I just finished phase 1 of P90X2. This program isn’t harder than P90X. It’s different than P90X. In that, I mean, you challenge your body in different ways. I absolutely love this workout and look forward to Mondays when it appears on the schedule. X2 Core isn’t harder than Core Synergistics. It’s just different. So let’s compare the two.
For one, phase one of P90X2 has core work threaded throughout every workout. It becomes obvious pretty quickly in every workout that you need to engage the core.
The very first workout in this phase is called X2 Core. Very different from when you did the Core Synergistics workout in P90X. That workout did not come until week 4 in what is referred to as a “recovery week.” Over the years, I made Core Synergistics part of my weekly routine when I was doing P90X as I just noticed my body functioned better on other exercises. I also got the same benefit from yoga, but that’s another topic for a future article.
The Foundation Phase Begins with Engaging the Core
Pushing play with the X2 core workout engages your midsection right from the get go plus it blends stretching, yoga-like moves with a stability ball and core moves using a foam roller. There’s also a “massage-like” effect during a foam rolling section of the warm up. This warm up is pretty standard in all of the phase 1 workouts of P90X2. The Core Synergistics in P90X has you doing the warmups pretty typical in the other P90X routines with jumping jacks, marching/running in place, lunges and static stretching
The X2 warm up seems to take almost 12 minutes and when it’s time to hit the main workout it seems like you are almost half done. That’s my perspective anyway.
One big difference in the X2 Core routine seems to be more stability ball digging even deeper to those smaller muscles. Some of the moves appear easier until you are in the flow. It is then you realize that in order to use proper form and stay balanced, you need to engage and tighten core muscles, including the buttocks, throughout the exercise.
Both routines have roughly the same amount of exercises and some of the Core Syn exercise are expanded upon in X2. Such as the Dreya Roll is the same, but you hold a medicine ball and jump. You did Banana Rolls in P90X. This time you are just in the banana position the whole time and you transfer a stability ball clenched with your hands to clench with your feet. This is called a Banana Ball Switch Crunch. The Sphinx push up has now evolved into a Sphinx Plank Crunch. Talk about core power! The Bow to Boat in P90X is now a Roller Boat. This has you stopping the momentum of rolling on your back and tightening for that perfect boat posture.
New moves in X2 includes one that quickly became my “nemesis moved,” the One Leg Med Ball Burpee. Core Circles using a stability ball look harmless enough until you realize the amount of engagement needed to accomplish good form and balance.
There are plenty of new core exercises in X2 that challenge your strength and balance. Sphinx Plank Crunch and Warrior 3 Cross Crunches start the line up. I’m getting better at all 18 core exercises, but the one that still perplexes me is the Plank Burpee On Stability Ball. Yep, I’ve got to modify this one.
Take a look at this trailer for X2 Core
Here are at names of the X2 Core Exercises between the warmup and cool down.
- Sphinx Plank Crunch
- Warrior 3 Cross Crunch
- Single Leg Walk Out to Sphinx
- Half Angel
- Roller Boat
- 3 Speed Med Ball Push Up
- One Leg Lateral Leap Squat
- Core Circles
- Holmsen Screamer Lunge
- Med Ball Dreya Roll
- Plank Burpee On Stability Ball
- Banana Ball Switch Crunch
- 3 Point Squat Press with Med Ball
- Slo Mo Balance Climber
- X2 Diver
- Ryan Sphinx Twist Crunch (2 sides)
- One Leg Med Ball Burpee
I love the fact that Core is part of the weekly routine in this phase and that it’s not a “recovery” workout. The DVD is a great blend of stability, balance and explosive power to engage that midsection and give it definition. A few fitness benefits from this routine are better functional form for every day life and better posture. X2 Core isn’t harder than Core Synergistics. It’s just different.
Want a coach to help you stay accountable and help you?
All The Details You Need To Know Here
