If you've seen the P90X^® infomercial, gotten excited, and then asked yourself How does P90X work?, then this 12-part series is for you. Part 3 covers the P90X Shoulder and Arm workout.

Shoulders & ArmsThe P90X shoulder and arm workout is effective because it targets an entire area of your body, rather than isolating just one or two muscle groups. This routine goes after the shoulders, the triceps, and the biceps, and since the exercises for all of those muscles also work the other two muscles in the tri-set, all 3 muscle groups get pounded repeatedly by the end of the workout.

To check out the entire list of exercises included in this routine, see my review of the P90X shoulder and arm workout.

The Arm as one Unit

One of the keys to the effectiveness of this workout is that it takes into consideration the real world fact that the muscles in your arms do not work independently of each other. Your shoulders, triceps, and biceps all work together, and this routine includes exercises that target each of those muscles independently, while at the same time using all of them together.

Working these muscles together not only creates intensity and results, but it also prevents injury both during the workout, as well as later on down the road out in the real world. 

Enough rest, but not too Much

Since every set in the P90X shoulder and arm routine includes one exercise that is specifically for each of the 3 muscle groups, the biceps, triceps, and shoulders all get plenty of specific stimulation. However, at the same time, each of those muscles gets to rest before it is used again as the primary targeted muscle.

This combination of maximal stimulation and sufficient rest time allows each of the muscles to be worked effectively, yet without "beating them up" so much that sufficient weights or repetitions cannot be used for subsequent exercises.

Good combination of Angles

Although the selection of exercises in this workout is impressive in its own regard, one of the factors that creates rapid results is that the muscles are all hit from many different angles. Not only does the workout focus on all of the muscles in the upper arms and shoulders, but it hits all of those muscles from multiple angles as well.

The combination of useful exercises along with a multiple-angle approach to stimulating the muscles means great results, but in a short period of time.

Conclusion

When it comes to getting "enjoyment" out of a workout while also getting results, the P90X shoulder and arm routine really shines. It is a very challenging routine, but at the same time, it doesn't wipe you out from a cardiovascular standpoint as much as some of the other P90X routines do.

As with all P90X workouts, however, always remember that P90X is a program that works because of the overall effect that the program provides, rather than just picking and choosing individual routines that you enjoy doing. P90X has 12 workout routines, and not only should you do them all, but you should do them all in the proper order as well. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

Purchase your own copy of P90X®
Join the Million Dollar Body Club
Teach others P90X as a Team Beachbody Coach