Category: P90X/P90X+
For me, this was a much needed workout, and YES, I did feel way better after. (Tuesday I did the plyo workout and then trained Sambo. I was pretty beat up) Ft the very end of this recovery workout there are some unnecessary moves, but all in all, a very good video to do. (especially if you know how to use a foam roller)
As you can tell, Tony’s love for the foam roller has deepend almost to obsession at this point. And I must say, even though we have 2 foam rollers here at FitLifeSF HQ, I need to get the sick evil looking foam roller. My standard density white foam rollers are not doing it for me. I need more pain. (But that is me)
I like how Tony takes the extra time to rehab, and condition the body this time through. It will be a big win down the line, and even though he had a stretching/recovery workout in P90X, the use of the roller here is a big win. Where this video fails a bit is the lack of specific instruction. There are a lot more ways to use the roller than he is showing, and a lot more effective techniques. It is a good introto using the roller, but you will very quickly want more. (For a beginner it would be nice to know “what not to do.” )
It’s is a well placed workout in the program, especially if you are doing more than just the P90X2 workouts. It will definately add to your durability, and help you to keep “Bringing It” for the weeks to come. Thumbs up.
My grade for this one is a B+
-Rob
If you find this post helpful and want to purchase P90X or any equipment from Beachbody, we’d much appreciate if you use this link:
http://beachbodycoach.com/fitlifesfrob
If your Beach Body Coach isn’t helping you, be sure to tell Team Beach Body you want FitLifeSFRob as your coach! You then get the combined experience of Smurf and me.
After documenting my workout on Teambeachbody.com today, my post workout message was, “Not a bad plyo workout, but if I was Shaun T, I’d be PISSED!”
For a beginner/intermediate level plyo workout, P90X2 Plyocide is not a bad thing to do. (If you really push yourself, it will be tough for intermediate/advanced people) None of the moves are very high impact, and it will get you sweating and your heart rate up. Though it DOES NOT COMPARE to any of the INSANITY workouts. Shaun T (I question his shelf life with BeachBody at this point. Just my feeling/opinion. No fact.) is the Video King of Cardio Hell workouts in my book. That guy kicks my ass with all his extreme fitness workouts. (And yes, I know there are only so many way the human body moves but more than 1/2 of the Plyocide movements seemed to be “inspired” by techniques featured in INSANITY and ASYLUM. I’m just say’n.)
Well, all that being said, Tony continues his love affair with his Beach Body stability ball and foam roller. It’s fine. I’d recommend doing your own warm up for this video. By the time the warm up was complete, I was anything but warm, and I could have used more stretching. They seem to be keeping the video times down, who knows, maybe people were complaining about the length of the videos.
As for the rest of the workout, it was fine. Nothing earth shattering. As I mentioned (and if you follow the blog you know), I have done INSANITY and ASYLUM. I really like both programs, and this whole video was like one long Shaun T warm up. It never really got out of first gear.
A personal issue I had with this video; I really don’t like his supporting cast in this one. They try hard enough on camera, but really have no charisma and don’t play off of Tony well. I will be replacing so I don’t have to see them, and get irked. (AND because I want a real cardio workout once a week. HELLO SHAUN T! Be seeing you next week on Tuesday. Heh.)
If I were to give this one a grade, it would be a solid C. Not bad, not good. And if you know what you are doing you can do better yourself.
Screw that…The more I write this (think about it) the more I am convincing myself that it does not hold up to P90X. It is more like an unfinished P90X+ workout, and all those were pretty mediocre.
So yeah, replace this one with a Shaun T INSANITY/ASYLUM workout.
-Rob
If you find this post helpful and want to purchase P90X or any equipment from Beachbody, we’d much appreciate if you use this link:
http://beachbodycoach.com/fitlifesfrob
If your Beach Body Coach isn’t helping you, be sure to tell Team Beach Body you want FitLifeSFRob as your coach! You then get the combined experience of Smurf and me.
So I began a new P90X2 cycle yesterday on 1/9, which a week behind my wanted schedule…Stupid first cold of 2012! Well, at least it has begun. Starting later than I wanted allowed me the opportunity to read other people’s reviews of the X2 Core workout, and I went in not knowing what to expect. You see the other reviews were less than stellar, and I can understand why they might feel that way. Let me elaborate.
X2 is not a stand there and move weights kind of workout, it takes concentration, dedication to maintaining correct form, and patience. (All of these things should be done with every workout anyway) It is not the kind of workout that you will rock the first time through, and you for sure won’t feel its effects until the next day. Only then will you see how good this workout really was. (I was a little wiped, but it wasn’t until the next morning that I really felt sore)
So, contrary to the majority of the other reviews I have read, it is a solid core workout. It is also one of those workouts that will get tougher as you master the form and understand how to activate your muscle groups to be more effective. I actually fear the next few times I have to do this, as I know as my balance improves, the resulting burn will become awesomely brutal.
Now, I must point out, that the love affair Tony started to have with spherical objects in the “One on One” series has continued to deepen. More stability ball work (which I like anyway) and more medicine ball work (which I also like). I can also appreciate (being a sadist) Tony’s love of inflicting pain on himself and others. He has decided to bring foam roller work into his program. I think this is great we have 2 foam rollers her at FitLifeSF central HQ, as well as a number of other fun torture devices. (The stick, spiked roller balls, massage aids, but I digress) Nothing quite as fun as working out knots in your muscles. (OK there is a lot of other fun stuff to do, but I promise, the more you do it, the more you will want to do it again. Sound familiar?)
Well, have your gear handy: Mat, Stability Ball, Foam Roller, Medicine Ball, Towel and Water. (Well water isn’t really gear, but the cup/glass may be) And get ready to “Bring It” once again. For this workout, using great form and moving slow and smooth will give you the best results!
And for the record, this is a great stand alone workout for almost any fitness/sports discipline.
Enjoy & Good Luck!
-Rob
If you find this post helpful and want to purchase P90X or any equipment from Beachbody, we’d much appreciate if you use this link:
http://beachbodycoach.com/fitlifesfrob
If your Beach Body Coach isn’t helping you, be sure to tell Team Beach Body you want FitLifeSFRob as your coach! You then get the combined experience of Smurf and me.
I was going to kick off the program on Monday December 20th. A way to force myself to not over do it over the Xmas holiday. Well, that has been pushed off, as I do want to spend the next 2 weeks (though working out) with a little more wiggle room. I will still do my usual, eat right, train sambo, and get some workouts in.
THEN COMES JANUARY 2ND! Awe hell!
The beginning of my first P90X2 session. Full diet in effect! Oh yeah baby!
Watch for my before pics to be posted, and I will do workout by workout reviews of this program. Will it live up to the hype? We’ll know soon enough.
-Rob
Lot of us spend our days sitting around and not being as active as we could (or should). We then add rich and fatty foods to our sedentary lifestyle, and blam, we have a few to many extra lb’s. This isn’t rocket science, and this is a story that we all can relate to. (Medical conditions not being accounted for here) So, what happens? We get fat or, we do something about it.
All of us find motivation to get fit one way or the other. Maybe it was someone mentioning that you looked bigger, maybe your favorite jeans didn’t fit, or maybe you look in the mirror one day are say enough is enough. Whatever your reason to get fit, you need to look at a method/program to follow. (Any Fitness Program will take dedication and laser focus to get great results.) And this is different from staying or being healthy.
You can lead a less active lifestyle if you choose not to overeat. This does not mean you can get by without some basic exercise. Staying healthy means doing what you need to do to feel good, and live the life you want to live. You don’t have to eat “organic” this or “natural” that, and you don’t have to join an extreme fitness gym. You have to take accountability for your actions (or inaction), and not be a glutton.
To get fit, now there is a challenge. I believe you must follow a meal plan (to the letter) and you must also increase your activity significantly. It will be a ramp up to extreme fitness training, and it will be hard, but you will get through it, and you will be better off. Home programs like P90X, Insanity, and Turbo Fire will give you great results if you follow them. As will gym based programs, working with a personal trainer, or competitive sports/martial arts. There are so many activity choices once you dial in your meal plan.
Me, I like my Beach Body videos. I can throw together a 30,60, 90 day fitness program and get back to being lean and ripped. I can target improving my cardio or just work to look better naked. (Everyone wants that) This isn’t the best way, it is my way, and a way which has been working for the last 5 years. (Plus Soccer, Sambo, and other craziness) The important thing for me is to stay active for several weeks while keeping my eating/drinking in check.
Once I am where I want to be fitness wise, well then the slow slide back to needing a fitness kick in the ass begins. It is called maintenance mode. Still not being a glutton, but having a lot more flexibility in my eating. Many people call this time, “Staying Healthy.” But even when “Staying Healthy” you may (probably will) gain weight, and need to kick it into high gear for a time. And however long you need to kick it into high gear is decided on how far you are willing to let yourself slide.
My typical reset trigger: when I reach 201lbs, and it isn’t due to heavy salt or lots of drinking. This is usually a day or 2 thing. (Bloat) When that weight remains pretty consistent for a week or 2, I know it is time to get back down to 190-195.
Do you have a trigger? Do you have a goal weight? Are you happy with how you look right now? Do you want to feel better? What is your motivation?
-FitLifeSFRob
So, after 2 weeks of Asylum, Shaun T brings us the Game Day Workout. An assortment of sports influenced moves using the agility ladder, free space moves and a pull-up bar. This 60 minute workout was pretty brutal, and next time I’ll have the moves down more…But…I didn’t feel it was as good as it could have been and I was not thrilled by the flow of the whole workout. (Again, it may have been my lack of familiarity with some of the moves)
Even with what I said above, I was dripping by the end. (it began with a 5 minute interval run, some stretching, then BAM, non stop moving from game to game)
If you would like to find more information on this or any Beach Body Product, please follow this link: http://www.beachbodycoach.com/FITLIFESFROB
Ok people. It is ordered, and ready to go. Insanity: The Asylum is a 30 day elite training program and I will be posting my results and thoughts over the next 30 days or so. I am using this program to prepare for my SAMBO conditioning camp in June. What is that? True insanity. I am going to an olympic training center in Alushta, Ukaraine (for the 2nd time) and will spend 10 days with Igor Kurinnoy. Igor is a 3 time world SAMBO Champion, and 4 time SAMBO World Cup Winner, needless to say, he is very good. (And last time I lost 15 lbs in 2 weeks, and I was in pretty good shape)
This year I am going as prepared as I can be. (How best I can really prepare for 8hr training days while working a real job…)
Monday I will take my “before” the program pic, in 30 days the “After The Asylum” pic will hit, and then after the trip, one final pic. If I don’t get hurt, I should be in the best shape of my life by June 19th.
For the record, I will be using Shakeology every day, I will be using P90X recovery drink, AND I will be maintaining a proper diet. Interested in joining me? (Well, doing “The Alyum”)
If you want to order the Asylum or just check it out, follow this link: http://beachbodycoach.com/fitlifesfrob
-Rob
Today I saw that Smurf had another post featured on the front page of yahoo health, and looking at the comments I was set on edge. So much so, that I wrote a response to a number of the negative comments and let it fly into the ether. Nothing mean, but I did call all the “high and mighty” personal trainers who didn’t even bother to read the article a bunch of self serving nitwits. (not that exact verbiage) [I am still waiting to see it posted to the comments]
The article is about getting the most out of your gym membership and not having to spend your hard earned money on personal trainers, unless you want to. With most gym memberships, especially the national chains, there are a number of free classes given. These classes are great if you are looking to motivate yourself to get moving, try something new, or are just getting into being fit. Good information to know, right?
This is a re-post of a multi-part series I did over on the Yahoo! Blog about motivation. If you want the ultimate in motivation, there’s still time to join the FitLifeSF 10-Week Challenge!
Welcome back to our series on motivation and finding ways to keep your fitness regime from getting stale. We’ve already talked about ways to mix things up and keep it fresh as well as using goalsetting and progress tracking as motivation tools. Today’s topic is using rewards to keep you moving forward.
I often get asked “Why should I take ALL these measurements?” The simple answer is, we need a baseline to compare progress against. The actual answer (to me) is, the more data we have, the better we can assess your current state and then develop a proper fitness program. So, get to measuring before you: begin a program, every few weeks to see your improvements (or lack there of) and at the end to see what you accomplished (or didn’t).
And more importantly: Don’t measure yourself every week. That is just a waste of time. once every 3-4 weeks will do.
What should you use to measure? Start by finding a good tape measure that will fit around the largest part of you. A cheap 4-5ft+ long tape measure is great to have around the house for LOTS of things. You will aways find something to use it for. Avoid yard sticks, meter sticks and rulers. Not very accurate unless you are measuring a string you are wrapping around yourself.
Where and how you should measure:
Technique is key here. You need to be consistent not only where you measure, but the tension on the tape as well. You want to tighten the tape so it won’t slide down your skin. Not so much that it is changing the form of your body. (Don’t pull the tape tight. Don’t dimple your skin) Over time you will get the hang of it.
I like to have a number of measurements to use as a baseline. These are very similar to what a tailor would take when making custom clothes for you.
For these measurements, don’t flex, just relax. Stand up straight, but don’t be tense.
- Neck: Standing up straight, take a measurement around the widest part of your neck.
- Shoulder: I like to take this standing up. Someone help you. With your arms down at your sides, and with your shoulders back (stand up straight), measure around your shoulders. This means the outside of your arms, at the shoulder. Not the at the bicep. At the shoulder.
- Chest: Standing up straight, take this measurement just above the nipple line. (Yeah, I said it. NIPPLE) This measurement does not include the arms. So keep your arms down, set the tape, take a breath and then exhale. (you don’t have to force out all your air) Take the measurement before you take your next inhale.
- Waist: Standing up straight. Take this at the narrowest spot, or midway between your lowest rib and your hip bone. This may be very close to your abdomen measurement. Take it anyway.
- Abdomen: This is my first men/women variation. Standing up straight. Men, take this measurement around your body at your belly button. Women, take this at the NARROWEST part of your abdomen.
- Hips: Standing up straight. Take this around your hips at the point where your butt is at its widest.
For these measurements, you can take them with the muscles relaxed or flexed. Heck, take the measurements both ways. Just document them as such. You should really do both arms and legs, you probably have 2 of each. For the record, your dominant side is usually bigger.
- Thigh: Standing up straight. Take this measurement below the butt, but above the knee around your thighs widest point.
- Knee:Standing up straight. You want to take this measurement around your knee. Take it over your kneecap and around the back of the joint.
- Calf: Standing up straight. Take this around the widest point of your calf, below your knee and above your ankle.
- Ankle:Standing up straight. (I want pressure on your ankle for the measurement) Take this around the widest point. (Side note: If the measurement from your knee to calf to ankle are similar, then you have cankles. And it will be my mission to help you change that!)
- Arm (Bicep): Take this around the widest part of your arm. (flexed or unflexed or both)
- Forearm: Take this around the widest part of your forearm. Below the elbow but above the wrist. (Unless you are Popeye, it will be closer to the elbow)
- Wrist: This is really hard to flex. Just a FYI. So take this measurement about 1-2 inches from where your hand is connected to your arm. Again, at the widest point.
Consistency of measurements is just as important as accuracy. You need to take your measurements at the same spot every time. (Unless you should be taking the measurements at the biggest or narrowest part, heck, this may change over time) So make sure you remember where you took the measurements!
Final Side Note: If you don’t have someone to help you, there is a pretty cool measuring tape tool called MyoTape. It makes taking measurements alone easier. Check it out.
-Rob