R9D18&19 – Bootcamp 2.3.1 and X2 Recovery And Mobility

Bootcamp went well considering it was the first day back after the break for most people. The spin bike warmup was more challenging than I thought it would be for some people and the introduction of pull ups was a rude awakening for most. I have to say I am not surprised, I mean the pullup motion is not something that you use in your normal life, most other things you can say have some practical application but the pullup is pretty unique in it’s lack of day to day application. It would be an understatement to say that they struggled however I am confident in a few weeks we will have them all doing at least 1 free pullup.

I opted for the mobility DVD last night, I was sore from bootcamp and knowing that I had the cardio bootcamp coming up on Wednesday  I wanted to give my body a rest while treating it to a bit of an active recovery. It’s a little weird workout, I guess because you end up chasing your own sore spots with the roller and at least in my case go ahead oblivious to what is happening on the screen. The roller made me sore, the actions are very painful in places but that just goes to show even when you are not that sore, the muscle itself can always use some work. I find that the end of my triceps near my elbows are sore, my quads right up high by my hip flexors are bad and the inside of my quad by my knee. I haven’t really found a good way to get the shoulders worked and I find that rolling my entire back at once doesn’t quite hit the areas right. I will have to figure that out, all I know is when I use the stability ball to elongate my back it makes me sore where the foam roller does essentially the same thing but leaves me feeling refreshed.

I have not done any of my measurements for the beginning of the year but I think I know where I am except for my actual inches. I should do that soon, but the photos on my bar (to the right, top and bottom) are quite recent so they will do for now.

By the way, if anyone wants to buy me a mini (or large) rumble roller, I would be forever indebted to you!

P90X2 X2 Recovery + Mobility Review

As odd as it might sound, this workout is the keystone of the P90X2 system. You do this workout twice a week if you choose not to rest instead. It’s a great deal better in my opinion than the X Stretch workout and if used as recommended will keep you in great shape with regards to flexibility and muscular suppleness. The difference is the mobility aspect of the workout, something that was conspicuous by it’s absence from P90X.

Sun Salutations – Starting with a mini Yoga section including breathing, hamstring stretching and up and down dog.
Leg Swing – A well knows ballistic stretch to soccer players. Basically swinging leg forward and backwards and side to side with the leg straight.
Step Back Lunge Twist – Using weighted bar step back into lunge while holding the bar out in front and twisting your body away from the back leg.
Squat Press – Squat down, press up, stand up
Single Leg Touch Down – Stand on one leg and reach down with opposite arm to touch the baby toe.
Foam Rolling – Just like the daily warm up, a section of foam rolling the bodyparts. This is a 20 minute section of basic foam rolling, a great skill to master for relief of tight muscles.
Next is a repeat of the previous sections
Step Back Lunge Twist – Using weighted bar step back into lunge while holding the bar out in front and twisting your body away from the back leg.
Squat Press – Squat down, press up, stand up
Single Leg Touch Down – Stand on one leg and reach down with opposite arm to touch the baby toe.
Vinyasa to Pigeon – A yoga section providing a stretch for the piriformis and ITB area
Frog – Same as P90X frog, baiscally middle splits on your knees
Hamstring Stretch – Seated toe reaches
Roller Angel – Laying lengthwise on the roller allowing the arms to fall down to the floor
Shavasana Foam Roller – Corpse pose with roller supporting your whole spinal column