Can You Do All P90x Routines With Resistance Bands?

The exercises in the P90X workout program require the use of a chin up bar and dumbbells. If, however, you cannot complete some of the exercises due to their difficulty, you may choose to use only the P90X resistance bands. Using the resistance bands is an excellent idea if you are just beginning the P90X program.

P90X Resistance Bands

The recommended resistance band package for the P90X program is the B-LINES Extreme kit. The kit comes with three bands of varying resistance to make the exercises easier or more difficult, depending on your preference. The kit also comes with two handles that you can switch out. Although these are the recommended resistance bands, you can use any resistance bands, provided they are in good condition.

Chin Ups and Pull Ups

Two of the more common exercises in the P90X program are chin ups and pull ups, both of which utilize the chin up bar. You can use resistance bands to make these exercises easier. Hang one band around the bar, sit on a chair underneath the bar and pull down on the handles, simulating the motion of chin ups and pull ups. For chin ups, grasp the handles with your arms shoulder-width apart and your palms facing in. For pull ups, hold the handles so your hands are wider than your shoulders and turn your palms out. Use a resistance that makes the exercises challenging but not impossible. This works out the same muscles, but uses much less resistance than using your own body weight.

Dumbbells

All exercises which utilize dumbbells can also be performed with resistance bands, although the exact positioning of the band depends on the exercise. One example of this is the bicep curl. With dumbbells, you simply lift the dumbbells from waist level to shoulder level, focusing on using only your biceps to lift the weight. To perform this exercise with resistance bands, place the band on the floor, step on the center of the band with both feet, grip the handles and perform the same motion, lifting the handles from your waist to your shoulders. This will work the same muscles, but will make it far easier to complete the exercise. The DVDs of each routine go into more detail and show you exactly how to stand when using resistance bands.

Routines

There are five routines in which you can perform certain exercises with resistance bands. These routines are the chest and back routine, the shoulders and arms routine, the legs and back routine, the backs and biceps routine and the chest, shoulders and triceps routine. As all of the other routines focus more on using your own body weight, like with the yoga routine, you cannot use the resistance bands to complete those exercises.