For everyone out there who’s still on the fence about the P90X Exercise System, I wanted to write this next series of posts to give you a closer look at some of the finer details. Lets take a peak behind the curtain and look at some of the actual P90X Exercises themselves. We’ll be exploring what are in my opinion the top moves from the 12 unique, P90X exercise DVDs that are part of the system. We’ll be looking at the good the bad and the UGLY! That’s right some of these moves are downright beasts. The First P90X exercise in the line up comes form Disc #1 Chest & Back:

The Dive Bomber Push-Up

For me this is one of THE most intense P90X Exercises in the Chest & Back line up. Here’s how it’s done:

You’re going to start off in what’s called a “Downward Dog” Position as per the first pic above. You’ll want to make sure your hands and feet are set wide. You will then move into the “Upward Dog” position. As you’re doing this Tony Horton (the personal trainer who guides you through the P90X exercises) likes to have you think of this as going under a fence. To do so correctly and with good form, you want the entire motion to be very fluid in the transition. Once you go under in a forward motion you then go under the fence in reverse to return to the Downward Dog position. Seems easy but it’s one heck of an exercise! I do about 6-8 with good form so far. It really seems to engage a lot of muscles. You’re definitely working the chest, arms and even the legs to some degree to maintain balance and form. 

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s top P90X exercise as we dig into Disc #2, Plyometrics and take look at a killer move called Jump Knee Tuck!

A new discovery from Princeton University about rat brains shows exercise reduces stress. Scientists have known that exercising creates new brain cells but with this new research it appears that the newly created cells are somewhat immune to stressful experiences. It is known that working out releases chemicals in the brain that make you happy which is reason enough to exercise. This new information shows us there are psychological benefits to working out rather than just physical. As your body becomes stronger, more flexible and increases its energy supplies the brain is quietly building new and improved cells. In the rat exercise study it was found that prolonged exercise, greater than 3 weeks was crucial. While working out sporadically is better than nothing at all, you should ultimately be consistently working out every week to see and feel the greatest results.

Phys Ed: Why Exercise Makes You Less Anxious, November 18, 2009

If you’ve heard about P90X and have had a chance to check out some the recommended accessories, then you’ve probably stumbled upon the P90X Push Up Stands by now. Are they an absolute necessity to complete the program…no, but lets take a look at why P90X Push Up Stands are a great option to consider. There are 2 MAJOR benefits to be had with the P90X Push Up Stands:

1.) Extend Your Range of Motion

While standard push ups are great, P90X Push Up Stands actually extend your range of motion. You can dip down deeper and push back up further, essentially maximizing each and every rep you do. If you want more results faster this is reason enough.

2.) Reduce Wrist Tension

Some of us unfortunately get wrist “tweaks” when doing push ups normally. Others just simply have wrist issues to begin with. The P90X Push Up Stands actually help minimize wrist tension issues by having you grip the handles. I have a friend who has been an auto mechanic for years and he has wrist issues from working on cars. I’d imagine a lot of turning and tightening of bolts and such. Whatever the reasons, when he started P90X he found right away that the Push Up Stands really did deliver on this promise and he doesn’t perform the workouts without them now. 

Click for more info on the P90X Push-Up Stands (basic)

or

Click here to learn more about the P90X Power Stands Push-Up Bars (Pro)

Here at Extreme Body Workout, we are one of many to extol the virtues of the P90X system. And while we are confident the system is a great way to get fit and make major changes to your body and your life, we know that it takes people a period of adjustment and some learning to get on track. If you are having P90X problems, we are here for you, just let us know!

Many people have questions about the P90X nutrition plan. P90X problems related to the accompanying diet can be especially frustrating to some. A highly formatted eating plan can take some adjustment. If you have questions about any of the nutritional approaches or stages, check out some of our blog posts. Simply search for “P90X Nutrition” and you will find a wealth of information!

Maybe you have questions about your ability to do the program. Some P90X problems come up because of prior injuries or medical conditions. If you have serious concerns about your health, it’s best to discuss your plans with your physician. However, we may be able to help with some of the more basic questions. Feel free to leave a comment here in the blog or send customer service an email.

If your P90X problems stem from the program itself, perhaps you are missing a workout or a guidebook, we can definitely point you in the right direction. We staff our customer service department from 9 am to 5 pm Eastern time on Monday through Friday. Simply fill out this form and you will get a response!

We know that starting a new fitness program isn’t without its challenges and we want to be here to support you on your journey.

Let us know how we can help with your P90X problems and ask us any burning question you might have about the system. We stand behind all of our products with superior customer service and product knowledge!

The P90X workout plan has more than 2 million followers to date. Why are so many people into the program? Well the short answer is, it works! But lets get into the details here to see why the P90X workout plan is so popular.

1.) The P90X workout plan can be done in the comfort of your own home. This is a huge plus. There are a lot of us out there including myself who simply do not want to make the commute to the gym. I personally hate the inconvenience, not to mention I don’t want to pay the monthly fees and on top of that I save a lot of time in my schedule not having to even get in the car to do my workout. People like working out at home it just makes life easier.

2.) The P90X workout plan is actually fun. One of the main reasons P90X is so effective is that it focuses on the concept of “Muscle Confusion” in a nutshell it throws in a ton of different exercises from many different schools of physical fitness. Not only does it push the body to keep getting results but hey variety is the spice of life. The simple fact that I don’t have to do the same old routine over the course of the 90 day program makes the P90X workout plan a lot more interesting. A lot of people fail to continue working out because it becomes monotonous. This isn’t the case with P90X and it makes a HUGE difference for people like me.

3.) The P90X Workout Plan has a strong focus on your diet as well as your physical fitness. What makes the program so popular is that it has you covered on the workouts as well as what you eat. I don’t mind cooking but to be honest, like a lot of people I really don’t know how to make 100% healthy meals. The P90X Nutrition Guide holds your hand through the whole process. You get full meals mapped out for you from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks. It makes eating healthy practically a no brainer.

People often ask me “does p90x work?” and I always give them the same answer… absolutely. If you give a 100% during your workouts and you follow the nutrition guide you should feel some positive changes in as little as a week. You might not see a huge change in the mirror but don’t fret because if you stick with it you’ll notice (and so will others) some radical improvements in as little as 3 – 4 weeks.

While looking around on Google for the term does p90x work, I came across Shelly’s Journal. She posted about this very topic, does p90x work, back in July when she was at her half way point. She gave a very thorough review that I suggest you check out. According to her she says that for p90x to work really depends on your level of commitment. If you’re willing to change your diet and work through the hard workouts then you’ll be glad you did and the answer to your question – does p90x work? – will be yes.

Shelley finished the p90x in August, I recommend reading her day 90 review as well.

Does p90x work? If you’ve completed or are currently doing the P90X please tell me what you think.

People with rock hard midsections and six packs will be quick to tell you what they think are the best ab exercises. And you know what? Their opinions will vary. Like with any other fitness move or muscle group, what works for one person, may not be the best option for the next guy. The best ab exercises are those that are the most effective for you. However, having said that, there are certain ab workouts that when paired with a good diet and overall fitness program can produce maximum results.

When we are younger we are content to just do a simple, low maintenance ab workout. I know I am not the only one who recalls making efforts to do 50 or 100 crunches a day. I’m not saying crunches aren’t effective, they are. However, I am saying that as we age our bodies change and while 50 crunches may have been adequate at age 18, the best ab exercises for adults are those that combine all abdominal muscles.

In addition to working the upper abs, middle abs, lower abs, and obliques, the best workouts for your midsection will include some general core work. Your core consists of all the muscles within the trunk of your body. This includes your back too. By working your core, you are balancing the muscles of your abs with the complimentary muscles, increasing overall strength and posture and even encouraging faster results in your abs.

When looking out for the best ab exercises, consider high quality home fitness routines that utilize ab workouts within each of their longer pieces. An ab workout won’t deliver much in the way of results if you are otherwise unfit or not performing at your best.

Ab exercises are only as effective as the rest of your fitness program.

Consider P90X as a great way to develop your abs. It includes ab work in many of the individual DVDs and also features Ab Ripper X. Take a look at Hip Hop Abs if you enjoy dance and high energy music . The anti-crunch, Hip Hop Abs provides a great total body workout and ab fitness without requiring you to get on the floor.

Man boobs or “moobs” as some like  to call them are usually associated with those guys who are either overweight or deconditioned according to Jay Dawes, education director at the National Strength and Conditioning Association. As some might think, the best way to combat man boobs is to work out the chest.

However, while this will strengthen and build the pectoral muscles it is not going to be the end all solution. If there is a lot of fat covering these muscles all the bench-presses and push-ups in the world won’t get rid of those man boobs.

Home workouts like P90X have a strong focus on working out the pecs. One of the primary routines is “Chest & Back” but the important element to keep in mind is that your workout routine needs to incorporate cardio, and P90X does this flawlessly. While strength training is important, if you want to rid yourself of the dreaded man boob phenomenon you have to burn off the fat covering up that well defined chest. P90X integrates ”Plyometrics”, into the mix a fast paced, sports cardio training routine as well as “Cardio X” and “Core synergistics” to get the heart pumping and the body sweating so you burn calories and fat.

Most men care about how they look man boobs don’t have to be part of your physique just make sure your daily exercise routine includes both strength training and cardio similar to the P90X workout system. Once you have your workout regimen in check and your diet in check you’ll be able to say good bye to those “moobs” for good.

Ok, so you’ve heard about P90X, and you’ve heard about the hardcore Plyometrics routine. But what’s all the fuss about? P90X Plyometrics is an incredible workout routine that’s approximately 50 minutes long that borrows heavily from sports conditioning exercises. If you’ve ever played basketball or football and remember those wicked practices you’ll find quite a few of these moves very familiar. 

P90X Plyometrics is a cardio centric workout. It aims to get you moving and keep you moving. The main goals of Plyometrics  is to improve agility, increase stamina, and burn a boat load of calories! Like all P90X workouts you can expect to burn at least 600 calories from Plyo. The fact is P90X Plyometrics is considered the “mother” of all P90X workouts for a reason. Chances are you’re probably going to burn closer to 800 calories because the workout is down right intense! 

You’ll find yourself in the air most of the 50 minutes as it will have you jumping a lot and often. From Airborne Heisman’s, to Jump Squats, to Monster Truck Tires it gets crazy! I remember the first day I did Plyometrics. I couldn’t get through the last 20 minutes of the workout I was whipped big time. But as Tony Horton says “Do your best and forget the rest”. Little by little you increase your performance and if you’re just starting out beware P90X Plyometrics will kick your butt. Just stick with it you won’t regret it!

I read an article the other day that discussed ways of exercising smarter while in the gym. In the article they mentioned a few things that don’t apply to working out at home, such as what to do when exercise equipment is in use but overall they had some good tips I’d like to share with you. These tips are great for (and utilized) in the P90X system.

1) Target multiple muscle groups for maximum results. Push-ups work the chest, triceps, abs and buttocks while pull ups work the back, shoulders and biceps.

2) Low reps for strength building. High reps for larger toned muscles. No more than 6 reps if you are looking to strengthen your muscles. 8 – 12 reps if you are looking to tone and bulk up your muscles.

3) Variation. Don’t do the same workout every day. By changing the exercises daily your body won’t have the chance to plateau. P90X calls this muscle confusion.

Following these 3 tips will definitely help your workouts. Give them a try and tell me what you think or if you have any others let me know.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could get a complete and invigorating workout with out taking so much time out of your day? Many of us don’t have time to work out for 30 minutes or more a day between work and family. Even if we do have some time to spare most of us would rather do something a little more enjoyable than running or lifting some weights. The 10 Minute Trainer program is a great solution to this constant battle between time and exercise. It allows you to get an intense workout in a shorter period of time.

Recent research done by Martin Gibala, chair of the department of kinesiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, who studies short-burst training, has shown that a good workout is possible with shorter exercising routines. After a six week study it was found that people who work out for shorter intervals at a higher intensity  levels produced the same results as people who work out for longer periods of time at a steady lower pace.

But be aware that this type of exercising may not be for everyone. If you are extremely out of shape or over weight you may not want to jump right in to this intense method. It may sound easy because it is for a shorter interval of time, but remember, for it to work it needs to be done at a much higher level of intensity. You may want to consult your doctor to find out if this type of exercise program, like the 10 Minute Trainer , will be good for you.

Some women feel absolutely beautiful when they are pregnant. Others feel like they have grown to ten times their normal size and can’t wait to get back into their pre-pregnancy clothing. Once you have had the baby it is completely normal to be looking for solutions to eliminate the added fat. When figuring out how to lose baby fat fast, it’s crucial that you consider both diet and an premium workout program.

The answer to “how to lose baby fat fast” involves a workout system that combines cardio with the right amount of strength training. One without the other simply isn’t as effective and while you may drop the weight, your results won’t be as great as if you combine both approaches.

Turbo Jam is a great example of an excellent program for helping you learn how to lose baby fat fast. This is a high energy workout system that combines dance, kickboxing, and weight training with super high energy fun. A test group reportedly burned up to 1,000 calories with a one hour Turbo Jam workout. These workouts, with trainer Chalene Johnson, are an excellent way to torch the baby fat while having fun.

Another good choice for losing the pregnancy weight is the Slim in 6 program. Debbie Siebers leads this program that has the potential to deliver a transformed body in six weeks! When paired with a good diet, the Slim In Six program is a surefire way to get your sleek, sexy physique back on track.

Lastly, if you like dance and are struggling with how to lose baby fat fast, consider Hip Hop Abs. This program will allow you to use some modern dance moves and music to sculpt a lean body. It pays special attention to the abs and after carrying a baby, your belly could probably use the extra attention.

Losing the baby fat requires dedication to a high quality fitness program and a carefully watched diet. Being a mom doesn’t mean you can’t have a killer bod. Check out all of our workout programs for help with eliminating that pregnancy weight once and for all.

There is a misconception that still exists about at home workouts. The idea is that they are all created for women and none are challenging enough for men seeking a real, hard core workout. Nevermind the fact that women can workout just as hard as men, men want to feel seriously challenged in an at home workout. For that reason, we are here to discuss some of the at home workouts for men we sell here at Extreme Body Workout.

One of our original at home workouts for men is the first Power 90. This workout is a great start up for men who eventually would like to work through P90X and even P90X Plus. Power 90 promises 90 days to a new body. It does this with the help of celebrity trainer Tony Horton and 7 targeted workouts. Sectional progression is used to sculpt and define each muscle group in this basic but very challenging program.

For Power 90 graduates or for men who are already pretty fit, we carry the bestselling in at home workouts for men: P90X. P90X is the ultimate in at home workouts for men. If you ever thought that at home workouts weren’t challenging, this program will prove you wrong. Using the science of muscle confusion, Horton moves men through a series of cardio and strength training workouts designed to get your body into the best shape ever.

Finally, for the man who has limited time, there’s Tony Horton’s 10 Minute Trainer. When shopping for at home workouts for men, this one is the most appealing for men who want to stay in good shape but whose life requires a customizable workout. 10 Minute Trainer allows men to create a workout that they have time for, whether it is 20, 30, or 40 minutes long.

At home workouts for men do exist and we carry some of the best here. Don’t let the misconceptions about at home workouts blur your vision. These workouts can change the way you view an at home workout and change your body for good.

It seems the majority of people have a love/hate relationship with ab workouts. While mid-workout can be excruciating, we love the feeling of tightness that occurs afterwards. This soreness is a sign that what you are doing is working and it pushes you to work even harder. Ab workouts are designed to give you maximum results in the muscles from just beneath your ribcage to just below your navel, the area of your body commonly looked to as a symbol of health.

The news has been telling us for the past several years that a large tummy is a sign of poor health. This article from WebMd last year goes so far as to say that belly fat can double your risk of death. Ab workouts are just one of many ways we seek to combat the dreaded belly fat and its resulting poor health.

Ab workouts don’t need to be the only approach to losing belly fat and maintaining optimal health, however. You shouldn’t neglect the importance of a good diet. Eating the right foods will allow those rock hard abs to show through. Otherwise, the fruit of your ab workouts will just remain buried under a layer of fat.

Ab workouts should always include more than basic crunches. When considering how to get your midsection in shape, make certain you are also considering core workouts. While your core includes your abdominal muscles, it also includes your back and chest. These muscles work together to keep you upright, give you good posture, and when combined with a healthy diet, decrease body fat.

Ab workouts might be the thing that you dread the most. There are many people who live for their ab workouts, however. Although I am not one of them, you may be. For you it should be easy. However, if you abhor your ab workouts, consider some alternatives. Programs like Hip Hop Abs work the abs without crunches and without even going to the floor.

Crucial to your overall fitness, ab workouts should not be neglected…even when you can’t stand them!

You don’t have to look far to find cool gadgets and tools to add to your fitness gear collection. Just like any other expense, however, it is easy to get carried away. So often, we have the mistaken assumption that the more fitness gear we have, the fitter we will be. Ask anyone who hangs their clothes on their treadmill and they will tell you this isn’t necessarily true. When it comes to fitness gear, think simple.

Businesses invest millions of dollars into marketing. This marketing takes the form of glossy ads, pop-ups, strategic product placement, and engaging commercials. Behind all of this advertising are people who know exactly how to make their products the most appealing. They are in the business of selling and see you as being in the business of buying. In order to make good purchasing decisions, whether dealing with fitness gear or not, the key is to see past the marketing glitz.

You can get fit without any gear. It’s true; all fitness gear is optional. Having said that, there are some fitness tools that can increase the effectiveness of your workouts without breaking the bank. By knowing which products are the best choices, you can be confident you are spending your money on the right fitness gear not just the newest or most popular fitness gear.

When considering which fitness gear products are appropriate for your needs, think long and hard about your expectations. Only you can get you fit. No tool, gadget, or machine will do it for you. Be wary of products that require little to no effort. Remember that you are seeking fitness gear that will make your fitness goals more attainable but not effortless.

Be certain to evaluate in what capacity you will use the fitness gear you are considering as well. It doesn’t make much sense to purchase a treadmill or elliptical if you can’t stand cardio. Cardio won’t be anymore palatable with a $2,000 machine. However, if you are picking up yoga, a mat is a realistic and inexpensive tool.

Be cautious. Analyze your goals. Ensure the fitness gear you purchase will be used and appreciated.