FITNESS ZONE
PARROT REVIEW: Top 10 Hybrid-Workouts
If there’s one question I get asked the most, it’s “can I have your baby?”. The next most common is what do I feel are my favorite hybrid workouts for programs like P90X. These are both excellent questions that I do indeed have opinions on.
Back in the old days of 2003 when P90X was practically the only true contender for home fitness, hybrid workouts were limited to combining Tony Horton to your mothers old 20 Minute Workout VHS tapes. Thankfully times have changed and we are now swimming in a figurative ocean of workout videos. Thus in no particular order I present to you the top 10 workout hybrids as chosen by the Internet’s preeminent fitness guru.
10. P90X3 / T25
I get it. You wake up and by Odin’s beard you’re going to wrap this show up in less than 30 minutes. But you still want functional fitness so you have the energy to whip the slaves at work.
Enter Tony and Shaun. One part functional fitness, one part total cardio.
The one thing I like is how seamless these two are. You can do one day of Tony with weights, then alternate with practically any T25 workout. The weights are not excessive in T25 so over-training is not a danger, and the cardio in P90X3 is not over the top so the overlap shouldn’t affect recovery.
9. BODY BEAST / MAX 30
But wait Parrot! I need more. First, stop talking to your screen because I can’t actually hear you. But I can feel you and I have the answer to what ails your soul…a no holds barred assault that swings to both sides of the pendulum: ruthless muscle training combined with cardio from depths of Hell.
Due to Body Beast’s almost complete dearth of cardio, feel free to alternate days of 1BB/1M30. Be sure to do the Max 30 strength days when they don’t conflict with similar muscle groups on either side.
8. Tai CHENG / BODY BEAST
Yet another option is to fore-go cardio entirely. Who needs it right? The days of us running from Woolly Mammoth stampedes are things that maybe our parents had to contend with, but I’m fairly sure we’re cool. So lets just get big. The problem with being ONLY big, is that you’re not much use for anything else.
Throw a little Tai Cheng in the mix and your bulging “Beasty” muscles will gain incredible benefits like, uh…being able to scratch your own back. Because if you’re not flexible, you’re just a big brick.
Try a schedule of 3 Body Beast workouts for every one Tai Cheng. This will maintain your primary focus on strength. You can add more Tai Cheng if you wish depending on your goals.
7. RUTHLESS / 21 Day Fix EXTREME
Combine Autumn’s circuit training with the menacing intensity of Steve Uria and you have a considerable core assault of epic proportions.
This a simple one to one ratio. Autumn will bring some weights to help with resistance and Steve will bust your internal organs with gut crushing core work.
6. STRONGER / T25
As a body weight program, STRONGER is sensational. For cardio/core T25 is a great program all it’s own. Why not combine the benefits of both and thus fill the gaps in each? The added bonus? You get two for the price of one as STRONGER is free.
5. P90X2 / Max 30
You want nothing holding you back. You are a juggernaut of unstoppable physical prowess and you need to justify that over priced energy drink in your shopping cart. Gird your loins, because each of these programs are amazing all their own. Combine them together? Let’s just say that you will ignore nutrition at your own peril. Only those with advanced physical stamina should even consider this hybrid.
Ideally, I found that alternating weeks worked best for me as to not break the flow. You can also simply substitute out X2 cardio for Max 30, but you would be missing out more than you’d gain.
4. Asylum / CIZE
You’re an athlete. You want to jump high, run faster and tear the track up.
But you also want to dance baby.
This combo is like a peanut butter sandwich with pickles. You think it would be awful, but be damned if you don’t run to the kitchen to make a second. Shaun T can do that as he’s like a high power earth magnet that attracts ‘cool’.
I recommend cycling each every 2 days. That way you should be able to retain the moves in CIZE and still get the pure athletic training of Asylum.
3. Hammer and Chisel / 22 Minute Hard Corps
If you like Masters Hammer and Chisel, odds are you have a favorite trainer and wish the other one would go away in a puff of ninja smoke. So why not swap out 22 Minute Hard Corps in it’s place?
Try to alternate the workouts each day. If you prefer Autumn then maybe put in more of Tony’s resistance workouts. If Sagi is your man, then aim for Tony’s cardio.
2. P90 / T25
Hey, what about the beginner? Not all of us can do 50 pull ups with an engine block strapped to our back, Parrot! Well fret not dear reader because there’s something for you too. Tony’s recreated P90 blends with T25 seamlessly. Try and do 3+3 each week with one day off. The added variety in T25 will keep P90 from becoming too repetitious and also quicken your advancement.
1. P90X / Insanity
It would be criminal to neglect the ultimate hybrid. So grab your teeth out of the jar and turn on the classics! Nothing like a trip down memory lane with the breakout hits from both Tony and Shaun. It’s like peanut butter and chocolate.
Due to the murder on the joints that Insanity is guilty of, I’d stick to doing only 2 workouts a week compared to the rest being P90X. Swap out PlyoX, and maybe Legs/Back seeing as those muscles are going to be heavily pulverized anyway. Then get your shorts on and put the balls to the wall.
Which one is best?
That all depends on what you want. Everybody has a different idea of what it means to be fit so don’t think these or any of the mentioned workouts are your only answer.
I admit that the bulk of these workouts are from Beachbody. Again, these are my personal choices and I will readily admit that I have a bias towards certain production values. I am trying to expand my library and this takes a little time. Also, Beachbody seems to be pumping them out faster than anyone which is good, but can also be a downside as they have their own fair share of disasters.
This list is of course by no means exhaustive and I will occasionally throw in some lesser known workouts from other trainers. The key is taking the time to consider the goals you want to achieve, and tailoring your workouts to those goals. The only real important thing is that you show up and get moving each day.
melissa halby
July 20, 2017 at
I am surprised you didn’t do Insanity and Body beast. With Sagi’s awesome weights and Sean T cardio. The best of both worlds.
Ella Van Saar
June 4, 2017 at
First, I would like to apologize on my english, it’s my third language so.. sorry in advance for typos and grammar mistakes.
I see you hate BBL, and I can’t blame you really :D
I’ve completed the BBL and T25 programs few years ago. I trained rowing during college, and those programs were something I added in between of regular trainings. I started it with my roommate as a form of motivation and support for her, I was happy with results, she was extremely satisfied as she managed to lose approx. 45 pounds in one year.
As I started working full time, got enrolled in PhD on my uni, working on 2 side-projects, I’m barely sleeping, and eating whatever is available. My physical activity is walking to the office about half an hour every morning. So, from 5 6″ and 140 pounds, I managed to come to 160+. My body fat percentage went even more up because I stopped rowing or doing any form of exercise.
Can you please give me advice on how to get back in shape using BBL and/or T25, as I already own both DVDs? I combed through 50 Google Search pages, and found something that I would like to try.
http://thefitnessfocus.com/documents/brazil-butt-lift-focus-t25-hybrid-schedule.pdf
Do you think there’s a way to create better schedule?
I planned to work out twice a day or maybe two workouts one after another, 5-6 days a week.
Dysfunctional Parrot
June 5, 2017 at
If you can speak 3 languages, you get a grammar pass!
My advice for getting back in shape is to use T25, maybe add STRONGER by Nicky Hollander ( free! ) to increase strength training and use BBL to level out a crooked coffee table.
Sean
April 11, 2017 at
Have you considered reviewing any of the Bodybuilding.com programs? I am currently doing the Dymatize Transformed program(https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/dymatize-transformed-12-weeks-to-your-best-self) , alternating total body strength training with MAX:30 for HIIT cardio, and I find it is a great combination.
Dysfunctional Parrot
April 11, 2017 at
At the moment I’m planning on getting through some offerings from Dailyburn. I’ll see what these guys have to offer and go from there!
Kat
March 5, 2017 at
How would you combine STRONGER with the original Insanity? Found just one review on Nicky’s program…except for the ”Iron/Steel”, which others are mostly strength focused? To add some body weight variety to the good old Insanity :)
Greetings!
Dysfunctional Parrot
March 6, 2017 at
It’s been such a long time since I did an Insanity workout I’m not sure I could come up with a hybrid for that one without going through the workouts again. I personally think STRONGER has all the benefits of Insanity without the repetition, knee pain, and lack of body weight exercises. A hybrid to me here seems unnecessary.
Kat
March 7, 2017 at
Good news, considering almost double amount of time needed for Insanity. I guess my left fibula will be immensely grateful!
Thanks for your reply!
Goran Knezevic
December 3, 2016 at
Another fun one I like to throw in is P90X+. Videos are usually about 45min each, so it’s a happy middle point between the 1 hr & the 20-30 minute work outs. Great for a change-up on the weight days, and full-body stuff. Total Body Plus, Upper Plus, Abs-Core Plus and Interval X Plus are all solid work outs to mix things up. Even Kenpo Cardio Plus is an improvement on the original, and good for a light cardio workout.
Zuki
November 30, 2016 at
Hi! Thank you so much for your posts. I have completed P90X3, Metashred, T25 and Anarchy workout so far… now moving on to Delta fit speed shred. I tried insanity for awhile but didn’t go pass beta. Anyways, are you planning to try out more of Men’s Health products like MH 60 and Body Battle. I would really appreciate your views on this workouts.
Stephen Smith
August 5, 2016 at
Can you suggest 5 or 6 hybrid workouts one could use in conjunction with T25 Gamma? Gamma is a little light on the legs. Also, can you suggest 5 or 6 hybrid workouts one could use in conjunction with 21 Day Metashred? Thanks.
Dysfunctional Parrot
August 9, 2016 at
Either system might benefit from better muscle training. P90X3 seems a natural fit. To be honest, hybrid workout combinations are plentiful and depend on ones ultimate goals. I generally take one workout from a multitude of programs and change it up every day. If I feel like better muscle work, I would do Body Beast. More cardio? Max 30. I’ve long since stopped using calendars.
Joshua Adams
July 23, 2016 at
My favorite mix is P90X2 with Asylum 1&2. However, it is best to do one week of one then one week of the other. 5 days on and 2 days of active recovery. When I do these together, I feel smooth yet indestructible.
Matthieu Cramers
June 5, 2016 at
Dear Mr. Parrot, if you had to rank Tony Horton and Shaun T programs from the most physically demanding/challenging all the way down, how would you place them?
Dysfunctional Parrot
June 6, 2016 at
The problem with a direct comparison is that Tony and Shaun are so different in their approaches, yet equally effective. I think this is why Beachbody has been able to market both these guys without having either stepping on the others toes.
Tony is ideal for guys like me as he looks at total functional fitness. Shaun cannot be beat for younger people as he can go full-tilt like no one else can.
For total physical challenge that includes muscular development and lower impact cardio, it’s Tony all the way. For physical co-ordination, higher impact cardio and high energy, Shaun takes the lead.
Matthieu Cramers
June 6, 2016 at
Thank you for your reply. I have to admit that as a 20 year old, I love the intensity of Shaun T’s workouts. Would I be right if I ranked the programs as follows for each trainer respectively: Asylum 1&2 > Max 30 > Insanity > T25 for Shaun T and P90X2 > P90X > P90X3 > 22 minute Hard Corps > P90 for Tony. This ranking would be in terms of physical intensity/difficulty of the workouts
Dysfunctional Parrot
June 6, 2016 at
It’s all subjective of course, but I would put P90X2 ahead of Max 30. Max 30 is mostly cardio but X2 is everything. So I would reorganize it like this…
1- Asylum 1/2
2 – P90X2
3 – Max 30
4- P90X
5- Insanity ( not enough variety to get a higher score )
6- P90X3
7- 22 Minute HC / T25 are a tie in my mind.
8 – P90
Matthieu Cramers
June 6, 2016 at
Awesome! Thank you! I’m actually doing an Asylum 1&2 hybrid right now, and I think we can both agree that it’s tough but it is so good, they really kick ass, and the beauty of those workouts is that they make you better at everything else as well, especially my martial arts training.
Garry Lloyd
January 30, 2017 at
Question.
I just finished my second round of T25. (with Gamma), I did a round of P90x3/T25 Hybrid last year. I am looking to build some muscle but not at the expense of Cardio. What Hybrid would you recommend. I am 50 6’1 200 lbs.
Dysfunctional Parrot
January 31, 2017 at
I find Max 30 is a decent combo between the two as it has lots of body weight exercises. You could also try Max Hammer/Chisel as it advertised itself as being a program for just that sort of thing.
Raj
December 1, 2017 at
Interesting, BOD agrees with you. The top five are all categorized as advanced, p90x3 as intermediary-advanced, both in 7 are categorized as intermediary, and p90 as beginner-intermediate (“beginner is stupp like tai cheng, you v2, stuff for kids).
holyguy7
May 11, 2016 at
I just got finished with a hybrid NOT on this list. P90X3/ Insanity Max 30 Hybrid. Probably the best of both worlds for 30 minutes a day workouts. Use P90X3 for resistance training, Max 30 for cardio alternate every other day. Excellent workout. Went 13 weeks.
Matthieu Cramers
June 6, 2016 at
I think this would be the best bang for buck in 30 minutes a day!
KB
May 9, 2016 at
Thank you! Love this! Been trying to work out some good hybrids and this fits the bill perfectly. And I always trust The Parrot!
Chris Hernandez
May 6, 2016 at
I feel a lot of love with DP for Shaun T products… I wanted to mention… A good hybrid that I do frequently is UFC Fit Cardio Cross Train or P90X3 MMX with Body Beast Lucky 7.. Another Good Hybrid if you have the time and patience is UFC Fit CCT or MMX or UFC Fit Shark Attack, or insert your fav 30 min workout and the GSP Rushfit Strenght and Endurance workout Rounds 3,4 and 5… Then add any good 10 min ab workout…. You will thank me in the morning!!! :)
Mario Arturo Castrejon
May 2, 2016 at
I would put P90X / Asylum 1 as the BEST Hybrid because of the sports performance you get with Asylum. Replace P90X Plyometrics Asylum Vertical Plyo, and also replace Kempo with Asylum Speed and Agility. Keep all other P90X workouts as scheduled and in my opinion that’s the best of both worlds. I love all the agility ladder work and the jump rope is great and very challenging as well.
Hawkman
May 10, 2016 at
Yea, I was thinking Asylum should be in there. Plus, there’s already a 30-day 90X/IA1 hybrid schedule that comes with IA1.