P90X without a pull-up bar?

therobinator

I posted this over at the BeachBody forums, but I've gotten only one sort of confusing response (boy, those forums are slow over there!). Anyone have any thoughts?....

I just ordered P90X, but there is literally nowhere in my house where I can put a pull-up bar. The door frames just won't support it. I've thought of bringing my patio swing

like this:


indoors and removing the chair and using that as a pull-up bar, but I am not sure I can/will do that. In the alternative, I have heard rumors that Tony Horton offers alternative (resistance band or otherwise) exercises for people who either don't have or can't use a pull-up bar.

Is this true? Does he show those alternative exercises right along in the P90X videos, or would I need to look them up elsewhere? Thanks!!

PS - I plan to do P90X Lean as opposed to Classic, if that makes any difference.

summer_anne

he DOES give options if you don't have a pullup bar My pullup bar works on my bedroom door frame or my bathroom doorframe... did you try it yet or you just think it won't work?

Creiche

Every exercise in P90X has an alternative move with the bands, so you don't need a pull-up bar. Just make sure you use an appropriate band to challenge yourself...you should still feel the burn on the last few reps.

therobinator

he DOES give options if you don't have a pullup bar My pullup bar works on my bedroom door frame or my bathroom doorframe... did you try it yet or you just think it won't work?

The door frames in our house are very small/narrow/thin and will not support a pull-up bar according to the requirements for Tony's pull-up bar. I've heard about using resistance bands with door anchors, but we don't have doors either (I assume you need a door for a door anchor lol). We only have doorways. Myabe I will do a bit more research.

But -- do people think my patio swing idea will be sufficient to serve as a pull up bar?

therobinator

Every exercise in P90X has an alternative move with the bands, so you don't need a pull-up bar. Just make sure you use an appropriate band to challenge yourself...you should still feel the burn on the last few reps.

Can I do P90X without bands at all, and instead use the weights?

Creiche

Can I do P90X without bands at all, and instead use the weights?

Yes, all exercises feature free weights and only have one person showcasing the moves with the bands. My husband and I just don't have weights, so I've always used the bands...except for pull-ups.

summer_anne

I have another idea I got from www.bodyrock.tv for people who don't have pullup bars - you place a broom stick between 2 chairs and lay underneath and place your hands above you on the broomstick and "pull" yourself up (called reverse pullups) - this works very well .....check out a pic and video here

http://www.bodyrock.tv/2010/11/08/the-sexy-beast-workout-is-back/

seachelle

I did my first few rounds with the bands. We have a pull up stand that I was not using and loop the band over it and did pull down. I had a friend put a large eye bolt into a stud on her ceiling and she put her bands through the hole and did pull downs. (you just need to be super carefull you don't hurt yourself. ) If you have a treadmill you can lay on the belt and use the handle bar to pull yourself up. Your swings bar is probably too big diameter wise to get a good grip on it.

Michelle