While working at the Coast Guard my crew and I started the P90X program. We thought it would be a great team building activity and I was curious about the program.
Tony Horton, the creator, does a great job at sequencing the exercises throughout the sessions. There are lots of push-ups and chin-ups but he breaks them up. The arm, leg and abdominal workouts were great, too. The morning after each workout I was able to feel the muscles I had worked but it was never to an extent of discomfort or muscle tightness that would affect my workout. I had a great seven day trial and enjoyed each days new workout. Except for the day when we played the wrong video and did the advanced arms and chest. As soon as we started doing one-handed push-ups I thought Tony was crazy. Most women have trouble with push-ups, and I could not imagine my mom attempting to try one-handed push-ups during her first week.
My main reason for trying P90X was to check out the Yoga session. Friends and yoga students kept suggesting I try the P90X Yoga. Yoga was schedule on day four and I thought it was a great class. I prefer attending class, but when you are stuck at a base 24/7, Yoga DVDs are a great compromise. Some postures and transitions were a bit advance for those who have never done Yoga but slow enough for beginners to build. My sister and her crew partner definitely felt their muscles the next day and I felt my should blades. I do not do a vigorous amount of chattorungas during my practices and during Yoga X I only missed a couple of the extra chattorungas. He really enjoys the sun salutations. My concern is that he does not give enough cues for the chattorunga form. Beginners often muscle through the posture and overwork their rotator cuffs. These postures and cues can always be looked up online for further guidance, too!
It looks like I will be continuing P90X this week with my mom. I am trying to keep up with track practice and getting in Hot Yoga. So many fun ways to be physically active.
Off to teach Yoga! Maybe I will have more than one student this morning =)
yours gingerly,
Whitney Schnarr
