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Originally Posted by Willravel
P90X is good, as long as you do about plus or minus 4 weeks of stabilization and prep first. According to my personal trainer, stabilization has to come first in order to fix muscular imbalances and posture as well as increasing neuromuscular efficiency. If you go right into strength training, you could exasperate issues like poor posture or muscular imbalances.
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I have yet to do any stabilization training outside of the multiple core-centric components of P90x. I did do about 2.5 months of five-day-a-week hourly elliptical sessions and bicycled a few miles every day for my commute prior to starting the program. When I did start P90x, my core was shit. The key was that I only did what I could and didn't overdo it. Setting aside for a minute the problems inherent in relying on anecdotal evidence, I think that one could likely forgo stabilization training if one is in tune enough with one's body to know when to take things down a notch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru
A caveat: if RetroGunslinger is "tall and skinny" (as in ectomorph), the P90X program won't likely be the best option. "Hardgainers" (skinny people who have trouble gaining weight and building muscle) should break some of the rules of P90X. For example, I understand that the dietary options begin with higher protein and controlled carbohydrates. I would suggest he eat more carbohydrates to help his caloric intake to build mass. That and healthy fats.
He's not trying to tone or lose weight along with building muscle. He's trying to build mass, period. He's playing an "active male who could hold his own in a bar fight or lift heavy stuff," not a cover model.
I suggest lifting heavy and eating heavy. Cardio-ab-ripper-Yoga-X phases are going to be a waste of time for his purposes. If he were doing an action role that demanded advanced training, then maybe.
If he's too skinny to begin with, he needs to go boldly in the right direction: mass gain.
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The P90x nutrition plan has a high carb phase. It has three phases, actually, and the particular phase one should follow depends on their level of fitness and fat loss goals. I've been rocking a high carb high protein diet similar to the third phase P90x diet.
I think that cardio and core are useful additions to a workout plan because core strength and cardio fitness are important. Even in bar fights and for lifting boxes. Developing a flexible body, cardiovascular fitness and a strong core are not a waste of time, even if these things are supplemental to your ultimate goals. I agree that the OP doesn't seem to need a more comprehensive fitness plan if all he wants to do is look bigger. However, I think that he'd be doing himself a favor by embracing a more comprehensive plan, P90x or not. Doing cardio and core work in between lifting days is also a great way to keep your metabolism up and maintain your exercise momentum. On top of that, if you love eating like I do, doing more cardio/core work means you get to eat more. There is a substantial difference in daily caloric need between someone who works out 3 times a week and someone who works out 6 times a week.