The P90X Book Club

Quite a few of the folks in the P90X videos have made films, ranging from comedies to dramas to hardcore porn. But did you know that even more of 'em write books?

Tony Horton wrote one. (IMHO, it's not very good, but whatever.)

So did Pam the Blam (under her "Nashieqa Washington" pen name).

And let's not forget Mark Sisson.

The latest author to emerge from the P90X ranks? Joe Bovino.

I know it's been awhile, but you remember Joe from the "P90X Shoulders & Arms" video, right? The guy with fully-shaved armpits? He's written a book describing the "ethnic and regional subcultures of American women" in the format of a bird watching guidebook.

And no, I'm not making this up.

You have no idea how much I wish I had a copy of the book to review for you, but the "Field Guide to Chicks" isn't out yet. You can, however, click here to visit Joe's Facebook page and check out a preview of the book.



I swear: P90X is a gift that just keeps giving.

(Thanks to David Kohrell for the heads-up!)

Blam!

It's been over a year since I last interviewed my all-time favorite P90X personality, so I'm excited that Pam the Blam is back to answer more questions from her fans in this new video:



Sounds like she'll be posting more videos on her YouTube channel, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out Pam's Facebook page here (and order a copy of her book while you're at it).

As you heard, Pam's trying out a Paleo eating approach. (Did she say it's because of this blog? Because that kind of blows my mind.) Now that the ass-kickingest P90Xer in the universe is doing it, what are you waiting for?

KFC, Krispy Kreme, and Luther Vandross

You know about Luther Burgers, right? They're burgers with glazed donuts in place of the bun. Here on the West Coast, where In-N-Out Burgers are often located within spitting distance of a Krispy Kreme, a cult of Krispy Kreme / In-N-Out Luther Burgers has been spawned. (Added bonus: They're named after Luther Vandross.)

It was only a matter of time before someone decided to cobble together a hybrid KFC Double Down / Krispy Kreme sandwich -- possibly both the best and worst fast food sandwich ever created. Check this out:

(Thanks for the link, Pam!)

P90X Plyometrics Review

A few years ago, researchers conducted an experiment to test the effects of plyometric training. Runners who’d been running for half a year were divided into two groups: One that added plyometric moves to their exercise routines, and one that didn’t. Six weeks later, the runners who did plyo work saw improvement in their running economy, while those in the control group didn’t.

Over the years, plyometric drills have been shown to improve overall athleticism -- it boosts one’s explosive power, speed, cardiovascular health, flexibility, balance, and stamina. So it’s pretty awesome that P90X devotes an hour to jump-training.

After the jump: My P90X Plyo review.

Pam the Blam Wants to Be Your Coach!

As you know, I've talked enough smack about Beachbody that there's no chance in hell I would ever pass the approval process to become an independent Beachbody coach.

Still, I know a lot of you are eying P90X products, equipment and supplements. And if you're going to open up your wallet to order a bucket of Shakeology or whatever, you might as well buy the stuff from an awesome, committed Beachbody coach. Plus, a good Beachbody coach (as opposed to the vast sea of do-nothing coaches out there) can offer training advice, encouragement and inspiration -- all critical elements to a successful workout program.

Who better, then, to guide you through your fitness journey than one of the original P90X superstars, Pam the Blam? She's a newly-minted Beachbody coach, and is putting out the welcome mat for all who are interested in her free coaching services. Plus, when you buy Beachbody products through Pam, a portion of the proceeds will go to the non-profit headed up by Scott Fifer. After having read all about Pam, I'm you already feel like you know her, so why not take the plunge?

By the way, Pam didn't ask me to say this, but if you were already assigned a coach by TeamBeachbody.com and want to switch, I've read that you can let Beachbody know by emailing them with your name and screen name, as well as Pam's name (Pamela Moore) and her screen name, "pamtheblam."

Here's what Pam has to say:

Thanks to blogger extraordinaire Fitbomb for letting me make this announcement.

It's Pam the Blam and I finally decided to become a Beachbody Coach! Before now, I was otherwise busy living life and couldn’t give 100% but I’m here now. It’s clear that Beachbody is genuinely committed to helping improve lives and I'm also passionate about helping people make changes for the better. The genius combination of physical fitness, the possibility of financial security and helping others as I reach toward my goals is too great an opportunity to let pass. And since it's important that I contribute to a higher purpose, keep in mind that when you purchase Beachbody products through me, you’ll also be supporting the GO Campaign (started by P90xer Scott Fifer). Be well and do good!!

If you want to talk about your challenges and triumphs, become a Coach or just say “Hello” - shoot me an email by clicking “Contact Me!” on my Beachbody homepage.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Who is Pam the Blam?

A month and a half into P90X, I've become increasingly (obsessively?) curious about Tony & Pals. And why not? Not only are they ridiculously buff (with the exception of pasty Kenpo master Wesley Idol, who has the pallor and muscle tone of wet dough but could nonetheless break me in half), I'm currently spending more time with them than with my closest friends. Plus, many of Tony's cohorts have incredibly compelling backgrounds. Erik Stolhanske is just one example.

Take Pamela Moore -- a.k.a. "Pam the Blam." Tony describes her as a "private investigator," which is already pretty fucking cool, but from her online bio, it appears that she's more than just a detective for hire. Among other numerous and diverse accomplishments, Pam:

• Studied with the Groundlings!
• Served in the Air Force as a "medical professional"!
• Earned a paralegal certificate, a grant-writing certificate, and a license to sell insurance!
• Started her own business!
• Worked as a legislative assistant for a politician!
• Has "been on the Space Shuttle immediately after re-entry" (whatever that means)!
• Was a contestant on "The Weakest Link"!
• Ran a homeless feeding program!
• Performed weekly readings for the blind!
• Lectured at Cal State Northridge!
• Authored a book under the pen name "Nashieqa Washington" entitled "Why Do Black People Love Fried Chicken"! (Here's the "About the Author" page from the book.)
• Runs a website called YourBlackFriend.com ("Your #1 Web Source for Questions About Black People") also using the "Nashieqa Washington" alias!
• Has provided commentary for NPR!
• Moved to Panama, and then Guatemala, and then Denver(?)!

If Tony had read Pam's résumé before they shot P90X, there's no way he'd settle for a nickname as prosaic as "Pam the Blam." I'm sure he would have bestowed upon her a more evocative moniker, like "Pam the Flying Medical Professional" or "Public Radio Pam" or "Nashieqa Washington."

Admit it: Of all of Tony's sweaty minions, Pam the Blam is now your hands-down favorite, too. Go friend her on Facebook!

[OCT. 2009 UPDATE: Pam contacted me after reading this post, and I had the opportunity to interview her at length. Read it here.]

[JAN. 2011 UPDATE: Pam's back with a new video -- and she's gone Paleo!]

P90X Day 44: Plyometrics (& A Note About Erik Stolhanske)

Plyo's my favorite of all the cardio-centric P90X videos, and I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that Erik, one of Tony's workout minions, is performing all the moves on a prosthetic leg. Watching him nail each one of the leaps, jumps, lunges and squats on just one foot reminds me that I have no excuse for being lazy or sloppy during Plyo. Erik's agility and coordination perfectly demonstrate how people with physical disabilities can kick massive quantities of ass.

There is, however, one Erik-related piece of business that bugs me every time I watch Plyo:

Tony, who babbles about the day jobs of just about every single one of his trainers (Sophia's studying to be a dentist! Dreya's a world-famous aerialist and gymnast! Phil and Joe are attorneys! Katie's an interior decorator! Dave's a substitute teacher and a karate man! Pam's a private investigator! Adam's a dancer and a trainer!), NEVER ONCE MENTIONS that Erik Stolhanske is a member of the Broken Lizard comedy group and an incredibly successful movie actor, screenwriter and comedian to boot.

Just an oversight? I don't think so. Last month, Tony Horton posted on Facebook a list of all the celebrities he believes have tried P90X. He goes so far as to include an L.A.-based local news anchor, but Erik is nowhere to be found on the list.

Perhaps this stems from professional jealousy. Tony's co-starring role in a soft-core porn flick doesn't stack up well against Erik's guest-starring spots on critically acclaimed shows like "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Six Feet Under," or against his writing credits and starring roles in movies like "Beerfest," "Club Dread" and "Super Troopers." But given that Tony can't seem to shut up about everyone else's jobs, would it kill him to acknowledge that Erik's more than just a guy who can jump around on a plastic leg?

[Want to learn more about the P90X gang? Click to read about Tony Horton's acting career, Dreya Weber's omnisexuality, Maren's hardcore porn stardom, Muscular Attorney Phil's lie-detecting capabilities, Wesley Idol's bafflingly half-assed performance in Kenpo X, Joe Bovino's cross-cultural dating expertise, and Pam the Blam's alter ego, Nashieqa Washington.]

P90X Day 42: X Stretch

Although X Stretch is the easiest of the P90X routines (it's just stretching, after all), I'm happy that it features three of my favorite Tony Horton Henchpeople: Pam The Blam, Muscular Attorney Phil and Freakishly Flexible Shawna. I enjoy working out "with" them (and also Zero-Percent-Body-Fat Adam and Ex-Marine Tony) because they're hardcore and not annoying like some of Tony's other workout pals. (Yes, I'm talking about you, Katie-Who-Won't-Shut-Up from Back & Biceps.) I especially get a kick out of Phil because he occasionally looks like he wants to punch Tony in the face.

After completing X Stretch today, I tried using my new foam roller to mobilize my IT band, hamstrings and lower back -- it's amazing how much tension I can isolate with the roller. I'm hesitant to add even more time to my morning workouts, but it's probably a good idea to incorporate a roller routine into my daily cool-downs.