P90x Day 72: Intervals Plus+ AND Abs/Core Plus+

(Originally posted March 20, 2009)

Ok, we are heading into the home stretch now people! Also, since I already gave my review of Intervals Plus+ a couple of weeks ago, there's no need to do it again. Let's just say that it continues to be a MAJOR cardio butt-kicking. A lot of the moves feel very similar to the Plyo X workout, but overall it definitely works your heart rate in a different/intense way. The sweat will definitely pour!

Tonight though, I also tried my hand at Abs/Core Plus+ for the first time as my abs workout. Throughout P90x, you are supposed to add on additional ab work for three days out of the week...with the provided P90x routine being Ab Ripper X. Well, Ab Ripper X is somewhat of a beast (it's like 350 different crunch moves, and it puts a bit of stress on the back as well as the legs from doing lots of bicycles, etc.)....so, I have been rotating in some of the ab routines from The Firm's "5 Day Abs." It definitely has helped add variety, is a bit easier on the back, and "5 Day Abs" is no slouch either! The presentation style is very cheesy 1990's, but I highly recommend it as a way to supplement your ab workouts if you decide to try out P90x.

The Abs/Core Plus+ workout is around 20 minutes, as opposed to 16 for Ab Ripper X. But it's not quite as focused on simply pounding out tons of crunches. Instead it's a complete core workout, and to be honest I think I felt a much better ab burn on many of the moves than I do in Ab Ripper. Overall though, I didn't really find the tape as challenging as I expected, but I think that has largely to do with the fact that I'm not doing the moves as precisely as I will after internalizing it all a bit better. I need to concentrate on having better form, especially on the moves where you're hanging from the pull-up bar.

Anyway, most all of the moves run for either 30 seconds or a minute. Here's the workout breakdown below:

Hanging toe tap knee raises - :30
Tip-Toe Crunch (R) - :30
Tip-Toe Crunch (L) - :30
Scorpion Plank w/twist - 1:00
Spread leg, banana cannonball - :30
Hanging up and overs - :30
Discus thrower (R) - :35
Discus thrower (L) - :35
Warrior Bow (R) - :32
Warrior Bow (L) - :32
Scissor climber - :30
Hanging knee kick - :40
Wood chopper (R) - :36
Wood chopper (L) - :36
Downdog crunch - 1:35
Banana mason - :32
Mixed Bike - :32
X Crunch (R) - :30
X Crunch (L) - :30
Plange sphinx to plank - :30
Weighted seated back stroke - :35
Hanging pelvic tilt - :30
Straight leg X Crunch (R) - :30
Straight leg X Crunch (L) - :30
360* Chatarunga - :30
Cherry Bomb - 1:00 (this one is pretty dang tough!)
Cooldown - :40