Question for those doing P90X about pull ups!

[dutchgirl]

Hi!

I'm seriously thinking of taking the plunge on P90X. However, I don't want to have to purchase any new equipment. I have heard that there are a lot of pull ups on some of the weight DVD's. How are those substituted if you don't have a tower or a pull up bar? I have tubing and door attachments as well as a barbell and the various dumbbells.

Also, do you consider P90X a nice compliment to Cathe? How are you rotating the two trainers (or are you?).

Finally, do you think to mix it up that Slim series would be good investment?

Thanks everyone!

 

[naughtoj]

I would think rotating Cathe, P90X, and Slim Series would be great. The more variety the better!

HOWEVER,....and that is a BIG HOWEVER, if you are going to spend any additional money, don't go off and buy Slim Series in place of the pull up bar. The DoorGym that Kepi recommended to me is great, it goes right up in your doorway in a minute flat and does not have to be installed. It was only $40.00. Don't order the Broad Reach Bar though, as that really doesn't make too much of a difference. I really think to get the most out of P90X, you need a pull up bar! Don't forget that these big power players (push ups, pull ups) are what builds us some really great muscle!

If you had to though, I suppose you could use bands, but they would have to have LOTS of resistance for you to progress. My vote is for P90X and the DoorGym rotated with Cathe's. That is what I am doing. I kinda want Power 90 (the original) and Slim Series to rotate with all of em. But, I just want it all like usual....

You will not be sorry for your purchase of P90X. It is a super addition to Cathe.


Janice

 

[kathryn]

Before I got the bands (I ordered the heaviest set from BeachBody), I did a combination of pullovers while lying on my BodyWedge (an incline step would also work) and 1-arm rows. When I did one-arm rows, I'd do one side during the first pullup segment, then the other side during the following segment.

I have been doing exclusively P90X for the past 5 weeks, and loving it! Once I'm done with the 90-day program, I intend to continue to rotate workouts in the way they have it set up in P90X because it's so effective. Some of the substitutions definitely include Cathe. Her Slow and Heavy chest/back can fill the P90X chest and back spot, and a mish-mash of slow and heavy shoulders and arms can take the place of P90x Shoulders and arms. One of the IMAX's could take the place of the plyometrics workout. For Legs and Back, one could use any Cathe leg workout (though legs and glutes is most similar to P90X). For Chest/shoulders/triceps and back/biceps, the PS series would work (well, at least for the split--though I think the circuit arrangement of P90X is more effective than working one muscle to fatigue then moving on to another). KPC could fill in the Kenpo slot.

THe only workouts that there is no good Cathe substitute for are Yoga X and Core Synergistics. For the latter, I intend to use Tracie Long Productions Core Foundations (or maybe one of the other two), Kathy Smiths's Lift Weights to Lose Weight II, or Core Secrets.

 

[Gretzky]

I used a band for the first back workout and didn't really feel that worked out (I attribute this to my band, not that you can't get a good workout with bands). I finally decided that if I'm going to be able to do pull-ups, I have to DO pull-ups! So now I use a chair to rest a foot on for assistance. This morning I have some nice DOMS, like I really worked muscles I don't normally use...

My goal is to be able to do 3 pull-ups unassisted by the end of the 90-day period. Those P90X people are animals! They just pump them out like nothing I've ever seen!

I didn't want to install a bar where you could see it, so I put it in my bedroom closet doorway. I have to run into my bedroom for the pull-ups, but when I close the closet door, you don't see it! (I would love to use the Door Gym but I live in an old house and it doesn't work with my door frames).

 

[Gretzky]

I used a band for the first back workout and didn't really feel that worked out (I attribute this to my band, not that you can't get a good workout with bands). I finally decided that if I'm going to be able to do pull-ups, I have to DO pull-ups! So now I use a chair to rest a foot on for assistance. This morning I have some nice DOMS, like I really worked muscles I don't normally use...

My goal is to be able to do 3 pull-ups unassisted by the end of the 90-day period. Those P90X people are animals! They just pump them out like nothing I've ever seen!

I didn't want to install a bar where you could see it, so I put it in my bedroom closet doorway. I have to run into my bedroom for the pull-ups, but when I close the closet door, you don't see it! (I would love to use the Door Gym but I live in an old house and it doesn't work with my door frames).