P90X2

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Muscle Confusion – Periodization

Periodization (or muscle confusion as it was called in P90X) is nothing new. All sorts of athletes have been using this training method for years. Most them had professional coaches who closely monitored their progress. In recent years training plans have become readily available. The problem with those plans, and a weakness of P90X, is that they are cookie cutter plans. You frankly might not be ready to move from Phase I of P90X to Phase II of P90X, but there it is on the schedule – Recovery Week – Phase II. P90X2 will change that by using flexible training periods. We suggest you work with a Team Beachbody Coach to figure out how and when to switch phases. I’ll even offer to Coach you for FREE.

Here are the Phases you’ll see in P90X2

As I mentioned in the previous section, each Phase is customizable. You’ll really want to work with a Coach to be sure that you are ready to move to the next Phase. You will need to master certain movements prior to moving on, so make sure your Coach is using a Performance Based Assessment, and not something less scientific. I’ve been doing these types of assessments with the people I Coach through Insanity and P90X for quite some time now. If you are in the pre-order group, I’ll be doing the program with you. I’ll have just finished a round of a P90X/Insanity/Triathlon hybrid and I’ll expect to move through Phase I in 3 weeks.

Phase I – Foundation: 3 to 5 Weeks

In Phase I of P90X2, the base training phase, you can expect to:

  • Move Better
  • Feel Better
  • Reduce Likelihood of Injury

This Phase is really about building up fitness in your stabilizing muscles. The goal is to fix imbalances that most of us have. If you are like me, and have a repaired ACL, you know what I’m talking about. My left knee was repaired, so my left leg is not as strong as my right. This was far worse before I started working out, but those years of left leg weakness have caused hip flexor issues in my right leg. P90X2′s Foundation Phase is designed to level those types of things out and get you ready for Phase II.

Phase II – Strength: 3 to 6 Weeks

This is going to be hard…very hard. In Phase II of P90X2 you can expect to:

  • Get stronger through wider range of motion
  • Get more supple (and who doesn’t want that?)
  • Look good (hahaha – I love Beachbody)

P90X2 will combine strength and stability. You’ll be doing pushups with your hands and feet on balls. You’ll do levers, a brutal pull up maneuver. If you have carpet, your stability ball will burn a hole in it.

Phase III – Performance: 3 to 4 Weeks

This is where the money is at. Performance. Steve Edwards taught me a long time ago to use performance as the key measure of fitness with the people I Coach. Most of the work I do is designed to make me a better cyclist and triathlete. That’s about performance. In Phase III of P90X2 you can expect to:

  • Jump higher, run faster, ride faster and be more explosive
  • Start to fee like a kid again

It’s amazing what fitness will do for your attitude. Get to Phase III of a program like P90X2 and you’ll know what I’m talking about. You really will fell like a kid again.

This is the Phase when the P90X2 workout employs P.A.P. or Post Activation Potential. P.A.P. is fascinating. P.A.P. only works in conditioned athletes only, so you don’t want to even attempt this type of workout until you’ve done the work in the other Phases or you could get hurt. P.A.P. increases the production of muscle cell motor units adding explosive power. P90X2 will have you doing a weighted resistance exercise prior to an explosive exercise. That type of training results in amazing muscle growth. Beachbody knew this type of training would require some expert input, so they brought in Dr. Marcus Elliott of P3 (Peak Performance Project). Dr. Elliott works with professional athletes and has them doing a lot of P.A.P. workouts. He was the first to point out that this type of training is great, but the body needs to be conditioned in order to be able to perform at this level.

I can’t wait for all this. I’m a total training and nutrition nerd. This is going to be so awesome.

The P90X2 Workouts

Here’s the line up kids.

  • X2 Core
  • Plyocide
  • X2 Recovery and Mobility
  • X2 Total Body
  • X2 Yoga – an hour and five minutes of strength based Hatha flow
  • Balance + Power
  • Chest & Back and Balance
  • X2 Shoulders & Arms
  • Base & Back
  • PAP Lower
  • PAP Upper
  • X2 Ab Ripper
  • V Sculpt – Deluxe Pack
  • X2 Chest + Shoulders + Tris – Deluxe Pack

The P90X2 Nutrition Guide

If you’ve been on our site, you know we have broken down every aspect of the P90X Nutrition Guide in our P90X Nutrition Guide Made Easy post. You can expect similar service once this is in my hands. It’s going to be very different from the P90X Nutrition Guide, because it will be broader in scope. The P90X2 Nutrition Guide will cater to vegans, vegetarians, pescitarians, paleo (yes) and an assortment of other nutritional theories. Basically its going to be fully comprehensive nutrition for you, depending on how you want to eat. I’m a Paleo guy for the most part. I have to make exceptions to support my endurance training, but when I can shun grains I readily do. The plans going to have that covered because there are 27 diet guides in the P90X2 Nutrition Guide. How cool is that?

P90X2 Packages and Costs

P90X2 will be available on Blu-Ray, so the cost structure below, will include both the DVD and Blu-Ray prices.

P90X2 Base Package

This includes the workouts listed above, except the last two listed “Deluxe Pack”, the Nutrition Guide, a Workout Guide and a 90 day calendar.

  • DVD – $119.85
  • Blu-Ray – $149.85

P90X2 Deluxe Package

This pack includes everything in the Base Package, but adds the V Sculpt and X2 Chest + Shoulders + Tris workouts and a foam roller, two medicine balls, and a large stability ball.

  • DVD – $239.85
  • Blu-Ray – $299.85

The foam roller is going to incorporated into a couple of programs, but you’ll see it in the X2 Recovery and Mobility section in particular. It helps iron out the kinks. I have been using it for about 18 months now, and it really does help.

P90X 2 Ultimate Package

The Ultimate Package gives you everything in the Deluxe Pack, except the foam roller, which is an upgraded model in the Ultimate Pack (see picture below). The Ultimate Pack also adds a set of Tony Horton’s Power Stands to the party. These are really good for pushups and shoulder moves like Pike Presses. Some of my favorite equipment.

  • DVD – $299.85
  • Blu-Ray – $359.85

P90X2 Discounts

Everybody loves a deal. Here are a couple of ways you can save a few bucks and/or add some value to your P90X2 experience.

Ordering from The Fit Club Network

You’ll get a few extra things at the same cost if you order it from us rather than Beachbody. Here’s what we are offering to our customers.

  • Free Coaching – If you want to sign up for the Beachbody Club membership, go right ahead, but we have never charged for our Coaching and we are not about to start now. Get us assigned to you before you purchase, by CLICKING HERE.
  • Two Additional DVD’s – When you order from us, you’ll also receive two of Tony Horton’s One on One workouts on DVD. The workouts are “4 Legs” and “Upper Body Balance”. Both these workouts will fit well with what P90X2 is trying to accomplish in its various phases. Please be sure we are assigned to you before you purchase in order to get this deal.

Ordering Early

In addition to the things we are throwing in as extras, Beachbody is offering FREE shipping and handling for people that participate in the September 1, 2011 Pre-Order program. At this time, I am not sure how long Beachbody will be offering free shipping and handling, but I’ll update this blog with that information as soon as I have it. The pre-sale process will take your credit card information, but you will not be billed until the product ships.