P90X Help Needed...

I am curious to see suggestions too...I've been wanting to try it, but not sure if I should try it after I lose a bunch of weight first...

You are shown how to modify everything.

When I started I could not do a pushup from my toes. No problem, I did them from my knees until I was strong enough.

I'm starting my 4 round and I still struggle with pullups so don't worry. As the Tony says on the DVDs "Do your best and forget the rest"

As for running you can sub out the two cardio days for running, but I would not run on top of the cardio in the program, that would just be too much right now.

Make no mistake the program is tough. The first 2 weeks or so you'll be sore but just keep pushing play every day.

At a minimum you need resistance bands, but in my opinion there is no substitute for dumbbells in this program. Get a pull up bar and use a chair to assist you, that's what I did. I also threw a resistance band over it and used it to simulate a pullup, but down a Lat pull down, they show you how in the video.

If you have more questions I'd be happy to answer as I love the program.

Tim

This is very helpful as I was wanting to start p90x but am scared that I'm not ready yet thanks for the post!

This is very helpful as I was wanting to start p90x but am scared that I'm not ready yet thanks for the post!

Agreed, this was very helpful! I've sent some friend requests to you P90X savvy people, you seem like good buddies to have around in case I do decide to try it.

Good luck to all that decide to try it!

I'm a 5'9" female...when I pushed play on day #1, I weighed 205 pounds which is right on the overweight/obese borderline (according to BMI). I hadn't done anything more strenuous than walking my dogs sporadically for several years. P90x scared the living crap out of me!

That said, after much soul searching, I decided to go ahead and push play. I chose to follow the "Lean" rotation because I couldn't do a single push up on my toes, and the thought of doing the chest & back workout on day #1led me to think that I'd do poorly and just quit. I pushed play for 90 days doing the Lean rotation (which I think it really P90X 'Lite')...lost 20 pounds in my first round, then went on to do 2 more rounds (doubles then P90X+).

I modified quite a bit at first...all the push-ups were on my knees until week #6 when I could finally do ONE on my toes. I made the plyo moves low impact at first, though I did swap out Cardio X for Plyo X in the last month (I wanted a new challenge), and I didn't even think about pull ups. I got a heavier resistance band, looped it through a roll of duct tape, put the roll of tape over top of a door, close the door on the bands, and voila...replacement. There is always one exerciser using resistance bands instead of dumbbells or the pull up bar. In my 2nd round I bought a pull-up bar and at my 'best' could do 6 unassisted overhand grip pull ups. They do, however, really tweak my right elbow (tendonitis), so in my current round, I'm just using a super heavy resistance band because I really prefer to get fitter and not get injured.

In lieu of jumping jacks, just step one leg out to the side in the 'up' phase of the jack, back in towards your other foot in the down phase, and repeat with the opposite leg in the next out.

It is possible to keep running/walking as long as you make sure you're fueling yourself properly and you're not putting in a ton of miles. I powerwalk with my dogs 6 days/week in addition to my regular workout, and I walk 4 miles in an hour each day. I have to make sure I do some extra stretching and stuff, and realize that I've just burned more calories which means I need a bit more food, but it's doable. The key is to really listen to your body. You'll be sore which is normal. There's a big difference between sore and injured...listen to the signs you're getting.

Best of luck!! If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

she's right about the walmart bands, i got them and they arent really that strong and can break. i ended up getting a band from academy sports store and its much better, it gives more resistance and is more durable. as far as the pull ups you can get a door extension for the bands and use them for pull ups as well. i like the bands because my space is limited although on a couple workouts i do use weights

Anyone have an opinion?
Resistance bands vs Weights?

I've used weights, I got adjustable weights at Target. My husband has used the bands, but got bands with more tension from Bodylastic.

I haven't started P90X yet, but for Power 90 I have been using resistance bands and weights. I don't have the brand of the resistance bands I have been using, as my wife got them from a local fitness store. They came with handles and three bands (black - heaviest, blue - medium, green - easy). I use the bands only when I cannot do certain moves; Back Scratchers...my arm just can't manuever a weight back there, and Forearm curls. Between the three bands (I leave them all on, and only step on the one I need to use), I get a mix of six different weights by stepping on one, two, or all three of them. I'll try and get the brand name of them tonight and post it.

Edit: Also, I got the bands for when I travel as well. They pack up easily in my saddlebags or checked luggage (can't do carry-on, because they can be used as a weapon), so whenever I am away from home I can still do my workouts.

As for weights...when I began doing Power 90 I had the Bowflex SelectTech's. My wife and I sold them and got the Powerblocks, which we have been much, much MUCH happier with. They are more compact, and a heck of a lot more sturdy. I can actually use the Powerblocks when doing pushups as well, since normal pushups put too much pressure on my wrist in the regular position.

For those that are wondering, nervous even, of starting something like P90X, there's always the original P90. It's not "extreme" and also can produce some fantastic results.

Really concentrate on what you eat. Exercise is important...but so is what you do the other 23 hours of your day.