P90X

The strength workouts are great. The ab workout is outstanding, however you will eventually want to add some variation with some of Tony Horton’s other ab workouts (like 1 on 1). For people who are not in good shape, or who have only been doing cardio (which was my case) the workouts can be difficult to get through for a few weeks, and some moves will require modification for some time. I added 2 weeks to the beginning of the program, because that is how long it took me to start to be able to make it through the entire workout video. After 2 rounds I still have to modify the pull-ups by the end of the workout.

Tony makes it fun. If I had the money and lived in Cal, he’d be my personal trainer, without a doubt. I had already lost most of my excess weight before starting the program (45lbs) but P90X helped me add some muscle and get that lean-tone ‘beachbody’ look.

There are some complaints that this workout is nothing new, and nothing bodybuilders haven’t been doing already. I can’t disagree, as workout variation was something we did 15 years ago in high-school sport programs, however it is the first time I’ve seen a full at-home video workout program I can do with going to the gym. And having Tony push things along forces you to really move. I don’t get as good a workout when I have to go to the gym without Tony moving things along as his quick pace with little down-time.

Cons: Its time-consuming. The videos are at minimum an hour, the yoga is a full 90 mins, though I have to say I love the yoga video. The P90X+ and 1 on 1 videos are a bit shorter, but can still take an hour with start-up and cool-down time. I have a wife and young child, and without the leeway I get to be a bit late in the morning to work I don’t know how I’d be able to fit this program in to my schedule. Another pro and con is that its hard. Really hard. Some moves still can require modification even after 90 days, and the pace can make you light-headed. This is a good thing in my opinion, but for people with less will-power or drive, the difficulty can be a deal breaker I think, which is why I see some other people I know only last a week or two before they give up. Another con is the cardio. The Kenpo is boring to me and the kenpo and cardio barely make me break a sweat. Now I started P90X after I had trained a few months for a local 8k, so I was in pretty good condition, at least in terms of endurance. This may be the reason, but I’ve heard others make the same complaints. I switched those two programs for other various cardio instead, like running, interval running, or cycling. I try to keep a pace to wear me out within 20-25 mins. I also wish the core workout added more difficulty, its also a little boring.

Pros: yoga is great, results are quick, difficulty makes this a program that will last, variation keeps the workouts fun, tony horton is the best, ab ripper is no joke

Cons: 60-90 min videos can be hard to schedule, cardio and core workouts could use a boost, difficulty can scare off noobies

Just finished P90X a day before my 47th birthday. Lost 4+ inches off my waist, 20lbs of useless fat, and gained a whole lot of muscle, especially core muscles, as well as a new and improved focus on fitness and nutrition.
If you are contemplating making a change in your fitness, this is THE choice to make.
Thanks, Tony and the BB team!

Pros: Very effective, Met expectations

I thought I was in good shape but was loose in the cage. I followed the nutrition guide and daily workout routine. It is time consuming but the results are incredible. I lost 2 1/2 inches off the abdomen and 11/2 inches off the waistline. My shoulders are more defined and cut. I added a half inch to the forearm, 1 /1/2 inches to my upper arm. I have more energy and this has improved my running and golf game. I am going to start again in a couple of weeks to focus on building more muscle. By the way I lost 24 pounds. “Bring it”. It works!

Pros: Met expectations, weight loss, leaner, stronger

I purchased P90x last summer. I started the first day of summer and actually stuck with it. Which surprised myself and my mom because i was only 14, but maybe that was because Tony kept it interesting! Anyways, i was already under 10 percent body fat, so I was mainly looking to gain muscle mass. Even though i didn’t put on more than 7 or 8 pounds of muscle, my number of pull ups that I could do dramatically increased. I also was blown away by Ab Ripper X. LOL it took me until the third month to be able to actually complete all the moves without modifying them…which humbled me a bit.

The only cons I could think of is that the plyo-metrics was maybe too intense. I was still growing then and now, so of course I had growing pains in my knees. The last couple weeks I had to stop because I couldn’t get low in the squats anymore. I believe I had osgood schlatter disease, which is basically the medical term for growing pain in your knees.

I will be starting again today, but the only change from last year is I am cutting out all the leg routines and plyo. Which will be fine for me because I am still active during summer (Had to keep yoga x though!)

Bottom line: P90x is intense, and I would advise not to even attempt it if you don’t have the time and great motivation.

Pros: Very effective, Met expectations, got killer abs!!

Cons: very intense