P90X Ab Ripper X as a Standalone Workout

In my quest for something resembling six pack abs, I recently began working the P90X Ab Ripper X exercises into my workout routine. In case you are not familiar with P90X, Ab Ripper X is a 17 minute long workout video that is used at the end of some of the other workout routines in the P90X program. Before I say anything else about the program you should know that although I follow the Ab Ripper X routine exactly, and incorporate into my normal exercise regime every other day, I am not currently using it as it is intended as a part of the larger P90X program. I am also not on any special diet. I don't spend all day at the buffet, but I love food. And margaritas.

The first day I tried Ab Ripper X, I could only do about half of the required 25 reps for each of the 11 exercises. Some of this was due to me being slow, and some was due to burnout. I was sore 2 minutes into the workout, and felt like a complete weakling who couldn't fight her way out of a wet paper bag. Regardless of what your muscles look like on the outside, it definitely FELT like things were being worked out. And if there was any doubt, it was cleared up the next day when I attempted to do things that I never knew used my abs before, like getting up out of a chair, or getting into and out of the car. It was like the muscles just didn't work, and when they finally got going, the soreness was hard to forget. In a way though, the pain was motivating, as it was very clear that Ab Ripper X was no joke.

It took about two weeks for me to get through the entire routine in the allotted time with minimum soreness the next day. I've been using Ab Ripper now for about 3 months, and notice a definite difference in my abdominal section. I don't have a 6 Pack, but in dim light I totally have a two pack. It's kinda exciting, as I've never had that line down the middle before. It's encouraging too, as if now that the muscles are there, if I had a few less Margaritas, maybe they'd start to show. I might have to do an update to this.

I would definitely recommend this workout, but make sure to keep your expectations in check. Doing the routine is only part of the battle. You will probably get results doing it as a standalone workout, but Ab Ripper X is designed to fit into a larger diet and exercise program, so 6 pack abs might take a little more work.