P90X Ab Ripper X Review

The lowdown on P90X Ab Ripper X

Have you ever had something you loved to hate? P90X Ab Ripper X is almost the same way as a workout. It can be so wicked like a movie villain that you can’t help but love it. Trainer Tony Horton admits how he hates it and loves it all at the same time. And so if you are looking for that intense ab workout to blow your mind and sculpt your abs, P90X Ab Ripper X is the way to go. Also, if you’ve got Beachbody on Demand, it’s part of your P90X program.

All about Ab Ripper X

Ab Ripper X is all about the core. It is a short but an extremely focused bodyweight workout that is actually a 15-minute challenge for you to complete all 300 reps in one sitting. The result however is more than worth it as it will render you with powerful abdominal muscles. Ab Ripper X is made up of 12 moves that are all directed on the abs but each move hits slightly different angles and is performed back to back with over moves for 25 reps or more.

The real benefits

While the core is most benefited by Ab Ripper X, that same core is not just a single muscle. It is actually a family of muscles that encircles the mid part of your body. So that means both the external and internal obliques that are on the sides of the waist; the serratus and intercostals; the muscles around the ribs; and the transverse abdominis that girdles the lower trunk. Let’s not forget the rectus abdominis or the most sought-after six-pack muscles bridging the gap between the ribs and the front of the pelvis.

Like a symphony, the core muscles work together to allow you to twist, bend, and stabilize the spine while you move in different directions. As such, to exercise the entirety of your core thoroughly, it has to be more than just a single move with a few sets to go with it. It is important to note though that you have to allot time for your ab muscles for recovery between workouts – that is if you want to achieve the results that you are looking for. In this case, the P90X schedule has provided for recovery after your strength workouts.

Most importantly, do not forget that for your ab muscles to show, it has to take more than just working them out. You have to get rid of the body’s excess fat until the percentage in your body is low enough for your ab muscles to show its full glory. The key is to stick to a nutritious diet while being consistent with your workout routine until you reach your targets and you make a lifestyle out of staying fit.

The X moves

• Wide leg sit-up

While sitting on the floor, widely spread your legs and straighten them. Lie on your back and then place your left hands at the back of your head. Extend your right hand up towards the ceiling. Keep your legs straight and then sit up fully as you try to reach your right hand, first toward the ceiling and then going to your left foot. Lie back on the floor, then reverse the move. Perform the same routine on the other side and switch your hands. Continue to alternate with each side until all 12 reps are completed on each side.

• V-ups and Roll-ups Combo

With your feet together and your legs straight, lie on your back. Straighten your arms toward the ceiling. Do a full sit-up and extend both your hands to your feet. While you lift your legs off the ground, simultaneously lie on your back. Make sure that you keep your legs straight together. Next, sit up, lift your legs away from the floor at 45 degrees, reach for your feet, and balance on your butt. After that, lower both your legs and torso back to the floor. That is one rep for you. Repeat the same for 25 reps.

• Crunchy Frog

As you sit, bend your knees and then place your feet flat on the floor. Extend your arms out to each side and put your palms forward. Lean back a bit for balance while lifting your feet off of the floor. Remember this as your starting position. While making sure that your back is straight, pull your knees to your chest simultaneously as you wrap both arms around them. Return to your starting position and repeat the same moves for 25 reps.

• In and Outs

Sit on the floor, bend your knees, and put your legs together. Lean back and then lift your feet for just a few inches off of the floor. To keep your balance on the floor, put your hands behind you. Consider this as your starting position. Next, fully extend your legs in front of you with your feet raised just a few inches up the floor and then at the same time, slightly lean back for balance. Make sure that your back is straight when you raise your feet. Draw your knees to your chest and then repeat the routine for 25 reps.

• Leg Climbs

With your feet flat on the floor, bend your legs and lie on your back. While keeping the thighs parallel, extend the right leg so it forms a 45-degree angle from the floor. Start climbing up the right leg with your hand over hand. Continue doing so until the fingertips on your right hand reaches the toes on your right foot. Reverse the move and climb down the leg completely until you are lying on your back again. Do 12 reps on the right leg and 12 reps on the left side.

• Mason Twist

First, sit on the floor and then bend your knees. Make sure that your feet is flat on the floor. Next, balance on your butt while lifting your feet off of the floor. Just remain there for this entire set. Now, extend your arms forward in front of you and interlace your fingers. Rotate the upper body towards the right as you touch your hands towards the floor beside your right hip. Go the other direction and touch the floor beside your left hip this time. That is one rep. Do the same for 40 rotations on each direction.

• Heels to Heaven

Lie on your back and then extend both legs toward the ceiling and make it as straight as you can with your feet flexed. This will be your starting position. Contract the abs, push your heels up the ceiling, then lift the pelvis off the floor for as high as possible while keeping your legs at a vertical position. Return to your starting position and do the same until you finish 25 reps.

• Hip Rock ‘n’ Raise

With your soles together and your knees wide, lie on your back as you put your feet in this butterfly position. Now, lift your feet off of the floor until they are approximately above the belly button. Make sure that your knees are still apart and that your soles are together as you execute this position. Then, squeeze your abs, lift the hips from the floor for as high as you can. Reverse the move but maintain the legs in a butterfly position and then lower your hips as well as your feet on the floor. Make 25 reps total.

• Fifer Scissors

With your feet flexed, lie on your back and extend your legs. For about 6 inches, lift your legs off the floor. While keeping the left leg still, lift the right leg to the ceiling and then as far back as possible while keeping the legs straight. For two counts, hold the position right there. For another two counts, switch your leg’s position. Lift your legs alternately and continue doing so until you complete all of the 24 reps.

• Oblique V-ups

This time, lie on the right side with your feet stacked and your legs and torso at an angle about 30 degrees. Extend the right arm at your side with your palms down and then put the left hand behind your head. Keep the legs straight then simultaneously lift both legs and torso while using your forearm and right hip for balance. Next, draw your left knee and left elbow towards one another. Reverse the move and lower your torso and your legs to the floor. Do so for 25 reps and then turn over to your left side to repeat the same moves.

• Bicycles

While using the floor behind you to balance with your hands, sit on the floor, bend your knees, and lay your feet flat. Slightly lean back and then lift your feet off the floor. Keep your back straight and your chest up. Now, cycle your feet alternately, out and then back, like you would a recumbent bike. Start with the right foot. Complete 25 reps as you count 1 rep every time the left knees cycle back.

• Reverse Bicycles

You can do the same movement as the Bicycles above but cycle in the opposite direction like your pedaling your feet in reverse in a recumbent bike.

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