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P90X? I need help starting out.

EatSleepJog
EatSleepJog Posts: 20
edited January 16 in Fitness and Exercise
I decided to get P90X since I seen that people have gotten great results from it, but I have no idea what I need to do. Do I need any equipment to get me started? I was thinking of getting some dumbbells, but I'm not sure what size I should get them in. I'm a beginner in lifting, but I can lift 5lbs so would 10lb dumbbells be ok? Also, do I need to follow the nutrition guide included? I'm vegetarian so some of the meal plans would be conflicting, and I don't have most of the food listed. Do I have to do the fitness test or can I just jump right ahead? The fitness test calls for a chin pull-up bar but I don't have one...Basically, I just really need help on how to get started if anyone could help me. :smile:

Replies

  • catpea33
    catpea33 Posts: 76 Member
    P90X is a good choice! It was the first Beachbody programme I ever did and I saw really good results with it.

    But yes, you do need some equipment. For the dumbbells, you're going to be doing a variety of exercises so you need a mix of weights. I'd probably go for two 10lbs and two 20lbs just to start off with and buy extras later on if you need to lift more weight. Instead of using weights, you could buy a set of resistance bands online. They're elastic cords that you trap in the door crack (make sure they come with a foam anchor). Tony will show you how to use them in the exercises on the DVD. You can use them instead of doing chin-ups as well so if you don't want to buy a chin-up bar and dumbbells then a set of resistance bands is your best option. Other things they recommend are yoga blocks; I bought some but found a thick book worked just as well.

    You don't have to follow the nutrition guide to the letter. I didn't because I'm a fussy eater. Instead I overhauled my eating and totally cut out junk food and soda and tried to follow the advice, 'If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, leave it.' I still saw really good results from doing this. As a vegetarian, make sure you're getting enough protein for your muscles. You can get a protein shake to supplement.

    And no, you don't have to do the fitness test but it only takes about 20 minutes maximum and it's a good way of seeing your progress at the end of each phase. If you don't have a chin-up bar then you could just skip that part of the test. Alternatively you can get them online or from Walmart, etc, for $40.

    Hope that helps.
    Cat
    Team Beachbody coach
  • poundis
    poundis Posts: 93 Member
    bump
  • EatSleepJog
    EatSleepJog Posts: 20
    P90X is a good choice! It was the first Beachbody programme I ever did and I saw really good results with it.

    But yes, you do need some equipment. For the dumbbells, you're going to be doing a variety of exercises so you need a mix of weights. I'd probably go for two 10lbs and two 20lbs just to start off with and buy extras later on if you need to lift more weight. Instead of using weights, you could buy a set of resistance bands online. They're elastic cords that you trap in the door crack (make sure they come with a foam anchor). Tony will show you how to use them in the exercises on the DVD. You can use them instead of doing chin-ups as well so if you don't want to buy a chin-up bar and dumbbells then a set of resistance bands is your best option. Other things they recommend are yoga blocks; I bought some but found a thick book worked just as well.

    You don't have to follow the nutrition guide to the letter. I didn't because I'm a fussy eater. Instead I overhauled my eating and totally cut out junk food and soda and tried to follow the advice, 'If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, leave it.' I still saw really good results from doing this. As a vegetarian, make sure you're getting enough protein for your muscles. You can get a protein shake to supplement.

    And no, you don't have to do the fitness test but it only takes about 20 minutes maximum and it's a good way of seeing your progress at the end of each phase. If you don't have a chin-up bar then you could just skip that part of the test. Alternatively you can get them online or from Walmart, etc, for $40.

    Hope that helps.
    Cat
    Team Beachbody coach

    Wow, thank you very much for the detailed response Cat! I think the best course of action for me would be to buy the two sets of dumbbells and the resistance band. I did not know you could use a resistance band to replace the chin-up bar; that is wonderful because the resistance band is very versatile. I have many books laying around so I'm also set for yoga. As for the the nutrition, I already have cut back on eating junk foods, and I mainly just drink water and almond milk on a day-to-day basis. This has helped significantly, along with not eating after 7 P.M. To get my protein in I tend to eat a lot of legumes and greek yogurt.

    Thank you again very much for your through explanation!
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