P90X Plyometrics

anolan807

Ok so this is my second week on the program and today was my plyo day.. Goodness I HATE this workout.. Does anyone else have problems with their knees feeling like they may shatter if you try to bend down? Does this go away or not? I only did thirty minutes today because I just couldn't deal with it any longer. Next week I think I might try using a knee brace, think that would help?

Becs25

I think it goes back to making sure you land softly. I also hate that workout and when I focus on landing softly I don't feel my knees near as bad.

Aaronc909

I have read around here that most people should avoid Plyo if they can't handle the high impact workout and fill it in with something else until they make their way up to it. I could be wrong but thats just what I've seen recommended. I would rather fill in with something useful than cause a setback by hurting myself.

bpanter

It goes away, but you did the right thing by taking it easy. P90x is more rigorous a workout then most people are used to initially. Typically, a user would feel fine after the first day or two - like this isn't so bad - but the main pain comes after the first week. You feel like you "can't" do it, or that you're failing and not improving. Don't let it get to you. Eventually, the workout becomes easy and fun, and you are laughing at Tony. In fact, I do Plyo now on my "off" days of Insanity.... and I hated it just like you when I first started Good Luck..

hardybelle83

anolan... a few questions.

1 - are you working out on carpet or a hard surface?
2 - what kind of sneakers are you wearing?
3 - do you have a history of knee issues?

paleonyx

I don't think I can express HOW much I hate this work out lol. I started P90x by doing Plyometrics the very first day. I was almost in tears about halfway through. I made it all the way through, but it was not pretty. I can do the whole thing now but I'd still rather not. I am not a fan of jumping as half of my foot is held together with rods and screws. Every other week I skip Plyo and do Cardio X instead and then run a few miles.

misssuperstitious

Ok so this is my second week on the program and today was my plyo day.. Goodness I HATE this workout.. Does anyone else have problems with their knees feeling like they may shatter if you try to bend down? Does this go away or not? I only did thirty minutes today because I just couldn't deal with it any longer. Next week I think I might try using a knee brace, think that would help?

Check out your book, there are 3 versions of P90X....switch to the Lean version, it replaces Plyo with Cardio X, and it's much lower impact. I had to switch because I have a foot injury....

doncheco

Cardio X is a great alternative, if this is too intense on your knees.

newman84

I wear a knee brace but i've made it thourght several times without it. I agree you could do cardio x if plyo is too much for your knees.

Serenifly

I'm doing lean week 3 - no poly in the schedule ... not I'm scared! lol

sixpackgoal

The workout is great for explosive leg power. I have a 10 x 10 wrestling mat that is thick enough to reduce impact. They are worth every penny. I do plyo bare foot. Trail running in summer helped my ankle strength also. I bought my mat from the company below....

http://www.dollamur.com/

Ellajne

I just started it this week, and the Plyometrics are easier on your joints if you wear the appropriate shoes, (I wear cross trainers, has extra ankle support), I workout on carpet, and keeping your body warm is very important the whole way through. I switched to P90X from Jillian Michael's workouts, and it's more intense but is following pretty much the same idea. I was able to handle it,and it's a nice change for the workout. As your joints become stronger, you will be able to handle the workout a lot better. Take a glucosamine condrine supplement daily to give your joints strength and flexibility.

JohnnyNull

I'd take it easy. Plyometrics can be hard on people, even the young and healthy types (as well as the old farts like me).

In the beginning, do just one day of plyo's a week, low height on your drops, no weight, and so on.

Every other week, try moving up a little in one criteria. JUST ONE.

I cannot over-emphasise how BAD the idea of using cushy shoes is. The idea is to get your body to understand and control the weight. Relying on shoes is taking away natural feedback your body has, and is just asking for trouble.

anolan807

anolan... a few questions.

1 - are you working out on carpet or a hard surface?
2 - what kind of sneakers are you wearing?
3 - do you have a history of knee issues?

anolan807

anolan... a few questions.

1 - are you working out on carpet or a hard surface?
2 - what kind of sneakers are you wearing?
3 - do you have a history of knee issues?

1- It's in the basement on carpet.
2- cross training New Balance
3- Never use to but in the past few years they just don't seem to be able to let me bend like I use too.

crystal_sapphire

i'm so opposite. it's my fav!

glfprncs2

MODIFY and follow Pam (the blam!)

hardybelle83

anolan... a few questions.

1 - are you working out on carpet or a hard surface?
2 - what kind of sneakers are you wearing?
3 - do you have a history of knee issues?

1- It's in the basement on carpet.
2- cross training New Balance
3- Never use to but in the past few years they just don't seem to be able to let me bend like I use too.

Hmm.. if you had said you were working out on hardwood floors with running shoes, that would have been the problem Maybe you need to get some sort of Plyo mat (sold on Beachbody, but you can get them @ Walmart) to add extra cushion to the carpet. Just make sure you get something that won't slide around. And modify, modify, modify! Try low impact moves -- Don't do every jump if it hurts. You're still new to the program, so it might take a little while. Once you've gone through a few weeks of Legs & Back, your knees might surprise you & stop hurting. Lots of times, our quad muscles aren't strong enough, and our knees can go off track. Working your leg muscles may improve your knees.

But, please! None of us here are medical professionals, and even if we were, we haven't examined your particular problem, so just take our advice as a starting point. Listen to your body. Your knees are one thing you want to save. I have knee problems (alignment issues that are hereditary & can't really be fixed), so I"m sensitive to these problems. With a great Plyo mat, good sneakers, and lots of leg strenghtening, I'm able to complete Plyo without pain (although I modify the Mary-Catherine lunges slightly). If it gets worse (and ice/rest doesn't help), don't hesitate to get in touch with a good doctor! Best of luck!!

lisablueeyes

i'm so opposite. it's my fav!

Me too!!
Tire,tire hold........ And Kenpo♥

mlb929

I have a history of knee problems. I love plyo. I do it barefoot, with no issues it helps me land softly on my toes, but I also run barefoot. I started P90X because of my muscle imbalances which led to knee pain. I agree with the previous posters, Cardio X, but it also includes a little plyo in it. But to modify like Pam in the Video to avoid the high impact until you get used to it. Plyo is my absolute favorite and I would do it over Kenpo any day.

mrsyac2

I favor P90x's Plyo over Insanity's Plyo- Way more jumping in Insanity... It's all about correct form, good shoes, good surface that your using.

rpage1979

I'll start by saying that I am 31 years old, 5'4", 180 lbs (short and stocky) and am a very active person. I was not doing any type of workout before starting P90X on 3/28/11. I did chest and back on my first day....woke up very sore the next day. I then proceeded to do Plyometrics on the next day......brought it the whole video and woke up the next morning and could barely walk! I did not go to the doctor but through research and comparing it with the pain I felt; I realized that I had injured the ligament on the outside of my left knee that controls side to side motion! I honestly believe the exercise that injured me was the one where you jump and spin 180 degrees and then reverse it. It has been 5 days and I finally woke up this morning pain free! My knee still feels weak because of the brace I was wearing at work, but I believe that I will be replacing my plyo. workout with cardio X as well lol!

Rob

JohnnyNull

Sorry to hear about your injury. It's very easy to go overboard with plyos, particularly in the beginning. It can put an amazing stress on connective tissue that is not used to that volume of torture, and is often overlooked in training.

sbblackwell

I am glad to have found this message board, I too am having knee pain in my knees joints. Not sure what exactly is causing it. I am doing P90x Classic, usually wear nike shocks and on hardwood floor. What kind of shoes would you recommend? And what kind of knee brace?

ManuArg

I also finding that barefoot is the way to go for me... I did Jillian Michaels's 30-day Shred barefoot for a whole month without knee issues. Then one week, I don't know why, I decided to wear sneakers and bam! I had knee pain that lasted for a week.
I got non-skid yoga socks and they seem to be doing the trick Hope so, because I started JMBR yesterday.

ManuArg

BTW, I am using tis knee brace, it is very inexpensive and I feel my knees have better support. http://www.amazon.com/Mueller-Jumpers-Strap-1-Count-Packages/dp/B00267SFDE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361297080&sr=8-2&keywords=mueller+knee+brace
It does not seem to help when I wear sneakers though.