton shows you how to modified the exercises to make it a little easier when you're just starting out. This is due to the fact that you simply cannot do every extreme technique they hand you right off the bat. You have to work your way up on some. I actually felt energized after this workout as opposed to completely stomped like the last 2 days. The P90X workout does take a real commitment and so far so good.
If you want to learn more about the P90X workout or want to give it a try see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
Recovery formula. I want to bounce back quickly and adapt to this ASAP. I've never really seen myself as a supplement guy but, when your body is aching like mine is you may just be reaching for something that will help get you back up to par. The "Shoulders & Arms" workout was actually a relief from the last 2 days of brutality :). A lot of bicep workouts in this one. This is where you really get into the resistance bands if you went that route, otherwise you need dumbbells.Probably the most difficult routine (I can't remember the name) was the one that has you get a chair and position your self off of the front with your hands gripping the corners. Then you dip down with your legs either bent, or fully extended. That's a tough one, I'll be working my way up on those. The whole point of the P90X workout is to document how many reps you can do now for a given exercise so that you can increase this number as you move through the program. After Shoulders & Arms it goes on to Ab Ripper X. It's an intense ab workout as the name implies. lots of crunches and sit up style routines.
One thing that is great is that Tony Horton shows you how to modified the exercises to make it a little easier when you're just starting out. This is due to the fact that you simply cannot do every extreme technique they hand you right off the bat. You have to work your way up on some. I actually felt energized after this workout as opposed to completely stomped like the last 2 days. The P90X workout does take a real commitment and so far so good.
If you want to learn more about the P90X workout or want to give it a try see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
P90X Workout Day 2 Plyometrics
They call it Plyometrics, check out the video on the P90X page half way down. I call it the devil in sheep's clothing :) After Chest & Back I figured ok, this workout starts out easy. We're doing a little jumping around, moving the legs, getting the heart going a bit, anything is better than the dozens of push ups and chin ups I did yesterday. Boy was I wrong!
Tony Horton (your instructor/guide) calls it the mother of all P90X workouts, and he wasn't kidding. The routine goes for 58 mins, I made it through 48 min. I was beat BIG TIME.
I was a bit disappointed in myself as I'm not one to quit but, if you're not used to getting exercise, the first week of the P9oX Workout can be brutal, which I have heard directly from other users. Plyometrics in a nutshell is a cardio workout that focuses on a ton of jumping and squatting moves, with the goal being to workout your hamstrings, gluts and build your stamina. You would be surprised how a little jumping can be so intense! So far the P90X workout is delivering as promised, I just need to hang in there until my body starts adjusting to this :) My tip for all those just getting into the P90X... Push yourself to hang in there as long as you can each day, but we all have a line, don't kill yourself, just push yourself. It's a tough adjustment at first, but you will adapt to the P90X — stick with it!
If you want to learn more about the P90X workout or want to give it a try see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
Tony Horton (your instructor/guide) calls it the mother of all P90X workouts, and he wasn't kidding. The routine goes for 58 mins, I made it through 48 min. I was beat BIG TIME.
I was a bit disappointed in myself as I'm not one to quit but, if you're not used to getting exercise, the first week of the P9oX Workout can be brutal, which I have heard directly from other users. Plyometrics in a nutshell is a cardio workout that focuses on a ton of jumping and squatting moves, with the goal being to workout your hamstrings, gluts and build your stamina. You would be surprised how a little jumping can be so intense! So far the P90X workout is delivering as promised, I just need to hang in there until my body starts adjusting to this :) My tip for all those just getting into the P90X... Push yourself to hang in there as long as you can each day, but we all have a line, don't kill yourself, just push yourself. It's a tough adjustment at first, but you will adapt to the P90X — stick with it!
If you want to learn more about the P90X workout or want to give it a try see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
P90X Workout DAY 1!!!!
Well simply put if you can manage to stay with this program you are going to get in great shape. Now keep in mind I started the routine at 1:oo am (I work a lot) so I was tired to begin with, but MAN this P90X thing is no joke! It kicked my ass plain and simple!!!! I'm so tired. It starts you off with Chest & Back (scroll down to the videos 1st one) and boy it's crazy. you set how many reps you think you're capable of as a goal for each and every exercise you do.
It's a series of push ups and pulls ups for about an hour and a half with a couple nice breaks here and there for a few short minutes. You go through a whole routine with Tony Horton as your guide of course. You do military push ups, reverse pull ups, close grip pull ups, decline push ups, diamond push ups, "dive bombers" and back flys to name a few. THEN, you do the whole workout in reverse! You can't get away with not having weights or resistance bands, and you really do need the P90X chin up bar, which I love (and now hate). I'll be sore in the morning, but I'm going to "bring it!" tomorrow and keep going on track. A word of advice if you have not been physically active lately or ever, this is going to be a tough one and they start you off with no mercy. Be ready, the P90X workout will deliver what it promises if you can keep up! I'll fill you in tomorrow as I move onto "Plyometrics"
If you want to learn more about the P90X workout or want to give it a try see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
It's a series of push ups and pulls ups for about an hour and a half with a couple nice breaks here and there for a few short minutes. You go through a whole routine with Tony Horton as your guide of course. You do military push ups, reverse pull ups, close grip pull ups, decline push ups, diamond push ups, "dive bombers" and back flys to name a few. THEN, you do the whole workout in reverse! You can't get away with not having weights or resistance bands, and you really do need the P90X chin up bar, which I love (and now hate). I'll be sore in the morning, but I'm going to "bring it!" tomorrow and keep going on track. A word of advice if you have not been physically active lately or ever, this is going to be a tough one and they start you off with no mercy. Be ready, the P90X workout will deliver what it promises if you can keep up! I'll fill you in tomorrow as I move onto "Plyometrics"
If you want to learn more about the P90X workout or want to give it a try see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
Saturday, August 25, 2007
P90X Workout Begins!
I received my order Thursday! I got the P90X, the chin up bar and the resistance bands. After talking to a few others who are already in full throttle with the system, I hear having a yoga mat is actually pretty crucial. I guess there are several routines that you could really benefit from having a mat. I don't own one currently, but they offer those as well:
Yoga Monster Mat
Also I have been hearing from several people that the P90X peak recovery shake is a smart choice after each workout. I personally have never really been too much of a supplement guy, but who knows maybe I'll change my mind once I get started. Speaking of getting started, I plan to start Monday! I'm actually really excited to kick this off, I assembled my P90X chin up bar (which by the way is an incredible invention on it's own) and had a few friends over last night. They couldn't stay off the thing! We even made a rule that anytime anyone walks by it (it's in my main hallway) they have to do 2 chin ups :) It's just fun to jump up on it!
Some words on the P90X chin up bar itself. It's actually really simple but really amazing in its design. The two little brackets that it comes with don't actually support any of your weight. In fact, once you assemble it, you can actually slide it up under the door frame and do a chin up without any brackets at all! the brackets just prevent it from falling down once you are off of it. It basically has two bars that support your weight. One pushing against the front of the door and one on the other side of the top of the door that pushes opposite. Sort of hard to explain so I hope that made a little sense. From the picture I didn't quite get it but once you have it in front of you it all makes sense right away. Well the challenge begins I'll be back with my first impressions of the P90X workout come Monday!
If you want to learn more about the P90X workout or want to give it a try see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
Yoga Monster Mat
Also I have been hearing from several people that the P90X peak recovery shake is a smart choice after each workout. I personally have never really been too much of a supplement guy, but who knows maybe I'll change my mind once I get started. Speaking of getting started, I plan to start Monday! I'm actually really excited to kick this off, I assembled my P90X chin up bar (which by the way is an incredible invention on it's own) and had a few friends over last night. They couldn't stay off the thing! We even made a rule that anytime anyone walks by it (it's in my main hallway) they have to do 2 chin ups :) It's just fun to jump up on it!
Some words on the P90X chin up bar itself. It's actually really simple but really amazing in its design. The two little brackets that it comes with don't actually support any of your weight. In fact, once you assemble it, you can actually slide it up under the door frame and do a chin up without any brackets at all! the brackets just prevent it from falling down once you are off of it. It basically has two bars that support your weight. One pushing against the front of the door and one on the other side of the top of the door that pushes opposite. Sort of hard to explain so I hope that made a little sense. From the picture I didn't quite get it but once you have it in front of you it all makes sense right away. Well the challenge begins I'll be back with my first impressions of the P90X workout come Monday!
If you want to learn more about the P90X workout or want to give it a try see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
Sunday, August 19, 2007
My P90X workout purchase
I figured I'd post to give a little info on what I bought to get myself started on the P90X Workout System. Not all the routines in the program require the use of equipment, but you will need some stuff for some of the workout routines.
Now if you have free weights or resistance bands of your own then you're good to go, if not you can also pick up resistance bands that were made for the P90X workout. I went with the P90X Resistance Bands (Men) Kit. As mentioned before I do have a set of free weights but from what I have heard bands as opposed to weights give you more flexibility and a more fluid resistance as you move though a particular motion. And, for about 33 bucks you can't go wrong.
I also bought the P90X chin up bar. I have always wanted a chin up bar and was actually really pleased to find the P90X version because it doesn't require me to drill holes in my door frame (I live in an apartment) and even if my landlord would allow it, my wife would have my head if I made a chin up bar a permanent structure in her ahmmm I mean our living space :). So what's also great about the P90X chin up bar is that I can put it up and take it down easily when I'm done... everyone is happy.
Last but certainly not least I bought the P90X Workout DVDs. 12 discs in total a manual of sorts and the nutrition guide. I know how to eat healthy at this point so while the nutrition guide for the P90X is not something so crucial for me, maybe there will be some good tips or at least it will help to give me a few more options. At the very least it will help give me a routine I can adhere to. I do want to stress that while it may seem obvious, you have to eat right and exercise if you want to be healthier, and more fit. So, if you decide to start the P90X workout make sure you're ready to change your eating habits. It's not all about how much you eat it's what you're eating that's more important. I'll post up some tips and info I've learned along the way in a later post.
While the makers of the P90X would probably love for me to buy every accessory they offer, I think I'll be pretty good to go with what I've decided on, at least for now anyway. I'll keep you informed if it seems necessary to buy any of the other equipment.
I'm looking forward to starting! If you want to learn more about the P90X workout or want to give it a try see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
Now if you have free weights or resistance bands of your own then you're good to go, if not you can also pick up resistance bands that were made for the P90X workout. I went with the P90X Resistance Bands (Men) Kit. As mentioned before I do have a set of free weights but from what I have heard bands as opposed to weights give you more flexibility and a more fluid resistance as you move though a particular motion. And, for about 33 bucks you can't go wrong.
I also bought the P90X chin up bar. I have always wanted a chin up bar and was actually really pleased to find the P90X version because it doesn't require me to drill holes in my door frame (I live in an apartment) and even if my landlord would allow it, my wife would have my head if I made a chin up bar a permanent structure in her ahmmm I mean our living space :). So what's also great about the P90X chin up bar is that I can put it up and take it down easily when I'm done... everyone is happy.
Last but certainly not least I bought the P90X Workout DVDs. 12 discs in total a manual of sorts and the nutrition guide. I know how to eat healthy at this point so while the nutrition guide for the P90X is not something so crucial for me, maybe there will be some good tips or at least it will help to give me a few more options. At the very least it will help give me a routine I can adhere to. I do want to stress that while it may seem obvious, you have to eat right and exercise if you want to be healthier, and more fit. So, if you decide to start the P90X workout make sure you're ready to change your eating habits. It's not all about how much you eat it's what you're eating that's more important. I'll post up some tips and info I've learned along the way in a later post.
While the makers of the P90X would probably love for me to buy every accessory they offer, I think I'll be pretty good to go with what I've decided on, at least for now anyway. I'll keep you informed if it seems necessary to buy any of the other equipment.
I'm looking forward to starting! If you want to learn more about the P90X workout or want to give it a try see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
Saturday, August 18, 2007
P90X workout...Taking the Plunge
So I was up late last night after having a few drinks with friends and I see the P90X workout infomercial again. Now I'm definitely the type of guy that is always skeptical of these workout infomercials, but after having a short stint in "self improvement" a couple months ago (running and light weights) only to fall off the wagon, I figure hey why not try something that will push me hard but also put me on a real schedule with a real goal...enter the P90X Workout.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the P90X Workout System the goal is to go through 90 days of alternating workout routines, that apparently keep things varied enough that your body never gets used to the same exercises and thus never stops building muscle. The P90X folks call this "Muscle Confusion" how appropriate :). You can check this out for yourself, there is a blurb and a little video P90X (Muscle Confusion) But the thing is while I was jogging and lifting weights and trying to eat better, I did actually start to see some results after a month or two. The thing is if you eat right, make your body move around enough, and exert some energy, you will burn fat and build muscle, thats just the way the body works. So Why am I going to try the P90X workout, well one of the reasons I just stopped doing my own exercise routines was because it just got plain boring doing the same thing over and over again and, I want to see bigger results faster.
Now despite all of the hype and adverting for the P90X the bottom line is the workouts they have planned for you will get you sweating and they actually look interesting. The P90X workout system has been around for a while and seems like there is a following. There is a guy over at p90x-review.com that is going all out and showing a day by day photo journal of sorts for the whole 90 days of the P90X, which is pretty intense in my book.
So I'm going to pony up the cash and give it a whirl and this blog will help me stay committed to the 90 day program (and hopefully longer). So, stop back to get my live feedback on the P90X workout, I'll post again as soon as I get it. if you want to know more about it direct from the source, see the link below:
P90X Home Workout System
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