Effective Basketball Training Exercises

Posted in Basketball Training Exercises on January 2nd, 2010 by Valeri – 2 Comments



If you are out and searching for effective basketball training exercises that will help you get fit for the upcoming basketball season then you are in luck.

I was also searching for some good basketball training exercises for my friend that plays basketball and I happened to find a few good sites that I can recommend you to check out.

I had a lot of trouble finding good basketball training exercises that would be worth while following as there are heaps and heaps of recommendations and most of those sucked. Basketball training exercises don’t just involve throwing the ball in the hoop, good basketball training exercises guide includes ; running exercises, jumping exercises and of course some ball throwing and tactics to help you beat your opponent.

IF you are keen to improve your basketball ability and follow the right basketball training exercises that will teach you how to slam dunk, trick your opponents and in general teach you how to get fit fast then I highly recommend the basketball training exercises guide called Go Up Strong.

I have recommended this guide to my friend, upcoming basketball pro and after following the exercises in this guide he improved his scoring drammatically and learned to become a better ball player in general by following the basketball training exercises from this guide.

Go Up Strong is a great basketball training guide that will help ball player of any skill level, whether you are an ammateur or a pro you will still learn some useful techniques from this guide that will improve your ball game!

You can find Go Up Strong Guide Here…

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Exercise is Good for the Young

Posted in basketball on August 1st, 2010 by Valeri – Be the first to comment

Individuals under 20 are naturally more flexible, have higher metabolic rates and more energy than those older. But they, too, need to exercise (in appropriate ways) to avoid injury and build strength and endurance, avoid obesity and stay fit.

 

Particularly today, when there are so many electronic alternatives, young people may exercise less than they should. It’s during the formative years that individuals lay the groundwork for what later become healthy or poor habits.

 

Kids will usually become quickly bored with routines designed for adults. But the activity doesn’t have to involve organized group sports, either. A gentle jog with an adult, a tennis game, swimming, golf, martial arts, bicycling, dancing, gymnastics and many other sports are enjoyable for the younger crowd.

 

Kids are usually sensitive to anything that appears inconsistent or hypocritical from adults. Be prepared to follow your own advice and exercise with them. That also helps parents share quality time with their kids outside the house and during activities that benefit both. Parents get the added benefit of monitoring to ensure that the kids are exercising in a safe and proper way.

 

Like any routine, if it produces pain – even the day after – the individual is less likely to continue. Keep it simple and build up the difficulty and length gradually. Kids are more flexible, but they too need to warm-up and gently stretch before engaging in vigorous exercise. A few minutes of static and dynamic stretching will help avoid injury.

 

Exercise routines should take into account the age group of the individual child.

 

Children from about 4-7 should focus primarily on developing basic physical skills, such as coordination and balance. These are the years when motor skills, eye-hand coordination and other things adults take for granted are still fluid. Children take to these activities naturally, as well. Jumping rope, hopscotch and other simple activities help guide the development of these skills.

 

From the age of 8 or so, exercises can become more vigorous in order to keep that active metabolism from turning food into fat. Here again, though, adults need to guide kids in order to build good habits and avoid injury. Weight machines are almost always a bad idea for pre-teens, for example. They’re risky and unnecessary.

 

Gymnastics, by contrast, helps build on those basic motor skills learned earlier while developing strength, balance and keeping the endocrine system active and healthy.

 

For teens, the field is wide open. They have the basic bone and muscle structure that gives them the potential for high performance activity in a wide variety of activities. But here, too, the possibility of injury remains for those who don’t get the proper guidance.

 

Teens are inclined to roughhousing and rebelliousness. Give them an outlet that directs all that energy and independence to the achievement of positive goals – fitness, endurance, and high scores.

 

 

Dr. John Spencer Ellis


Each week, over one million people enjoy a fitness and wellness program created by John Spencer Ellis. His programs are implemented in the top resorts, spas and health clubs. John is the CEO of NESTA (National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association), the Spencer Institute for Life Coaching, and the Get America Fit Foundation.


He created Adventure Boot Camp, the largest fitness boot camp system in the world. His TriActive America signature series of outdoor exercise equipment is used worldwide. John has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, FOX, FOX Sports, FOX Reality, SPIKE and ESPN. He is the fitness and lifestyle expert on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Orange County and Daybreak OC (KDOC news). John is the producer of the documentary The Compass (Jan. 2009).

An Objective Vertical Explosion Review

Posted in basketball on August 1st, 2010 by Valeri – Be the first to comment

For a long time now, I have been trying to add inches to my jump. I have tried exercises advised by my sports trainer and I even purchased online manuals but nothing seemed effective. I recently bought another online manual and this is my objective Vertical Explosion review.

Indeed, I wasted money in purchasing some online jump manuals and I also wasted my time and effort in applying them because they did not work. Before I lost all hope in trying to increase my jump, I decided to ask my other basketball buddies for suggestions. As I was asking for suggestions from my basketball friends, one of them told me about Vertical Explosion Training Program. He showed me the big improvement in his jump since he began the program and I was so surprised to see him jump so high. It only took him two weeks to accomplish that while I was trying to do it for the previous months!

He showed me the website where I can buy the training program so that I can read more information. Aside from that, he also gave me different user reviews of the product which helped him in deciding to purchase it. All the people who published their user reviews had positive things to say regarding the product. They were all satisfied with the results that they got in using the product and there were even videos to attest to that.

I also did not have to wait for the product to arrive in my mail because it was a downloadable one. Once I paid for it, I immediately received access to download it to my computer. The Vertical Explosion Training Program has a step-by-step workout program, detailed instructions for each exercise, and complete instructions regarding the number of sets and reps for each exercise.

With my purchase of the training program, I even received more great freebies. One of the gifts is a training video. The training video showed me how to perform every exercise correctly. This was a big help because it already removed confusion and any worry that I might have. Of course, seeing how the exercises must be done gave me the confidence in knowing that I will be doing these the correct way.

An iPod video was also given as a freebie. Imagine that, I was able to copy the videos right into my iPod and iPhone for easy access. And there are also training logs found in the training program. I was able to make full use of these worksheets in tracking my progress.

Two more of the freebies are the nutrition guide and lifetime upgrades. If there are any revisions or additions to the program, I will surely receive these through the lifetime upgrades. This shows that the author of the program is continuously trying out new methods and improving the product. Plus, the nutrition guide ensured that I will also be eating right while following the program. Remember that I can do the workouts correctly if my body is also properly nourished.

At last, I was able to add inches into my jump after using this program. And because of all the help that the program has given me, I wanted to write my own Vertical Explosion review.

Have you been getting frustrated after trying out one jump manual after another? Find out why the Vertical Explosion Training Program is a great buy through this <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.plyometrictraining.net/vertical-explosion-review.php”>Vertical Explosion review</a>.

Anderson High School Basketball ? – Can You Keep Secrets ?

Posted in basketball on August 1st, 2010 by Valeri – Be the first to comment

If you are interested about joining Anderson high school basketball team then you must read the following article – it is sure to change everything you know about playing basketball. What if you found out that you can enhance your abilities in the game of basketball by amazing 30%? And that’s not all, you can make this progress by working at it at home. Even if you are a nonbeliever, or you’re saying to yourself, “that’s impossible,” continue to read this brief report – it is going to shock you.

First of all, it is necessary to understand a simple but key fact – with the sport of basketball it isn’t just a question of one player running faster or jumping higher than the next player, it’s also a matter of decision-making and avoiding unnecessary mistakes on the court. The ability to correctly sense your opponent’s next move, or make quick and precise steals or assists, for instance, is related to your cognitive skills, or in simple words: brain skills. A lot of people have the incorrect notion of these abilities as innate, or inborn gifts, when in actuality, they are not “natural instincts,” but rather absolutely trainable brain skills.

It doesn’t make any difference whether you just want to find out about joining Anderson high school basketball team, or whether you are a student in junior high, highschool, or college – you can greatly improve your capacity to compete at a high level by learning some valuable pointers. A group of scientists developed a specialized solution which helps you to do just that; it is founded on a video “game,” and the user simply has to “play” it for 30 minutes or less, 1 or 2 times per week, for a period of a few weeks – the results are amazing. Coaches from all around the united states (memphis and uconn, to name two) have reported amazing results after one-on-one coaching sessions with players, and even entire teams, with this amazing solution.

Prior to continuing your search about joining Anderson high school basketball team, i suggest that you “test drive” this groundbreaking new software. And now the once unlikely goal of playing basketball at a professional level for a lot of motivated players becomes so near and so possible; people who’ve tried this program said their overall game improved drastically after using the software for no more than a month.

Want to improve your basketball skills by 30% in just few weeks?

Watch this SHOCKING Video!

Visit: Smart-Basketball.com

Start To Know The Best Soccer Team Ever

Posted in basketball on July 31st, 2010 by Valeri – Be the first to comment

If you like watching sports, then you would potentially love watching a soccer game ; particularly if your fave soccer team is playing. And if you love soccer, maybe you would like FC Barcelona. But if you are not a football fan, it’s time to be one and start to know FC Barcelona.

First off, FC Barcelona, familiarly known as Barca, is a football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Though FC Barcelona is a sports club containing basketball, handball, hockey, ice-hockey, figure skating, indoor soccer, rugby, baseball, volleyball and women’s soccer, the jewel in the crown has traditionally been organisation football, or the Barcelona Soccer Team, which is what they are known for.

And with this, FC Barcelona is a positively brilliant football team who play one of the most fascinating balls in the world. The team was founded in 1899 by a bunch of Swiss, English and Spanish men led by Joan Gamper. The club has become a Catalan establishment, hence the motto’Ms que un club’ ( More than a club ).

Likewise, FC Barcelona became the first soccer team ever to win six out of six competitions in a single year thus completing the sextuple, comprising the -200809 La Liga, -200809 Copa del Rey, 2009 Supercopa de Espaa, -200809 UEFA champs League, 2009 UEFA Super Cup and 2009 FIFA Club World Cup. And as of July 1, 2009, FC Barcelona was ranked 1st in UEFA team ranking. In reality, according to the world Federation of soccer History and statistical data, Bara has been the most consistently successful club in the world since the organization commenced picking up statistical data, in the period 1991-2008. Because of this, FC Barcelona has established itself as one of the elite clubs in the Spanish Premier League. With this, who wouldn’t be a fan of this highly regarded team?

In reality, fans of FC Barcelona are known as culs, the Catalan word for ‘ass’. This nickname came from the twenties from Bara fans who sat in the highest row of the stadium with their culers visible to passerbys. And I won’t doubt it if there are a large number of culers out there. Well, aside from the fact they’ve got more victories than other football organisation out there, the team isn’t only consisting of superb players, but these players also have the unity and the right attitude every time they play their game. In brief they play the game wow gold well. Now, who doesn’t think well of a good and fair game?

However , there must be a rationalization for the team’s great success apart from having the right attitude and the right players. You might want to ask the way in which the team got its players with the likes of Messi and the rest of the gang. Well, when taking a glimpse at the players of the squad one can not help but notice that a few, and perhaps even most, of the team’s biggest stars are young players which were’brought up’ in the superb youth program of the club, making their way patiently through the club’s youth teams, all of the while continuing to develop their game, until their arrival to FC Barcelonas’s first squad. To paraphrase, FC Barcelona builds up and trains youth members of the club in preparation of the real deal. And with that sort of coaching, it is no doubt you’ll see players with the likes of Messi and the rest, reign in football victory.

Now, if you have decided to become a fan of the planet’s best football team, and if you believe you haven’t got enough info about the team yet, feel free to be updated with the newest FC Barcelona stories and read a lot of fascinating Barca Blog for your info wants. Or better look back on the team’s best moments like Ronaldinho Wonder Goal. Besides that, get up close and personal with the team’s best players like Iniesta and Xavi, or know who is best ; Messi vs Maradona. And if you’re so curious of the famous Lionel Messi, view Lionel Messi pics to complete your fan duty. Above all, to become a certified culer, never ever miss FC Barcelona Match Highlights. Be a fan now!

 

Relocating to Holland Michigan

Posted in basketball on July 31st, 2010 by Valeri – Be the first to comment

Holland Michigan is located in the Southwestern portion of Michigan. It is located on Lake Michigan and is separated by Lake Macatawa. Lake Macatawa is a popular inland lake separating the north side of Holland and the South Side of Holland. Holland Michigan is a great place to live and a great place to retire.

If you are considering re-locating then you should check out Holland, Michigan. Holland was voted by Money Magazine as a “Top 5 City to Retire.” Holland has a lovely community with fantastic lakes and beaches, great schools and a low crime rate. A number of residents who own lakefront properties own their primary home in Holland and spend their winters in Florida or Arizona.

Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa provide Holland residents and tourist’s time to enjoy fishing, water sports, the warm summer weather, sunsets, and the beach. If you are not interested in taking advantage of the water, there is a shopping mall, an outlet mall, and a fabulous downtown with stores and restaurants.

The beaches in Holland Michigan are fantastic and the Holland State Park is very popular. In the year 2000 there were over 35,000 residents. All of these residents keep the beaches full and the economy going.

Tulip Time is a huge event that takes place in Holland Michigan. Every year during the month of May Tulip Time takes place. During this festive event thousands of tourists visit the area. There are millions of tulips to view, entertaining dutch dancing, parades, fireworks and great snacks. Being a part of Tulip time and being able to say you are a resident of the city is awesome. The temperature in the summer often times reaches the 90’s. Even with these warm summers there are still times were we get snow in October. With all the snow schools are canceled from time to time, which is always a hit with the kids.

Are you relocating to the area and interested in Schools? Holland Michigan has a number of Public and Private Schools to choose from. These include Holland Public, West Ottawa Public, Black River Public, and Vanderbilt Charter Academy. The private schools include Holland Christian, Corpus Christi Catholic, and Calvary. There are also opportunities for higher education. This includes Hope College, Western Theological Seminary, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, and Davenport University.

Living in Holland provides you the chance to participate in the great Hope College and Calvin College Rivalry. Hope College is located in the City of Holland, while Calvin College is located in the near by city of Grand Rapids Michigan. This exciting rivalry was once featured on ESPNU as a top 10 College Basketball Rivalry. In fact, the rivalry was the only Division III school featured.

Holland Michigan is a great place to live and Retire. If you are thinking about relocating to Michigan please consider Holland Michigan!

Basketball Programs – You are Going to be Amazed !

Posted in basketball on July 31st, 2010 by Valeri – Be the first to comment

If you’d like to find out about secret basketball programs then you simply must look over the information that follows – it will have the effect of revolutionizing all of your current knowledge of basketball. What would you do with the knowledge that you can enhance your skills in the game by an incredible 30%? Even better, this can be achieved from the comfort of your own home. If this sounds unlikely, or find it just plain unimaginable, take a look at the rest of this review – it is going to shock you.

First of all, you have to understand one very important fact – in this sport, it’s not a simple question of which player is a better runner or jumper, it’s also a matter of decision-making and avoiding unnecessary mistakes on the court. The ability to correctly sense your opponent’s next move, or to know when to pass, when to dribble, and when to shoot, is associated with your thinking and reasoning abilities, another way of saying “brain skills.” Most people make the mistake of thinking of these athletic abilities as something athletes are predisposed to, when in actuality, they are not “natural instincts,” but rather absolutely trainable brain skills.

It doesn’t really matter if you’re simply looking forward to knowing about secret basketball programs, or if you are a junior-high, high-school, or a college player – you can greatly improve your overall game level and statistics by “training” your brain. A team of scientists has created a unique software system that enables you to do that; using the very user-friendly format of a “video game”, the user simply “plays” it for just 20-30 minutes once or twice a week, for only a few weeks – the results are stunning. Head coaches from across the usa (memphis, uconn, connecticut and others) have reported amazing results through the use of, with individual athletes and even entire teams, this exceptional product.

Before finding out more about secret basketball programs, it is possible to try this “secret weapon” by yourself. Thanks to this terrific system, the hope of becoming a professional basketball player for a lot of motivated players is becoming so close and attainable; people who’ve tried this program reported an impressive upswing in their game after just 2-3 weeks of “training”.

Want to improve your basketball skills by 30% in just few weeks?

Watch this SHOCKING Video!

Visit: Smart-Basketball.com

High Level Performance Basketball – Check this Out !

Posted in basketball on July 31st, 2010 by Valeri – Be the first to comment

Everyone interested in high level performance basketball tips will no doubt consider the news which this article will reveal to be just plain astonishing. What if you were to learn that a basketball player at any level has the ability to greatly better their game in a matter of a few short weeks, without leaving the comfort of your home computer.

If all that sounds unreal, well, i truly have shocking news for you – it is more than wishful thinking, it has served many young athletes from all across the country in their quest to increase their basketball abilities by 30% or even more in just a few short weeks. There is one thing you must understand – being a professional player, one that every coach dreams of, is a matter of acquiring the skills and techniques for quickly determining your next move(s) or being able to anticipate your opponent’s moves for example.

My basic assumption is that you are interested about high level performance basketball tips, and you probably have other basketball ambitions, but it is a good idea for you to realize that you could very well realize your hidden skills and talents in the game of basketball – to know what the opposing team has planned and to figure out quickly and accurately what your next move should be. Top coaches and trainers from impressive teams all over the united states already discovered this unbelievable secret method that helps teams or players on a one-on-one basis to make vast improvements in their game in just several weeks.

Although you might simply be interested in getting information about high level performance basketball tips, know that there is a secret way that for the first time, will get your game strategy to fantastic new levels and get you on your way to achieving your goals, whether it’s setting new records at your school, or in your county, or state… or maybe even having your chosen school pay your tuition. Still sounds unreal? Why don’t you check it yourself?

Want to improve your basketball skills by 30% in just few weeks?

Watch this SHOCKING Video!

Visit: Smart-Basketball.com

Nike Men Shoes ? The Shoe That Never Stops Running

Posted in basketball on July 31st, 2010 by Valeri – Be the first to comment

Nike Men Shoes are quite a favorite in the sports industry. They are considered to be one of the most dependable ranges of footwear. Nike Men Shoes is usually associated with good quality. A high profile was created for the company and its shoes by getting big names from the sports industry to endorse them.

Nike Men Shoes have earned a good name in the footwear industry due to the attention they pay on quality. Nike is quite committed to detailing and is high on durability, style and comfort. You can be quite sure that you will not get a foot ache or blisters with these. And most of all you don’t have to worry about ruining them. Nike Men shoes are made to withstand the wear and tear of outdoor activities, and will not give in easily to getting spoilt by over exposure to the sun or by getting soaked in water. A specialized technology is used for their manufacture. Some of the latest range of Nike Men Shoes contains Lunarlite foam and Flywire that helps in reducing the weight of the shoes, and making you lighter and more agile on your feet. Nike is not only about creating simple and random footwear, but rather the shoes are made to steer according to sharp and rapid turns, to aid in jumping, to promote traction, and to help you run safely at a faster pace.  

No matter what sports activity you are trying to participate in, you will find a range of Nike Men Shoes that is specifically designed for that particular sport. It can be said quite nonchalantly that your athletic performance will be enhanced to some degree by these shoes. Nike Men Shoes can be found in various types for different sports activities such as wrestling, volleyball, cycling, softball, football, baseball, skateboarding, badminton, golf, tennis, combat sports, basketball, auto racing, etc.

Nike Men Shoes come in a wide variety of colors and styles and make quite a fashion statement. People from all walks of life like to sport the Nike Men Shoes, from athletes to people like you and me. Any store that sells sports shoes will in all probability retail Nike Men Shoes. In fact, you could also do online shopping if you feel too lazy to go the market! But in this case, you need to know your exact shoe size so that you do not face any problem or discomfort later on.

In fact, you don’t have to wear these shoes only for sporting activities. If your work requires you to be on your feet for most part of the day, then these shoes are definitely meant for you. You could also wear them for leisure and recreational activities like hiking, trekking, or for running errands! You could wear it on a casual date to the cinema. They give you quite a cool look. The comfort levels associated with them will make you want to wear them all the time, unless of course you are sleeping!

Jeff Johnson writing for A2zshoes.com, A2Z Shoes carry a large inventory of jordans shoes, including Nike Air Force 1, rare jordans, Air Jordans and new jordans. Plus, many other running and basketball kicks of Nike and Adidas for men, women and kids that can be purchased online at www.A2zshoes.com

Bodyweight Exercise Revolution Review ? Is Bodyweight Exercise Revolution Scam?

Posted in basketball on July 31st, 2010 by Valeri – Be the first to comment

Is the Bodyweight Exercise Revolution a scam? This training program is particularly appealing to people who travel a lot or have hectic schedules to build up their fitness. In the past, I would pay for expensive gym membership fees to use a full facility of gym equipment.

1. Why I Decided to Get the Bodyweight Exercise Revolution Guide

However, the total costs really built up significantly and I was not seeing the results that I really wanted. Eventually, I decided to look for a more affordable and practical solution and finally found this Circular Strength Training (CST) in the Bodyweight Exercise Revolution program.

2. Who Put Together the Bodyweight Exercise Revolution System and How Can It Help You?

This fitness program is put together by the owner of the RMAX International team and Adam Steer. It is a comprehensive fitness plan that utilizes natural bodyweight for resistance and does not require any expensive gym equipment and fees. Overall, I have found this training system to work really effectively at improving my body’s agility, endurance and overall strength.

3. What Are the Advantages of Using the Techniques in Bodyweight Exercise Revolution?

Instead of focusing on isolating specific muscle groups like in gym workouts using machines and weights, this training program uses body weight exercises routines. This form of training has many more advantages as it improves real world body endurance and muscle strength to improve a person’s ability to work. As you continue to implement the Bodyweight Exercise Revolution routine, you will find yourself being able to perform daily routines like moving heavy equipment, climbing stairs and carrying heavy stuff more easily.

Is Bodyweight Exercise Revolution website a scam? Visit http://www.top-review.org/bodyweightexerciserevolution.htm to read a FREE report and find out the truth about this new Bodyweight Workouts Guide before you buy Bodyweight Exercise Revolution!

P90X(www.buydvdhere.com)

Posted in basketball on July 31st, 2010 by Valeri – Be the first to comment

After completing my P90X Review, I decided I could go into more detail about the individual P90X DVDs. Following are brief descriptions and some thought of each of the workout days prescribed by P90X.

Chest and Back DVD

Although perhaps intimidating at first, you’ll soon realize how basic Chest and Back day is as a workout routine and in comparison to some of the other P90X DVDs. This is where the program starts, and you’re bound to learn two important lessons. First, all you really need is a bar and a floor to have a crazy intense workout that hits some of the largest muscle groups in your body. And secondly, there’s a certain practicality to it when you think about being able to push or pull your entire body weight. You’ll thank Tony Horton when you find yourself hanging by your fingers off a cliff’s edge one day.

On my first day, I remember being surprised, and a little disappointed, in how little I used the cool adjustable dumbells I bought for P90X. There are still a couple back moves that utilize free weights, but the rest is all pullup and pushup varations. Most people don’t realize how many different kinds of pullups and pushups you can do, and here are only a handful to wet your fitness appetite. The funner ones show up later.

Pushups: Standard, Military, Wide, Decline, Diamond, Dive Bomber

Pullups: Chin-up, Wide, Narrow, Switch Grip

Plyometrics DVD

Anyone who’s ever done Plyometrics will tell you it’s HARD. For some that means a new challenge to conquer, and for others it causes them to drop the word and everything associated into their “hate” bin. I say don’t be a hater!

Plyometrics is also called Jump Training, because you do exactly that… jump. You’re mostly landing on your toes to reduce impact, and the goal is to be light on your feet while adding intensity over time. Most people will be struggling (or should I say dying) the first time they do this, but I promise it gets better. It’s a great workout for sportsy folk, because you’ll achieve applicable improvements in speed, agility, endurance… oh, and jumping.

Even after 90 days of doing Plyometrics once every week, it still kicks my butt. I think that’s because there’s very little you can do to cheat without actually stopping, and the modified moves are significantly different from actual. Although it’s a high impact workout, it can’t be that much worse than going running, and you have time for a solid warm up and warm down to prepare your legs for the hopping around.

Shoulders and Arms DVD

Break out the free weights for Shoulders and Arms. This is a pretty straight forward all upper body day with shoulder presses, curls, and tricep work. You alternate through each muscle group doing double circuits. Shoulders and Arms is also the workout where I hurt my neck during the first week while being a little too enthusiastic about my side tri raises.

Many people will be familiar with the moves, so it’s important to push your limits and up the weight when/where you can.

Yoga X DVD

I wonder why the “X” for “extreme” was only added at the end of certain workout titles? Is it because those workouts aren’t viewed as extreme under normal circumstances? I guess there are a lot of guys who think doing yoga is nambi-pambi.

For anyone, like myself, who’s never done a day of yoga in their life, it’s as difficult a challenge as Plyometrics – just in a different way. Figuring out how to do yoga poses while keeping your balance is tasking in a “my body doesn’t actually turn that direction” sort of way. Then you find yourself sweating from both the effort and concentration. In fact, by the second or third week, Yoga day officially became my sweatiest day of all P90X workouts.

Especially for the guys, you’d think that your flexibility ultimately falls within a static range, but I suddenly found myself making large improvements. I would all of a sudden discover I could balance in a certain pose, or that I could stretch just a little further than the previous week. I left with a new respect for the art, and plan to continue learning yoga outside of P90X.

You’ll also notice that Tony Horton is not a master of yoga poses, either, especially on the balancing side. He still does a good job teaching the skills, though.

Legs and Back DVD

When you think your legs can’t be beat up anymore with jump training and balancing on one leg in half moon pose, you finally hit Legs and Back day. Most of the exercises are tough enough your first week with just body weight, and even later I found myself maxing out around 25 lbs. per arm extra.

This is another DVD that teaches you how to get a great workout without all the fancy equipment. The very first lunge sequence, the sneaky lunge, and the toe roll lunge are just a few exercises that I’d never done before. Then again, like most people, I would tend to skip my legs when working out at the gym. Plus, the squats are sure to make your glutes sore for a good couple days after.

The back exercises are no surprise as they mirror what you’ve already seen in the Chest and Back DVD. It’s still good to get in those reps and try to hit some extra pullups, but I sense it was put into the workout to give your legs some much needed rest.

Kenpo X DVD

Kenpo is probably the one DVD where people will feel most comfortable out of the gates. The pace isn’t too crazy like some cardio kick boxing classes offered at local gyms, but the intensity makes it a great workout.

In addition, I’d say this is the one DVD where the P90X crew seems the most normal. While I do trust that everyone represented on camera went through P90X, they all seemed to have started out already super athletic. In Kenpo X, they seem more like regular people who are just excited to be in one of the P90X DVDs. That’s just what I see, anyway.

X Stretch DVD

How many people out there can honestly say they stretch for a full hour straight at least once a week? The X Stretch DVD is listed as an optional workout used every 7th day, but I highly recommend keeping it on your calendar. By the end of the hour, my body is totally loosened up, and I feel pretty energized without having broken a big sweat.

I really do believe that stretching is one of those things that prevents injury. And having X Stretch plus Yoga X will offer you large improvements in your overall flexibility.

Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps DVD

In the Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps DVD, it’s time for some of those moves that may have drawn you to the P90X program in the first place. I’m talking about the One-Arm Pushup, and the Plyo Pushup, both of which make an appearance in the original P90X infomercial. There are several other interesting push exercises that I’d never done before such as the Plange Pushup, and the Pike Pushup.

There are a few interesting shoulder and tri workouts in this DVD, but for the most part it’s just about blasting those muscles in rotating fashion. This is the one P90X DVD where I can actually get an equal or better workout using resistance bands. Adding high tension to your triceps can be pretty killer as long as you push up the resistance.

One of the unique things you’ll notice about this P90X DVD and the biceps portion of the Back and Biceps DVD is that it’s virtually non-repetitive. That is to say, you’re doing a circuit, but you never do the same exact exercise twice. This adds to keeping the workout interesting, so your hour seems to pass faster.

Back and Biceps DVD

This is just what the doctor ordered for me, since my biceps starting out were abismally weak – not to mention the fact that my left arm was significantly weaker than my right. Again, nothing mysterious about how you’re targeting your biceps. Curls at different angles, in & out hammer curls, and even some drop downs at the end will help your arms get cut.

Back exercises may be a little more challenging on this day, because you’re hitting your biceps pretty ferociously, and your triceps may still be recovering from two days ago. On the plus, this could teach you how to use more of your back when doing a pullup, which is the point of these bar exercises to begin with! Add also the Towel Pullup, which you won’t have seen before this DVD.

Core Synergistics DVD

Core Synergistics is a great cardio workout. In fact, I prefer this DVD over Cardio X, because the moves are more original and challenging. With the way the P90X system is arranged, you pretty much never get a chance to master the DVD, because you only do the routine once every month. Even though you’re definitely targeting your core strength, it feels much like a full body workout, getting your arms, legs, stomach, and lower back involved.

If you think about it, working your core is important when trying to make drastic changes in your body composition. For example, if you’re losing a lot of fat around your mid-section, you want to make sure you are strengthening the muscles around that area to replace some of the padding your body has relied on for a long time. It’ll preven injury in the long run. Plus, there are many studies suggesting links between core strength improvement and overall longterm health. I’ve noticed more stability and better posture just from this set of exercises.

Cardio X DVD

You may not use Cardio X much if it’s your first round through P90X. The Cardio X DVD is suggested as a secondary workout if you plan on doing the Lean or Doubles version of the program. It’s shorter than other P90X DVDs, running around 35 minutes total – just enough time to break a good sweat and wrap it up.

Intensity wise, it’s just enough to push yourself a little extra during the day, but it’s also probably my least favorit DVD in the series. About 95% of the exercises are the same as what you see in other sections of the P90X program. It combines moves from Yoga X, Plyometrics, Kenpo X, and Core Synergistics – a little bit of everything to get your heart pumping.

Ab Ripper X DVD

If you’ve been researching online, you’ll probably read the most whining about Ab Ripper X. For one, it’s a VERY serious abs workout to begin with, and it’ll be really tough for anyone to keep pace for the first few weeks. The other chief complaint is having to add Ab Rpper X on top of your resistance workouts 3 times per week. Not only does it push your exhaustion to the edge, but you’re tacking on an additional 20 minutes to your workout time.

By about halfway through the abs routine, I keep my eyes close and just concentrate on getting through the whole thing without stopping. Of course, like any other P90X DVD, you don’t won’t to take it to the point where you injury your body. With the difficulty level high and every move 25 reps each, there’s no