P90X

Do you need a proper bench to do p90x? I see that a pull up bar is pretty necessary, and someone mentioned a sturdy chair. Can you do everything without a bench?

The Stache wrote:

Do you need a proper bench to do p90x? I see that a pull up bar is pretty necessary, and someone mentioned a sturdy chair. Can you do everything without a bench?

You do not need a bench.

Cheez-It wrote:

Can you substitute bands for weights, and if so, what kind of bands would work best?

Bands work great for some people. Others hate them. They are convenient though...easy to pack and travel with, and cost less than several sets of weights. Bands DO break though, and the resistance isn't as great initially until you stretch the band further, so pros and cons. I prefer dumbbells.

I was out with ITBS so I decided to forget about running for 90 says and give it a try. Honestly it's NOT as hard as people make it out to be. At first maybe, I thought Ab rippe X was like impossible but once you do it 5-6 times you'll be waiting for the DVD to catch up. Actully it's like that with all the DVD's, once you do them twice you'll see they aren't really hard. This is why you don't repeat the same DVD too often, which is what I think the aim was.

The plan does do what it claims though IF you follow the diet. I started off at 12% bodyfat @130 lbs and within 60 days I was at 132 lbs and 8% bodyfat. . I see veins in my stomach for crying out loud(You'll get soo sick of lean meats and whey protein though). My back muscles were notable bigger(you do like 1000 pull ups per week). At the 60 day mark I altered the calories intake baecause I didn't want to be gaining weight.

Now that I'm back to running I can not see how anyone in their right mind can maintain a cempetetive training schedule and P90X. I have been doing the P90X plus, but only 3 workouts per week. P90X plus is much more condusive to a runner the the regular P90X. The DVD's are only 40 minutes and whole body core style workouts. You don't do much isolated lifts like all the curling and tri extension crap from the original(like having massage bicepts does anything for running anyways).

Ohh and one other note, watch out for reviews by google bots. Any review that sounds overly corny is just a real person(as displayed by a few post in this thread).

Ive been doing this for two weeks and I have to say it's a real work out.

The Yoga felt really good. Nice to losen up all over like that.

So far the only day I really dislike is the Kienpo (sp?) workout. Can't say I got too much out of that. the Plyos are GREAT, as are most of the other workouts.

Doing this in the AM and running in the PM.

And don't get hung up on the equipment. All you need is a pull up bar and some light dumbbells. If you are the typical skinny runners I doubt you need much over 25lbs.

Please reread your own words about "Build lean muscle, and not put on the mass."If you are putting on or "building" lean muscle, then you are increasing your muscle mass and muscle density. This is not rocket science folks.

Bumping this thread

I'm starting day 61 and this program is quite good. Ive seen big strength improvements, granted I could only go one way- UP.

Now I'm wondering how many days I can do and keep some of the gains. I know once the fall racing season starts I wont want to spend as much time and energy on my push ups and pull ups. Is 3 days the minimum?

I've tried a few of the P90X workouts and they are tough. Having worked on abs for years with running, the Ab Ripper-X wasn't too bad, but definitely left me sore. The push-up/chin-up workout on the other hand is insane. Still haven't gotten through all 50 odd minutes of it. I can't speak to the results yet, but from what I've tried so far, the workouts seem legit.

I'm on day 33 so far, and to date I've lost 11 pounds of fat and gained 2 pounds of muscle as of my last weigh in. This workout works. I took my Day 0 photos, and Day 30 photos, and there's a HUGE difference. At the start I was so out of shape that I couldn't do a single unassisted pull up. Now I can do two, and as the weight flies off, it's getting easier and easier.

The biggest area where I've been losing the weight is in the gut...No other workout program have I ever done, including running 50-60 miles a week, was I ever able to lose the midsection. After breaking a couple of ribs back in December, I had really let myself go pretty bad, and was having major lower back pains. I went through Physical Therapy to correct the back issues I had been having, and they recommended the P90X plan upon completion to me to further strengthen my core.

I am totally glad they did. The X-stretch is amazing. Plyometrics.....Should be ply-ow ow ow ow ow ow-metrics. I think that my HR was at 155 by the time the warm up was complete.....AWESOME WORKOUT. Yoga......basically an hour of push-ups, balance postures fishing up with 35 mins of some amazing stretches.....Absolutely LOVE IT.

I highly recommend it if you're looking at getting stronger.......This WILL make you stronger.

As for weights....I bought the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbells. Sure they're $399, but that included the $150 stand and FREE shipping when I ordered them.

http://www.bowflexselecttech.com/bst_microsite/products/552dumbbells/prdcdovr~100131/Bowflex+SelectTech+552+Dumbbells.jsp

Now you just get FREE shipping. As far as switching in and out.....as Tony says on the videos....Click-ity Click you're movin' on. I'm sold on pretty much anything Bowflex makes, I have their Ultimate home gym, and it's AWESOME too.

http://www.bowflexhomegyms.com/bowflex_home_gyms_us/products/ultimate2/prdcdovr~115000/Bowflex+Ultimate+2+Home+Gym.jsp

Pricey, but worth it. I even use it for Pull-Ups, when 've maxxed out on the bar....I have it all setup and ready to go, and start doing pull-downs to keep going with the workout while they finish.

For those out doing the workouts.....Keep pushing play!

this BS or for real?

Case o da Wheating Beatings wrote:

this BS or for real?

The one post above seems a bit over the top, more like an ad.

I've done P90X for 12 weeks and it's a really good work out. They arent selling anything "new" and dont pretend to be. It's a lot of push ups, pull ups, and workouts using dumb bells. All stuff you've done, but (if you are like me) you WONT do them unless you follow the DVD.

If I went to the gym I'd do a few curls and chin up or two and blow outta there. By following the program I actually do a full hours worth of work.

Case o da Wheating Beatings wrote:

this BS or for real?

No I am not BSing....Today is my day 40 on P90X, almost halfway home on the first 90 days. This second round has been tough, but plyometrics is really helping out my running. And it's not just running, P90X has improved my golf swing and I'm hitting the ball farther then ever. In my golf league I drove the first green of a 360 yard par 4. I'm usually 250-300 off the tee and very inconsistent. But my core has gotten so much stronger which has really helped with the inconsistencies and power.

I'm on the P90X message boards. I post in the thread titled 'Starting May 3rd'. I posted my Day 0 and Day 30 pics up there. I'll post the 60 day pics in 3 more weeks.

I have the same Bowflex dumbbell set and it works great.

I'm also a believer in P90X, though I think the plyometrics workout is a great way to wreck your knees. My wife and I have been doing this routine for about 60 days but whenever we come to the plyo workout, we substitute something more reasonable.

Some of these workouts are among the most difficult workouts I've ever done. P90X may not be for everyone, but they're great for challenging you to add some muscle and core strength, and push yourself in a new way.

KidStallyn wrote:

No I am not BSing....Today is my day 40 on P90X, almost halfway home on the first 90 days. This second round has been tough, but plyometrics is really helping out my running. And it's not just running, P90X has improved my golf swing and I'm hitting the ball farther then ever. In my golf league I drove the first green of a 360 yard par 4. I'm usually 250-300 off the tee and very inconsistent. But my core has gotten so much stronger which has really helped with the inconsistencies and power.

I'm on the P90X message boards. I post in the thread titled 'Starting May 3rd'. I posted my Day 0 and Day 30 pics up there. I'll post the 60 day pics in 3 more weeks.

Now I know this is BS. This guy is not an LRC reader -- he's just trolling for P90X threads and posting this stuff. BTW, the golf story is just over the top.

PS -- I actually have used and love P90X.

LVD wrote:

Now I know this is BS. This guy is not an LRC reader -- he's just trolling for P90X threads and posting this stuff. BTW, the golf story is just over the top.

PS -- I actually have used and love P90X.

Whatev.....I am a LRC reader, and I understand the trolls....I, unlike you, am using a registered name on Lets Run.....I have nothing to hide. I use KidStallyn all over the internet. Do a google search on it someday. Hall of Fame Football Fan inducted in the NFL HOF in 2004. Rabid Arizona Cardinals Fan. Been on the cover of ESPN.com. I'm jsut a regular guy, who likes to run, and discovered P90X from a friend. My 5K time SUX, best is 22:034. My best marathon time is a walk compared to yours I'm sure at 4:00:08. A seasoned vet like you probably has a 2:08 under his belt I'm sure. I'm on again, off again in running....And wasn't a D1 or D2 level runner like I'm sure you surely were back in your Al Bundy glory days.

Would just doing the Ab Ripper X every other day throughout the next 2 months or so be beneficial for my running? I don't want to do any core that will gain muscle or not help my running efficiency. My goal isn't 6 pack abs, it's doing the best core routine for running but I don't know what that routine is. Will Ab Ripper X help my core running wise or is there something better?

Most people fail at a diet and exercise routine because they have NO ROUTINE or their routine lacks intensity. 30 minutes of lolly gagging on the treadmill is simply pointless.

A single exercise video, like those during the 80s, is only one workout. Those crazy exercise machines? You have no direction.

Programs like P90x and Insanity work for those who need someone yelling at them everyday. It's similar to having a trainer at your home. But it is limited because 90 days is a very short amount of time and doing the routine over and over will get boring. Also these programs, P90X and Insanity come with nutrition guidelines.

These programs cost a lot of money to put together due to their complexity and that is the drawback on the business side of things. But, if you can create a following like they have then the creator can roll in the dough.

Alan

Anyone have an opinion on the 'Insanity' workouts? I'm getting kind of bored of P90X.