Phase 1, Foundation, of P90X2 is Complete!

I’m happy to say that I’ve officially graduated from Phase 1 of P90X2 and I’m moving on to Phase 2, which focuses on Strength (and is a similar format to the P90X workout which will be very familiar to me!). So read on to hear about how the foundation phase went during my experience (also, check out my YOUTUBE Video by Clicking Here!)

My experience with P90X2 Phase 1 Results

A while ago I compared X2 to video games. You know how you start a game like Super Mario Bros, and then eventually beat the game? After you beat the game you may ask yourself, NOW WHAT? Sometimes you go back to the game and you try it again, beat it again, and continue to have a great sense of accomplishment as you improve your moves and strategies for beating the game. Then, you find out that a NEW video game is coming out…Super Mario Bros. 2!!! You have no clue what new moves are coming, and no idea what new bosses and enemies you’re about to fight…but its fun, and you get a new challenge!

That, in my opinion, is what P90X2 is all about! After completing 2 rounds of P90X, I was feeling great and accomplished. I was excited to take on the new challenge once I received it for Christmas 🙂

There were a TON of new challenges….some times I’d stare at Tony and be like…”I gotta do what….with a stability what?” Well, Bring IT! My balance was horrible, and it was really a struggle when I entered into Phase 1 knowing that I couldn’t perfectly master every move. But I tried each day, and with time I got better and better. What I can honestly say is that I appreciated EVERY single workout in P90X2. With P90X there were workouts that I didn’t really look forward to, such as Legs & Back and Yoga….mainly because they were hard, and Yoga was long (1 hour and 30 mins!). With X2, Yoga is only 1 hour and the moves are much more progressive, and the workouts are literally perfect in my opinion! I hope I can say the same thing about Phase 2 and 3!

Knowing that my balance needed work, I decided to extend Phase 1 for a total of five (5) weeks before moving on to Phase 2. That is what’s great about P90X2: The ability to extend or shorten the length of the phases! While it is recommended that you don’t exceed 6 weeks (to avoid a plateau in results), you have the ability to extend if you feel you need more work or want to improve before moving to the next phase.

Recap of the X2 Workouts with my personal experiences

X2 Core: This is the first day of Phase 1. I REALLY liked this workout, because I want to continue to define my abs and really get that noticeable 6-pack soon. This workout will do that trick for you (along with X2 Ab-Ripper). The moves that I did well at and enjoyed were the Holmsen Screamer Lunge, Roller Boat, and Banana Ball Switch Crunch. The moves I struggled with (or, to be honest, hated!) where Warrior 3 Cross Crunch (hello, balance move!), One Leg Med Ball Burpee, and Med Ball Dreya Roll. I’m excited to report that improvement did come with all of these challenging moves, but in any good program there will be things you love, and things you totally don’t love!

Plyocide: When I first started this workout I thought it was easier than P90X Plyometrics, but that changed quickly when I realized that it was easier because the moves are more difficult to master. In Plyometrics, the moves are easier to replicate, which makes the workout from day 1 naturally harder since you are able to dig deep from the beginning. In the first week or two of Plyocide, I wasn’t as familiar with the moves since they are advanced moves, but as I got skilled and what I needed to do, they became harder since I was able to dig deeper. If that isn’t exercise science, I don’t know what is!

X2 Total Body & X2 Ab Ripper: These two workouts join together on the fourth day of your week. If I had to choose what my absolute favorite of Phase 1 would be, I would have to say X2 Total Body. There is just something about this one that makes me feel like a champ! Plus, I love the fact that Jeremy Yost is in this workout (he is an inspiration – see my X2 Total Body post for the details). My favorite move in X2 Total Body is the Push-Up Side Arm Balance (this is the photo in the right). My least favorite move was Warrior 3 Kickbacks. Again, it comes to the balance – it’s my greatest struggle…someday it will be my greatest accomplishment!

We then move on to X2 Ab Ripper. This is a great follow-up to the original Ab Ripper X, with some more advanced moves. I did feel that this one was a great workout for the abs, but also an easier one to master from the get-go. Abrinome is hard, but a great ab workout for the obliques!!!

X2 Balance + Power: Difficult! Let’s just say I spent more time falling off of the stability ball trying to master the balance moves 🙂 I will say that this one made me feel sore because of the great moves it combines with using your entire body from your legs, to your core, to your upper body. A great all-around exercise that closes out your week before Rest/Recovery day.

X2 Yoga: I mentioned this above, but what I love about X2 Yoga? It’s only 1 hour!!! If you’ve done P90X, you’ll know that Yoga lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes….that was long, especially if I had to rush off to work or somewhere that I had to be during the day. With X2 Yoga, it moves much quicker, and you aren’t repeating vinyasas repetitively in the beginning. There are three variations on sun salutations that you complete, and I really feel that they moved along much quicker. Anyone else feel the same way?

X2 Recovery & Mobility: I never knew that a foam roller could open up my muscles and help me feel more mobile! I never get massages, but the fact that I know that I’m able to get a massage during this workout with the foam roller makes me feel great because I’m saving money versus going to a massage place, and I’m getting great benefit with myofascial release!

What’s to come in P90X2 Phase 2

I’m excited to start working on my strength now. I feel that I’ve gained great balance and foundation control with Phase 1, and I can use those skills as I work on improving my muscle definition. Plus, we get to do X2 Ab Ripper 3 times per week versus 1 time per week now!!

I’m working on a 45-day update transformation video to show everyone my results. I look forward to posting that up soon (March 21st is my half-way mark, so I’ll take pictures then and update them into my video). I can’t believe I’m already almost halfway through P90X2!!!

How are you progressing with P90X2 or P90X?

Are you doing P90X or P90X2? How are you doing with the program? Please comment below and let’s get chatting!! Also, please Like and Share this post if you found it helpful or if you liked it…I’d love to keep growing the SharpeFit community so we can all help motivate each other and develop a team of champions dedicated to owning our lives and feeling amazing!

Have a great day everyone!

Bob Sharpe