P90X creator Tony Horton shows you how to do a 'spinning' push-up: Try This! - Los Angeles Times
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P90X creator Tony Horton shows you how to do a ‘spinning’ push-up: Try This!

<p class=â€p1â€>P90x creator and fitness expert Tony Horton shows us a combination of three moves that work the upper body, core and cardio and legs.<br /><br /></p>

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Modify, modify, modify.

Tony Horton chants it like a mantra, and you’ll see why with this insane workout that involves “spinning†push-ups.

Here, the P90x creator shares this killer combo that will tax even the fittest among you. So, as Horton likes to say, do your best and forget the rest. Start out slow. You can always pick up the speed and intensity as your fitness improves. One bonus about this heart-pounding workout: You can do it anywhere, no equipment needed.

What it does

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This circuit works out the upper body, core and legs, and it adds a potent cardio pump.

How to do it

The circuit begins with spinning plyo push-ups. It’s just like the name implies. Beginners, however, will do a push-up and then “walk†their hands and feet 90 degrees or so to the right or left, and then do another push-up. (If you can’t do a push-up, do a half push-up, Horton says.) Continue until you’ve come full circle. You can then reverse the circle or move on to the next move. The fitter among you can “hop†your body and go as far as you can in between push-ups, but you need speed and coordination to make it happen.

Next up, a martial-arts-meets-kickboxing combo: Throw a right hook elbow, use your left to throw an “over the top†punch that will end somewhere around your hips, go back to your right hand for a downward strike that aims at the floor. Then get ready to “sprawlâ€: Squat so your hands are on the floor, then hop (or walk) your feet back out behind you so you are in plank position. Hop or walk your feet back to your hands and stand to finish off the move. You’ll alternate sides. (Start the next round with a left hook elbow, etc.)

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Phew!

“Oh, my gosh … makes a regular burpee look like a nap,†Horton exclaims during his demo.

Finish up with an 80/20 squat. Put most of your weight on the right leg, with the remaining balanced on the toes of your left leg, which should be positioned slightly behind you. Squat, aiming to touch your fingers to the ground, and then jump up into the air, arms overhead. (You can modify these by taking out the jump and just standing in between squats.) The fitter among you can make this a 90/10 squat, so you’re nearly doing this all on one leg, using your back leg for little more than balance.

How many

The circuit looks like this: As many push-ups as you can, following by 30 seconds on each side of the punches and sprawl combo. Then 12 to 20 squats on each side. You can work your way up to five circuits, three to five times a week.

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“Modify,†Horton says. “The goal is more about just showing up.â€

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