Exercise Reviews

The X2 Shoulders + Arms routine is the 8th workout included in the P90X2 90-day home fitness program that lasts approximately 53 minutes.  X2 Ab Ripper has been included on this DVD for your convenience.

Click here to visit the Team Beach Body P90X2 page.

The Concept:  Instability, Resistance Training, and Form

Once again, instability, resistance training, and form are the key concepts used in the X2 Shoulders + Arms routine.  The instability exercises actually engage your core to give you more control over your arm movements when using the weights.  Resistance training is the main focus in this DVD where you basically use weights for the majority of the exercises.

Form is emphasized as opposed to reps.  In fact, too many reps can lead to overstrain on your muscles, which can lead to injury.  It is absolutely critical that you take your time to focus on every single move you make.

Strong arms and shoulders are essential for the P90X2 workouts, especially for those that involve the chin up bar.  However, toned arms will also help you in leg exercises.  How?  They will help propel you during those leg exercises, such as in plyometrics.

Read more: X2 Shoulders + Arms Workout DVD

Chest + Back + Balance  Workout Equipment Needed

Get some water for hydration and a towel to wipe away the sweat.  You must maintain dry hands when using equipment to prevent slipping.

• Stability Ball or Towel and Sturdy Chair
• Foam Roller (optional)
• Plyobox or Sturdy Platform
• Chin Up Bar or Door Attachment Resistance Bands
• 4 Medicine Balls (optional)
• Powerstands (optional)
• Mat (optional but recommended)
• 2 Hand Towels
• Worksheet and Pen

Chest + Back + Balance Exercises

Warm Up with Stability Ball

• Twist
• Squat
• Side Stretch
• Back Lunge
• Atlas
• Foam Rolling (hit pause if you need longer)
• Roller Angel
• Roller Sphinx
• World’s Greatest Stretch
• Inch Worm
• Table
• Scapular Retraction

Chest + Back + Balance Routine (21 exercises)

Form is stressed in this routine.  It is better to have good form and do a few than do a lot of bad form reps.  Modify when you need to. 

1. Pull Up X (chin up bar)
2. Plyo Stability Ball Pushup (stability ball)
3. Core Crunch Chin Up (chin up bar)
4. Pushup Side Arm Balance (medicine ball)
5. Lever (chin up bar)
6. 4 Ball Push Up (4 medicine balls)
7. Chin Pull (chin up bar)
8. The Impossible/Possible (pushups with stability ball and medicine ball)
9. L-Pull Ups (chin up bar)
10. 3 Ball Plyo Pushup (3 medicine balls)
11. Vaulter Pull Up (chin up bar)
12. Elevated Stability Ball Pushup (stability ball plus plyo box)
13. In & Out (chin up bar)
14. Swimmer’s Pushup (medicine ball)
15. 4 Grip Pull Up (chin up bar)
16. Double Wide Pushup (medicine ball)
17. Double Wide Pull Up (chin up bar)
18. Chattarocker (mat)
19. Bonus Round
20. Towel Pull Ups (wet towels and chin up bar)
21. Med Ball Plyo Pushup (medicine ball)

Cool Down with Stability Ball

• arms
• chest
• back

Bottom Line

This is an extremely intense workout.  Make sure you nourish your body after with some form of supplemental drink or pill.  Beachbody offers a variety of supplements.  Whether you get them from Beachbody or somewhere else, just make sure to supplement with something right after the workout.  Also, ensure the supplement you take is natural and provides the nutrients you need for intense resistance training.

Click here for the team beach body p90x2 main page.

X2 Balance + Power is the 6th workout included in the P90X2 90-day home fitness program that lasts approximately 63 minutes.

Visit our main p90x2 page for more in-depth reviews of each and every workout.

The Concept:  Body Alignment, Instability, Plyometrics, Resistance Training

X2 Balance + Power focuses on form, balance, and core stability.  This will give you more power all around.  Instability is a concept discussed in previous workout reviews.  For more details on instability, see our article P90X2 Complete Review – X2 Core.  Creating instability in a workout will call on your stabilizer muscles for balance, which in turn helps you build a firmer and stronger core.  Everything works together to give you increased power.

“Form is King” is a phrase Tony emphasizes in many of the workouts.  What does this mean to you?  Obviously, he is telling you that your form is important; however, what he is also saying is that you need to concentrate on your form before the amount of reps you perform. This is especially important to prevent injury when you are handling the weights for resistance training.

The plyometrics in this workout are designed to help improve your balance.  You will not only be doing plyo pushups off of medicine balls, but you will also be jumping on one foot for a few different exercises.  To understand the benefits of plyometrics, see our article P90X2 Complete Review – Plyocide.

Read more: X2 Balance + Power - Strengthen Your Core

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Click here for Transform Your Body with Brooke Burke on Amazon.

Read more: Transform your Body with Brooke Burke Review