P90X2 Day 5 complete! Day 5′s workout in P90X2 is X2 Yoga. The major contrasts between Yoga X and X2 Yoga that stick out to me is the pacing and the length of the workout. Yoga X was a little over an hour and thirty minutes. X2 Yoga is sixty seven minutes long. Although I still think Yoga X is an incredible routine, I think it got some criticism for being too long. X2 Yoga seemed to flow a little faster as opposed to seemingly staying postures for endless amounts of times. There were a few balance postures in X2 Yoga but not an entire portion devoted to it like in Yoga X.

Although I didn’t feel X2 Yoga was as challenging as Yoga X, I welcomed the variety and several exciting new moves. Then again, maybe you’re not supposed to feel completely exhausted after a Yoga workout. However, I did work up a sweat (even took a break after the 1-3 series of salutations) and there were certainly moves in which will take some time for me to improve upon. Looking into the future, when people start making hybrids and combining various BeachBody workouts (which people already are, even BeachBody themselves), I think X2 Yoga will surely have longevity and make a good addition to any fitness library. So far, P90X2 has been living up to my expectations!

 X2 Yoga Preview

P90X2 Day 4 – X2 Total Body Review

That’s more like it! X2 Total Body has lots of variety and exciting new moves. With lots of variety also comes many opportunities to modify. It’s amazing how much the feel of an exercise changes by adding a stability or medicine ball. I found myself shaking and squirming during many of the moves to find my balance and proper form. Maybe since this is all new to me, I did feel a little rushed going from move to move. I’ll need to increase the weight for most of the exercises next time as I was primarily focused on form during this session. A common theme of X2 Total Body is resistance training while in a balance posture of some sorts.

Moves I Struggled Most With in X2 Total Body

Crunchy Level Pull-Up: I found myself not willing to fully commit to the horizontal positioning on the pull-up bar. In the back of my head, I kept thinking my shifting weight would cause the bar to break of the mount and I would land flat on my back. After I did it a few times, I got comfortable with the motion was able to do around 15 reps.

Balance Kick Back on Stability Ball: It’s pretty sad to admit but I wasn’t even able to do a single complete repetition of this exercise on the stability ball. For the life of me, I could not balance one forearm on the stability ball without falling off. Maybe I’m positioning myself incorrectly but this move did take me by surprise with how challenging it was for me. I ended up modifying by performing this move on the floor.

Day 4 Ain’t Over Yet!

X2 Ab Ripper

X2 Ab ripper was much more synergistic in nature than the original Ab Ripper X. It actually felt like an excerpt from P90X’s Core Synergistics. At the end of X2 Ab Ripper, I didn’t feel as exausted as I usually feel compared to the original Ab Ripper X. Mason Twist is a heck of a move! However, I did get a great abdominal workout learned some new moves that will take some time to master. So far, P90X2 is living up to my expectations and I am excited about getting my butt kicked by the next series of workouts.

P90X2 Day 3 – X2 Recovery + Mobility Review

Unlike the original P90X, P90X2 incorporates two rest days out of the week instead of one. If this were the original P90X, we would be doing a resistance routine today. Perhaps the mainstream ideas of exercise science are changing and BeachBody is adapting to the latest and greatest trends. Tony did refer to himself as the Dr. Jeykll of fitness meaning he takes the best from the experts he learns from and applies their fitness principles to his own workout philosophies.

 The Scoop on X2 Recover + Mobility

The routine starts of with a Yoga sequence. Nothing we haven’t seen before in Cardio X or Yoga X. Personally, I like to wear and gloves while doing Yoga. When I start to sweat I completely lose traction despite several Yoga mats I have tried.

After the Yoga sequence, the routine jumps into a few basic exercises including step back lunges and squat presses using the weighted bar. I don’t have the weighted bar nor did the P90X2 Ultimate package come with one. I used the foam roller and it seemed to work fine. I see the purpose of this sequence serving two purposes.

1. continuing to warm the body

2. setting up the contrast of the post foam roller experience (acting as the “before” experience to the foam roller routine)

  Then the Pain Begins..

This is definitely a more comprehensive foam roller routine than I experienced from X2 Core and Plyocide. You spend about 4 minutes working on each limb working your way from the bottom up. Tony shows you different variations on how to target each area. The key is finding a spot that is tender and staying on it. I was able to break out into a sweat during this routine. Instead of paying for expensive deep tissue massages, this is a great alternative to break up the knots in your body and relieve tension. I have paid for expensive massages often times only to feel like I wasted my money. With the foam roller, you can dictate the pace, resistance and frequency of your recovery.

X2 Recovery + Mobility Conclusion

After the foam roller sequence, the exercises with the weighted bar are repeated. If you did the foam roller sequence correctly and didn’t back off of the tension, you should experience a wider range of motion and flexibility. The routine finishes off with a few static stretches. If you have a personal preference for “in your face” or “super intense” workouts, you may find X2 Recovery + Mobility a bit boring. From the research I have done, I value added emphasis or recovery and feel X2 Recovery + Mobility is a great addition to P90X2.

P90X2 Day 2 complete! Today’s workout was Plyocide or “Plyometrics Suicide.” It’s a variation of Plyometrics from the original P90X. Plyocide seems to focus slightly more on stability, coordination and relief. Now having done both Plyometrics and Plyocide, I personally feel that Plyometrics is a bit more challenging. However, there was definitely enough variety in Plyocide to keep things fund and interesting. I was able to perform most of the moves without major difficulty. My feet began to cramp a little during the Spartan Lunge and the Think Drill. This may be caused by my because my major muscles groups were responding without pain.

Cooling Down with Plyocide

The the cool down for Plyocide was comprehensive lasting around 10-15 minutes. It incorporates neuro- integrated stretching. This basically means applying tension in the opposite way the stretch, holding for few beats then releasing in the direction of the stretch. This small nuance seemed to help me stretch a little further than typical static stretching.

Preview of Plyocide

Thoughts on P90X2 so far…

So far, P90X2 is shaping up to be a great addition to the P90X franchise. The new moves, new people, new jokes, new diet guide, new equipment and new exercise science make for an exciting new physical fitness journey. I can’t wait to see the first P90X2 transformation pics to surface. Including mine!

Day 1 of P90X2 complete! Like P90X, P90X2 is divided into three phases (Foundation, Strength and Performance). However, P90X2 gives you the flexibility to stay in each phase between 3-6 weeks. I plan on staying in each phase for 4 weeks then recover.

The first workout in the Foundation phase is X2 Core. I was able to make it through most of the moves without any major struggles. I think P90x, Insanity and Asylum have conditioned me fairly well. The few moves I did have issues with were Half Angel, Core Circles, plank burpee on stability ball and the one leg med ball burpee. Below is a preview of the X2 workout. You can catch a glimpse of that darn “Half Angel” move.

Core Syngergistics vs. X2 Core

The first time I did Core Synergistics seemed to be a lot harder than the first time I did X2 Core. Then again, I was in a lot worse shape the first time I did Core Synergistics. From what Tony says about P90X2, it’s not necessarily harder but it does offer more muscle confusion. I agree with this. There was enough variation in X2 to get me excited to do it again. I really enjoyed using the foam roller. It hurt like hell but really did seem to loosen me up even after just one short session. I found myself playing around with the foam roller even after the workout. It’s nice to see new faces and hear Tony’s new jokes. It really does seem to be a continuation of P90X.

 My Starting Point

I’m definitely not in the best shape I’ve been in so hopefully that will make for a more dramatic after picture I’m walking around at about 180lbs. This is about 5 lbs over my normal walk around weight. I think I subconsciously allowed myself to slack off on my diet because I’d be getting P90X2 soon.

2 additional extreme P90X2 workouts
1 RumbleRoller™
1 55cm PREMIUM Stability Ball
2 8-lb. Medicine Balls*
Tony Horton’s PowerStands

Checkout my unboxing video below! Sorry for the frame rate in advance; I shot the video in a higher resolution than my computer could handle. I think you will still get some value out of it though. Enjoy!

Judging from the contents shipped with this product and skimming through a few of the DVD’s, I am completely stoked about getting started! Sometimes things look much cooler when taken by a professional photographer…so here is what it looks like spread out on my kitchen table. Still pretty sexy I think

I plan on providing updates on my P90X 2 Journey including before and after pics, pros, cons, tips tricks etc. I can’t provide a full review as of yet simply because I haven’t done it yet! I figure I can review the product as a I follow the program. However, knowing what I know about BeachBody, Tony Horton and the P90X Franchise, this will probably kick ass.

To get your own copy or learn more about the different P90X2 Packages:

Take TRX Wherever You Go

The Navy Seals and now the US Army’s personnel are using the “TRX,” which lets them perform hundreds of custom exercises that build strength and power. Who else uses it? How about world-class athletes like golfer Laura Diaz and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees? What about Bob Harper, trainer on the Biggest Loser? These folks gush about how the TRX suspension training exercises develop balance and mobility while preventing injuries.

The TRX isn’t just for serious athletes  though. It works for all kinds of exercises whether you’re into sports, training or relaxing exercises like yoga. It’s also perfect for people who travel a lot or those who like to get out in the wild every so often.

Never Miss a Workout Again

TRX does for your body what pushups do for your arms and chest. Weighing in at just 2 lbs, the TRX is ultra-portable. Other total body exercise equipment can’t compare because you can’t take it on the road with you. You can’t store a Bowflex under your couch (maybe under a bed) and a tread climber won’t fit in a closet. But the TRX works no matter where you want to work out. Maybe the living room today your bedroom tomorrow? You’ll never get bored because you can work out anywhere. You will need a place to anchor the TRX, but it’s easy to set up. Any door will usually do the trick.

The TRX works much like flex bands, except that you only need this one piece of equipment to work your entire body. The bands offer more challenge because there is less stability, forcing you to work every muscle in the group a given exercise targets. It’s like the best of free weights and balance exercises put into one machine.

Support, Training and Accessories

Another thing I like about TRX is the total the company offers. The equipment comes with training information and workouts that are well written and easy to follow. The simple design makes it easy to use as well. You can buy additional videos to try out different workouts. There are so many different ways to use the TRX that you can’t possibly get bored with your workout.

Because the equipment works on men and women and is ultra-portable, guys and gals can now exercise together. It’s a great way to bond with your mate. Or you can take it to the gym where TRX classes are popping up all over the place.

The only drawback to the TRX is the cost. It’s hard to look at such a small, lightweight piece of equipment and not scoff. To be fair, the most sellers’ websites give you free shipping and at under $200, it’s still way cheaper than most exercise machines that only exercise one part of your body.  For a lower cost, you can get a full body workout instead.

One word of caution…the TRX is a serious piece of workout equipment. Beginners could easily become discouraged because it works your muscles so intensely. Try some TRX classes at a gym to get a feel for your ability to handle this workout before you buy.

Who Can Do Zumba?

Zumba is easy to learn, although it does require a moderate level of fitness to get through a full routine. Most people can jump right in and begin the workout, as long as they are willing to pay attention to the needs of their body and take a break if needed. Zumba can also be modified slightly for people who need a lower-impact routine because of knee or other problems.

Zumba comes in a series of different routines, each geared to a different fitness levels and needs.

• Zumba Gold is targeted toward the baby boomer generation; those who want to participate in the energetic and fun routines but whose bodies are slightly less forgiving.
• Zumba Toning features the use of a Toning Stick to incorporate strength training into the aerobic routine.
• Aqua Zumba blends Zumba and water aerobics for a pool fitness routine that’s completely different. The water provides safe cushioning for joints that need a little extra help and helps people who may have difficulties with balance.
• Zumbatomic is a Zumba routine for kids aged 4 to 12. The routines are simplified and kid-friendly and are intended to introduce kids to the idea that staying in shape can be a lot of fun.

What Equipment Is Needed For Zumba?

For the most part, very little is needed in the way of equipment to participate in Zumba. Comfortable workout clothing and good shoes are needed, although some people prefer to go barefoot are all that are needed to jump into a class. If you’d like to try out Zumba Toning, you may want to invest in a set of Toning Sticks.

What Kind Of Clothing Is Good For Zumba?

Any type of clothing you normally wear for working out is appropriate for Zumba. Because of the Latin and party theme, many people like to wear workout clothing that is more “fun” than typical workout gear. Flouncy, flirty skirts and leggings, fitted tanks and Capri shorts are popular in many Zumba classes. Some Zumba locations are designed to be more like a dance club than a gym workout, and club or dance gear is perfectly appropriate for these routines.

Zumba at Home

Many people prefer to exercise at home and might think that Zumba is out of the question for them. Not true! Zumba routines are available on DVDs. One DVD box set includes a full set of seven DVDs, each with a different style of routine, along with a set of Toning Sticks and a program guide to help get started.

With the advent of gaming systems like Wii, PlayStation Move and Xbox Kinect, dance video games have become a major fitness breakthrough. Zumba takes advantage of this technology with “Zumba Fitness: The Video Game.” A special belt is available to hold the controller for people who play on Wii and PlayStation Move, while Kinect reads the movement of the body and requires no additional equipment. The game simulates being in a Zumba class, complete with different dance routines and even shout-outs to keep the energy high.

Carb Cycle Days

A carb cycle involves a series of days in which you control your car intake. You will have high carb, low carb and no carb days, arranged in succession. You may need to experiment with the diet to see which rotation of days works best for you. Body types matter as well, another reason to adjust the program to suit your needs rather than following it blindly.

No matter which day you are on you must eat at least one cup of dark green vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach or kale. These should be eaten in addition to the foods recommended on a particular day.

High, Low, No

On everyone’s favorite, high carb days, you can eat healthy carbohydrates like brown rice, oats, beans, whole grain breads, wheat pasta, legumes, all bran cereals, sweet potatoes, yams or starch rich vegetables like peas or corn. You should only eat four meals on a high carb day and for two of them, you must include at least one piece of fruit. Your other two meals on that day should be primarily protein plus your favorite healthy carbs.

On the low carbohydrate day, most dieters find they need discipline to do it right. Meals will be eaten six times per day. The first three meals may contain carbs, and at least one of them should take place immediately following your daily workout routine. The other three may contain a gram of carbohydrates for every pound of your body weight and must include one piece of fruit.

On the no carbohydrate day, termed “approaching zero,” the instructions are very basic. You eat six meals that contain only proteins. There are no carbohydrates on this day at all. Just your six protein meals and your daily vegetables.

Putting It All Together

You should cycle for one or two week periods. First, cycle for one week, keeping the three days in succession in a cycle. Avoid back-to-back days of any one-carb regimen. After week one, you can go for one or two weeks, but you should extend each type of carb day for two days. Continue lengthening your carb regimens up to four days in a row of any single type of day. Never try to do more than four-day cycles without having more experience. As you move through the cycling, you should be able to tell if you are getting the desired effects or if you need to tweak the program.

This is one of various versions of the diet written by many different dieticians, so your best bet is to get a carb-cycling book that will walk you through the program step by step. Carb cycling is a complicated diet, but it works for many people simply because they don’t get bored. They get a reward for being good on low carb and no carb days, which gives them the motivation to stick to it.

You may also wish to get a protein supplement to help you get enough protein on low carb days. Protein is a great way to curb hunger on those low carb days.

P90X MC2

P90X2 (P90X MC2) is the next full installment of P90X to be released December of this year. By the looks of the Youtube videos I’ve seen and the info I’ve read up on it, it looks freaking amazing! P90X has become such a huge part of my life and has revolutionized the way I have thought of and approached fitness. I can’t wait to see how P90X 2 takes everything to another level.

The Dr. Jekyll of Fitness
Tony admits that he is not an expert on everything but he pulls from the best fitness professionals in the business. He refers to himself as the Dr. Jekyll of fitness. P90X2 is not meant to replace P90X but to serve as an extension of it.  P90X MC2 includes 14 extreme workouts to create more muscle confusion designed to increase your power, strength, stability, coordination, stamina and overall athleticism.

[brightcove video="1139416569001" /]

Differences Between P90X and P90X MC2

• Heavier emphasis on lateral and vertical movements
• Heavier emphasis on recovery. There is an entire DVD dedicated to the importance of recovery.
• 5 workout days instead of 6. There is still one official off day but the other “off” day serves as active rest where you   are encouraged to go for a bike ride, walk or jog etc. It’s important to note that world class athletes rest. During exercise, muscle tissue is actually being destroyed so adequate rest is required in order to bounce back stronger for your next workout.
• Phase 1 (Foundation) – Utilization of stability and medicine balls
• Phase 2 (Strength) – Will feel like P90X
• Phase 3 (Performance) – Really pushing the envelope
• Yoga routine has been cut down to 1 hour and 5 minutes! Tony has taken Yoga back to the basics because he wanted constant flow. Some of the standing balance postures have been removed and condensed down to only the very best moves.
• Less emphasis on traditional cardio. Kenpo X and Cardio X will not be making a return in P90X MC2. Since the BeachBody library is already stacked with great cardio programs (Asylum, Turbofire etc..) Tony decided to focus on creating high intensity heart rate intervals where the heart rate goes up and down. This allows your body to push the envelope even more.
• Principles of PAP (Postactivation Potentiation) which refers to the enhancement of muscle function following a high force activity.
• Equipment:  The addition of stability balls, medicine balls, weighted bars, foam rollers and optional resistance bands

If you are as excited about P90X MC2 as I am, then quit reading and reserve a copy for yourself. BRING IT!