What's your favorite workout program?

1. 78

   lilmissmontanaposted 11 years ago

   I have tried Insanity, P90X, and Nike+Kinect Training. I tried Insanity first and, as I assumed, at the time I was not in good enough shape for this program. Currently I'm using Nike+Kinect Training 5 days a week plus running and weight lifting. I love it because I have to log on everyday and it tracks progress and it is as intense as I want to make it.
   
   What's your favorite program or video? Does it work well? How often do you do it?

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   1. 60

      alexabdaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The one posted by me. 15 minute workouts. For those who ar ebusy or lazy.
      
      Also check the Body of Spartan by Victor Pride.

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2. 57

   A Troubled Manposted 11 years ago

   P90X. I do it almost everyday following the order of videos suggested. The results are phenomenal, I look almost like Tony, now.

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   1. 81

      Stina Caxeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Love P90X as well, I do it every day.  I LOVE Tony. 
      I do have my favorites like Stretch, Ab Ripper and Kenpo.  I hate Yoga and Plyometrics.  But overall it is a great workout!

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      1. 57

         A Troubled Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I hate the Yoga, too, but I know how important it is and how great I feel after doing it. Plyo and Kenpo are two of my faves.
         
         Tony's the man!

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         1. 78

            lilmissmontanaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I personally love both yoga and plyometrics. I have been doing yoga for years, and it truly does help me relax. I'm even enough of a geek to buy a soothing yoga CD and light candles when I do it. Haha.
            
            Plus, I can't argue with how flexible I have become.

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   2. 0

      Mklow1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I heard P90X is awesome, so I have been looking to buy it. I hate going to gyms, but I really need to vary my at home workout.
      
      @lilmissmontana,
      Which is better, P90X or Insanity?

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      1. 78

         lilmissmontanaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         It's really a personal preference. Both are really good and are similar in a lot of ways. I think for a beginner P90X is better because it's not as intense. HIIT training is hard! However, the Insanity workouts are shorter, but you are going to sweat more.
         
         P90X requires more equipment. So it's really up to you. How much time do you want to dedicate to the program? How hard do you want to work? And are you looking to lose weight, or gain muscle?

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3. 78

   lilmissmontanaposted 11 years ago

   How long have you been doing it? I mean, have you completed the program previously, and are doing it again? I did P90X for a while, but I'm not looking to bulk up. I want to maintain a tight tone figure. Too scared to look like a man =/

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   1. 57

      A Troubled Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I've been at if for over a year, it's become part of my daily activities. P90X is designed for both men and women. The women in the videos are in awesome shape and are not bulked up at all.

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      1. 0

         Mklow1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Do you take any time off after the 90 day cycle, or just keep going?

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         1. 57

            A Troubled Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I take short breaks at various times, a day or two at a time, but have not really taken any time off.
            
            
            
            P90X is hard, but Insanity is way harder. P90X is set up to work at your own pace, allowing for regular modifications of each exercise to suit most levels of fitness and comfort. You need to devote at least 1 to 1.5 hours a day to the program while Insanity is something like 30 minutes a day, which is more appealing for most people.
            
            Both programs WILL produce results, its just a matter of what pace you can handle.
            
            For example, one video called "Kenpo" is all about punching, kicking, blocking, etc. and various combinations thereof.  It's one of my favorite videos due to the fact that my self defense skills have never been faster or more consistent. Punches and kicks are accurate, technically correct and delivered with strength.
            
            Another fave is one called "Plyometrics" which is all about jump training. My basketball, volleyball, badminton and even hockey skills have vastly improved.
            
            And of course, whenever the opportunity to take ones shirt off in public arises it always produces oohs and aahs.

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            1. 0

               Mklow1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I ordered P90X, so I should be able to start in a few days. Any advice before I get in over my head? Should I do it six days a week or start slower? What equipment will I need besides the power bands, dumbbells, and a chin up bar?

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               1. 57

                  A Troubled Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  You shouldn't need any more equipment than that. In fact, the power bands and dumbbells serve the same purpose.
                  
                  The program is for 90 days, every day. I usually take small breaks, no big deal. Take them when you need them and jump back into the program. My only advice is don't go beyond your personal limits or else you'll get injured. Take your time with the program and ease into it, the results will come. 3 months will go by quickly and you'll be amazed at the end of it.

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4. 60

   CheckCityposted 11 years ago

   @A Troubled Man, do you follow the mealplan as well when you do P90X?

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   1. 57

      A Troubled Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Some of it yes, some of it no. I didn't want to be that strict and give up foods I like.
      
      Tony's philosophy on eating foods is that if it takes more than one word to describe a certain food, then you probably shouldn't be eating it.

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5. 62

   prettydarkhorseposted 11 years ago

   Walkaton.

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6. 92

   habeeposted 11 years ago

   I was just getting back into working out/weightlifting when I blew out a knee. I'm having a surgical repair next week, so I hope to be able to return to the gym once I've healed. I guess I don't follow a specific program. When I was working out regularly, I did aerobics 5-6 days a week, worked with upper body and core 3 days a week, and on lower body 2-3 days a week. I often have to force myself to do aerobics - except for the elliptical and arc trainer. I like them, and I love lifting weights.

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7. 78

   lilmissmontanaposted 11 years ago

   I love lifting weights also. Again, I'm very afraid of bulking up too much, but I do lift smaller weights to tone.
   
   Habee, you are very tough for doing five days of aerobics. I think I would cry. I do three days of aerobics and two days of strength training. I love the way it makes me feel.

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8. 78

   Fresh Ploonposted 11 years ago

   Check out my 2 articles on how to build a big chest and how to build big shoulders. These are 2 very detailed hubs for both intermediate and beginner body builders, or if you're just looking to put on muscle in general. I'm also going to be posting articles for building big arms, that wide looking muscular back as well as a leg workout. I do appreciate that my hubs are more for the men in terms of bulking up since most woman just want to get toned, but the workouts can still be used by woman by simply lowering the weight range and increasing the rep range!
   
   Happy iron pumping people!

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9. 55

   ftclickposted 11 years ago

   I got leaner and better abs from P90x and I only do it halfway. It is great and flexible. Core synergistics, shoulders/arms, and of course ab ripper x. I just do 1/2 of ab ripper and got results. Plus, I don't cheat on what I eat. Well, no burgers, but thin crust pizzas and banana/carrot/pumpkin loafs are still in the carousel of foods I eat.

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10. 78

    lilmissmontanaposted 11 years ago

    So far I've been very impressed by any of Beachbody's products. I don't follow THEIR meal plan, but I do restrict my intake on certain foods and watch what I eat very carefully. P90X is probably one of their best programs. I think Insanity would work wonders, but I just am not dedicated enough to power through some of the sessions. They are brutal, and once I'm to my goal I think I'll give it a go again. Just wasn't the right timing.

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11. 57

    A Troubled Manposted 11 years ago

    Tony put out P90X2, which is a workout series of videos that goes beyond P09X and is geared towards athletes.
    
    Remember, Tony is in his mid fifties now and is in better shape than most men in their twenties. He is a major role model for fitness.
    
    Btw, you can sometimes pick up the entire series on CL for cheap.

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    1. 78

       lilmissmontanaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I haven't heard of P90X2 yet but I will have to look into it. I know they are typically pretty pricey. But my body is one thing I'm willing to put money into. By the way, Tony is a BABE! Haha

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       1. 57

          A Troubled Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          I picked up the entire program brand new for $60 on CL.

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12. 78

    lilmissmontanaposted 11 years ago

    Other than what you have, I picked up yoga blocks and an exercise mat because there is a yoga section. But you need a chair and it suggests having a heart rate monitor which I didn't get. I'm saving to buy a Nike Fuel Band.
    
    As far as starting, it's really based on how you feel and what you are capable of. My friend always said, if you don't feel like you're going to puke, you're doing it wrong. I think the more days you do the less time you have to rest and it actually helps your muscles. When I rest for more than one day at a time I feel like crap when I start again. I only do five days a week of my program, but I do three days straight, break, two days straight, break.
    
    Buy some protein powder with a high protein value and low carbs, sugars and fats. Drink it before you workout and it will help rebuild and strengthen your muscles. It has dramatically improved my routines.
    
    I'm not a personal trainer, by any means, but I have been doing it a while. This is how I do my workouts, but again, as long as you put in the time, try your hardest and discipline yourself, you will get results.
    
    Best of luck to you!

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    1. 0

       Mklow1posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you for the pointers. I'm think I'm ready! lol

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    2. 57

       A Troubled Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       My Recovery Drink:
       
       In a blender...
       
       - 2 bananas
       - scoop of protein powder
       -2/3 skim milk
       - 1/3 chocolate milk
       
       Yum.

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       1. 78

          lilmissmontanaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          That sounds pretty delicious! I usually try to keep my calorie intake really low so I use skim milk and vanilla protein powder. Get's a little boring, but it's not bad. For some added flavor I will add frozen blackberries or other fruit.

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          1. 57

             A Troubled Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Actually, the chocolate milk provides many of the same things all other recovery drinks possess, specifically the nutrients that replenish what is lost in the workout.

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             1. 78

                lilmissmontanaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                I just mean that I usually only mix my protein powder with water or skim milk. Although the other stuff you add does add nutrients, I like to eat, so I try to save my calories for things I enjoy more than shakes. So my shakes are pretty bland and go down pretty fast.

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13. 78

    lilmissmontanaposted 11 years ago

    Go get em! I love it!

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14. 59

    SoManyPathsposted 11 years ago

    I tried the P90x 2 and that's how I got a disk herniation. The yoga was really advanced and I am an athlete. Then again I always had back spasms since my early 20s and had to lie down on hard beds or floors to get better so that probably contributed to it.
    I still think the 1st version is the best. P90x2 seemed to have some crazy inventive exercises. I couldn't take as much away from it a the original, not even the new ab ripper exercises. Well, actually there were some good leg exercises in PAP lower and the core program. The few P90x "plus" videos (which came out with the original) is better than version 2 in my opinion. People will differ on which works best. I can tell you it not a flop or fluke. I don't adhere to the food program but I always eat healthy anyway. When I complained about my lack of good snack foods, my daughter jokingly said I eat just nuts, vegetables and boring foods.

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    1. 78

       lilmissmontanaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I haven't tried P90X 2. I am working on so many different programs that I don't need to add another one. Right now I'm using Nike+Kinect Training. It's fun and involved, and it's not quite as intense at Insanity. However, I really want to get Insanity: The Asylum. It looks pretty good! Gotta love Tony!

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    2. 60

       thevoodoogirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I enjoy the 30-day shred, I also go to swimming. I've just started the shred so we'll see how it goes. I am a bit concerned about the strength excercises because I have a hernicated disc, just like SoManyPaths. And I think I got it when I was going to the gym last year so I am really cautious about any trainings yet I need to be doing something.

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       1. 59

          SoManyPathsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          swimming is a perfect exercise. I still do core strengthening exercises from my physiotherapist from hurting my back every morning. Since your back is weaker you have to be proactive and make it strong. Get a good firm bed, chairs for back support. Do lighter weights (if any).  I thought it was all over. You just have to believe with time it'll be better. It was agonizing not being able to work out full-on for 7 months.Now 14 months later, I am back baby!!

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             thevoodoogirlposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             SoManyPaths, you are so right, I can actually feel the core muscles in my back have gotten better from regular swimming. I think believing is a big part of it too. By the way, I have tried J.Michaels 6 weeks 6 pack abs workout. It's a killer!

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