Day 24: Kenpo tips from P90Xtreme!

Okay, so you've done the Kenpo X four times now. The first time it was kind of a novelty, so you were into it. The second and third time was good, but you were missing something. You weren't really punching anyone, so how do your muscles really feel it beyond an excellent cardio workout?

I know, I wondered the same thing!

Today it was a revelation. I really felt it during the entire workout. I brought it, big time. Star Blocks aside, I was on fire. (Um, well, I at least had a serious temperature!)

P90Xtreme, how do you "Bring" the intensity level to this workout?

I'm so glad you asked! Even though I still can't do "Star @%$& Blocks" I have learned something, Grasshopper!

The answer is: Mirrors!

I don't actually have mirrors, but I amg oing to reveal the poor man's way around this. Obviously, if you have a mirror in your workout room, you are golden. What I have is two glass framed pictures that pretty much do the same thing. I set up my mat (I use the plyo mat to take it easy on my old goalie knees) horizontally across the room directly in the line of the two pictures. These pictures are only about 1" x 1 & 1/2" , but it does the trick. I can see my expression easily when i am facing the pictures. I then do the left punch routines looking at the left picture and the right punches on the opposite.

Umm, P90Xtreme, that's great. Er, really, really great. What an, um, interesting tip...

Yeah, I know what you are thinking. Maybe I punched myself in the head (or residual effects of hockey pucks to the noggin)?

I did hit myself, but I am dead serious. This works. Seeing your form in the mirror/glass is a major motivation to bring the intensity. When I am not looking at my reflection, I sometimes feel kind of foolish punching at nothing. This technique makes you think you're punching yourself.

(It also helps that one of the pictures is a photo of Hockey legend Mark Messier with a bloody face. It kind of sets the tone!)

I wouldn't have been able to do this the first few times because I was learning the routines, but once you feel comfortable

(I still get confused with the punch combinations, so I have to say them out loud as I am punching, like, "JAB-CROSS-CROSS-UPPERCUT!")

I credit this technique with increasing my intensity, especially during the punch/kick routines. I'd love to hear if anyone else has tried something similar. At night you could do it in front of a window and it would accomplish the same thing. Of course, the neighbors might see you, but if a burglar is sneaking up during your routine, there is no doubt that you would scare them away. Especially with all the vocal grunting (highly recommended as well- don't dismiss it as nothing!)

Keep Bringing it!