New guy with a few P90x questions

• BR1986FB

  Sonofanump;1071345 wrote:The crazy ones are those doing insanity max interval training. I'm almost ready to graduate from the basic insanity to max.

  Max workouts aren't bad once you get through the first 30 days.
• BR1986FB

  fan_from_texas;1071307 wrote:You guys are crazy ( but inspirational). I'm happy just to alternate P90/ChaLean for 4-5 days a week while watching diet. I'm not in awesome shape, but I'm a pretty solid 170 (down from 200), which is less than what I was at my college graduation. I'm aiming for 167.5 (5 lbs more than HS graduation, when I was definitely too skinny).

  If you've dropped that much weight you can do P90X with minimal issues.
• birddog23

  BR1986FB;1071390 wrote:How do you bench? Form?
  
  This is the proper bench press form if you are looking to increase your bench. You a) decrease the distance you have to press while still legally keeping your ass on the bench and b) you create a "shelf' with your scapula (pinching them together) to generate power/stability. Make sure you NEVER flare your elbows or you're risking front delt issues. ALWAYS tuck your elbows on descent...
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KoGvyAElp4

  Hmm definitely have never seen that before, I may have to give it a try here soon
• Raw Dawgin' it

  

  I bench with dumbbells. Mostly because i workout alone and don't have a spotter if i get stuck (i've had to dump the weight before...)
• birddog23

  Raw Dawgin' it;1071413 wrote:I bench with dumbbells. Mostly because i workout alone and don't have a spotter if i get stuck (i've had to dump the weight before...)

  This is partially my issue too. I workout alone and when I bench I do get a bit nervous at times.
• Raw Dawgin' it

  

  birddog23;1071416 wrote:This is partially my issue too. I workout alone and when I bench I do get a bit nervous at times.

  If you think you're not going to get the rep you definitely won't, lifting definitely has a mental side to it, imo. I use dumbbells cause i know i can just drop the weight if i can't do it, so it's definitely easier to get myself ready for heavy weight.
  
  I find myself doing 1-2 reps less with the bar for fear of getting stuck.
• BR1986FB

  Raw Dawgin' it;1071413 wrote:I bench with dumbbells. Mostly because i workout alone and don't have a spotter if i get stuck (i've had to dump the weight before...)

  The dreaded barbell "roll of shame..."
• Raw Dawgin' it

  

  BR1986FB;1071424 wrote:The dreaded barbell "roll of shame..."

  "Nothing to see here folks"
  
  i didn't make eye contact with anyone after ha
• BR1986FB

  Raw Dawgin' it;1071429 wrote:"Nothing to see here folks"
  
  i didn't make eye contact with anyone after ha

  Been there...
• ernest_t_bass

  

  As the end of the basketball season nears, what are some different items that I will need to have handy, before I start P90x? Yes, I could go to google, etc. But I'm asking actual people who have done it.
• BR1986FB

  ernest_t_bass;1072269 wrote:As the end of the basketball season nears, what are some different items that I will need to have handy, before I start P90x? Yes, I could go to google, etc. But I'm asking actual people who have done it.

  Bands or dumbbells, pullup bar, yoga mat/heart rate monitor (both optional)
• ernest_t_bass

  

  BR1986FB;1072282 wrote:Bands or dumbbells, pullup bar, yoga mat/heart rate monitor (both optional)

  I'll have access to dumbbells, but is there something I can use in substitute of a pull-up bar? Hoping to do as much of this workout at home as possible.
• BR1986FB

  ernest_t_bass;1072289 wrote:I'll have access to dumbbells, but is there something I can use in substitute of a pull-up bar? Hoping to do as much of this workout at home as possible.

  Bands can be used for back exercises.
• Sonofanump

  BR1986FB;1072300 wrote:Bands can be used for back exercises.

  I will never use bands again after they broke and whipped my arms. I tried to get a extra little isometric hold during back and they snapped on me.
  
  I'll do lawnmowers and deadlifts all day.
• Sonofanump

  ernest_t_bass;1072289 wrote:I'll have access to dumbbells, but is there something I can use in substitute of a pull-up bar? Hoping to do as much of this workout at home as possible.

  One more thought, you'll be jumping a bit, make sure you have a soft mat to land on.
• BR1986FB

  Sonofanump;1072308 wrote:I will never use bands again after they broke and whipped my arms. I tried to get a extra little isometric hold during back and they snapped on me.
  
  I'll do lawnmowers and deadlifts all day.

  I agree. I'd never use bands but if that's all he can get? Those doorway mounted pullup stations are decent I've heard.
• ernest_t_bass

  

  Sonofanump;1072309 wrote:One more thought, you'll be jumping a bit, make sure you have a soft mat to land on.

  What I would like to do, is do this all at home, but from you guys' descriptions, I don't know if it will be possible. I may have to do it in my garage!
• chicago510

  

  ernest_t_bass;1072289 wrote:I'll have access to dumbbells, but is there something I can use in substitute of a pull-up bar? Hoping to do as much of this workout at home as possible.

  You can get a doorway pullup bar for like $20-30. I highly recommend it because it also doubles as my pushup bar that increases your range of motion (lots of pushups on chest day).
  
  http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Total-Upper-Body-Workout/dp/B001EJMS6K/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1328124937&sr=1-1
• Sonofanump

  ernest_t_bass;1072360 wrote:What I would like to do, is do this all at home, but from you guys' descriptions, I don't know if it will be possible. I may have to do it in my garage!

  Make a fist, jump in the air, do you hit the ceiling?
  Put your heel at your couch, take one step forward and long jump, do you land on anything?
  
  I have a extra brick basement and 16 (4x4 configuration) 24 inch square mats. I think that you could get away with a 3x3 or 2x4 configuration.
  
  Unfortunately for me, my doorways in the basement suck and I have an irrational fear of pull ups after I strained by bicep and had to two lifting for two months. So it is lawnmowers and deadlifts for me while the peeps do pullups. </SPAN>
• ernest_t_bass

  

  Sonofanump;1072398 wrote:Make a fist, jump in the air, do you hit the ceiling?
  Put your heel at your couch, take one step forward and long jump, do you land on anything?
  
  I have a extra brick basement and 16 (4x4 configuration) 24 inch square mats. I think that you could get away with a 3x3 or 2x4 config.

  I will more than likely have to use my garage. Wanted to try my basement, but I have very low ceilings. Just over 6' drop ceiling.
• Sonofanump

  ernest_t_bass;1072402 wrote:I will more than likely have to use my garage.

  You'll be jumping alot, get a solid mat. See if HHS has an extra wrestling mat to borrow for the summer?
• ernest_t_bass

  

  Sonofanump;1072405 wrote:You'll be jumping alot, get a solid mat. See if HHS has an extra wrestling mat to borrow for the summer?

  Not a bad idea.
• Raw Dawgin' it

  

  I bought insanity and i'm going to start after the superbowl to drop weight/fat for when i do tough mudder in may. Also, my fiance really wants to try is since she doesn't like to lift.
  
  Really curious to see how good it is in the strength department. I like lifting so doing a routine for two months with no weights makes me a little skeptical, but it seems everyone on here who has tried it thinks it's a good work out. I really like the p90x workouts so i have some faith that it's not garbage ha
• BR1986FB

  Raw Dawgin' it;1072514 wrote:I bought insanity and i'm going to start after the superbowl to drop weight/fat for when i do tough mudder in may. Also, my fiance really wants to try is since she doesn't like to lift.
  
  Really curious to see how good it is in the strength department. I like lifting so doing a routine for two months with no weights makes me a little skeptical, but it seems everyone on here who has tried it thinks it's a good work out. I really like the p90x workouts so i have some faith that it's not garbage ha

  
  Insanity is WAY more intense than P90X but if you're a gym rat, you'll miss the weights.
• Raw Dawgin' it

  

  BR1986FB;1072690 wrote:Insanity is WAY more intense than P90X but if you're a gym rat, you'll miss the weights.

  I really like lifting so i'll definitely miss it. I'm not big on doing much cardio so that's why i'm looking forward to it since i really like interval training, but my rough plan is to do the two months of insanity then two months of lifting and then a second round of insanity. I probably won't follow the diet to a T, but i'm hoping to get some decent results.