What do you think about p90x?

[Love_is_in_the_air]

Is it really that effective? Every form of exercise has good effect on the body but is the p90x really worth its money?

Updates

+1 y

does it make sense to use the p90X if I m not fat?

[WeaponZero]

P90X overall is a good program that is not perfect but still great. It does a lot of things right, such as:

1. There's no aerobic cardio in P90X. The only cardio workouts you do are anaerobic in nature. Anaerobic cardio is better than aerobic cardio when used in conjunction with a muscle building plan. They both have their benefits but anaerobic cardio is simply the better companion workout to a heavily resistance oriented training plan.

2. They don't ignore the importance of stretching. Twice a week (one mandatory, one optional) you do stretching/yoga oriented workouts.

3. Except for abs (which get 3x a week), and back (which gets 2x a week), each muscle group is only worked once a week to allow for a lot of rest. This is ideal for people looking to add a lot of muscle.

4. The entire resistance portion of the program was designed with the thought in mind that you may be using resistance bands instead of dumbbells, so you can do any exercise with either bands OR dumbbells and still get a killer workout. Many other programs use exercises that simply won't work with bands. This makes it a lot more cost effective than the initial purchase price might seem because buying a super heavy duty set of resistance bands can only set you back like $40 but buying all the dumbbells you would need for the program could set you back hundreds.

Now here's what I don't agree with about P90X:

1. When you get right down to it, it's inefficient. You can get the same results by devoting less than an hour and a half a day and less than 6 days a week to your workout regimen, especially if you have access to a gym.

2. There's a lot of downtime while switching exercises. This is good if you use conventional dumbbells with plates that need to be switched out in between exercises as it allows for the time needed OR are a beginner and genuinely need the rest, but is overall just a very inefficient method of training.

3. The accompanying nutrition plan (which must be followed to the letter if you want to see real results) has you switching up your diet completely every month, which is something you can't do for long term. Once you complete your 90 day "transformation", it's best to switch to a NORMAL nutrition plan if you want to keep doing the workouts.

4. F***ing hour and a half of Yoga every Thursday while on the plan. %#*&## I HATE THAT YOGA DVD! Fortunately with the newer one, P90X2, they've realized that the Yoga portion of P90X could have done with a lot of improvement and was unnecessarily long.

5. A big portion of the overall workout program revolves around doing different varieties of pullups often which you can't really do on a doorframe mounted chinup bar like the Iron Gym (which is what most of us have) because you don't have the ROOM you need to be able to do the ones they want you to do when working with a doorframe mounted chinup bar. You're better off doing lat pulldowns with heavy duty resistance bands like the one dude in the video.

[WeaponZero]

In all the videos there's one dude doing an alternative to the pullups - He's doing variations of lat pulldowns on super heavy duty resistance bands looped over a ceiling-mounted bar. If all you have to work with is a simple doorframe mounted pullup bar such as the Iron Gym it's better to do these resistance band pulldowns because you WILL NOT be able to use the proper FORM needed with the pullup variations they give you when working within the confines of a doorframe based system.

[WeaponZero]

So get a good set of HEAVY DUTY resistance bands with a door hook and use that instead.

[WeaponZero]

Another reason I don't like P90X is that doing ab-specific exercises is totally unnecessary with a PROPER resistance training plan. When working with free weighs and integrating compound movements into your regimen (which P90X does not--it focuses mainly on isolation exercises) you will be getting your core involved in your lifts, eliminating the need to do exercises that target the core later on. The ab workout they make you do 3 days a week is basically a way of making up for the lack of

[WeaponZero]

compound movements in the resistance training portion of the workouts. Another reason I see it as inefficient. My personal trainer has laid out a plan for me that does not involve a single abs exercise. There's no need for them when you work proper compound movements into your resistance training.

[Love_is_in_the_air]

woah you really know your stuff. a majour set back for me is that I don't have a chin up bar or ruber bands and I can't really follow the nutrion plan because I m a student and I have lectures sometimes from 8 am sometimes till 8 pm. if you want to follow everything in the books then you need to have no life ! its so impossible...and right now I m doing a research of my own and I m modifying the program so that I can do it in the gym without jumping around and looking like a fool :P

[WeaponZero]

The bands are easy to get and cheap. Order a set off amazon.com for $40 or so that will do you fine. Best brands are Lifeline USA, Bodylastics, and Ripcords. P90X can be done very well in a gym and trust me nobody will knock you for doing plyometrics or kenpo x or yoga x in the gym. People do that all the time.

[WeaponZero]

As far as the nutrition plan goes yeah, if you're a college student who doesn't have access to a stove and oven in your dorm then the recipe guide for the nutrition plan is out of the question. But buying a $20 George Foreman grill will be all you need along with a microwave oven, trust me. =)

[WeaponZero]

Yes it does. In fact if fat burning is not a priority for you then it becomes much easier because following the super-strict nutrition program they give you with it isn't as important. If fat burning isn't your main priority then you should follow a 40/40/20 macronutrient profile (which is similar to what they have you eat during month 2) while following a workout program like that. 40% carbs, 40% protein, 20% fat.

[WeaponZero]

But honestly if you're already in good shape there are other more efficient programs that don't have you working out as often or as long. Download the Athlean X program. It's similar to P90X but the difference is it's in ebook format (so you can put it on your phone or ipod and take it to the gym) and it was designed to be done in a gym, NOT with home equipment. Like P90X it is a 90 day program. However unlike P90X it only has you working out 4-5 days a week (depending on what month)

[WeaponZero]

And because the workouts revolve a lot around doing compound movements they are much shorter (no more than 45 minutes) with less of an emphasis on dedicated ab workouts. The accompanying nutrition plan doesn't switch your sh*t up month to month. I don't want to say it's BETTER than P90X overall, but it's definitely better if you're already in good shape and losing a lot of fat isn't your goal.

[Love_is_in_the_air]

gosh thanks a lot man ^^

[WeaponZero]

No prob. What exactly are your goals?

[Love_is_in_the_air]

to get toned and get my abs back and I guess I could loose some leg fat :P

[WeaponZero]

Sounds like Insanity is more your fashion than P90X. Insanity gets you leaner, more toned, and serves as a better base for an athletic fitness level. The workouts are shorter than P90X but a lot more intense.

[toolt00l]

I did p90x for a while and I must say.. even though, yes, it is very effective, I've noticed a couple major flaws and quit after 2 weeks.

1. Working out in your home is such a pain. Depending on where you live you often don't have enough room to do some of the excersised. When you're jumping around banging on your floor it can become super distracting, and I often got a claustraphobic feeling.

2. Some of the moves feel awkward in such tight places. The pullup bar on a door frame is noticably more difficult than a pullup bar you'd find at a gym. Jumping up and down on chairs feels awkward and its hard to find a nice place to do abs.

3. It gets boring quick. Going to the gym motivates you to work out because you're getting out of your house. Getting exercise at home can be more difficult because for some reason you're naturally lazy, as if its because you feel like you don't feel the need to try hard because no one is watching you. Its just boring and unmotivating.

The thing about p90x that makes is affective is not the exercise itself, but the schedule. P90x forces you to do a series of exercises every day for 90 days and THIS is why it works. You could do anything for 90 days straight and see improvement.

My suggestion is that unless you have a nice place in your home to work out, you don't use p90x. Instead create your own daily workout and force yourself to stay on top of the schedule. See what YOU can do in 90 days with your own schedule. Create something that touches every muscle group and cardio, Space things out correctly and ad a couple rest days. With the right work out you can change your body just as effectively as the p90x routine.

[beerY33]

If you can really get into it it's definitely useful... if you're going to try it out and give up on it for one reason or another, it's obviously not worth it... They're hella good workouts, if you actually do them, though. Even if you can actually get through the entire thing (if it's too much, like poeticninja suggested) if you do as much as you can, it's still really great, and each time you can do more.

[HannahC]

Not saying I did this, but I know someone who did, but they knew someone with the cd's and they burned the whole series. funny, there's a p90x ad next to your question. But that stuff is intense.

[YobootyStank]

I heard the guy from twilight did p90x for the movie. I tried doing insanity OMG that was extreme xD

[DrPain]

Yes, P90x is one of the best workout systems devised. I did it twice and got great results. Before doing it I thought I was in decent shape, but was proved wrong by P90x which put me into great shape! the workouts are intense and depending on the workout yes they can be long in duration. Hard work isn't easy right? This is plain old hard work at its best. And you will earn muscle quickly. Worth the money. Although I would say to be very careful and learn the proper form of the exercises before diving into the program. I've got a few injuries (tendon strains) from lifting too much and too often. Not P90x's fault, sadly my own.

[Love_is_in_the_air]

are the results after 1st ime with p90x really that great? I did an internet search through bodybuilders forums and a lot of people claimed its a waste of money and time and people on here say its a great workout and I don't know what to think lol. but I will start it. do you think that resistance bands are good replcements for the chin up bar and the dumbbells?

[DrPain]

Its great after every time you do it. P90x has a lot of calisthenics and body weight exercises too, while these do build some muscle you aren't going to be huge. Also what I deduced myself is that because the workouts are long it's hard to find a balance between endurance and strength training. Body builders will say its a waste because you won't get 20" biceps. maybe not that big, but you'll get ripped none the less.

[DrPain]

I would stick with the dumbells and chip up bar if possible, as these will help work additional muscles besides the actual muscle group being targeted. If not possible yes that's the way to go.

[TheDigitalSaint]

It depends upon what your goals are. Some people are ashamed to go to the gym if they are overweight at the current moment. For some, it is easier to exercise at home. For others, they prefer working out in a group environment like a gym. P90x is effective as both a fat loss program and to sclup muscles, but isn't a body building program for guys. If your goal is to really bulk up, you probably need a different program, as P90x has a fair bit of cardio. If it matches your goals, P90x is a solid program. Basically like with any exercise routine, once you do it properly and consistently, you'll get results.

[iXenomorph]

THIS IS THE X, IN P90X.

Reason not to do it:

- You're a female.

- You're a weakling.

- You're a p****.

- You like easy stuff.

- You're undisciplined.

- You like being a fat f***.

Reasons to do it:

- You're tough.

- You're badass.

- You're awesome.

I'm a p90X Graduate, and it turns you into a MONSTER. YOU WILL NOT GO THROUGH A DAY WITHOUT CRAVING INTENSE MUSCLE PAINS. You will become A F***ING BEAST.

Do it if you're badass, don't if you're a p****!

[Love_is_in_the_air]

well now I deffinetely must try it xD is there really a great change after 90 days with it?

[iXenomorph]

Uh no, there's a great change 2 weeks after trying it...

In 90 days you become a sex god.

[WeaponZero]

haha. nice reply.

[angelwithin]

BEST ANSWER #2 lol just for the reply of the "sex god"

[Love_is_in_the_air]

yeaj agreed, motivation is important thing :D and that's what this dude did to me

[iXenomorph]

No I'm serious dude my penis got a six pack.

[Amillia1981]

So your saying that this is not for girls because I was thinking of getting it but all the guys seem so ripped and I don't want all that muscle for a girl. I think its made for guys but maybe you can tell me what you think.

[iXenomorph]

Not for girls.

[WeaponZero]

P90X is based off of a program that involves building muscle first and burning fat second. It's not for "toning" or for basic weight loss. It revolves around doing a muscle split style workout which is similar to how bodybuilders train, just modified. In the case of women, this style of training has been proven to lead to bone problems such as osteoporosis after menopause. There is another workout program called ChaLEAN Extreme from the makers of P90X that was designed more for women.

[WeaponZero]

I highly recommend that any woman looking into P90X go to ChaLEAN Extreme instead.

[WeaponZero]

There is a way of switching up the workouts in P90X to do something called P90X Lean which puts a greater emphasis on the cardio/fat burning/toning aspect than the muscle building, but really its still got nothing on ChaLEAN Extreme for the goals of a woman.

[G-Daz]

It would work if you stuck to it, but I think it'd be a better idea to invest that money elsewhere. Why not join a gym or enter a martial art or pay for something that will make you work that you enjoy. It'll tone you up and give you a new skill

[sephora]

last summer, I did the p90x program because my dad was doing it, and I relized that yoga is no joke. aha.

[Caustic_Fox]

from what I've heard. good for cardio and fat loss, not good for muscle gain

[Anonymous]

i've heard nothing but good things, bu you gotta stickw ith it

[Anonymous]

It looks like it is, my uncle has done the whole thing twice before and it's very intense

[PoeticNinja]

Too much for beginners.

[Love_is_in_the_air]

good thing I m not one :D

[WeaponZero]

Actually P90X is very beginner-friendly when done with resistance bands. The only areas where someone who isn't an advanced user might have trouble are with Plyo X and Yoga X. Everything else in the workout can be modifed to a beginner friendly level. For pullups you simply do lat pulldowns using a resistance band with lighter resistance.

[fieldhockeygirl]

it works you just have to keep doing it and not give upp

[Deepthinker25]

yes its effective but only if you "bring it"

[Deepthinker25]

and keep pushing that play button

[WeaponZero]

You sound like a beachbody coach. Next you'll be trying to sell me Shakeology =P

[Deepthinker25]

haha, fo sho

[AnonymousRussian]

It's only good until you finish it. Then what?