Review: P90X

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

p90x

The P90X Extreme Home Fitness Program

Overview: I started the P90X workout program in mid-October and completed the 90 days in mid-January. It was a terrific program to do throughout the winter. I would recommend the program for anyone who is currently in relatively good shape and who can handle a very intense workout and has the time to commit to the program, which was about 60 – 90 minutes a day, six days a week. The program is based on muscle confusion, so you are constantly doing something new and different. Each workout has a variety of exercises, and the overall workouts are constantly changing.

The Instructor: Tony Horton is the instructor in each video that you will watch. I found Tony very entertaining, encouraging, and a great instructor. He has the perfect personality for someone you will be spending 90 minutes a day with for the next 90 days. He provides a lot of humor, while at the same time encourages you to do your best. He also does a great job, for almost every exercise, of showing you the normal method of performing the exercise, as well as an easier modified method, and a more difficult method of performing the exercise.

Results: I noticed huge results after completing the full 90 days of doing the P90X program. What I personally noticed was an increase in overall core strength. This program does an excellent job of working your entire body. I was very impressed in the overall balance of strength I had after completing this. It forced me to work muscle groups that I typically prefer not to work. My physique definitely reflected the results of 90 days of intense workouts. My biggest regret is that I didn’t do any of the pre-measurements as recommended in the book, in order to provide some quantitative results. My entire body slimmed up, especially in my waist and belly. I was actually showing a six-pack by the end of the 90 days. I put size on my chest, back, arms and legs. And my overall fitness level – endurance, flexibility, and strength, has been the best it has ever been.

Workouts: The overall P90X program offers three different programs that you can follow: Classic, Lean, and Doubles. I followed the Classic program. The program is basically divided into 3 months. Each month consists of six workouts you do for three weeks, followed by a fourth week that focuses on your Core. The six workouts typically cover all of your major muscle groups, chest, back, triceps, biceps, shoulders, abdominals, and legs (all in various combinations). As well as workouts that focus on different aspects like flexibility, plyometrics, and cardio. Every workout can simply be described as fun and intense. I love the fact that you are constantly doing something different in each workout, that you never seem to grow bored.

Equipment Needed: So there are several items that you’ll want to purchase, or make sure you have in order to perform all of the workouts.

pull-up bar

dumbells (5lbs up to 45lbs or more depending on your fitness level)

an excercise mat (for abdominal exercises)

bands (which can be used in place of dumbells and/or pull-up bar)

push-up bars (not needed, but certainly help increase range of motion)

clipboard (be sure to keep track of your progress so you can continue to improve)

TV & DVD player (which may sound obvious, but its not always available in your workout room)

I cheated: Let me share a few things that I cheated on. The first was the nutrition. I did not follow the nutrition guide that was provided. The guide is a terrific resource, but I know my limitations. I was not about to change our entire family’s meal program as I went through this program, just for me. Don’t get me wrong, I think following the nutrition guide would prove excellent results, but that was something I chose to sacrifice. I did however, make some important nutritional changes. I increased my water intake tremendously (between 8 and 12 glasses a day) and I stopped drinking soda, and generally tried to eat healthy. I really made a conscious effort to cut out junk foods and my wife supported me in this with the healthy meals she cooked for our family.

The second item I cheated in was the workouts. There was one workout in particular that I did not enjoy. I’m not saying it wasn’t effective – it was very effective. I simply did not enjoy this. I don’t want to share which one it was as I don’t want to bias you, but you may find that there is a workout you simply don’t enjoy, which may be totally different than what I found. In fact, some of my friends actually enjoyed this particular workout. I forced myself to do that particular workout for the first 8 weeks, but then the last month, I used it as a rest day, or substituted it with a similar workout I enjoyed more.

Continued Use: After completing the P90X workout, I’ve gone back and worked in various P90X workouts into my weekly program. I have an outstanding resource of DVDs that I can easily pop in and not have to think at all about what exercises I need to do, and just follow along and know I’m getting a great workout.

You must Commit: I would recommend this to anyone who is up for the challenge of 3 months of intense workouts. It’s a huge time commitment. However, I guarantee that if you follow this program and stick with it for the full 90 days, continually working to do you best and improve on each workout, while at the same time eating healthy, you WILL notice results. This is basically like any workout program. If you commit to it, eat healthy, and do your best, you’ll see results. The bonus is that this is one is very fun, does an excellent job of providing a total body workout, not just for muscle groups, but flexibility, mind, cardio, and strength, as well as never getting boring.

Rating: 10 out of 10