P90X – Core Synergistics

This is a total body workout, which includes cardio, stretching and resistance to strengthen your core muscles.  By strengthening your core, you will be more prepared to take on all the other workout routines.  You will also with core synergistics improve your flexibility, balance and coordination like Yoga X.  If you start with the classic P90x program then you will do core synergistic on week 4, week 8, and week 13.  In these weeks you will do this exercise twice in that week so plenty of time to get used to the exercises.  If you do the lean program then it’s incorporated in more weeks than the classic because the lean is more of a cardio program then strength builder.  Tony doesn’t really want you to focus on numbers here but more on engaging your core and your form.

Items needed to do Core Synergistic are a mat, weights or bands, and some sort of plate or cardboard.  I really never used a plate or cardboard and still got results so no worries.  The workout is approximately 55 minutes and consists of 19 moves and 3 bonus moves.  I will not explain every exercise as that would bore you and me as well so I will list a few and explain some of my favorites.  My job as a coach is to get you excited about P90X not bore you with what kind of pain you will be in.

Some P90x exercises consist of Banana Rolls, Lateral Skaters, Prison Cell Push Ups, Superman Banana and Dreya Rolls.  Now when I did this my first time through I had used some lighter weights and they were not effective so make sure you have a couple different sizes for a quick switch.  The easiest P90X exercise is probably towel hopping and I think that’s pretty self explanatory.  Put a towel on the ground and jump over it from left to right.  My favorite is Prison Cell and Superman Banana.

Prison Cell is hard as hell because you do a push up then go down but on the way up you try and touch your left knee to your head, put that back then go opposite leg and then go down for another push up.  That’s a one count folks and that’s why I love it but hate it.  Just like Ab Ripper X, you hate it but you love the results!

Superman Banana is fun but very challenging because you start out on you stomach with legs and arms raised like you superman.  Then Tony tells you to switch and you flip on your backside and make a banana shape with your arms and legs.  For a few turns he gives you 10 seconds on each but then drastically picks up the pace to every 5 seconds.  Talk about core work on your back and abs.  It definitely gets you ready for Back and Biceps!

There are so many fun exercises in this workout that you will love so get ready to engage your core.  For anyone that has never done this workout just try your best and stick with all the P90X exercises as it will get better.  I have been fielding several questions on where to get the enhanced guides from so click here if you want them.  For anyone that is still skeptical don’t be, it’s a fitness program that has been proven for more than 6 years.  Worst case scenario is look into the free beachbody account at the top left corner of my site and see what others are saying.  Here you will also be able to look at meals and win daily prizes. Good luck and let me know if you need any help.