January 6, 2009Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells
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Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells are designed and marketed for home fitness, providing a means to save space, but still allowing for a full range of interchangeable poundage. They use a unique dialing system where weights on each end of the dumbbell are determined by turning a knob to the appropriate number. Function
As space-savers, they do the job great! Each dumbell is only slightly larger than a shoebox. I generally keep them out, near where I workout, but you could easily find someplace to pack them away if necessary (just watch your back lifting!). In addition, while they're slightly slower than switching weights with a full rack, SelectTech's are much faster for transitioning weights than dumbbell systems that use those removeable plates. Another interesting advantage is the ability to have slightly different weight amounts on each side of a dumbbell. This can be useful for torqueing or corkscrew bicep curls, for instance, that add an extra little twist at the top of each rep. On the down side, Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells are definitely clumsier than what you find in a gym. No matter what weight you choose, whether is 5 lbs. or 50 lbs., your dumbbells keep the same width. The size can make certain exercises a little bit awkward, especially for anything that requires bringing your hands close together. Also, the SelectTech plates are secure, but they do wobble slightly during exercises, giving a different feel from what you may be used to. On the other hand, it could be argued that the extra clumsiness is a positive attribute, forcing you to keep balance and work more of those tiny muscles required in the process. Style I don't know how many people out there actually care what their dumbells look like, but Bowflex has done a decent job making them look aesthetically pleasing. More importantly, I like the fact that they look like dumbbells, which can't be said for other brands of adjustable dumbell sets such as PowerBlocks. Cost When I'd been told about SelectTech Dumbbells, I'd heard they were being sold on Overstock for $100. Unfortunately, I missed that boat and purchased mine at full price for $350. Since then, the price tag has jumped even further to $450, excluding tax. I do know they've become much more popular, and obviously someone at Bowflex decided to capitalize on the higher demand. At the new price, I'd recommend hunting online for store coupons. You can generally find something decent when you're planning on spending more than a couple hundred dollars. There's also a payment plan option, but I think you might as well scrape up the cash and pay everything upfront. Skip the hassle! Alternatives I'm guessing it has something to do with patenting, but there aren't that many dumbbells on the market with comparable designs to Bowflex SelectTechs. The closest competitor is probably the PowerBlock system, which uses pegs instead of dials and are slightly less expensive. Other than that, the remaining home fitness alternatives are more "traditional". They include:
resistance bands With each of these alternatives, you may lose some or all the advantages of the SelectTechs, but you could actually save some cash, especially if you shop for something used. Are they worth it?
In my P90X Review, I put together a cost analysis that includes the price of my SelectTech Dumbbells. November 14, 2008P90X Review
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P90X Plus - After P90X
The P90X Workout Program
P90x is based on the idea of "muscle confusion". For people who know a little about working out, that basically translates to high-intense cross training or circuit training. Tony Horton, the P90X trainer, has put together a program that works different muscle groups everyday in a combination that ensures your body development never plateaus. One day of the week you may be working your biceps, another day you'll be thrashing your legs, and the next day you'll find yourself doing yoga poses - then, the program changes again every 30 days. In practice, that means constant, non-stop improvement. The P90X Nutrition Plan
I was surprised to find that the P90X nutrition plan was fairly reasonable over all. After doing some simple calculations (upon reading the manual), I found I could eat about 2400 to 2600 calories per day. Volume-wise, that's not too shabby for a normal guy. You have your choice of doing a precisely scheduled day-to-day meal plan, or else a more flexible option based on food group portions. For details on what I did exactly, check out this other blog post I wrote. The first month was the hardest because it was predominantly low-carb at the equivalent of 2 slices of whole wheat bread per day. It gets easier from there on. I had some trepidation interpreting their diet plan at first. As someone who's never dieted before, certain advice in the manual seemed grey. For example, the meal plan is clearly laid out, but then you'll read things in there like "listen to your body". That's sort of ambiguous isn't it? And even though you do become incredibly aware of how your food choices affect performance, it's hard not to question if you've made a wrong choice - adding more carbs sooner than scheduled for more energy, for instance. The Tony Horton - Face of P90X
As an instructor, he's a phenomenal motivator and does an adequate job explaining key points for each exercise. You can pick up some good advice on how not to injure yourself if you pay attention. Most of your learning technique-wise, however, is done visually. Tony jumps from one exercise to the next rather quickly. That's appropriate, I think, for being an "extreme" program, but it means beginners and less coordinated types should freely use the pause and replay buttons to make sure they're on point. After 90 days, you'll learn many of Tony's favorite phrases, too, like:
"Do your best and forget the rest!" The Un-mysterious Abs
What I like most about P90X is that it demystifies the "how to's" of obtaining lean muscle definition in your body. And yes, that includes a 6-pack for many people. Although muscle confusion is a fairly basic principle in the dogma of building efficient workout routines, the full road map is right here in 12 workout dvd's and 90 days of commitment. You're told exactly what to do every single day - and guess what? It works! I saw changes in my definition and strength within the first two weeks, and I continued to improve in those and other areas (like endurance and flexibility) over the entire 3 month period. If you've ever wondered whether you have 6-pack potential, then this is a pretty darn reliable road map to finding out. The Costs & Commitment
P90X costs $119.85 for the package plus a $19.95 shipping and handling fee. You also have to factor equipment costs. While P90X is toted as an out-of-home workout program, you need more than just the basic sweatband and towel. Theoretically, you could do everything with simply a set of resistance bands. However, you'll get a far better result by incorporating free weights and a pull-up bar. There are a number of exercises that work superbly with resistance bands, but you'll find yourself frustrated being unable to record how much weight you're actually pulling. Even if you've never done a pull-up in your life, at some point in the 90 days, I expect you'll be wanting to transition to a bar. I spent about $500 total on my essential fitness gear as follows:
*Prices at time of my purchase. Optional equipment you may find useful with P90X:
*Prices at the time of this review. $500 may seem like a lot, but it ended up being worth every penny. I went with a power tower versus a doorframe pull-up bar for stability, and because I was worried about damaging the house. Having adjustable weights is a huge space saver. And I included a set of resistance bands in order to finish off pull-up sets with more reps, and for variety on certain other exercises (great for tri-cep and shoulder workouts!). For numbers geeks, this chart I made shows how many months you have to use your new fangled equipment instead of the gym before you "break even". It's based on an exact equipment cost of $539.94.
So, I need to use my P90X setup about 6 months in order for it to be cheaper than the $90 per month gym membership I gave up. That's just the numbers, though. For most people, the inherent fitness value of P90X is pretty close to having your own personal trainer. Based on reading other reviews, my equipment costs are also on the higher range. Time is as much a cost as money. If you're pumped for P90X, be prepared to spend up to an hour and a half on certain days in front of the TV. That includes general set-up time, and also days when you're adding in the abs workout. The first week of the first two months usually ends up increasing workout time because you're busy pausing the dvd player in order to learn a new move, or to catch your breath. The Benefits
As was advertised, I am truly in the best shape of my life now. I'm stronger in measurable amounts, and I have more endurance in ways that I can feel anytime I'm active (running, hiking, biking, etc.). I could also probably squeeze into a super hero outfit without looking too much like a fat spiderman. I began P90X as someone who'd been working out regularly (3-5 times per week) for the previous 2 years. At the gym, I would mostly work my upper body with free weights and run on the treadmill for cardio. It was a workout pattern that steadily slimmed me down a couple pant sizes. I wasn't someone you would consider super athletic, and I've never had a toned body before, so I'm pretty amazed by where P90X has boosted me. If you check out my results in the next section, you can get the numbers and visuals. Some of the unexpected benefits were: 1.) Learning how to get a great workout outside of the gym.2.) Pushing my body to limits I didn't realize were possible. 3.) Motivating friends and family to get healthy, too. 4.) Seeing first hand what it means to eat hardcore healthy. 5.) Enjoying yoga. My P90X Results
Here are my before and after measurements:
*My body fat was measured twice each time with the exact same machine. I took the lower "before" and the higher "after" numbers to get the most conservative difference. And in case you missed the photos:
My P90X Recommendations
Is P90X for women? YES! There are many women who complete P90X successfully with fantastic results. Many women express worry about "getting bulky", but the fact is P90X is more about becoming lean and toned. As long as you follow Tony's rules about number of reps for lean muscle (12-15), then you'll be fine. I hate to sound too judgemental, but if people are honest, about 90% of the time saying, "I'm afraid of getting bulky" is an excuse for not doing the work. Resistance training is proven to improve weight loss. And in any case, you generally have to reach a certain point in your overall fitness level before even worrying about looking like the Incredible Hulk. Even beyond P90X, it's a lot harder to gain mass than you might think! If you're still fearful of all the weight training, P90X gives you the option for doing a "lean" program, which adds more cardio to the system. When are you ready for P90X? There are a few ways to know you're ready for P90X. At the top of this list is dedicating yourself. You've got to have it straight in your head that you're 100% committed to completing every workout, every day, no matter how tired you are. P90X is the real deal. It's hard work that takes concentration and focus, so make sure your head is in the game! While there is a basic fit test you should pass before starting P90X, most people can't go straight from zero to hero overnight. If you don't exercise regularly, then I recommend first getting into a basic exercise routine. By going to the gym 3-4 times a week, you'll get into the habit of working out. Better yet, try a less extreme program first to create those habits and so you're already physically fit at the beginning of P90X. Will you get injured doing P90X? Injury is always a possibility when you're pushing your body's limits. P90X reduces the chances of injury through long warm ups, stretching, and showing proper technique. You can prevent injuries by paying attention and taking the time to hit the pause button if you can't keep up. Pay special attention to moves that cause neck strain, and leg exercises that can damage your knees if you use the wrong form. I think everyone should use the first week of P90X as a learning week. Be heavy on the pause and rewind buttons so you can wrap your head around everything. I also recommend supplements (vitamins and recovery protein drinks) so your body recovers faster. Supplements and good nutritional food choices also help increase energy during your workouts. The less tired you are, the less likely you're going to hurt yourself! How do you stay on track? Plan ahead! You might consider starting the nutrition plan or at least stockpiling your kitchen one to two weeks before starting P90X. Make sure to schedule time for your workouts around your career and any random events. If you know you'll be traveling, then think ahead and figure out where you can find a gym, bringing equipment, supplements, and your computer along for the trip. I checked out the online support network, and it's actually filled with highly enthusiastic P90X grads. If you have any questions or just want to chat with like-minded folk, it's a great place to get connected. At first I didn't write anything down, but finally got on the horse in my second week. I found that it was a huge boost of confidence when I could track my weekly base-line and measure improvements when they happened. Finally, tune out the Debbie downer's of the world. There will be friends who cheer you on, and then other skeptical folks who think your somehow harming yourself or trying to achieve the impossible. Just don't listen! This program works. Do you really need to do the pre-test? I only recorded less than half the pre-test measurements, because I was lazy. I must admit that I wish I'd gotten all my numbers. Items such as your active heart rate and body measurements can be great indicators of health improvement and total body conditioning. It may seem silly to figure out how much higher you can jump after 90 days, but you will be very curious by the end, especially after you've done all the hard work. Can I bulk up or gain muscle mass with P90X? According to many reviews, P90X is not for bulking up, and that's probably true if you take the program as written. However, it is possible to gain muscle mass using the P90X system. The key is in altering the nutrition plan. The fact is, you're not getting enough protein or calories in your diet by following the P90X nutrition plan if your goal is to build lots more muscle. People have had success, though, by adding additional calories in the form of protein supplements. This is really for more serious body builders, but a typical schedule for adding bulk is to do 180 days of P90X. The first 90 days utilizes a muscle gaining diet, and then the second 90 days trims down any extra fat by following the plan exactly as written. My Favorite Exercises from P90X
chin ups October 6, 2008P90X Exercise in ChinaI've made mention of how odd I must look doing P90X at random gyms in China in my first day in Asia blog post. Rather than feeling self-conscious about it, though, I figure I should just be happy that I've been able to find fitness centers as I travel from city to city on the motherland. Prior to my trip, I was wondering whether there was much of an exercise culture at all. I've heard so many stories about the scrawny locals and how all the clothes are sized small compared to what we're used to in the USA. And while I truly do hate the "asian skinny bitch" stereotype, admittedly exercise habits are not the priority of many of my asian friends. Then again, not all of them are skinny bitches either. Every city I've been to so far seems to have a different health club or body building or fitness center chain. There was a place called Images in Chengdu, Pure Fitness in Hong Kong, and apparently California Fitness is the rebranded 24-hour Fitness chain in Asia. All the 5-star hotels and some of the 4-stars have their own fitness centers, usually equipped with at least free-weights. Pull-up bars in hotels are hit or miss. I've generally been hitting a gym at least twice a week, although I try for three in order to accomodate Chest, Shoulders, and Tricep day, Biceps and Back day, and Legs and Back day. The rest of the time, I'm doing Plyometrics, Yoga X, Kenpo X, X Stretch, and Core Synergistics right in my hotel room. Any time I've been unable to locate a gym, I break out the resistance bands, hooking them onto the door to the room, or I've found that some of the windows work pretty well. So although it does cut into your day, it's definitely possible to get all your workouts done on schedule in China. It's helpful to check out some gyms on the days when you're working out in your room. That way you know exactly where to go when you need it. I did end up making two minor edits to the P90X scheduled routine in order to position "rest days" so that they would coincide with my travel days. Before I left for China, during my "week of rest" for Phase 1, I actually cut out two rest/stretch days. That allowed me to get one full week of Phase 2 completed before traveling to China, departing on another day of rest. Then, when I flew home from Hong Kong, I added 3 extra days to the end of Phase 2, allowing me to rest on the trip home and holding off the start of Phase 3 until getting back to San Francisco. Just plan ahead, and you should be fine. September 30, 2008Eating Healthy in AsiaI'm very tempted to use the word impossible! I've embarked on a 3.5 week sojourn in China, Malaysia, and Hong Kong while in the midst of doing P90X's workout and nutrional regiment. In the interest of refraining from melodrama and staying somewhat objective, I will say that maintaining a strictly healthy diet is challenging instead of impossible. Certainly, accomplishing the task P90X style would have to be done by someone far more disciplined and Asia-street-smart than I. I was initially forewarned that a diet in China would be largely vegetarian. I had traveled here before, so I wasn't really concerned about finding protein sources. Instead, the challenge became finding healthy sources of food. Maybe during a regular, less health-conscious month I would have welcomed the ghetto-fabulousness of local Chinese cuisine, especially in Shanghai - but good luck trying to get a Chinese restaurant to serve you stirfry made with 2 tablespoons of oil, minimal sugar, and low-fat sauce. I think one major item that dieting teaches a person is how little control you have over foods not prepared at home. The trust issues become far more apparent when you're in China. To make things worse on following my nutrition plan, the Chinese milk scare happened while I was on the plane flying over. There goes one source of protein. Then, I had to figure in my ingestion of atypical protein sources. This was unavoidable since on many occasions I found myself the guest of acquaintances in Asia, and it would be rude not to eat. Anthony Bourdain demonstrates his experience with the similar dishes. So what's the nutritional value and protein content of 3 oz. of cow stomach? Goose intestine? Fish stomach? For those who are curious, the cow stomach (niu bai yue) in China is actually pretty tasty - mostly a texture food - and way better than the white stuff you can find at dim sum in the US. It's funny feeling like a traitor to my ethnic roots as I lurk around fancy hotels and ex-pat hot spots for any traces of western food. At the end of the day, I had to weigh going hungry versus eating off-plan foods, especially as my stockpile of recovery drink and protein bars has been steadily dwindling. Because of the amount of exercise I'm doing everyday, starvation isn't really an option. Therefore, I've been doing my best to, 1.) get enough calories in my diet per day, 2.) try and balance out the food groups as close to the nutrition plan as possible, and 3.) not worry as much about sauces and oils that I can't do anything about. I can only hope that it will be enough to get on track again for my last month of P90X in the US. September 13, 2008Eating Right on International Business Class?I'm crossing the pacific, headed out on my 3-week P90X "China edition" journey, seated comfortably in Northwest's Worldwide Business Class section. That's right - I'm one of "those" people on today's flight. Now that I'm here, though, I've definitely discovered my initial eating challenge for the trip. Question: How do you eat healthy when when you have flight attendants at your beck and call, ready and willing to stuff your face with whatever your heart desires that their in-flight galley stocks? Let's take a look at the menu shall we: To Start Mixed nuts and sampler plate of mini toasts with lobster Marsala spread and prosciutto chevre canape Dinner Salad of mixed greens with roasted corn and roma tomatoes Assorted breads Choice of Beef tenderloin with garlic feta crust, Herbs de Provence and red pepper stuffed chicken breast, Chili crusted cod, white and wild rice blend and bok choy Dessert Fresh fruit Mature Cheddar and Camembert Warmed blackberry crisp a la mode Port wine Liqeurs Coffee or a selection of Stash Tea Mid-Flight Snack Light snacks available from our skybreak basket located in the galley. Pleae help yourself On Arrival Fresh fruit and warmed breads Choice of Spinach and bacon crustless quiche, Oatmeal crips cereal with almonds Cold plate of Italian beef tenderloin with garlic aioli, Coffee or a selection of Stash Tea My banter with the stewardess, Me: "Can I get the salad without corn?" (I'm not sure if I can trust corn yet.) Stewardess: "No, sorry. The salads are already mixed." (in a cute japanese accent.) Me: "Oh, ok. No problem, that's fine. Hold the dressing, please. Got another question, do you have whole wheat bread?" Stewardess: "No, sorry. Only herb parmesan and honey rolls." Me: "Oh, ok. I'll pass on the bread then. I'll take the cod for my main course. Thanks." As the Stewardess carts away, I'm driven by a momentary compulsion to call her back, order everything on the menu, and prance through the economy cabin, doling out goodies like Robin Hood... but I didn't. I ended up eating a few nuts, a carefully picked over (sans-corn) dressing-less salad of romaine and tomatoes, a modest filet of cod, and about six grapes plus two apple slices from the fruit dessert. For the cod, I scraped off the crust, cause it looked a little too creamy in a Philly cream cheese kind of way. And I didn't eat the rice, because it was definitely just white rice - not a blend. As a consolation prize, I treated myself to one glass of red wine, which has arguable health benefits... right? The rest of the time I enjoyed a limitless supply of hot and cold water. Not to worry, though. For my meal pre-cursor, I snacked down a trusty protein bar. Next, I'm already thinking about the grilled chicken breast that I have stuffed in a plastic baggy with my carry-on. I just LOVE flying in business class P90X style. August 31, 2008My P90X Nutritional DeparturesI took some liberties when it came to figuring how best to follow the P90X nutrition plan. I'm, so far, a big fan of P90X and all Tony Horton has to offer, and I don't mind Beachbody creating added value with it's line of supplements, but that doesn't mean I've decided to follow every detail. At first, I was a little unsure about my nutritional decisions, but then I decided that ultimately, the health plan I use for myself has to be both appropriate for achieving goals and realistic in terms of what I can stick to during the 90 days and beyond. Nutrition Plan In the P90X Nutrition Guide, the designers offer three basic plans you can follow for eating right and maximizing results. These options are The Portion Approach, The Meal Plan Approach, and The Quick Option Approach. The Quick Option is basically a last resort approach for when you have to eat out. P90X seems to be a fan of Subway, which is not really my thing. In any case, it's not the best option and you're likely to get completely sick of the food if you eat it for 90 days. The Meal Plan Approach is the "no-brainer" option, but it's also very rigid. Every daily eating schedule and recipe is given to you on a silver platter. If you follow this, you know for certain that you won't be making any mistakes in your eating habits. That's not a bad thing at all. However, I don't think I'm disciplined enough to do everything exactly, plus I'd like to have some more ethnic options in my diet. My choice is the more flexible Portion Approach. P90X says how many portions of various food groups I should have in my diet per day, and they give examples. So, for instance, in the first phase of the program I can have X amount of proteins, and Y amount of carbs, and Z amount of vegetables, etc. Not only do I get to make my own choices, but I actually think I can make some aspects even healthier than the packaged meal plan. Nutritional Supplements While I'm a little wary about my meal plan choice, I feel completely comfortable not using P90X-brand supplements. Based on what I've learned, using supplements requires getting them from a trusted source. It's not that I don't think Beachbody is a trustworthy company, but I already get supplements from a company called Melaleuca with whom I've had a long-trusted relationship. They also specifically focus on natural wellness products, whereas I trust Beach Body for their exercise programs more than anything else. I've looked at the ingredients in both versions of recovery drinks, protein bars, and vitamin supplements. Here, you can compare the multi-vitamin breakdown: P90X® Peak Health by Beachbody
Supplement Facts
Serving Size 1 Packet
Daily For Life Vitamins by Melaleuca
Supplement Facts
Serving Size 1 Packet
Aside from general differences in amounts, there are two significant differences in these vitamins. First, only 50% of the Vitamin A in the P90X supplements come from beta-carotene; excessive non-beta-carotene Vitamin A has been known to have side effects. Also, Melaleuca's vitamins use Oligofructose Complex for the delivery of its nutrients. This is a recent innovation and discovery that increases absorption. Studies show that it is far superior to other vitamin/mineral delivery systems, and it is the only product on the market currently using this complex. August 20, 2008Goal Setting for P90XIt occurs to me that I haven't laid out my expectations very clearly here in my blog. Setting goals is an important step in any personal achievement or self-improvement task. The important thing about goal setting is to have a balance between something reachable but still challenging. I think it's also good to have more than one goal, which is one way of obtaining that balance. Maybe certain goals are a little bit farther fetched, while you have very attainable goals that allow you to credit progress and that may act as benchmarks pushing you to continue through. Where do I want to be after 90 days? Really, the quick answer is I want a six pack and guns (did I just say that?). All measurements and health benefits aside, I feel like I've been set up with the expectation that, should I do the full 90 days and follow the nutrition plan, there's no reason my after picture shouldn't be similar to what you see on TV. I think that's reasonable since P90X is toted as an extreme workout that will produce drastic body-altering results. So let's see it! Coinciding with my desire for never-before-had ab and body definition, is a measurable decrease in my body fat percentage. I would be pretty thrilled if I can drop from 12.6% to under 9%, where the so called "elite athletes" mingle. Even being described in a category as "athletic" is a pretty unique thing for me, because it's not a classification I've ever associated myself with. I'm personally not sure how realistic it is to drop 3.6% in 90 days, even with Tony Horton prodding me, so if it doesn't happen I'm willing to keep going until I get there - one way or another. Lean muscle is key. I don't mind gaining some muscle mass in the right areas, but I'm not into being "bulky", and I definitely still want to have a neck after all is said and done. I kind of like being a little more agile and flexible. That's why I haven't been cheating on the yoga or stretching segments. According to the materials, P90X is perfect for building a strong, lean and muscular frame. There are obvious time benchmarks you can use for P90X, namely days one, thirty, sixty, and ninety. From what I can currently tell from other P90X-ers online, there doesn't look to be huge differences from 1 to 60. In fact, I would venture to say that most of the crazy visual body development happens in the final "hell" month. For the P90X series, I think it's actually more important to give yourself credit for the small improvements that happen throughout. If you don't, you may get bummed out by how much the workouts break you down, and how hard it is to keep up with the folks on the DVDs. Granted, the slogan Tony uses all the time is "Do your best and forget the rest," but that just means you have to be mentally strong and very realistic while giving yourself a pat on the back now and again. Cause let's be honest - most of us still want to try and keep up!
In conclusion, August 10, 2008P90X Day 0: Plan vs. Reality CheckIt's rather appropriate, I think, that I should dive into P90X right after opening weekend of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Forget watching the athletes compete! It's time to bring a little hardcore competitive spirit directly into my living room. I should have rigged up a few wires and a torch, so I could run perpendicular around the walls a few times in emulation of Li Ning, the final torch bearer of the opening ceremonies. I figure I'll be able to do the same thing without wires once I finish my 90 days. So you finally make the decision to buy P90X and bring Tony Horton home. You're excited and pumped for the pain with your 12 DVDs, the P90X fitness guide, and their nutrition plan - and you've got a good 3 weeks to prepare. You make a list:
Step 1. Read the fitness guide and nutrition plan. People say "to do" lists should really only be about 3 items long. Obviously, I didn't listen. Let's face it - we all have our procrastinational side and it's easy to get distracted from hitting all the checkpoints. More than that, however, is the fact that the reality of a situation is never exactly how we plan it or how we imagine it will turn out. Steps 1 & 2, Reading and Ordering: One and two were a no brainer. I didn't feel comfortable beginning P90X without reading their bible(s), and who doesn't like buying things online? Step 3, Pre-test and Measuring: I'll admit it - I fudged step 3 a bit. For measurements, I only did my body fat (12.6%) and weight (164 lbs.). On the fit test, I went through resting heart rate (64), pullups (10), pushups (41), a roughly estimated toe touch (I can reach past my toes about 1/2 hand length), and bicep curls (18 curls @ 25 lbs.). Personally, I don't really care how much higher I can jump after completing P90X (I expect to be flying anyway!). The wall squats and in & outs I just skipped for no real reason. And while I think the heart rate maximizer comparison would be pretty cool, I got lazy on that one as well. Not making excuses - it's simply the way things turned out. As for the measurements... if I can't notice the physical improvements visibly, then I'm going to be disappointed in P90X and Tony Horton goes from hero to villain in my book! Meanwhile, I think body fat is great as an indicator for overall health and for setting goals. I would personally like to get below 9%, but I'm not sure if that's realistic solely via P90X. Weight seems pretty meaningless as a goal-setter, but I'm curious about how it will fluctuate over the 90 days. Step 4, Eating Frenzy: This one was easy. I pigged out my last week, but I realize I forgot to chow down on two things: an El Farolito burrito in San Francisco, and Baked Pork Chop & Fish Filet Over Fried Rice from one of my favorite Hong Kong bistros. I'll have to avoid these items like the plague lest I succumb to temptation! Step 5, Keep Working Out: My final weeks of "solo" workouts were actually a positive shift from the normal routine. In Jersey, I hit the gym with my mom everyday and experimented with some spinning and her cardio fusion class - public embarrassment is right up my ally. I got some intense free training sessions in with my trainer in training twin, Teresa (she really kicked my ass). Everything else was circuit training and mostly upper body workouts. I'm not sure I can be in much better shape going into P90X compared to my status quo to be honest. Step 6, Get Ripped: Let the games begin tomorrow! June 25, 2008It's Time for P90X!Over 90 days starting August, I'll be embarking on the P90X workout program. For those of you who thrive on late night infomercials, it's that system developed by Tony Horton and produced by Beach Body for getting average-ly healthful people into superb shape over a 90 day period. If you've seen the commercials, you should at least remember the before and after photos, cause they are RIDICULOUS. We're talking about moderate to actively athletic people becoming absolutely ripped. Seriously, the infomercial is down right absurd, and I'm embarrassed to admit I've watched it from end to end about 4-5 times.
By the end of autumn, I'll have a very comprehensive, independent review and overview of the P90X workout system. I'll share the process before, during, and after, including my nutrition and eating habits as well as the preparation I'll be putting in prior to the start of the program. I chose august as the start date not only for prep, but since that's the best time when I can commit to doing consistant daily workouts AND to following the rigid nutrition plan outlined by P90X. I'm living in New York City right now and will be moving to San Francisco at the end of July. I have to be realistic - there's no way I'm following a healthy workout diet during my last months in Manhattan! |
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About MeI'm an entrepreneur who's steadily become interested in health, nutrition, and fitness over the last couple years. With this blog I'm hoping to keep motivated to get ripped and beyond!
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Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbell are one of three versions of adjustable dumbells created by Bowflex. At this time, they seem to have stopped selling their lightest set, SelecTech 220's, while the SelectTech 1090 dumbbells are still being marketed and sold directly from the company. The remaining two dumbbell sets differ in weight and price, with the higher number indicating heavier weights.
The 552 Dumbbells allow you to pick a weight from 2.5 lbs. to 52.5 lbs., which I'd say is adequate for most persons' general fitness goals. The Bowflex SelectTech 1020 Dumbbells are more appropriate for people aiming for bulk with a range from 10 to 90 lbs.
For the current price, I still think the Bowflex SelectTech Dumbbells are a worthwhile investment. I've been able to get great workouts with the 552's and I love that they don't take up so much room. Most alternatives aren't that much cheaper, if at all, so the advantages win out over any extra cost. As with any home fitness equipment, too, it'll only be worth it if you use them! So, save the space, but don't just store them away in your closet.
P90X is a 90-day "do it from home" fitness program whose purpose is to get regular people in the best shape of their lives. You would have remembered seeing the infomercial, because it totes some of the most amazing before and after pictures of any exercise package currently advertised on TV. Generally, the workouts are not really marketed to the traditional couch potato, but instead aim at everyday folks who might already be in average to above average shape. This is what might be considered the ultimate fitness pick-me-up for people who've found their existing workouts are lackluster and boring.
This was a first for me. I'd never in my life tried to follow a diet. Like many people, the idea of "dieting" that sucks all the life and joy out of eating never appealed to me, so I expected this to be a challenge. On the other hand, I figured I wouldn't be entirely miserable as long as I knew it would end after 90 days.
Tony Horton is an entertaining coach and teacher. You really do get jazzed by his enthusiasm, practical advice, and generally whimsical, talkative nature. He's been responsible for many leading Beachbody programs, such as Power 90 (the precursor to P90X) and the new 10-Minute Trainer series.
In case you're wondering "what's with this guy who sits on his ass at 2 in the morning watching the P90X workout promo," I can only say that it's not like I'm sitting at home surrounded by grilling machines or sandwich makers, or 50 different workout DVDs and every knife set I can get my hands on. OK... there was one moment of weakness like 5 years ago (long before I knew anything about exercise) where I bought the 6 Second Abs machine. That's the plastic contraption that looks like a pogo stick where you can do crunches seated while watching TV (I'm constantly reminded of that scene with the hitchhiker in "There's Something About Mary" - see below). Yeah, that was a totally USELESS contraption! I would have ordered P90X anways, but the exercise package was actually given me as a gift for my 28th birthday a few weeks back.
