P90X: Tony Horton's 90-Day Extreme Home Fitness Workout DVD Program
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Description of P90X: Tony Horton's 90-Day Extreme Home Fitness Workout DVD Program
P90X is a revolutionary system of 12 highly intense workouts, designed to transform your body. * Chest and Back * Plyometrics * Shoulders and Arms * Yoga X * Legs and Back * Kenpo X * X Stretch * Core Synergistics * Chest, Shoulders and Triceps * Back and Biceps * Ab Ripper X * Cardio X Extra DVD for a quick overview of the complete P90X Extreme Home Fitness training system is included. To get you started, you will also receive a comprehensive 3-phase nutrition plan, specially designed to help you lose fat; a detailed fitness guide, packed with valuable fitness information to help you get the most out of your program; and a calendar to set your workout goals, track your progress, and stay motivated.Sports reviews of P90X: Tony Horton's 90-Day Extreme Home Fitness Workout DVD Program
Customer Review: Not easy, but if you put forth the effort, you WILL get results!
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
The producers of P90X have become a phenomenom within the fitness industry with this product. Most products try to understate the amount of effort and work that is required to achieve noticeable results. Instead of saying that you can obtain great results from only a few minutes of effortless work a few times a week, Beachbody has designed a product that requires a serious effort & time commitment of 6 days/week for at least an hour per day, along with a diet program designed to support the exercise protocol. And they make no apologies for the fact that this is a really tough program that requires a serious commitment from the user.
I originally purchased this product about 1 year ago after seeing the infomercials several times. I admit that I felt it was somewhat beneath my level of training knowledge and condition - boy, was I wrong! Today I started my third 90-day round of P90X for the new 2011 year. I have an athletic background and have maintained an active lifestyle based on weight resistance and strength training since I was a teenager. But I have to admit that this program kicked my butt the first round. And it is still kicking my butt, even in my third round. However, I do not recall any training program that changed my body as dramatically as P90X during the inital 90 day round. I believe that P90X really helped me to look more athletic and to achieve the kind of V-taper that most men are seeking, whereas traditional weight training/bodybuilding style workouts have always tended to make me look somewhat stocky and blocky, especially in clothes. (I can relate to one of the guys on the P90X infomercial who talks about lifting weights for years but never really getting into peak condition.) At age 50, I have now attained better ab definition and lower bodyfat while maintaining a high level of muscle than at any previous time in my life. And I do not look as bottom heavy as I used to appear from doing lots of heavy squats and deadlifts in a traditional strength training program.
My only criticism of the program is that it may be more strenuous or difficult than many people are able to handle. My first time through the program, I was surprised at how weak I was with several of the weight movements, particularly considering that I had been lifting since I was a teenager, and my "endurance strength" was lacking in many exercises. I recommend an investment in pullup bars and some dubmbells - I do not know if bands are as effective as free weights. If P90X is too tough, Beachbody offers other programs (see the "Power 90" program, which was the company's earlier generation course.) And Beachbody also offers courses that are more oriented to cardio styles of aerobic fitness, for those who do not enjoy the resistance training (see "Brazil Butt Lift" or "Turbo Fire" or "Insanity", although that program is crazy tough!) However, I believe that the resistance training contained within P90X is a big reason why this program is so effective. And the company provides significant internet forum support if you have specific questions or want to learn about other aspects of fitness or nutrition.
For those reviewers or internet critics who say that P90X is only a beginner program, I have to say that either they have not tried it or are not using enough weight to make the exercises challenging. If you are a hard core bodybuilder or power lifter, then this product is probably not right for you because your goals will be different. But there are enough current and former pro athletes using P90X to improve and maintain their overall conditioning to warrant your consideration of this product. If you can invest the effort and time required to yield better and faster results than any other exercise or diet program, then you will not be disappointed by P90X.
Customer Review: Great workouts for the money
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I'm currently rounding out week two of the P90X program. After about a year of doing little to no exercise I had put on a fair amount of weight and my fitness level had diminished considerably. Before my year long hiatus I used to mountain bike, road bike, rock climb, snow board, hike, run, etc. I heard good things about P90X from other people trying it, and from the reviews online from a variety of sources. The program is definitely effective and gets you to work, but there are pros and cons just like everything else.
The workouts are designed to push you. You've definitely not going to be able to do everything the first couple of weeks unless you're in athlete level fitness. If you're like me and haven't done much activity in a long time you're going to be really sore the first couple of days, and probably achy the next couple of weeks. You really need to try and push yourself without cause immediate pain. Any sharp pains mean you should stop immediately, but working through achy muscles and soreness is not a bad thing and often will make ou feel better in the end.
The variety the program offers is one of the better things. I like the mix of strength, stretch, and endurance. For intance, the Yoga routine while hard has a bunch of stretches at the end that losens everything up after all the strength routines earlier in the week. Going into week three I think most of my muscle soreness should be gone, and won't return until week 5 when the routine switch up again. Also, if you're not sore at all after the strength routine you're either doing something wrong, or are not working hard enough. Soreness = results.
There are some cons to the program. P90X requires a couple pieces of equipment on top of the $140 DVDs. You'll need a pull-up bar, and weights or bands at a bare minimum. They also recommend yoga blocks, yoga mat, heart rate monitor, and a myriad of P90X branded suppliments. If you're on the cheap I recommend getting the bands. You local sporting goods store should have some in stock. You're going to need a couple of different bands for different exercises. If you're a guy, I'd recommend a 30lb-50lb band range. As for dumbbells, they'll cost ~$1/lb, you could probably get away with just a couple, but as your strength increases you'll just end up needed different ones. If you can afford it I've read the Bowflex Selectech weights work well for 90% of the exercises. Pretty much any pull-up bar would work, but ones that have the wide grips would suit the workouts better. As for everything else, it's not really needed. For suppliments I would suggest going to a GNC and getting something with similar nutritional properties as the P90X products. The heartrate monitor is usefull, but not required. The yoga blocks don't need to be actual yoga blocks. A small cardboard box would do the exact same job to help you balance and extend your reach.
As of right now noticing any changes is hard. One thing I would recommend for people if they want to see results is to get a scale that measures body fat, and skeletal muscle. Omron sells one that is pretty accurate and has a 90day memory that can help to track you progress through out the program. Don't get discouraged if the pounds aren't just flying off. At first you're building muscle, which is heavier than fat, so you might actually gain a couple pounds initially. Over time, the increased muscle mass will have a higher caloric demand than your body did before and will consume more calories even while resting resulting in fat loss. The key is to stick it out and keep working. The way this program works is by keeping you in motion and working hard. Any program saying you'll see overnight changes is a scam. You have to work for your results just like everything else in live.
Customer Review: Best workout I've found
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I'm no gym rat, and finding the drive to get myself in good shape has been a fruitless battle. But I've been doing P90X faithfully for a month now, just wrapping up the recovery week following the first phase, and already I'm seeing amazing results - I've shed 10 lbs. (30 is my ultimate goal, so right on track), my waist is smaller (pants that were too tight a month ago now fit great), and muscle mass is increasing (my calves and biceps especially). I'm also not following the diet portion, just the workout regimen (though I will note that I have at least made an effort to keep up my protein intake, and not get too crazy with the empty calories).
This is by far the best exercise regimen I've come across. I've only done the first phase, so can't yet comment on the effectiveness of the "muscle confusion" from switching up the routines. But I do like that it's really a holistic approach to fitness, that is, it's not just strength or cardio like a lot of routines, but is both and also incorporates balance and flexibility, plus the nutrition aspect of it. There's not just a DVD on arms or legs, but also yoga and stretching (balance and flexibility), kenpo and cardio, etc. I really think that's a big part of why I'm seeing the results I'm getting, even if I'm not following Tony's nutrition directions.
Also part of what's helping me is that there's a group of us doing it as a class of sorts. A friend got the DVDs, realized he didn't have the discipline to do them at home on his own, and so he recruited a few of us to join him after work, which has improved the dedication and level of intensity for all of us involved. I know that I wouldn't be as dedicated if I didn't have the group to push me. And if Tony is reading this, you're still getting the business - after joining in on the class, several of us have decided to get our own DVDs for those days we might not be able to join the group for a workout, we can still get the day's workout in on our own. Basically, I'm just saying if part of your problem is that you aren't dedicated enough, get a partner or even several friends together and make a class out of it; the interdependence will drive all of you harder. Plus, it's fun to mock some of the goofy things Tony says during the workouts when we've got each other to mock to.
Also, I've seen several reviews and even a few people on here commenting on the high intensity and advanced level of some of the exercises. It's no joke, they are intense, and Tony Horton appears to be the only human being who thinks yoga should be painful. However, Tony says it several times in all of the DVDs, you need to go at your own pace, set your own levels. The people on the DVDs all have athletic backgrounds, so this stuff is relatively easy for many of them; don't even try to keep up with them the first time out of the chute. For me, it makes sense that the DVDs would be intense, because even though there was a lot I couldn't do the first week, there's a lot that I can do now with relative ease (though Ab Ripper X still kicks my butt, I'm lucky if I can do a third of the routines - but I can still do a lot more today than I could a month ago). Sometimes, it's a matter of counting for myself louder than Tony is counting, so he doesn't mess me up (though there are options for turning him off and having just the music or the cues).
I'm 43 years old. After one month of this program, I'm in the best shape I've been in since I was in my 20s (and in the military). Two more months of this, I fully expect to be in the best shape EVER (bring on the six-pack abs!). P90X works better than any other workout program I've seen. It's simply amazing. Tony Horton is a genius. He's also a sadist, but he's a genius.
Customer Review: Plateau Buster
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I agree with all of the postive reviews described earlier for this product. This is the only "infomercial" product that I have ever purchased, and I did so because I could tell it was the real deal. No quick fixes, just a solid plan to follow for someone who is willing to work hard. A few thoughts:
1. This is an advanced workout system. I had been working out in a gym for 6 years and was in excellent shape, but had hit a plateau and was looking for something to take me to the next level fitness wise. This has exceeded my expectations in that regard. Despite my good level of fitness to begin with, I still found the program to be very, very challenging! This is not for beginners.
2. A few of the individual DVDs in this package are "lifetime" workouts (ie. I can see myself doing them for years to come), including Plyo, Yoga X, Legs/Back, and X-stretch. The other workouts are all excellent as well, but to avoid plateauing it would be best to cycle in and out of these workouts once you complete the 90 day program (they have just issued a follow on program called P90X+ that would be the logical next step).
3. Nutrition: As Jack LaLanne is fond of saying, "Exercise is King and Diet is Queen. Together you have a Kingdom". Eating clean (following their guidelines) is key to maximum results. It's 80% nutrition and 20% exercise to achieve the results you see on TV.
4. My P90X package came with two "bonus workouts", which are from the P90 Master Series (UML and Cardio Intervals). The Cardio Intervals workout is actually more demanding than the Cardio X workout that is part of the P90X system, but not as demanding as the Plyo X workout. It's a great addition to the whole system. I use it when I want something less intense than Plyo X. Cardio X is a workout for an easy day in my view. UML stands for Upper-Middle-Lower, a 30 minute full body workout that you might do on a day when you're short of time. There are some very challenging exercises on UML.
5. Kenpo X - nice workout but doesn't really get the heart rate up too high for me (this is supposed to be a cardio workout). I'm told that many P90X fans deal with this by wearing weighted gloves and/or ankle weights and that solves the problem. I have yet to try that, but it sounds like it would work fine.
6. Plyo X - a great workout (my favorite actually), but somewhat high impact. If you have knee, feet or shin problems, you can do this workout but in the modified fashion that they show you. This is so hard, cardiovascularly, that I was not able to finish it the first time I tried it (I was trying to keep up with a guy in the video who has a prosthetic leg; he's tougher than I am). I'm a former track and cross country runner by the way, including interval work, so I'm no stranger to tough cardio workouts. Still, I found this one to be very tough, which is why I like it.
7. Equipment: you can do this program without a chin up bar and without weights. You'd instead use resistance bands. However, I tried doing the program with just the bands for the first month and found myself constantly wishing I had a bar and weights, so I went out and bought a chin up bar (the Door Gym which is great) and a set of adjustable dumbbells (I bought Power Blocks which are terrific; Bowflex SelectTechs are also terrific). I still use the bands for certain exercises, but I like the flexibility of having multiple "tools" to use to achieve the best result.
Overall, an outstanding product. High quality, very professional, no gimmicks. Just a solid plan for improved fitness that truly does work.
Customer Review: Honest review from someone who doesn't usually write reviews
Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
I am one of those people that researches something to death before buying it, so I read a lot of reviews before buying P90X. I am just starting Phase 2 and have already lost around 12 pounds. More importantly, the change in my overall physique is very noticible. I would say I have followed the diet to about 85% efficiency, and I have not missed a workout. The results after 1 month from this easily surpass any results I have ever received from an exercise program (I've used free weights programs, Body for Life, etc.) Here is my breakdown:
The Workouts - These workouts are different and very challenging. I know this is an echo from what others have said, but a couple of these workouts are the hardest things I've ever done. The first week will really wipe you out, so be prepared. It is crucial to stick past the first week, because the the workouts get more and more managable (I can't say easier). Don't get discouraged if you can't finish or do everything (they tell you this, and I can attest to it, because I can't do everything and I still get results). As far as what shape you have to be in to start this - don't listen to the people that say you need to be in good shape at the start. I would say you definitely have to be in some sort of shape (obese and couch potato's with no exercise history will quit after the first 15 minutes guarenteed) when you start, but I don't care who you are, these workouts are tough. I stress again - make sure to stick it out after the first week (I actually added a week to phase 1 because I had to take it so slow during week 1). Finally, the workouts are long (1 hour on most). I say this because I was used to the 30 minute runs and 40 minute weight lifting sessions with a couple days off during the week. You just have to make time if you want the results. I rationalized it by thinking about what I was doing that extra 30 minutes before these workouts, and it was usually either watching TV or playing on the internet, so I'm not giving up mutch.
The Diet - I think this is the real key to this program. The diet for the most part is easy to follow. They break it down in food type for you so all you have to do is pick something and make sure you eat it. Just like with any workout program, you will be hungry, because you are at a calorie deficit. However, I think the hungar is very manageable if you eat the right foods. I substituted Cliff protein bars for the P90X bars, and this has helped me immensely. Also, this is set up with no "cheat" days to be found. If you can stick to this 100% you are definitely better off, but I have had a few beers on the weekend, as well as a treat here and there and I have still managed to lose weight and not fall of the wagon. Bottom line, I don't think you see results if you aren't prepared to do the diet program along with it, so don't waste your money.
I am always skeptical of reviews and whether they will truely apply to my experience. I want to stress again that I NEVER write reviews on products, but I was really compelled to write on my experience with P90X, because I really do think it is a fantastic workout that will change your life (a little dramatic, I know).
If you want a challenge and are prepared to get past the first couple of weeks, then SPEND YOUR MONEY on this with no regrets.
If you are a chronic program starter and quitter who is looking for a casual workout to get you going, then DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY because there is no secret ingredient in this program that will get you to stick it out. You have to be determined and be able to put your trust into it.