FITNESS ZONE
REVIEW: P90X
You’ve heard about it, and now you wonder if it’s worth it.
How me and Tony Horton got together is sort of an interesting chain of events. My TaeKwonDo club decided to use his tapes for the occasional class. Being the cheap S.O.B. that I am, I figured I could get in better shape at home and skip all the jumping around in white pajamas nonsense ( and all the high fees that come with it ).
P90X is a 12 DVD workout program designed to do what everyone else promises you…a ripped body and all that jazz. Maybe even make you a better person, lover, and spiritually in touch with the very mind of God. Alright, I made that last part up.
The setup of the program is fantastic, and I must say had never really been done before. One month of workouts, only to switch it up for month 2 and again at month 3. It involves weight training, plyometrics, yoga, and various cardio options. The concept is muscle confusion…always adding something new. You’ll use worksheets to monitor your progress and a diet program to help you understand that training and McDonald’s are two mutually exclusive concepts!
I’ve been doing P90X for about 2 years now with the occasional break to try another program. I don’t concern myself with the diet program too much as I’m a very healthy eater as it is ( kosher-fish-oval-vegetarian…say it fast kids. ).
So how have the results been?
Well, I’m still waiting for women to throw their undergarments at me as I walk down the street ( wife says she’s ok with that ). That aside, I’m healthier at 38 than I was at 20 by a long shot. I have gained in muscle mass and have lost the “love handles” from when I started. I have more ab definition, although I have a ways to go before I’m grating cheese or deflecting bullets on them. For some of us, 90 days is not quite enough!
What stands out about P90X is that it is a standalone program. That being you can continue with it past 90 days and incorporate it into a daily routine. No other program can really claim that.
So what about Tony Horton? Personally I like the guy because there’s none of that FAKE workout instructor crap. You know EXACTLY what I’m talking about…the over hyped, over supportive, phony personality you want to hit with a brick. Tony is Tony. He does his reps, makes a few jokes, and has casual conversations with the “kids”…who by the way, are not all dressed according to color codes and doing reps in sync!! Real freaking people doing real freaking training. Novel concept!
The set and the music are also exceedingly well done. No flashy colors, but a nice basic-black rustic set made to look like an old gym. The music is canned, but has a “rock-ish” flavor that would appeal to most anybody.
If I had to say anything negative, it would be the length of the Yoga DVD…90 minutes ( the rest are 1 hour or less ). However, it is GOOD yoga and has done wonders for my crappy back. Lately I substitute one of his other Yoga DVD’s from his One On One series as I have 3 kids and my time is tightly managed!
I have to give this a 5 Stars out of 5, just because after 2 years I still use it. Plus I also have used Tony’s other workouts with great pleasure: P90X+ and One On One. But it seems you always find yourself going back to P90X eventually.
By the way, I’m not a Beachbody coach or connected with the company in any way. Too many reviews out there that are if you ask me.
P90X REVIEW- 10 YEARS LATER
Kenny
July 6, 2016 at
How should I incorporate my twice weekly Shotokan class into the 90 days of P90X and avoid any overuse or over training issues?
Dysfunctional Parrot
July 6, 2016 at
Speaking as a former Shotokan practitioner, I’d stick with the classic schedule and reduce Plyo X and Yoga to once every two weeks. Overtraining is unlikely as long as you get enough sleep and good nutrition.
erickson
December 30, 2013 at
Hello DP. What supplements do you take while doing p90x? BB products are not available in my area so i’m trying to research for not-so-expensive alternatives. Thanks!
Dysfunctional Parrot
December 30, 2013 at
I use Vega Sport as my primary source of workout supplements.
http://vegasport.com/products/
david t lowe
February 15, 2013 at
i agree the yoga is too long a lot of it is because of instruction (most people haven’t don yoga) I ended up not using the video and doing all the moves for twenty seconds this cuts the time down a lot. You will still have that relaxed feeling when you are finished.
The Convivial Coach
July 5, 2012 at
I couldn’t agree more…great workout…doing my second round after a 20 pound relapse.
Wes
December 19, 2009 at
Cheap, low-calorie food? Tuna from a can. Yum! Water tuna is better, but if you're a normal person, maybe mix one can water kind with one can of (drained) oil kind. Check the protein, carbs, and calories on those bad boys! Fish is good!
And the best part? Clean-up is throwing the can away. Wow! (Yes, even tuna can be exciting if you try….)
Andrew Logue
December 3, 2009 at
Whoa thanks! I can do that. I already eat a lot of those foods….its all the other shit I eat that hurts me.
Dysfunctional Parrot
December 2, 2009 at
A good place to start is Michi's Ladder:
http://www.focused-on-fitness.com/nutrition/michi…
Eat stuff from Tiers 1 or 2 and you can more or less stuff your face. Being that I avoid gluten, don't eat red meat, go kosher, and am primarily a vegetarian, I don't count the calories that much.
But if you can avoid eating 3 hours before bed ( burn more while you sleep ), and eat from these guidelines, then you're miles ahead of the norm.
Andrew Logue
December 2, 2009 at
Dudes do you have any advice for cheap low calorie diets? I've been working out hardcore for like, 9 weeks now but I still don't have a solid diet plan.
Brad
December 1, 2009 at
I keep finding a way to come back to P90X too.
FitnessMeetsOpportun
September 23, 2009 at
I'm in Phase 2 of my P90X and it is kicking me in the butt. I'm still working out in the gym so I think both workouts are catching up with me. I'm looking forward to Insanity as well. Health is Wealth, pass it on…
Andrew Logue
September 23, 2009 at
Dude I want to try this. What kind of equipment do I need to buy?
DysfunctionalParrot
September 24, 2009 at
A decent set of weights and a chin-up bar will do ya. But don't waste any money buying the plain bar that goes across a door…it won't be enough. You'll need something like this:
http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_gear/p90…
I managed to find a knock-off that works just as well.
Pudricion
May 1, 2022 at
La pestelencia que sale de Tony’s Boca es orible. El Xp90 es para los mojeros y El aire de los peos.
KenpoX meh da defensa para mi lo mehor es las patatas y El tres direction patatas.
Antonio Hortenzio es UN Gran trainador y sege ciendo El cam peo on de los coaches.
Gracias
P90X Results
September 22, 2009 at
Man, you nailed the review on the head. I'm only on day 23, but man do i feel a million times better than day 0. This is a real life changer.