Ab Ripper X

[naughtoj]

Ok, I did this workout and am feeling it mostly in my sides and back the day after. It really seemed to aggravate my back while I was doing it, like it was working more back than abs. Do you guys think this might be because my abs are too weak and therefore my back does most of the work??

I can barely balance myself on my butt bones (like when you do a "V"). I always want to fall back. Also, to come up from the ground I feel like I have to "thrust" myself up. Do you all have this problem somewhat and, if so, has it improved with doing the core tapes of P90X regularly? I haven't even tried Core Syn yet....

Janice

 

[sunnyside]

Hi Janice,

This workout was tough in the beginning for me also. My legs would always fly off the ground when I came up and my V things were pathetic, my form was hysterical, LOL!. I also felt it in my lower back. I think you are right about being weaker than you realize. I've now been doing this workout consistantly 3 times a week for almost 2 months now. I am amazed at how much better I am at these hard moves. My whole core has really strengthened up with this type of ab work. I'm really enjoying it, and think my form is actually pretty good now. What's really amazing is what it has done to my abs! I think this is the first time in my life I have real definition showing in my abs. I don't know if it's a six pack yet, but it's getting close to it.
If you feel like you are falling backwards, sit forward more and you will still see results. You'll probably feel it more in your hip flexers this way. That's how I did it. I can now lean back alittle bit more, but really don't think it's nessesary for results. I also support my back with by laying on my arms and sitting on my hands during the leg walk things. That one was the worst for my back.

 

[naughtoj]

Yeah, I wondered why Tony never puts his hands underneath him, like under the small of his back/top of butt, to help support the back. I thought that doing this may take out of the difficulty, but maybe I need to do that. My back is very fatigued by the end and it is sore today as well as, like you said, my hip flexors. Lord knows I don't need any more work in them!! I try to balance into the "V" but I think it ends up looking more like an L. I guess all that flopping around like a fish out of water has to do something, even if your form is horrid!! It sure feels like it worked anyway, especially in the sides of my belly.

This whole series is very humbling. I guess I better get used to it.....

Janice

 

[Gretzky]

Hi Janice:

Until I finally strengthened my abs, my back always hurt. I think about 4 or 5 months ago, I noticed that my back didn't hurt any more, and realized that I must have strengthened my abs enough. Keep on keepin' on with Ab. Ripper. X (as Tony likes to say...) The eureka moment will come! I'm not saying that it's easy, but it's doable. Like the Tone: "I love it and I hate it!"

Janice (aka Gretzky)

 

[naughtoj]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Pretty much what I figured. Janice.....you must be in pretty good shape if you can do all the pushups. I envy you guys.

I'll keep on pluggin' away. I think I am feeling so negetive after trying these workouts because I have been in kindof a workout slump for a while, not really wanting to do anything. My workout partners at work are making it worse. I have been looking into ditching videos all together with a real extreme change like Aqua Aerobics. It is like past the point where you just can't pick a workout. It's like wanting everything in your life to change. I dunno. I was hoping P90X would snap me out of it, but now I just feel like a HUGE weenie, thinking I should have gone with Slim Series first....


Janice