In the week after getting my P90X material in the mail, I read the Fitness Guide, the Nutrition Guide, and watched several of the DVDs. While watching the DVDs, I tried a few of the exercises, but I didn’t actually start the regimen; I just wanted to see what was coming, and get a feel for it before hitting it hardcore.

And it is, indeed, hardcore. Extreme. “Over the top,” as my brother described it. But it didn’t look beyond my ability. (But then I may have an unrealistic sense of my ability.) In fact, it looked fun. Fun because it would be a serious challenge.

The Kenpo X workout looked very much like the exercises I did in tae kwon do. But the difference is that in my martial arts training, we did the exercises for about 20 minutes, and then moved on to the training/learning. And the training/learning time gave plenty of rest between heavy activity. The P90X Kenpo X workout is a full hour of just exercises, with very little rest time.

Saturday was my Day 0 — take the fit test, take “before” photos, take body measurements. The literature says I should be able to pass the fit test before taking on the P90X routines. Here’s how I did:

Pull-ups
Minimum for fit test: 3
My results: 1.75 (the book says to count fractions on this exercise)
It’s been many, many years (possibly a couple of decades) since I did a pull up. I never did them for martial arts, and it’s just not something I’ve ever done as part of my basic calisthenics.

Vertical Leap
Minimum: 5″
My results: 13″
This one confuses me. Granted I may be off by an inch — it’s difficult to judge it on a blank, white wall — but I can definitely beat 5″ by a very wide margin. But beating the minimum by more than double, (nearly triple), on a skill I never really practice?

Push-ups
Minimum: 15
My results: 22
I used to could do 50 on a regular basis, in my prime.

Toe Touch — sitting down, legs straight, reach forward
Minimum: 6 inches from toes
My results: 0 inches — I can touch my toes

Wall Squat — sit with back against wall, legs at 90 degree angle, as if sitting in a chair
Minimum: 60 seconds
My results: 45 seconds
Other than the pull-ups, (which I could hardly do at all), this was the hardest test. The pain is incredible in less than 30 seconds, and I wanted to scream by 45 seconds.

Biceps Curls — both arms at the same time, 20 pound weights
Minimum: 10
My results: 15

In & Out — seated with hands on floor at sides, knees bent and off ground; bring knees in to chest, then out straight, and back in to chest
Minimum: 25
My results: 30

Now, something to keep in mind with this fit test: I did the exercises fresh, and with 1-4 minutes, (by the book), breaks in between. Other than the pull-ups and wall squats, I passed the exercises easily. This surprised me. Either I’m not in the totally abysmal shape I thought I was, (and sometimes feel), or the fit test is a bit easy. I suspect the latter.

Sunday night was my first full P90X workout routine: “Chest & Back, and Ab Ripper X” — about an hour and twenty minutes of almost non-stop exercises. I did it.

Yes, it’s brutal, but I kept up and did every exercise. Now, I didn’t do as many reps as Tony and his students. If they did 25 reps, I could do about 10-12 on the first round. By the second round, they’d do another 25, but I could only get about 4-6. There’s a lot of push-ups, and by the last set, I considered doing 3 in a row a victory.

And then the ab/core exercises followed immediately after the chest and back workout. The ARX works different muscles than the C&B, but you’re already really tired by that point. I still banged out some reps for every exercise, (still less than the folks on the screen).

After the workout, I felt fan-freakin’-tastic. Honestly, that routine made me feel so good. Yes, I was worn out, but it was in a good way. I felt like I had done something great.

I’m very much looking forward to continuing this system. Having done this first routine, I’m not afraid of the rest. The only thing I think I’m going to have a hard time with is the nutrition regimen. I’ve had a horrible diet for pretty much all my life, and proteins, carbohydrates, etc. aren’t concepts that my mind easily grasps. Hopefully my wife can help me with this part of the system.

Bullgrit

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