I am just beginning my body makeover journey and I am aware that incorporating a stretching routine is essential to improve my flexibility and prevent injuries. Stretching and increasing flexibility is an overlooked and completely underestimated component of almost every workout. I figured the best way to start is to jump in with both feet and try one of the most popular and intense workout routines out there: P90X Stretch.
P90X Program
This program is marketed to transform your entire body in 3 months and contains 12 super-intense, super-charged workouts. It is intended to take you from the beginner level to an advanced level of general fitness. Many people have had amazing results with the P90X program, so I thought the P90X Stretch was a great place to start.
First of all, it’s a 58-minute stretching routine, but it’s worth every minute of it. P90X Stretch is a complete stretching routine designed to work all the muscles from the neck to the ankles. The video takes you through a very simple, step-by-step guide with a heavy emphasis on breathing. Breathing is an important element in all yoga routines and is not overlooked here either. “Stretching is the only thing that will help you achieve a higher level of athleticism over a longer period of time. The X Stretch routine is an integral part of the program that will help prevent injuries and avoid plateaus. The extensive full-body stretches that make up this routine utilize disciplines from Kenpo karate, hatha yoga, and various sports to ensure your body is fully prepared to meet all the challenges of P90X head-on.” Tony Horton, creator of P90X.
P90X stretching routine
Although this is the “easiest” of the 12 training programs within the P90X collection, it’s far from a walk around the block. Tony walks you through each stretch in a calm tone of voice and creates a calm mindset throughout the stretching routine. At the end of the DVD I felt wonderful; I was at peace and energized.
The P90X program is rigorous to say the least. Like Tony said, X in P90X stands for extreme. There are changes throughout the entire workout routine to allow newcomers like me along with advanced students incredible flexibility. This is a useful aspect of this program to help you use these mods when you’re just starting out and then slowly work your way through the variations as you become more flexible. Tony will even tell you to listen to your whole body and not overdo it. Increasing your overall flexibility is actually a process and won’t happen right away. Stick with the program and your entire body will have no choice but to transform into a lean, balanced machine.
Because I work on a computer for hours on end, like many of us, I see a need to increase my overall flexibility. Introducing a stretching routine like P90X Stretch into my new workout is setting me up for success in many other physical activities, including rollerblading and running. In turn, it will also help prevent problems as I begin my journey to get my amazing new physique.
I give P90X Stretch a couple of thumbs up. It’s an extreme stretching routine, but it allows novices to get involved. We can easily see what we have to do when we watch the super fit course instructors on the DVD.