New guy with a few P90x questions

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ New guy with a few P90x questions
B

BR1986FB

Senior Member

24,104 posts
Jan 31, 2012 1:49 PM
Sonofanump;1071345 wrote:The crazy ones are those doing insanity max interval training. I'm almost ready to graduate from the basic insanity to max.
Max workouts aren't bad once you get through the first 30 days.
Jan 31, 2012 1:49pm
B

BR1986FB

Senior Member

24,104 posts
Jan 31, 2012 1:50 PM
fan_from_texas;1071307 wrote:You guys are crazy ( but inspirational). I'm happy just to alternate P90/ChaLean for 4-5 days a week while watching diet. I'm not in awesome shape, but I'm a pretty solid 170 (down from 200), which is less than what I was at my college graduation. I'm aiming for 167.5 (5 lbs more than HS graduation, when I was definitely too skinny).
If you've dropped that much weight you can do P90X with minimal issues.
Jan 31, 2012 1:50pm
B

birddog23

Senior Member

1,086 posts
Jan 31, 2012 2:03 PM
BR1986FB;1071390 wrote:How do you bench? Form?

This is the proper bench press form if you are looking to increase your bench. You a) decrease the distance you have to press while still legally keeping your ass on the bench and b) you create a "shelf' with your scapula (pinching them together) to generate power/stability. Make sure you NEVER flare your elbows or you're risking front delt issues. ALWAYS tuck your elbows on descent...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KoGvyAElp4
Hmm definitely have never seen that before, I may have to give it a try here soon
Jan 31, 2012 2:03pm
Raw Dawgin' it's avatar

Raw Dawgin' it

Just Ain't Care

11,466 posts
Jan 31, 2012 2:07 PM
I bench with dumbbells. Mostly because i workout alone and don't have a spotter if i get stuck (i've had to dump the weight before...)
Jan 31, 2012 2:07pm
B

birddog23

Senior Member

1,086 posts
Jan 31, 2012 2:09 PM
Raw Dawgin' it;1071413 wrote:I bench with dumbbells. Mostly because i workout alone and don't have a spotter if i get stuck (i've had to dump the weight before...)
This is partially my issue too. I workout alone and when I bench I do get a bit nervous at times.
Jan 31, 2012 2:09pm
Raw Dawgin' it's avatar

Raw Dawgin' it

Just Ain't Care

11,466 posts
Jan 31, 2012 2:12 PM
birddog23;1071416 wrote:This is partially my issue too. I workout alone and when I bench I do get a bit nervous at times.
If you think you're not going to get the rep you definitely won't, lifting definitely has a mental side to it, imo. I use dumbbells cause i know i can just drop the weight if i can't do it, so it's definitely easier to get myself ready for heavy weight.

I find myself doing 1-2 reps less with the bar for fear of getting stuck.
Jan 31, 2012 2:12pm
B

BR1986FB

Senior Member

24,104 posts
Jan 31, 2012 2:15 PM
Raw Dawgin' it;1071413 wrote:I bench with dumbbells. Mostly because i workout alone and don't have a spotter if i get stuck (i've had to dump the weight before...)
The dreaded barbell "roll of shame..."
Jan 31, 2012 2:15pm
Raw Dawgin' it's avatar

Raw Dawgin' it

Just Ain't Care

11,466 posts
Jan 31, 2012 2:18 PM
BR1986FB;1071424 wrote:The dreaded barbell "roll of shame..."
"Nothing to see here folks"

i didn't make eye contact with anyone after ha
Jan 31, 2012 2:18pm
B

BR1986FB

Senior Member

24,104 posts
Jan 31, 2012 2:44 PM
Raw Dawgin' it;1071429 wrote:"Nothing to see here folks"

i didn't make eye contact with anyone after ha
Been there...
Jan 31, 2012 2:44pm
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Feb 1, 2012 1:21 PM
As the end of the basketball season nears, what are some different items that I will need to have handy, before I start P90x? Yes, I could go to google, etc. But I'm asking actual people who have done it.
Feb 1, 2012 1:21pm
B

BR1986FB

Senior Member

24,104 posts
Feb 1, 2012 1:31 PM
ernest_t_bass;1072269 wrote:As the end of the basketball season nears, what are some different items that I will need to have handy, before I start P90x? Yes, I could go to google, etc. But I'm asking actual people who have done it.
Bands or dumbbells, pullup bar, yoga mat/heart rate monitor (both optional)
Feb 1, 2012 1:31pm
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Feb 1, 2012 1:37 PM
BR1986FB;1072282 wrote:Bands or dumbbells, pullup bar, yoga mat/heart rate monitor (both optional)
I'll have access to dumbbells, but is there something I can use in substitute of a pull-up bar? Hoping to do as much of this workout at home as possible.
Feb 1, 2012 1:37pm
B

BR1986FB

Senior Member

24,104 posts
Feb 1, 2012 1:44 PM
ernest_t_bass;1072289 wrote:I'll have access to dumbbells, but is there something I can use in substitute of a pull-up bar? Hoping to do as much of this workout at home as possible.
Bands can be used for back exercises.
Feb 1, 2012 1:44pm
S

Sonofanump

Feb 1, 2012 1:48 PM
BR1986FB;1072300 wrote:Bands can be used for back exercises.
I will never use bands again after they broke and whipped my arms. I tried to get a extra little isometric hold during back and they snapped on me.

I'll do lawnmowers and deadlifts all day.
Feb 1, 2012 1:48pm
S

Sonofanump

Feb 1, 2012 1:49 PM
ernest_t_bass;1072289 wrote:I'll have access to dumbbells, but is there something I can use in substitute of a pull-up bar? Hoping to do as much of this workout at home as possible.
One more thought, you'll be jumping a bit, make sure you have a soft mat to land on.
Feb 1, 2012 1:49pm
B

BR1986FB

Senior Member

24,104 posts
Feb 1, 2012 2:16 PM
Sonofanump;1072308 wrote:I will never use bands again after they broke and whipped my arms. I tried to get a extra little isometric hold during back and they snapped on me.

I'll do lawnmowers and deadlifts all day.
I agree. I'd never use bands but if that's all he can get? Those doorway mounted pullup stations are decent I've heard.
Feb 1, 2012 2:16pm
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Feb 1, 2012 2:31 PM
Sonofanump;1072309 wrote:One more thought, you'll be jumping a bit, make sure you have a soft mat to land on.
What I would like to do, is do this all at home, but from you guys' descriptions, I don't know if it will be possible. I may have to do it in my garage!
Feb 1, 2012 2:31pm
chicago510's avatar

chicago510

Original Chatterer

5,728 posts
Feb 1, 2012 2:35 PM
ernest_t_bass;1072289 wrote:I'll have access to dumbbells, but is there something I can use in substitute of a pull-up bar? Hoping to do as much of this workout at home as possible.
You can get a doorway pullup bar for like $20-30. I highly recommend it because it also doubles as my pushup bar that increases your range of motion (lots of pushups on chest day).

http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Total-Upper-Body-Workout/dp/B001EJMS6K/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1328124937&sr=1-1
Feb 1, 2012 2:35pm
S

Sonofanump

Feb 1, 2012 3:04 PM
ernest_t_bass;1072360 wrote:What I would like to do, is do this all at home, but from you guys' descriptions, I don't know if it will be possible. I may have to do it in my garage!
Make a fist, jump in the air, do you hit the ceiling?
Put your heel at your couch, take one step forward and long jump, do you land on anything?

I have a extra brick basement and 16 (4x4 configuration) 24 inch square mats. I think that you could get away with a 3x3 or 2x4 configuration.

Unfortunately for me, my doorways in the basement suck and I have an irrational fear of pull ups after I strained by bicep and had to two lifting for two months. So it is lawnmowers and deadlifts for me while the peeps do pullups. </SPAN>
Feb 1, 2012 3:04pm
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Feb 1, 2012 3:05 PM
Sonofanump;1072398 wrote:Make a fist, jump in the air, do you hit the ceiling?
Put your heel at your couch, take one step forward and long jump, do you land on anything?

I have a extra brick basement and 16 (4x4 configuration) 24 inch square mats. I think that you could get away with a 3x3 or 2x4 config.
I will more than likely have to use my garage. Wanted to try my basement, but I have very low ceilings. Just over 6' drop ceiling.
Feb 1, 2012 3:05pm
S

Sonofanump

Feb 1, 2012 3:09 PM
ernest_t_bass;1072402 wrote:I will more than likely have to use my garage.
You'll be jumping alot, get a solid mat. See if HHS has an extra wrestling mat to borrow for the summer?
Feb 1, 2012 3:09pm
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
Feb 1, 2012 3:26 PM
Sonofanump;1072405 wrote:You'll be jumping alot, get a solid mat. See if HHS has an extra wrestling mat to borrow for the summer?
Not a bad idea.
Feb 1, 2012 3:26pm
Raw Dawgin' it's avatar

Raw Dawgin' it

Just Ain't Care

11,466 posts
Feb 1, 2012 4:24 PM
I bought insanity and i'm going to start after the superbowl to drop weight/fat for when i do tough mudder in may. Also, my fiance really wants to try is since she doesn't like to lift.

Really curious to see how good it is in the strength department. I like lifting so doing a routine for two months with no weights makes me a little skeptical, but it seems everyone on here who has tried it thinks it's a good work out. I really like the p90x workouts so i have some faith that it's not garbage ha
Feb 1, 2012 4:24pm
B

BR1986FB

Senior Member

24,104 posts
Feb 1, 2012 7:42 PM
Raw Dawgin' it;1072514 wrote:I bought insanity and i'm going to start after the superbowl to drop weight/fat for when i do tough mudder in may. Also, my fiance really wants to try is since she doesn't like to lift.

Really curious to see how good it is in the strength department. I like lifting so doing a routine for two months with no weights makes me a little skeptical, but it seems everyone on here who has tried it thinks it's a good work out. I really like the p90x workouts so i have some faith that it's not garbage ha

Insanity is WAY more intense than P90X but if you're a gym rat, you'll miss the weights.
Feb 1, 2012 7:42pm
Raw Dawgin' it's avatar

Raw Dawgin' it

Just Ain't Care

11,466 posts
Feb 2, 2012 8:27 AM
BR1986FB;1072690 wrote:Insanity is WAY more intense than P90X but if you're a gym rat, you'll miss the weights.
I really like lifting so i'll definitely miss it. I'm not big on doing much cardio so that's why i'm looking forward to it since i really like interval training, but my rough plan is to do the two months of insanity then two months of lifting and then a second round of insanity. I probably won't follow the diet to a T, but i'm hoping to get some decent results.
Feb 2, 2012 8:27am