P90X3 Isometrix

For those that don't know, P90X3 is Tony Horton's latest incarnation of his hugely popular P90x video series. Each of the routines in P90X3 is about 30 minutes long, so most people are able to work them into their day.

I'll start off saying that I'm not doing the entire P90X3 program. I don't feel that I'm in good enough shape to really give it a go. But I'm working some of the P90X3 routines that do not require pull ups into my exercise regime. I picked this one because it's meant as one of the "recovery" workouts. But it is still fairly difficult.

Tony starts Isometrix saying that he took the harder poses of Yoga to make this routine. I'm not big into Yoga, but can believe that these are the hardest parts. By the end of this routine, I was sweating pretty good.

As with all the P90X3 routines, each move has a modifier that makes it doable for people that aren't as strong or have mobility issues with the move.

I really felt the moves. Since there is a lot of balance involved, the little muscles all over my body got a workout. As I held the pose, I could feel the tiny muscles in my calves and abdomen twitching away as I tried to stay in good form.

This is not a routine where I really felt sore the next day, but I could feel that I worked out, if that makes sense. The moves are fairly complex and since some are done while face down on the floor, it really benefited me to watch the entire routine before I attempted it. Even so, the first time I completed this workout I didn't feel I got as good of a workout as the 2nd time through.

There are some very difficult moves in this routine. One in particular that sticks in my mind is called Bound Dog Leg lift. In this you get in downward dog and grab your left (or right) ankle with your right hand. This is difficult enough, but then you lift the right leg. I have yet to be able to stay in this pose for more than about 5 seconds at a time.

Isometrix has found a permanent home in my exercise routine, at least until there's a suitable replacement for it. I feel that since it is zero impact, I can work it into my workout week at any time. If I need an "off" day, this fills the hole nicely.