On Monday I will be starting another round of P90X. A round is 90 days, thus the 90 reference. The P refers to power, while the X refers to extreme.
P90X
I’ll be 53 this year, so I can’t go at it like when I first purchased the program about ten years ago. Back then, I was still training regularly in the martial arts, and I was looking for something to help make my belt tests a little bit easier.
However, P90X is still my go to program to keep myself reasonably fit. This year, I intend to kick it up a notch.
I believe that the P90X program can help any golfer who is looking to improve their golf swing through improved fitness. If you follow the program to the letter, you’ll dramatically improve your strength, flexibility, balance, athleticism and your cardiovascular health. If you don’t, you’ll still improve in all these areas.
I can’t think of another program that will help you in all these areas outside of joining a martial arts school.
As I mentioned, the workouts are hard, but can be modified. I personally modify them by taking longer breaks, and in modifying the movements of certain exercises where needed. The program also shows you how to do that as well.
P90X comes with 12 dvds, a workout manual that accompanies those, and a diet plan with quite a few really good recipes.
If you really want lose a lot of fat, the diet plan is a necessity. That is where I’ve personally fallen short over the years. With that said, I’ve still been able to stay in decent shape. I’m just not at my fighting weight!
But, I digress. The workout program is presented in the 12 dvds. The workouts are primarily about 50 minutes in duration, while the Yoga workout is closer to 90 minutes.
The first workout focuses on the chest and back with a tough pushup and pull-up routine. If you can’t do a single pull-up, no worries…you can modify by using a chair so that you are not pulling your entire body weight. But, you’ll still get a pretty intense workout.
Or, you can always purchase a set of bands to replace the pull-up bar and dumbbells used throughout the program. They always have someone working out with the bands in these workouts to show you how its done.
That’s really what I love about the whole program. They went out of their way to make the program workable for just about anyone.
The second workout involves plyometrics, which will have your legs burning, probably in the warm-up if you are new to fitness.
Workout number three focuses on the shoulders and arms and you’ll need the dumbbells or bands.
Next is the Yoga workout. It is my least favorite, but probably the most beneficial to anyone who plays golf, so I am going to be more open to it this go-round.
The fifth workout works the legs and back, and is a killer. If you thought your legs were on fire with the plyometric workout, wait until you get to this one. However, what I like about this workout is that some of the moves require you to focus on your balance…a great benefit to golfers.
The sixth workout is a cardio workout called Kenpo X, so you’ll be doing some martial arts kicks and punches. This is more of a fun routine, but does the job in making you sweat.
There is also a stretching routine that comes with the program, but I’ve never used it since I have a pretty full routine from my martial arts training. Admittedly, this has been another area I’ve failed in, as I really dislike stretching! So, I’m a bit heavier than I should be, and not as flexible as I’d like to be!
Finally, you get a day of rest. The program recommends that you do the stretching routine at least once each week, usually the rest day. The Yoga workout will also help with your flexibility.
These workouts are done for three consecutive weeks. In week 4, you’ll do the Yoga workout, a core workout and a cardio workout. This week is used to rest and rejuvenate, but is still not that easy.
In week 5, you’ll shake things up a little bit. The first workout and the third workout are replaced with two other workouts with some new exercises. The idea is that by changing the routine, you won’t plateau, and you’ll continue to make improvements.
The first workout of week 5 focuses on the chest, shoulders and triceps. The third workout focuses on the back and biceps. The other workouts are the same as in the first three weeks. You’ll then perform this set of workouts for three weeks.
Following those three weeks, you’ll have another break week where you do the Yoga, core and cardio workouts. I think the Kenpo X workout is still involved in this week as well.
Weeks 9 through 12 then alternate between the set of workouts you did in weeks 1 to 3, and the set you did in weeks 5 to 7. Lastly, in week 13 you finish with the rest and recovery week.
Ultimately, you will work every muscle in your body, become more fit, and more flexible. This is why I believe P90X is beneficial to golfers.
I’ve never been a big fan of just doing golf specific exercises. Total fitness is what anyone should seek, and that is clearly what the top golfers in the game are working on too. So should you.
The last thing I will say is this. I have quite a few physical issues now that limit my mobility…neck, low back, and arthritic feet. As a result, I need to modify quite a few of the movements and such, and I ALWAYS make sure to warm up properly, as they do for each workout.
My issues have not held me back in continuing to incorporate P90X into my overall fitness plan. But, it is important that you evaluate whether or not the program is suitable for you personally.
With all this in mind, P90X is my top recommendation for golfers who want to improve their games through improved fitness. You can pick up a copy through Amazon by clicking on the image below.
Thanks for reading!
