p90x help?

mehaffeymk
mehaffeymk Posts: 154 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Ok, so I own the P90X dvds. Never been able to complete more than a week due to lack of motivation and it's straight up HARD. But I'm reading all these success stories on the boards and seeing how amazing people look and I'm thinking about taking it up again. One problem I had with the dvds is using the resistance bands to do the pull ups and stuff. I didn't have anywhere to hook the bands so it was lots of modification which I felt like didn't give me a great workout. Actually, no matter what I did with them, I never felt like I got a good workout with the resistance bands for anything, especially the pull ups. But I don't know if I wanna buy a pull up bar (how much are they, ps?) and I DEFINITELY can't do an inkling of a pull up. If I spend my time going through the dvd, I wanna do it right and I wanna know how yall modify the workout with the bands to get the burn you need.

Right now I do an hour on the elliptical six days a week and strength training three days a week and my trainer has said not to push too hard on the elliptical and to keep my heart rate in the 60-80% range to burn fat. So if I should stick with that, yall let me know too.

Any advice?

Replies

  • gogojodee
    gogojodee Posts: 1,243 Member
    Bump! haha - I JUST did Shoulders & Arms with the bands - didn't work out so well.
  • Lady_Bane
    Lady_Bane Posts: 720 Member
    When you really are dedicated to being fit, you will just DO IT. There will come time where you just say, *kitten* it, its ON!
  • taxidermist15
    taxidermist15 Posts: 677 Member
    i was thinking about these pull up things today

    i also do p90x with the bands, and interchanging them is a B*tch.

    do you reckon handstand push ups would work the same muscle groups? i know its a push motion rather than a pull.. and you couldnt do all the modifications, but dam those are hard
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    You need a door anchor for your bands to do pull ups with them.. also if you feel your not getting a good workout with the bands, or they are too light, you need to make a loop with them to make them tighter when you start.. they show that on the videos as well.. A pull up bar is nice and if you can't do one, you can always use a chair for support until you can.. they usually run between $20-50
  • alyssa92982
    alyssa92982 Posts: 1,093 Member
    we (me and hubby) borrowed a dumbell set from his brother for all weight workouts, so maybe you can borrow from someone??? we also never did a single pull up with a bar and also used bands for the "back workouts" instead which worked. If you have the little connector thing that goes in the opening of the door-use that at the highest part of the door by the ceiling and sit on the ground and pull the bands down then like on the dvd's. you will feel this in your back. this is what we do and has worked tremendously for us. good luck!
  • brett1117
    brett1117 Posts: 208
    it's hard because it WORKS!! The end result will be worth the hard work!! Give yourself 90 days of your life to feel and look great!! You're wasting your time doing elliptical 6 days a week. You do elliptical because it's easy. sorry hope I don't come across rude!! I'm just trying to make a point..P90x and Insanity are the BEST workout programs I've ever used!!
  • KNarrainen
    KNarrainen Posts: 135 Member
    I got a chin up bar for £25 which is good quality, I could only do 3 pull ups to start with a couple of weeks later I am up to 5. I hope to keep increasing this as i progress. It's hard work, because it works.
  • ctooch99
    ctooch99 Posts: 459 Member
    Hey All - sorry if I am repeating anything (I did not read every post).

    First - I can attest to P90X - it straight up RULES. I have used gyms and played sports for years, but I really love the workouts I get with P90X now. I started in January (not in horrible shape - still pretty active) at 205LBS. My weigh in yesterday I am now 171LBS. For the first time ever (all through sports as a kid, collegiate wrestling, weight training etc.) I am developing a six pack at age 44).

    So I am a HUGE endorser of P90X (no I do NOT work for Beach Body nor care to... kinda bummed at the direction they are taking but that is a topic for another thread).

    I currently do P90X, P90X plus 5-6 times per week, I mix in cardio kung foo (on a heavy bag) and I play league hockey - for what it is worth here are my tips for being successful at P90X

    1) Have a dedicated area with a decent TV/DVD player readily available
    2) Use dumbells and a pull up bar - most of the people who fail use the bands (however for some exercise the bands do work well)
    3) If possible buy a whole set of fixed weight dumbbells - I have the kind where I need to change plates and it does slow some of the workouts down a lot.
    4) Use the playback mode where you can here Tony talk - he is a bit over the top (I love the guy), but if you listen to his instructions carefully, you will succeed.
    5) Do NOT try to keep up with Tony Horton or Dreya Weber when you first start - if you have not been working out before starting, you will not be able to keep up with them - they are both super fit. Dreya Weber is a freakin' aerialist - use the modified moves.
    6) Don't give up on the pull ups even if you cannot do one. Use the chair like Horton says - I assure you within 3 weeks you will be strong enough. When I started I could do 10 pullups. Now I can do 30 - P90X JACKS your strength if you do it right.

    Good luck! BRING IT! XXXXX
  • ctooch99
    ctooch99 Posts: 459 Member
    it's hard because it WORKS!! The end result will be worth the hard work!! Give yourself 90 days of your life to feel and look great!! You're wasting your time doing elliptical 6 days a week. You do elliptical because it's easy. sorry hope I don't come across rude!! I'm just trying to make a point..P90x and Insanity are the BEST workout programs I've ever used!!

    THIS!!! 100% On THE MONEY
  • stylistchik
    stylistchik Posts: 1,436 Member
    Can you get one of those hooks to screw into your wall or ceiling for the bands? We have this weird shelF they hook onto great but if we didn't have that I have no clue what I would do!
  • ctooch99
    ctooch99 Posts: 459 Member
    i was thinking about these pull up things today

    i also do p90x with the bands, and interchanging them is a B*tch.

    do you reckon handstand push ups would work the same muscle groups? i know its a push motion rather than a pull.. and you couldnt do all the modifications, but dam those are hard

    All you need is a $25 door frame pull up bar - they work awesome - I started at 205LBS and had no problem using mine. Here is a link:

    http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Total-Upper-Body-Workout/dp/B001EJMS6K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341748682&sr=8-1&keywords=Pullup+bar
  • kregerems
    kregerems Posts: 100 Member
    If your watching the videos, Tony explains how to do everything and how to modify the workout. As for the pull-ups you
    can use a chair as they show in the video. Go by a pull-up bar, and mount it over a door as it explains. You can then attach
    the bands to that if needed. It works, when I first started P90x I couldn't do a pull-up if you held a gun to my head, now, I'm
    in phase 2 and can do as many as 10 to 12 pull-ups. Keep with it and don't give up, you will see progress in time.
    Good luck.
  • pinkwhisk
    pinkwhisk Posts: 41
    get a stronger band? Try a red or green. I didn't like the bands for pull ups either so I now use a chair to support one leg for pull ups. Has a far greater impact - but still miles away from a pull up

    you need a pull up bar if you're serious about doing the programme (I'm guessing you're not ready at the moment)
  • usernamekelly1
    usernamekelly1 Posts: 1,941 Member
    With you saying you have a trainer, I'm assuming you have gym access??? If so, you can always take a copy of the workout in paper form or listen to the audio on a mp3 player and do it there, I have done this as I also only have the weights that you need to change and it sucks, so I do these at the gym with just the print out. My gym has an assistant pull-up / dip machine also so I've also done chest & back there, and TBH I actually push more at the gym!!!!
  • pinkwhisk
    pinkwhisk Posts: 41
    it's hard because it WORKS!! The end result will be worth the hard work!! Give yourself 90 days of your life to feel and look great!! You're wasting your time doing elliptical 6 days a week. You do elliptical because it's easy. sorry hope I don't come across rude!! I'm just trying to make a point..P90x and Insanity are the BEST workout programs I've ever used!!

    THIS!!! 100% On THE MONEY

    exactly. You're wasting your time on the elliptical trainer
  • relly1008
    relly1008 Posts: 175 Member
    I only use the bands for pull ups workouts, for the other ones i use dumbells it works for me.
  • laddyboy
    laddyboy Posts: 1,565 Member
    When I first stated P90X I couldn't pull my fat *kitten* out of my chair let alone a pullup. I used the bands like Tony shows in the video and now I can do 20+ pullups. I agree with the earlier poster...give your self excuses as to Why you need to workout not why you can't. This program is hard cuz it works. I went from 235 to 190 in 90 days. Just listen to Tony and press play every day. In 90 days you'll be thanking everyone who supported you.
  • greggags2
    greggags2 Posts: 195 Member
    I would suggest a pull up bar for the door frame, they aren't very expensive and can be found at local fitness stores. To modify your pull ups use the back of a chair and put your feet on it to make them easier but still push yourself. After a little while you will get stronger and then be able to do a full unassisted pull up
  • ctooch99
    ctooch99 Posts: 459 Member
    When I first stated P90X I couldn't pull my fat *kitten* out of my chair let alone a pullup. I used the bands like Tony shows in the video and now I can do 20+ pullups. I agree with the earlier poster...give your self excuses as to Why you need to workout not why you can't. This program is hard cuz it works. I went from 235 to 190 in 90 days. Just listen to Tony and press play every day. In 90 days you'll be thanking everyone who supported you.

    Awesome post
  • HildeDanmark
    HildeDanmark Posts: 65 Member
    Like everyone else said, use a chair with the over the door frame pull up bar. It is what I do and that is enough of a workout for me at the moment.

    Maybe you could modify P90X? I only sort of supplement with it 3 times a week or so. The legs/back, core synergistics, plyo, and abs are what I use most and the 3 (minus the abs) pack a pretty powerful calorie burn. The Cardio is also pretty good at calorie burning.

    On other days I dance, walk, or bike.
  • Jenvan78
    Jenvan78 Posts: 50 Member
    I've never used p90X but intend to do it someday when I can afford it. If you want results you gotta bust your *kitten* in the kitchen and with exercise. You gotta do what is hard...that will get the job done. You will only get results if you are willing to get your *kitten* kicked....can't say that enouogh! Oh and if you use FB...check out Go Kaleo's page...she's a bad *kitten*...LOVE her!
  • KokomoJoe
    KokomoJoe Posts: 435
    I only use the bands for pull ups workouts, for the other ones i use dumbells it works for me.

    That's what I do because of a low ceiling pull up bars can't mount to my door frames. Start slowly, buy some dumbells and some bands for the pull ups with a door hook. I have 5, 8 10 15 20 25 lb dumbells and that's been enough so far. going to get 30 lb next.

    Got a complete set of 6 resistance bands for 16 on sale and they are only used for pull ups or when I travel.
  • KokomoJoe
    KokomoJoe Posts: 435
    I've never used p90X but intend to do it someday when I can afford it. If you want results you gotta bust your *kitten* in the kitchen and with exercise. You gotta do what is hard...that will get the job done. You will only get results if you are willing to get your *kitten* kicked....can't say that enouogh! Oh and if you use FB...check out Go Kaleo's page...she's a bad *kitten*...LOVE her!

    check out craigslist or kijiji. I got the complete p90x package for $45.00
  • HorganMom3
    HorganMom3 Posts: 63 Member
    I'm doing p90x right now, just completed day 62 I believe. I had the same problem at first. I then found a band kit at Walmart for $20 that came with a few different types of anchor and I use the one that goes into the door, in between the door and door frame when door is closed. I then find I get the best workout when sitting on my butt as opposed to the standing or kneeling as they do in the dvds. This has really helped thus far. I don't recall what the exact brand or name of the kit was, but it came with 3 bands, like 2 different anchors, a carry bag, a dvd, poster, and inter changeable hand grips. It was definitely worth the $18!!!
  • nostalgicfortune
    nostalgicfortune Posts: 54
    I've never used p90X but intend to do it someday when I can afford it. If you want results you gotta bust your *kitten* in the kitchen and with exercise. You gotta do what is hard...that will get the job done. You will only get results if you are willing to get your *kitten* kicked....can't say that enouogh! Oh and if you use FB...check out Go Kaleo's page...she's a bad *kitten*...LOVE her!

    You can always DOWNLOAD the program for free

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