P90X2 Day 6: Total Body and X2 Ab Ripper

This is the other Phase 1 workout (like Balance and Power) which uses light weights, and the only one featuring pull ups. This is also the first of the P90X2 workouts in which I have seen a returning cast member. Sorry if this is a spoiler… Dreya Weber is back! She turned 50 this year, and still manages to make the exercises look effortless. I’m not a big fan of the exercises named after her, but she’s pretty tough.

There are two rounds in the workout, similar to some of the P90X workouts. There are 13 exercises per round, with a water break in the middle of each round, and between rounds. Round two is a repeat of the exercises in round one, with many of the exercises performed on one leg or the other. Hmm, I just noticed that the P90X2 worksheet (login required) has a typo, because it skips from exercise 13 to 15 (which is actually 14).

The workout is a combination of “presses” (in which the weights are raised over the head), tricep kickbacks, arm curls, pull ups, and a variation on one of Tony’s new favorites, the “mule kick” burpee. The elements of core fitness and instability are added by doing the exercises on one foot, or using a stability ball. I am happy to say that I have increased the weight I use (not too much) on just a couple of exercises since my initial test run

I don’t like doing the “Crunchy Lever Pull Up” on the floor with resistance bands. It’s difficult to pull down hard without sliding on the floor. On the other hand, I don’t know if I could pull myself to an upside down position on a bar, either. Maybe someday…

Now, on to X2 Ab Ripper. As I mentioned before, it’s the only day each week of Phase 1 which includes this workout. (In the so called “Strength” Phase 2, it’s back to the P90X formula of three times per week.) Here’s another spoiler alert: We see another returning cast member, Bobby (Stevenson?), who was featured in both Power 90 and the P90X Chest and Back workout. It’s nice that Bobby is showing the easier variations for most exercises. Another improvement on the original, in my opinion: There aren’t as many exercises which rely on the hip flexors (remember In and Outs? Crunchy Frog?) . I am doing the modified exercises when necessary, instead of skipping several exercises as I did with the original Ab Ripper.

What do you think of the idea I had to switch around X2 Total Body and X2 Balance and Power? Maybe as I become familiar with the workout and it takes less time, I won’t need to save it for last.

P90X2 Tip of the Day: You don’t have to do the Ab Ripper immediately following the main workout! It’s OK to do it later in the day, if you are short on time or you need a rest. Your abs won’t know the difference.