as I said in previous posts, the abs are the area I need the most work. They are in truly poor condition. I'm afraid that if I did all 25 of the movement each time I wouldn't be able to move at all afterward.

My question is this: Did anyone else think about paring down the reps, or is it pretty much a "go at your own pace, but do all the motions?"

I would recommend that you start with maybe 10-15 reps of each exercise, and build up, as other people on this board have described doing when they started P90X. See how you feel after ARX doing 10-15. If you are fine, go up to 20. In week 1 even with pausing and using extra time, I did Day 1: 178, Day 3: 210 Day 5: 222, and I have strong abs. Three of the exercises I did under 10 reps (7, 7 and 4!)

When your abs are stronger, then by all means pause the tape and complete your set, when possible. I am in my last weeks, and sometimes I still don't get up to doing all the reps (I do my ARX usually right after my resistance routine), but I do pause to finish my sets when I know I can perform the exercises, I just need a little more time.

Good luck, and remember, DO YOUR BEST, FORGET THE REST!

I would stick to "do your best, forget the rest"


As long as your giving it your all and you don't feel like you cheated yourself at the end, does it really matter.