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.

The P90X Chin-Up Bar is the perfect piece of equipment to help in developing your shoulders, back and arms. It’s recommended that you have it before starting to use your P90X videos. The P90X Chin-Up Bar really has a unique design. The bar doesn’t fit inside the door frame like most other bars on the market. Instead it extends past the width of the door frame so you can do wide-grip pull-ups and a lot of other pull-up exercises that are really fun. With the P90X Chin-Up Bar  you can really take your workout to the next level, strengthening and developing your back, shoulders and arms with 6 different grip positions. Plus the bar is super-strong, holding your weight up to a max of 300 lbs.

But what if you just don’t have a good doorway to install it in?  Does that mean you  have to miss out on all these great chin-ups and pull-ups?  And what about when you have to go out of town for work or on vacation?  What can you do in your hotel room?  What are you going to use then?  Well, those inventive people who developed the P90X Chin-Up Bar have also come up with an answer just for these types of occasions. After all, you don’t want to hit a plateau just because you don’t have an appropriate doorway for the bar.

Resistance Bands are the answer!  Sure, you’re already using them for all those other exercises and moves so you know how handy they can be. You don’t need to lug around heavy weights. Resistance bands are easy to use and they don’t take up any room at all. And they provide all the resistance you need to develop your entire range of muscles to give yourself a total body workout. Resistance bands come in different colors signifying different weights. They also come in different weight strengths for men and women. Or you can simply buy one complete resistance band kit that has the whole range of weights.

Another great thing about these resistance bands is that they can be used on moves that that would usually be done on the P90X Chin-Up Bar. There’s something called the Resistance Bands Upgrade Kit which will help you do all the P90X Chin-Up Bar exercises if you don’t have a doorway handy or if you simply are not yet advanced enough to use the bar. This can be a troublesome area for some people.

The Resistance Bands comes with a door attachment that you can loop your resistance band through and do modified routines that would normally be done on the P90X Chin-Up Bar. You probably already know that the workout routines ask you to do chin-ups, pull-ups, etc. But did you also know that the videos will show you how to use the Upgrade Kit alternative, as well as the P90X Chin-Up Bar?  Each workout that requires the use of the Chin-Up Bar also shows you the modified move that can be done with the bands and Upgrade Kit. 

So why not give it a try. With both the P90X Chin-Up Bar and the Resistance Band Upgrade Kit you can be prepared for any situation. You won’t have to miss any of your workout no matter where you are!

The P90X Chin Up Bar is a highly recommended piece of equipment. It’s main use is to help develop your shoulders, back and arms. Installing it is actually quite easy. The ingenious design allows nearly all of your weight to be distributed to the outside of the door frame, so only two small brackets are necessary. These brackets mainly support the weight of the bar itself, preventing it from physically sliding down the doorframe, and allowing you to easily remove the bar when not in use.

First follow the included instructions and assemble the P90X Chin Up Bar. Next, you need to locate a suitable doorframe. Choose one that’s out of the way from high traffic. You may also want to consider a location that’s near your TV where you’ll be following along with your P90X workout. The bar fits residential doorway openings (trim required) 24″ to 32″ wide (supports up to 300 pounds), so be sure to measure your doorway.

Next, you need to install the included brackets for the P90X Chin Up Bar either directly into the top trim or right above, into the wall itself. Be sure to install them on the appropriate side of the doorway—that is the side that the door opens in to.

Now, standing on a stool or step ladder, measure to find the center of the top of your door frame. From there, measure roughly 4″ to the left of that point and 4″ to the right, and mark each of these locations. This creates 8″ of space between the brackets. Next, screw in the 4 supplied screws per bracket and you’re done! Now all you have to do is grab your P90X Chin Up Bar and guide the flat top portion through the opening of the doorway and “hook” it firmly on the brackets. Feel free to pump out a few chin ups as your reward!