Kelsey does the one-arm chest press on a stability ball—a signature move of P90X2.
FBG intern and on-again-off-again exerciser Kelsey is trying P90X2, the second version of the super-popular P90X system by Tony Horton. Find out how it’s going below, and follow along with her progress in the coming months !
After far too long of not working out enough, my hubby and some of our friends decided to do P90X2 . I was up for it, as we had attempted and—well, in my case—failed miserably at the original P90X . If I remember correctly, I don’t think anyone actually finished the whole thing. My excuse for not finishing P90X was that I was planning my , and meetings and other things got in the way. Frankly, at the time, I just wasn’t into it and it was summertime—so it was more appealing to go outside than work out inside. But this time with P90X2? Well, it was going to be different.
I’m determined to finish this time because it’s winter and I can’t fathom running outside. We also don’t have our gym membership anymore, so what better excuse to get off the couch and do something, right? I should clue you in that our P90x2 group generally consists of two guys—my husband and one of our friends and then me, the only girl—so it’s a bit of a unique dynamic.
Most of you have probably heard of the P90X or P90X2 programs, but may probably haven’t tried them, so I’ll give you the quick low-down on how they work (we’ll do a full review of both programs here in a few months). Each workout system lasts 90 days and uses weights to tone and strengthen, yoga to stretch those muscles, plyometrics to keep the heart rate up, and other various types of exercise to get you in shape. The program is designed to have a person work out for five to six days a week through three phases. There are even worksheets for some of the workouts for you to keep track of your progress, so I’ll try to let you know how I improve by the end of each phase of P90X2. There is also a meal system included, and while I don’t follow it, some people do to get the maximum results.
Each phase in P90X2 is supposed to last three to six weeks, depending on how you feel you have “mastered” the moves. This version also allows two days of rest, so you are only working out five days a week, which I find a little easier to manage than the six-days-a-week workout of the original P90X.
As of now, I’m into week two in the first phase of P90X2, and I can definitely feel muscles that haven’t shown themselves since I did P90X. I’m not used to working out with weights or holding up my body with my arms (not really something I can do well as of now). It’s easier for the guys to hold themselves up, and I do my best to modify the moves. Although, most of the first phase so far is better than P90X—less repetition and time goes by a little faster.
There seems to be a lot more core work in P90X2 than P90X—at least in the first phase. And the yoga is much better than the 90-minute P90X version. I was dreading the yoga since the last one was so boring and drawn out, but the P90X2 version is about an hour and has a lot more variety and stretching. I can only do so many downward dogs before I get a headache, you know? Yoga just isn’t my thing, but I’m attempting.
Tony Horton—love him or annoyed by him—is just about the same as he was in P90X, cracking “jokes.” The P90X2 workouts also bring back different people, who range from MMA fighters to moms to actual people who have benefited from the workout program. I think the goal is to make the program feel attainable, but sometimes you just feel lame because they are in so much better shape than you. But at least Horton lets one of them do modified versions of some moves, so we weaklings (for now at least!) can feel like we are still accomplishing the workout. And the modified version is not always done by the girl—way cool.
After a little more than a week into it, I do feel better. Like I’m working out. Shocking—I know. I can tell I’m using my muscles differently than normal, and it feels good. I’m getting that good sore feeling. I’m glad I decided to get my arse off the couch and do something. I know that working out makes you feel good, and I just have to harness that motivation and do it because my body always feels better when I’m working out.
So, it’s on to the rest of the phase and more painful, yet gratifying workouts. I’ll let you know how I fare in a couple weeks. Here’s to progress! Have you tried P90X or P90X2 ? What was your experience like? The results? —Kelsey
Kelsey does the one-arm chest press on a stability ball—a signature move of P90X2.
FBG intern and on-again-off-again exerciser Kelsey is trying P90X2, the second version of the super-popular P90X system by Tony Horton. Find out how it’s going below, and follow along with her progress in the coming months !
After far too long of not working out enough, my hubby and some of our friends decided to do P90X2 . I was up for it, as we had attempted and—well, in my case—failed miserably at the original P90X . If I remember correctly, I don’t think anyone actually finished the whole thing. My excuse for not finishing P90X was that I was planning my , and meetings and other things got in the way. Frankly, at the time, I just wasn’t into it and it was summertime—so it was more appealing to go outside than work out inside. But this time with P90X2? Well, it was going to be different.
I’m determined to finish this time because it’s winter and I can’t fathom running outside. We also don’t have our gym membership anymore, so what better excuse to get off the couch and do something, right? I should clue you in that our P90x2 group generally consists of two guys—my husband and one of our friends and then me, the only girl—so it’s a bit of a unique dynamic.
Most of you have probably heard of the P90X or P90X2 programs, but may probably haven’t tried them, so I’ll give you the quick low-down on how they work (we’ll do a full review of both programs here in a few months). Each workout system lasts 90 days and uses weights to tone and strengthen, yoga to stretch those muscles, plyometrics to keep the heart rate up, and other various types of exercise to get you in shape. The program is designed to have a person work out for five to six days a week through three phases. There are even worksheets for some of the workouts for you to keep track of your progress, so I’ll try to let you know how I improve by the end of each phase of P90X2. There is also a meal system included, and while I don’t follow it, some people do to get the maximum results.
Each phase in P90X2 is supposed to last three to six weeks, depending on how you feel you have “mastered” the moves. This version also allows two days of rest, so you are only working out five days a week, which I find a little easier to manage than the six-days-a-week workout of the original P90X.
As of now, I’m into week two in the first phase of P90X2, and I can definitely feel muscles that haven’t shown themselves since I did P90X. I’m not used to working out with weights or holding up my body with my arms (not really something I can do well as of now). It’s easier for the guys to hold themselves up, and I do my best to modify the moves. Although, most of the first phase so far is better than P90X—less repetition and time goes by a little faster.
There seems to be a lot more core work in P90X2 than P90X—at least in the first phase. And the yoga is much better than the 90-minute P90X version. I was dreading the yoga since the last one was so boring and drawn out, but the P90X2 version is about an hour and has a lot more variety and stretching. I can only do so many downward dogs before I get a headache, you know? Yoga just isn’t my thing, but I’m attempting.
Tony Horton—love him or annoyed by him—is just about the same as he was in P90X, cracking “jokes.” The P90X2 workouts also bring back different people, who range from MMA fighters to moms to actual people who have benefited from the workout program. I think the goal is to make the program feel attainable, but sometimes you just feel lame because they are in so much better shape than you. But at least Horton lets one of them do modified versions of some moves, so we weaklings (for now at least!) can feel like we are still accomplishing the workout. And the modified version is not always done by the girl—way cool.
After a little more than a week into it, I do feel better. Like I’m working out. Shocking—I know. I can tell I’m using my muscles differently than normal, and it feels good. I’m getting that good sore feeling. I’m glad I decided to get my arse off the couch and do something. I know that working out makes you feel good, and I just have to harness that motivation and do it because my body always feels better when I’m working out.
So, it’s on to the rest of the phase and more painful, yet gratifying workouts. I’ll let you know how I fare in a couple weeks. Here’s to progress! Have you tried P90X or P90X2 ? What was your experience like? The results? —Kelsey