P90X Reviews: A Complete Review on the P90X Workout System

If you’ve started using Tony Horton’s P90X Workout System, then you know that it’s not that far off before you’ll be doing chin-ups as part of the workout. Before you get scared, pull-ups and chin-ups are both two of the best exercises that you can do to tone your back, arms and chest. They use your body’s own weight, so the weight that you’re working against is sure to be the right amount for you. That said, these exercises are, in fact, hard. The good news is that Tony Horton guides you to a point where you can do them more easily (though it will still be a challenge) during the P90X workouts prior to the introduction of chin-ups and pull-ups. The other good news is that there’s a handy P90X chin up bar that attaches easily to your door and ensures that you have a safe place to do your chin-ups as well as a bar with a great grip. But the rest is up to you, and you need to be aware of how to correctly do a chin-up safely and effectively. Here are the most important things that you need to think through when doing a chin-up.

Squeeze: In order to reduce calluses and pressure on your hands, squeeze the chin-up bar hard with your fingers, not the palm of your hand.

Breath: Take your breath when you are relaxed at the bottom of your chin-up. It will be easier to fill up with air and get more oxygen in.

Chest Out: Keep your shoulders pulled back and your chest out while pulling up. The other alternative is bad for your back.

Keep Looking Up: Always look up. If you look around or down, you risk neck or shoulder tweaks.

Elbows Down and In: Keep your elbows pointed to the floor in order to keep your stronger back muscles engaged in the exercise.

Legs Bent: Bend your legs and cross your feet. You may also want to get that extra bit of workout by keeping your glutes squeezed on the way up!

If you’d like to consider a Tony Horton workout that doesn’t involve chin-ups, consider Power 90. However, don’t be afraid of the chin-ups (or pull-ups). As you get stronger, they’ll come easier. Before you know it, you’ll be the person doing all of the chin-ups that leaves everybody else staring in amazement.

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