Let it Flow

On to week 2 of P90X. Weeks 1 through 3 are the same workout. Week 4 is a “rest” and then you move on.

Day 8 was Chest and Back again. This workout is killer. Tony Horton has us do so many different sets of push ups it’s unbelievable. Michael and I are doing this in a small home gym space so we use the bands instead of pull ups, and our bands aren’t heavy enough for the back work. Will get new bands this week.

The push ups are incredible. The last set of “Dive Bombers” are definitely intense. I’ve never done anything like that before. I’m performing the modified version. Maybe next week I’ll try the full version. I’ll have to post a picture or short video.

Week 1 after chest and back I was so sore. This week was much better. I worked just as hard, but now my body is used to the intensity. After chest and back we started ab ripper and then quit. I was so hungry I didn’t have the energy for the 15 minute ab workout.

Plus I recently learned that I have weak hip flexor muscles and most of the moves he does in the ab ripper require good hip flexion! We decided to wait and do the ab ripper after plyos on Tuesday. I had a small snack and went for a run instead.

Day 9 - Plyometrics (High impact, high intensity “jump workout”).

Now that I know what to expect from Plyometrics, I think it became “easier”. Not easy, just familiar. This is a tough one. Most exercise programs these days have taken the high impact out of the intensity. The body simply isn’t used to it.

Michael and I did buy heart rate monitors, and I wore mine this week for the Plyo’s workout. I was up in the 85% percent range for most of the workout. Pretty high intensity.

I will repeat, Plyometrics is a HIGH IMPACT workout. If you have bad knees, bad back, trouble with your feet, or any other health issues, be very careful with this workout. If you are new to plyometrics I would recommend trying the Cardio X DVD first (which I haven’t tried yet) and possibly consulting a qualified fitness professional for the Plyometrics training. Having a qualified professional check your form once or twice will be very helpful and worth the cost. If you don’t have good form you can do a lot of damage to your joints and your back.

Today Michael landed in a way that was too hard on his knees and he ended up icing after the workout.

After I completed Plyometrics I did the ab ripper. I HATE working on my abs. I use them with all exercises I do, and yet I never concentrate on them. So this was tough for me and with weak hip flexors this was even harder. As a result I felt this more in my legs then my abs. Ab ripper is to be done 3 times per week, so I’ll keep at it.

I will give kudos to Tony. Even though he and his gang are going all out, he encourages you at home to press pause at any time during your workout if you need a break.

One thing I don’t like so much is how after a series of high intensity exercises he sometimes has people stop moving entirely, right away. I was trained that you should always keep moving until your heart rate comes down to a normal level, even if you walk in place. You don’t want to go from 1 minute of high intensity/impact activity. This is where a heart rate monitor comes in handy. I highly recommend one!

So far I’m enjoying the P90X (I’m surprising myself by saying that). It’s a nice change and it’s great to wake up every day knowing what I have to do. Thinking about it is boring.

Tomorrow is shoulders, biceps and triceps and then a run.

Tags: P90X //