P90X - has anyone tried it?

I was wondering if anyone has seriously used the P90X routines? Would they be appropriate for women too?  I haven't seen the comercials only the advertisements on the beachbody web site. It seems more for men but I'd like to find something both my husband and I could do at our own levels.

I saw the infomercial the other day. It looks like it was made more for men, but I did see some women on there too!

Original Post by ninav:

I was wondering if anyone has seriously used the P90X routines? Would they be appropriate for women too?  I haven't seen the comercials only the advertisements on the beachbody web site. It seems more for men but I'd like to find something both my husband and I could do at our own levels.

 

P90X is an EXTREME Fitness program.   My wife and I have been doing it since September and it is by far the most intense, extreme fitness routine Ive ever been involved with.  It is NOT gender specific.  If you are just starting out with a fitness regement you may want to consider something else to get into shape first.

 It is designed to be used in conjunction a dietary program.  You work out 6 days a week.  4 of the 6 days are working on specific muscle groups that last right at 1 hour.  Unlike every other video fitness program Ive seen, this is go, go go with very little chit chat between sets.  At the end of each of the 4 regular work outs you have 17 minutes of the most intense abs work out you will have ever tried to do.  I say tried because 7 weeks into it I still can not keep up with them in the abs routine.  You have one high intensity cardio routine during the week called Kenpo X (think Tie bo but using Karate instead) and a Yoga rountie that is 1.5 hours long.

When I first started P90X it took about 2 weeks for me to get to the place where I felt I was doing about 75% of the work out keeping up with the DVD.  They absolutely do not mess around.

IF YOU FOLLOW the ENTIRE program (mean diet AND work out) you will get sensational results.  Where most people fail is they either give up too soon on the program because they dont see the kind of results they want (say at day 30) OR because they fail to follow the diet.

 You really do have to give up ice cream, dough nuts, cake, soda pop, potato chips and process foods if you expect to have the type of success that they are talking about in the DVD's 

I am a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. I just moved from New Jursey to Phoenix and left a bunch of clients behind.  A few of my clients were really bumbed that I moved so, I have been couching and motivating them through the P90X program. All of my clients a females, and they love it.

 

I just started it last week, and so far I really like it.  The instructor is great and really shows you how to do all the moves from starter to more advanced.  That's really nice so people at different levels can do this work out.  I think I'm a pretty advanced fitness geek, so I can't say they have been EXTREME, but I have also not done all the videos yet.  That being said, I still think they are worth the $.   I would give it a try.  It is definitly for women just as much as it is for men.   

I have been wanting to do P90X!  I've done Power 90, Power 90 master series, plus SI6, Slim Series, HHA, and all of the Turbo Jam workouts too!

A question for those of you that have done it/are doing it though.  What is the diet like?  Do you eat a little or a lot?  Not eating cookies and candy and such isn't a problem or anything, but I just wanted to know a little more about what the diet was like...

Thank you!! =)

The Diet is in 3 phases; Fat Shredder, Energy Booster, and Endurance Maximizer. The first phase is high in protein and fiber, phase 2 mixes carbs in more with protein, and lastly, phase 3 is a high carb diet to keep your energy up for the last push. The diet focuses on eating regularly, concentrating on small meals and snacks, and portion control.

i just saw an infomercial for this today.  it looks incredible, esp for ppl who like to really kick themselves in the butt at the gym.  i'm thinking i can maybe incorporate a lot of the stuff on the video into what i do at the gym (too many distractions at home to ever hope to get a real workout done there). 

does that sound like a good idea, or sort of a waste of money?  i'd love to hear more feedback about the exercise routine, if people get stronger (are you bench pressing more at the end of the program than you could when it started?), gain endurance (feel like you can run a marathon?)?

in terms of food, are there calorie recommendations in the nutrition portion, or just food-type rules (X% of calories from protein, Xgrams of fiber, etc)?

Dvds are worthless in my mind.  Its just a fitness program that has little rest between sets that mixes up lifts.  If you can be dedicated to that on your own just mix up sets with super sets and change the rest every week or 2 and youll most likly end up the same.

thanks, giggle_puppy.  i'm a pretty hearty camper, so in terms of results i hear you loud and clear.  however, i'm interested in the program's periodization and whatnot:

you say "change the rest every week or 2."  what does the program change every week or 2?  does it replace the whole workout?  if so, in what way (different muscle groups?  more/less intense?  different approach, like body-weight v. dumbbells or high rep v. high load?)?  do you "rest" (like do a lower intensity) after a month or so and then come back w/avengeance? 

i guess i'm interested in learning the intricacies of this program, if anyone cares to share (please please)?

What im doing now is something like this

Week 1 and 2:

A1) 12-15 Reps 90sec Rest
A2) 12-15 Reps 90sec Rest
      * 2 sets*

B1)12-15 Reps 90sec Rest
B2)12-15 Reps 90sec Rest
    * 2 sets*

and so on...

Week 3 and 4

A1) 10-12 Reps
A2) 10-12 Reps 60 sec rest (after both are performed)
     *3 sets*
And so on....


Week 5 and 6

A1)  8-10 reps
A2)  8-10 reps
A3)  8-10 reps
A4) 8-10 reps   (60 sec rest after circut is performed)

 *4 sets*

B1) 8-10 reps
B2)8-10 reps
B3)8-10 reps
B4)8-10 reps (60 sec rest after circut is performed)

*4 sets*


Repeat at week 1.  

and i throw a load of cardio in there too at seperate times through the day.

   I bought the P90X package last October and it is the best workout program that I have done.  I played Rugby in high school and college and I've been racing road bikes for 4 years now and no workout has been more comprehensive than P90X.  It's worth every penny that they ask. They also just came out with the follow up program P90X Plus which I am going to order soon.  If you don't have a pull up bar, I would highly recommend buying theirs.  It fastens to any door frame and is perfect for all the different hand positions that the program calls for.  Weights are also a must, but they implement resistence bands also. The harder that you work and the more comitted that you are, you will see results within the first week and a half.

Original Post by giggle_puppy:

Dvds are worthless in my mind.  Its just a fitness program that has little rest between sets that mixes up lifts.

I totally agree. DVD's are made to make money. The reason why this one is so appealing is because it looks intense. But really, designing your own program that fits your schedule and body is ideal. You will see more results with your own program that is designed for your goals than a generic program designed for the general public. However, this DVD seems to be high in calorie burning with some muscle gain. Personally, I have a reason and goal behind each exercise I do. Whether it's a preacher curl, squat, 30 min treadmill run, and so on. I would suggest investigating each exercise you do in the video and find out what are the benefits of them. Don't believe what they say in the video. 99% of the time they say that a certain exercise is targeting fat in that area. Like doing crunches is going to target the fat on your stomach. Targeting fat is impossible. There is no such thing as spot reducing; cutting fat can only be done by lowering your overall body fat %.

    This logic is true for almost all of the DVD programs I've seen.  I've watched a bit of the FIT channel and observed the same thing.  P90X however is a bit different in my opinion.  It comes with a nutrition/cookbook with your meals, snacks, and drinks outlined to correspond with the workout. 1 of the workouts in the series is called Ab ripper X. I'm using this as the example. 12 exercises totaling over 300 reps.  Not one has extra weight and not one could be considered normal crunches.  They don't preach to target fat, but to tone you up.  I also own a crossbow which is the cheaper Weider version of the Bowflex.  This equipment is space consuming and can be expensive especially with the Bowflex.  P90X is a series of regular exercises spread out over a defined program.  The only weights you need are dumbells or bands and a pull up bar.  You will also need a yoga mat and blocks. The Yoga X disc is excellent, which points out another desirable attribute with the program.  They really mix the workout up.  You have your targeted muscle group excersises, but you also have yoga, cardio, and kempo workouts to deal with too.

 Like any workout that you do, you must stick with it.  You want results, then you must do it yourself.  Whether you get a personal trainer or coach, DVDs or memberships to some health club,  nobody is going to do it for you.  For the money, in my experience, you get alot out of this program.

it sounds like the dvd's are balanced and structured, and also intense.  so people who are willing to work hard will be rewarded.

does the program vary reps/weights at all?  does it advocate varying reps/weights w/in a routine, or is one week "heavy weight" week and the next week "endurance/medium weight week"?  what percentage of each workout/week/month is cardio v strength v yoga?  are some workouts/weeks more focused on cardio than others?

it sounds like ppl are getting great results from this program's structure, so i'm particularly interested in that end of things.  as always, it's great to hear such a variety of opinions.

It isn't for beginners, that's for sure.   I tried it when I was getting started and it beat me down.  I'll probably get back to doing it for the days I can't make it to the gym.

i really would like more details on the schedule and content of this program.  does it have a general concept for a few weeks and then change the approach?  does it constantly change the actual exercises that you're doing?  does it cycle among a certain number of lifts?  does it advocate lifting more intensely on some days, but not on all days?  does it suggest you lift as much weight as you can bear, or does it suggest reaching a certain number of reps? 

i would appreciate any details that anyone who's done the program could provide.

I start it tomorrow, i will try to keep you posted as to how it goes.  Here at work there is a small group of us that are going to do the workouts together and help motivate each other and track progress.

awesome, mfarrell2k3, i'll look out for your posts.

Hey everybody!

I am a new member here at Calorie Count Plus. 


I just started doing p90x last week.  I am on day 10 now.  I was looking for people to share my experience with, and for a place to get tips from others. 


I am blogging about how the program is going as well, so feel free to take a look at that too:




The videos have been intense so far. They are definitely not for beginners.  I struggle a little through each routine, but I can see improvement already.  I will be posting pictures along the way in my blog too.  So, stay tuned if you are interested.

I lost 80 pounds over the last year as well on weight watchers.  I really want to help others succeed in their weight loss and exercise. If you have questions for me please contact me. 

Original Post by deflepfan16:

I have been wanting to do P90X!  I've done Power 90, Power 90 master series, plus SI6, Slim Series, HHA, and all of the Turbo Jam workouts too!

A question for those of you that have done it/are doing it though.  What is the diet like?  Do you eat a little or a lot?  Not eating cookies and candy and such isn't a problem or anything, but I just wanted to know a little more about what the diet was like...

Thank you!! =)

 The diet program is great!  The only thing that I don't like about it is that it doesn't cater to vegetarians.  Most of the meals consist of some kind of meat, and often takes a lot of prep time.  So for those who don't have enough time to prepare a meal, just look on this site :)