During the warm up for today’s X2 Core, I tried using my homemade substitute for a foam roller, the 2-liter soda bottle full of water. I guess it works OK in a pinch. I understand the benefits, but I am still skeptical that it’s the best time to do it.
Today I started using my own brand-new stability ball. Previously, I was using my son’s heavy-duty “bouncy ball” with a handle on it. Don’t laugh; it’s rated to hold over 200 pounds! Despite the addition of the ball, I don’t know if I am ready to use it for all the relevant exercises. It’s nice to have it available, especially for the warm up.
As far as the workout itself goes, I did better on several exercises compared to last week. During the Warrior 3 Cross Crunch, I did fewer toe taps, and kept my ankles together. Is it cheating to press my legs together too? I did more 3-Speed Med Ball Pushups. For me they were plyo pushups, without the medicine ball. I did more Slo-Mo Balance Climbers (feet on chair, forearms on floor). Note that I did not use the optional stability ball. I did most reps of the X2 Diver (bend forward to a pushup and stand back up). Last week, I was pooped by the time that came around! I did more one-leg burpees (again without a medicine ball).
I still paused and/or repeated the instructions several times, either to watch the moves more closely or to catch my breath. One modification I made on my own was using one hand to get up for Med Ball Dreya Roll, with a small medicine ball in the other hand. I don’t feel like I need the 8 lb medicine balls for the more challenging modifications right now.
I have one cast-related comment today… One of the exercises is called the Roller Boat, which is the Pilates “roll back” on the mat, ending with legs and arms forward in a yoga “boat” position. Barbie does her Roller Boat with a smirk and flourish of the hands, which is a little cheesy. I guess with Tony Horton in charge, “cheesy” is relative? Of course, we love it!
Do you use the stability ball more than I do right now? Do you substitute some of the “hotel” modifications?
P90X2 Tip of the Day: Don’t worry if you don’t have all the optional equipment right away. A lot of these exercises are hard enough without the balls to keep you off balance!
