So I'm not new to P90X per se because I've had the discs for a few weeks now, but I just bought weights about a week ago. Today was my first real day following the exercise plan laid out in P90X Classic. Before, I had just been doing the cardio videos to get a little bit more into shape.

Chest and Back killed me and I didn't even have a pull-up bar. Instead I just substituted various pushups for pull-ups. Didn't really heed the tip of the day and ended up running out of gas during the second round. I'll have to work on that.

I'll also have to look into finding some more cheap weights, since I have a single 25 pound adjustable dumbbell (5 lb handle and 2 10 lb weights). This pretty much limits me to either doing each arm individually with 25 or doing both arms simultaneously but with only 10. Also, 25 is a little lighter than I would like since I maxed out at 20 reps for lawnmower and heavy pants in round 1 and at 15 reps in round 2.

dude - substituting in more push ups would definitely burn you out. Pull ups are a big part of the program, but if you have to substitute in the mean time it might be good to substitute a back exercise for another back exercise.
Our group is also needing some heavier weight for the exercises like heavy pants and lawnmowers. They are expensive though.
Keep up the good work.

Big Papa

You can do a back exercise using a mop or broom handle. Put it across 2 chairs, and you can pull yourself up. If your abs/back are strong enough, you can keep your body straight, in "plank" form. Of course ,the higher the handle, the more like a pullup it is, so if you have a narrow kitchen, you could put it across 2 countertops. Of course, be careful, in case the handle is not strong enough and breaks! My friend's son has strong hands, and he used the door frame to do pullups until I gave him my old pullup bar.


Even a screw-in bar only costs $25. I would invest in the pullup bar before more dumbells, because you can work lots of muscles doing the pullups, including your biceps, triceps and shoulders so if you have to shortchange on curls, you can build mass doing pullups!

I have an adjustable weight dumbell set using plates. One set is $60 at Modell's (goes to 20lb each dumbell), and then you can add 10lb plates at $14 each to increase the weights as necessary.

Here is another adjustable weight dumbbell which goes up to 100lb for $79:

http://www.sportskids.com/superstore/Fitness/Weight+Lifting/Weights/p/608752.html?mktid=froogle&ovchn=FRO&ovtac=CMP&ovcpn=Fitness&ovcrn=608752-Amber+Sports+110lb+Weight+Set

Been up all night because of odd sleeping habits so I thought I'd get in some quick plyometrics before going out to vote As always, it killed my thighs. But while adding in a few extra stretches during the cool down, I noticed that while doing a sitted toe reach, I could reach my toes!!! I haven't been able to do that since I was 10 or 11. I was so excited I even called up both of my sisters haha. Red letter day.


And thanks for your suggestions and encouragement, guys. I hadn't even considered using a broom handle type object across two chairs for modified pullups. I will definitely try that out or figure out another suitable exercise to substitute in.

And I guess I'll have to sell off some DVD's to raise push-up bar money. I'm a student, so I'm pretty strapped for funds. And it's community college, so no school gym in case you guys were wondering. Makes me really regret not getting into shape when i went to UMD with it's huge gym lol.

Thanks again!!

I was really busy on Wednesday, so I unfortunately missed that day's workout. Everything got pushed back so I did Shoulders & Arms Thursday, Yoga X Friday, etc ,etc.

Quick point I'd like to bring up: Yoga is HARD. I knew it would be difficult going into it but man oh man. How is anyone supposed to be able to do those half moons? >________>

Also, I substituted Core Synergistics for Kenpo X since Kenpo hurts my knees for some reason. Maybe I twist wrong or something. Or maybe it's the carpet. Or maybe my knees really suck. Whatever the cause, I'm gonna wait until the recovery week to get back into it and see how it goes.

Just finished up Chest & Back today. Didn't want to mess up the schedule so I just skipped the rest/stretch X day.

But I'll keep this short since I should really stop procrastinating and get on to writing my paper

Way to go dude.

The day you missed on Wednesday can be used as your rest day. So you shifting your schedule back so it starts on Monday works. That is why that rest day option is there because sometimes life get's in the way.
I prefer starting my week on Monday to.

Another workout to sub in instead of Kenpo is the Cardio X. It is fun and has a mix of yoga, kenpo, and plyo. Maybe try that also till the knees feel better.

Keep Bringing It and good luck with the Kenpo and the knees.