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Although not advertised as much in the UK I've been familiar with the P90X system for quite a while now after reading so much about it on various exercise forums.
I thought it was time for me to take a closer look at this extremely popular workout program to see what makes it so special and ended up be very impressed by what I learned...
Overview - What Is P90X?
P90X is a rigorous exercise program developed by fitness guru Tony Horton.
Many other fitness instructors and nutritionists contributed to the development of P90X including Carl Daikeler (CEO of Beachbody), Carrie Wyatt, and Mason Bendewald of MEGA MACE.
The P90X system is designed to get you into significantly better shape within just 90 days (thus the name P90X).
The program is a holistic one, encompassing a workout regimen, a dietary supplement plan, and a nutritional program.
There are many different types of exercise which play a role in the P90X regimen including strength training, cardiovascular exercises, plyometrics (exercise which uses swift, powerful movements), yoga, and stretching.
How Does It Work?
The P90X program takes 13 weeks to complete. You’ll be working out six days every week when you do this program, and you’ll be training hard, so this isn’t a program to try if you’re only going to be half-committed.
The day off every week is optional. P90X requires consistent follow-through in order to work and provide you with great results.
Twelve workout DVDs teach you different exercises which you can use to target different muscles in your body.
How Long Are The Workouts?
The majority of the workouts take less than an hour, which is good if you have a busy schedule. Take note though that if your schedule is very busy you may not have time to do as intensive a program as P90X.
You’ll need time to commit almost every day to the P90X workout schedule. If you skip days the program will not be as effective, though it will probably still provide you with some good results if P90X reviews are any indication.
Necessary Equipment
One question most people have is "What P90X equipment is needed?"
You’ll need some equipment to participate in the program, but most of it is pretty standard and won’t cost you too much to purchase. Yoga blocks and a yoga mat are necessary to do the yoga exercises.
You will also want dumbbells which are appropriate to your strength level, a pull up bar, and bush up handles or a push up bar.
A chair will come in handy for some of the exercises as well.
Gloves may also be useful at some points. The P90X Deluxe Package includes a chin-up bar and resistance bands, so that may save you some money.
Exercises
Why are there so many different exercises involved with the P90X program?
The program works on the basis of “muscle confusion.” Muscle confusion involves rapidly changing up your exercise routine and constantly adding in new or different movements so that the body never has time to adapt to your workout.
The idea is that this will prevent you from reaching a plateau in your workout.
List Of Exercises
The exercises you’ll do include Chest and Back, Plyometrics, Shoulders and Arms, YogaX (this works out your whole body, including your abs), Legs and Back, Kenpo X (whole body), X Stretch (whole body), Core Synergistics (whole body), Chest, Shoulders and Triceps, Back and Biceps, Cardio X, and Ab Ripper X.
While Ab Ripper X is the exercise which is designed specifically to target your abs, you’ll notice that plenty of the other exercises will work out your abs as well.
The full-body exercises are great since they allow you to train everything up at once. Core Synergistics works out your whole body but focuses on your core muscles. Strength in your core often drives your performance body-wide.
Variations Of Movements
Each of these exercises includes a series of different movements. For example, Ab Ripper X includes 10 different exercises which you can alternate to achieve superior results.
These include movements like the Mason Twist, Leg Climb, Oblique V-Up, Hip Rock n’Raise, and more. It’s the combination of these different techniques which will get your abs in great shape.
You aren’t as likely to plateau with so many different exercises, so you’ll continue to develop your abs for the entire three months of the P90X program.
Honest Expectations
One thing you’ll notice quickly about P90X is that this program doesn’t once try to tell you that you can achieve amazing results overnight.
P90X is based off of the principle of hard work—it promises to deliver great results only if you are willing to work out hard each week until the program is complete.
P90X also has a more integral perspective than a lot of other workout programs—you can’t burn fat and bulk up if you don’t eat right, which is why the nutritional component of the program is so important and emphasized so strongly.
Nutritional Plan
The nutritional plan included with P90X diet has three distinct phases.
The First 30 Days
For the first month on the plan you’ll be eating a lot of protein and not as many carbohydrates.
The idea is that during this month you’ll learn that you can get energy from protein, not just carbs.
You’ll also be shedding excess body fat during this phase of the diet.
Days 31-60
During the second phase you’ll be permitted to eat more carbohydrates.
This phase is referred to as the energy boosting phase.
During the third phase you will be eating under an “endurance maximizer” plan.
This diet plan will include complex carbs, lean proteins, and more carbs than you were eating in phase 2 of the nutritional plan.
The Last 30 Days
Phase 3 of the P90X nutritional plan is intended to be for the long term. This is a diet which you’ll be able to comfortably enjoy for a long time to come.
This is one of the ways in which the P90X program aims toward creating lasting change in your life.
You'll Need To Stick To Your Nutrition Plan
There’s no diet or exercise program which can create lasting change if you don’t continue to follow certain aspects of that program for the long term—even after you’ve completed the program itself.
If you go back to eating poorly or not working out after you complete the P90X program, you’ll have missed the point, and you’ll also put on weight again and lose your toned figure.
It’s important to note though that just as Phase 3 is tended to be a long term diet, it’s intended as a long term diet for athletes only.
The reason you can eat more carbs in Phase 3 is that you’re working out regularly.
If you stop exercising and still eat that many carbs, you may gain weight again. This diet is supposed to be earned, not simply taken for granted.
The nutritional guide comes with a day-by-day recipe calendar which you can follow to make sure that you are properly eating throughout the duration of the P90X exercise program.
Recipes
There are enough recipes included that you won’t get bored with what you’re eating and will also have a lot of recipes that you can make and enjoy in the future, even after the program is complete.
Recipes are included for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and all of them encompass a wide variety of delicious foods. You can follow these recipes long after you complete the program in order to continue eating healthily in the months and years to come.
Dietary Supplements
Beachbody makes a P90X Results and Recovery Formula. The formula tastes great (like orange) and provides you with the nutrition you need to boost your energy and vitality and get the most out of your workout.
This is a formula which you take after you work out—it’s refreshing to drink and will provide you with the antioxidants you need to reduce soreness after your workout and repair your muscle tissue.
This formula can help your muscles to grow too (but only if you work out properly). The formula contains a high Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) in order to promote muscle synthesis.
P90X also sells Peak Performance Protein Bars for P90X customers. These bars are available in delicious chocolate fudge, café mocha, chocolate peanut butter, or wildberry yogurt.
You can also purchase a variety pack which includes all four flavors.
Every bar contains 20 grams of protein. These make tasty snacks which are convenient and healthy. They will directly support your workout and contribute to your fitness goals.
It’s also suggested that you take the E&E Energy and Endurance Pre-Workout Formula by the same brand. This supplement will help you to burn more calories and maximize muscle performance.
This in turn will help you to get more out of your workout and to build muscle more quickly. The formula contains nitric oxide boosters, electrolytes, and B vitamins.
It doesn’t contain artificial flavors or sweeteners, and all the ingredients have been scientifically tested for safety and efficacy.
So you don’t need to worry about strange artificial substances or unsafe ingredients—there isn’t a mile-long ingredients list to check over before you purchase the supplement.
Another supplement you’ll be advised to purchase as part of the program is the P90X Peak Health Formula 30-Day Supply. This is a multivitamin supplement which contains the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you need to feel your best.
The formula is designed to support your immune system, your cardiovascular system, and your memory and nervous system. The healthy ingredients will boost your energy and also act against stress and aging.
You may find your skin, hair and nails also improve when you take the Peak Health Formula. This is a formula which you can take even when you aren’t working out in order to enjoy lots of great health benefits.
Results - Does It Actually Work?
Will P90X work if you skip some of the exercises, don’t take all the formulas, or cheat on the diet?
The answer is “maybe.” There is a lot of variation though, depending on what you do and don’t do.
For every person the results will differ as well, though on the whole P90X customers say they were very impressed with the results of the program.
Great Results Even For Those Who Who Didn't Follow 100%?
A lot of customers say that they saw tremendous improvement when they completed the P90X exercise plan—even if they didn’t follow it to a “T.”
The best P90X results however definitely were reported by the customers who followed the nutritional guide closely.
It’s reasonable to expect to modify it to some extent based off of your personal needs, but the closer you stick to the plan, the more likely you are to get the maximum results in terms of fat burning and muscle building.
Are The Supplements And Diet Necessary?
The supplements likewise may not be critical to getting results, but will certainly improve the results which you get. This is the case with any exercise program.
Without a proper diet and without supplements, you simply won’t achieve as much as you would if you did eat right and take supplements.
P90X doesn’t make empty promises that you can get something for nothing—all of the promises are based off of the premise that you will be diligent with your workouts.
This is one of the reasons that many customers feel confident purchasing P90X; the P90X reviews all reveal that great results are possible—if you are ready to do the hard work of implementing the training program.
The principles at work are solid and the exercises will allow you to work out different parts of your body while resting others so that your body has time to recover and your muscles have time to repair and grow.
Is This Right For You?
P90X was designed for adult men and women eighteen years of age and up. Regardless of your age, you can use P90X because you can modify the program to fit your own personal needs.
You should consult with a doctor before you decide to try P90X if you have health problems just to make sure that it is okay for you to engage in such an intensive activity.
P90X wasn’t designed for people who are looking for a quick fix to their weight issues or an instant way of building muscle.
The program is geared toward people who have realistic expectations and want to work hard but effectively in order to improve within a reasonable timeframe of three months.
If you’re ready for a challenge and want to improve your diet and get ripped, P90X may be the program you’re searching for.
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P90X
Reviewed by Jesse Skeens
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