Hey guys,

Another question from a clueless noob. I am going to start the program soon, but I want to make sure I have my ducks in a row. The area I work out in is carpeted. I wear shoes obviously, but is carpet good enough for all phases/aspects of P90X or do I need to go out and get a mat? Any help/info is appreciated. I am pumped to get started, especially after reading posts from guys who are vets and noobs!

Thats a great question turk because I also just started am was wondering the same thing. I did plyo-my-crap last night and though I might have done a little better on a solid floor so I sould try and land softer but still did as well as I could. I am wondering the exact same thing for Yoga, ect.

Charles

I think you should get one even if it's a not so expensive one at a big box store.(cheap is never good inexpensive is best.)

Psychologically, having a mat on the floor, calls forward that part of your brain that gets you to focus on a task. The part that says it's time to "Do This". If you can't afford it use a towel until you get one.

You'll need a mat for a few exercises
it will help you tail bone, shoulder and it's good to spread out when you just got your beating from Ab Ripper X
it's good for Yoga, because you'll have to hold your weight a lot with your arms during the 1st part and the cushion of the mat absorbs some of it.

Others will chime in with more reasons as to why you should or shouldn't get one

Hi! I also have carpet with some kind of padding under it. I like having a mat for the ab ripper. Also, I do my push ups on my knees right now so on the first day we didn't have mats and I got rug burn on my knees!

get off your knees, as a matter of fact raise on leg,
I'm just kidding, please use a towel

workit29 wrote:

QUOTE:
Hi!
I got rug burn on my knees! :ohmy:

it's part of the struggle. a.k.a stripes, battle scars.

just don't put a tattoo around it, that'd be way to X-treme!

Here is a link to a great Yoga mat average is $20-30-(any mat will do though)
http://www.nextag.com/Harbinger-Durafoam-Exercise-Mat-79056037/prices-html
and as far as a floor goes, for days like Plyo, you may be better off using a garage floor or similar, with some interlocking foam mats on top (Home Depot /Lowe's) you need a sturdy surface and I think carpet might cause you to roll an ankle os similar.

P90X ADDICT wrote:

QUOTE:
you may be better off using a garage floor or similar, with some interlocking foam mats on top (Home Depot /Lowe's)

I covered my entire workout room with what Addict mentioned (it's just a small spare bedroom) for about $80.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3357068

I have worked out in my den on carpet a few times and don't like because:

1) It's not nearly as cushioned (obviously)
2) I've burned my knees doing some things like that frog stretch
3) I'm worried about wearing out spots (think pivot foot on kenpo kicks)
4) I don't want all of the sweat that is pouring off me going straight into my carpet.

I went to the camping section at walmart,got a foam sleeping bag pad for abot $6.00. It works good but i've also decided to invest another 20 on the foam interlock pads Addict was talking about so I can better work on my carpet or carport. The sleeping bag pad works great by the way.

No it is not. You don't want to damage your spine. I bought a stackable mat for 15 dollars it is about 1" thick and I am p90xing in the living room wit hardwood floors. You can find it in amy sports store or any walmart kids section

Ok the deal is you might think your fine without a matt but over time from all the jumping your spine is going to compress. This is very very bad. Your back will start getting sharp pains and worst case you'll have to get surgury... So save your back and get a padding surface to do plyo on.

As far as yoga, its nice to have a mat so you have something for your feet/shoes to grip. Nothing more agrivating than going downward dog and your hands or feet start slipping outwards.