P90X: Good Form Means Quality Over Quantity

P90X is quickly gaining recognition as the training program that can challenge anyone – regardless of how fit they already are. The P90X program is designed to allow users to perform to their own ability levels by encouraging individual goal setting for most of the exercises. Exercises in the P90X program are performed for a designated length of time. Within that time, users are expected to set repetition goals for themselves, keeping in mind that the key to a great workout isn’t how many repetitions you do – it is how well you do each repetition.
 
The muscle confusion concept that P90X was built around provides a versatile workout program that focuses on all aspects of physical fitness to include strength, endurance, flexibility and agility. Used properly, P90X will help even the most fit individuals achieve increases in their physical abilities. It’s important, however, to approach P90X with realistic goals and expectations. One of the most common reasons that people quit using P90X, despite the results they are seeing and feeling, is that they try to do too much too quickly. They don’t follow the advice of the P90X trainers who recommend performing fewer repetitions with impeccable form instead of higher repetitions with sloppy form. As a result, they don’t effectively target the intended muscle groups. This results in a training imbalance, an increased risk of injury and slower overall progress throughout the P90X program.

The P90X training system is much different than standard workout programs. P90X uses a lot of bodyweight exercises and explosive plyometric movements. As a result, P90X is a deceptively challenging workout. Physically fit individuals who are used to working out with weights tend to set their initial P90X performance expectations too high. They try to perform the same number of repetitions with bodyweight exercises that they use when lifting weights at the gym. Typically, this leads to improper form and eventual discouragement since it’s easier to perform clean repetitions with weights than it is using bodyweight.      

So, regardless of your level of fitness when first beginning the P90X program, it is wise to watch each video at least once prior to attempting the workouts. Then, complete each workout prior to setting repetition goals for yourself. Find out what your capabilities are for each exercise. Using that initial workout as a guideline, establish realistic goals for future workouts. Make sure that you are able to achieve a full range of motion for each repetition performed and that you maintain recommended form throughout each movement, paying particular attention to safety cues. As you continue using P90X, and you grow more accustomed to plyometrics and bodyweight exercises, you’ll be able to increase the number of repetitions that you can complete with proper form. Be sure to check out the P90X Push-Up Stands and PowerStands Push-Up Bars (Pro) which not only provide a great range of motion but also promote proper form. Always remember that it’s not how many you do, it’s how well you do it and you’ll be surprised by how quickly you’ll notice gains in strength, endurance and coordination.