Does P90x Work? My P90x Review, Real Results

The following is a P90x review that sets out to answer the question, does P90x work? This point is so crucial and it is why I did it so lemme just start with this: once you buy P90x (or Insanity, or Turbofire, or Chalean Xtreme) you have a home gym. You never have to go to the gym again once you buy P90x!!

I have done P90x 2 and a half-ish times. I say 2 and a half-ish because after my first round (which was a hybrid mixing Insanity and P90x) I sort of made up a mish-mash hybrid of all kinds of workouts, including P90x. So this P90x review comes from someone who has excellent knowledge on Tony Horton himself (I read his book), the workouts within the program, the nutrition plan (which is amazing), and that motivation factor you feel when doing the P90x workouts. So lets get to my awesome P90x Review.

What you Get: When one purchases P90x, they receive 12 DvD workouts, a nutrition guide, a fitness guide. The DvDs are as follows: Yoga X, Chest and Back, Chest Shoulders Triceps, Back and Biceps, Shoulders and Arms, Core Synergistics, Cardio X, Plyometrics X, Stretch X, Kenpo X, Legs and Back, and an intro DvD on "How to Bring it" which was extremely helpful. Each DvD ranges from 45 minutes to an hour long depending on the workout.

What you need to Buy: There is some equipment you need to purchase in order to do P90x how it was intended. In the least, you need resistance bands. Teambeachbody.com has some great ones that I used and I obviously got results. The CEO of the company (photo left) actually just used bands when he did P90x and he got in insane shape ("absolutely shredded" as Tony Horton put it). The resistance bands are great because if you get a door attachment you can use the bands for pull-ups too (for those who don't want to do pull ups just yet). For those who are ready for the pull-ups, you would also need a pull up bar, but again Teambeachbody has a great one!

The Set-up: The program is 90 days long. There are 3 ways to do it. A lean version (popular amongst the ladies), a classic version, and a doubles version (adding Cardio X to the morning 3x a week). You alternate between resistance workouts (lifting) and yoga/cardio workouts. You have 6 days where you work out, and one off day; this continues for 3 weeks, and then your 4th week is a recovery week (very important) and then the next month starts. The program is designed for total body fitness. A lot of people think that P90x is simply for getting huge, this is not the case. You can approach this workout any way you want and Tony explains this in the fitness book and on the DvDs (i.e. doing 15 reps for a lean look vs. 8 reps for a bulk look).

"Huh?" say your pectorals...Why it Works: The whole idea behind P90x is this notion of muscle confusion. You sort of keep the muscles on their toes by never letting them reach total mastery. In other words, your muscles adapt to workouts and movements, master them (by week 3's end), and recover. Just when they think they have it all figured out you go and change up the routines in month 2 and confuse the hell out of them again! There is no plateau for your muscles. The variations in workouts makes sure you are always confusing and maximizing. Muscle confusion works. And P90x knows muscle confusion!

Some X-treme Notes:

You don't need tons of room to do this workout program but you do need a decent amount of space, but we can talk about that when you inevitably decide to get P90x :).

You have to take the nutrition plan seriously, it is critical to your success; and as I always say, DO NOT starve yourself. This nutrition plan is world class and helps you eat healthy.

Speaking of nutrition...Shakeology will jump start your healthy eating habits and is a great supplement to P90x.

Speaking of supplements, it is recommended you get the Results and Recovery drink. I use it and it is wonderful but if you want to go through P90x without it for your first round thats fine, but you will be extra sore (not just a bit sore).

Tony is a funny and smart guy, and the workouts are intense...these are not easy! But as he always says, "do your best and forget the rest!" He is a human being, not some god, and he knows we are all human beings too.

Have fun with the workouts, once you get into a rhythm, it is awesome. It may be hard at first but pace yourself and give yourself some credit!

The Verdict: This workout is for everyone from college ultimate frisbee athletes, to young professionals, to 37 year old moms, to 55 year old men. There are thousands of transformation stories and success stories regarding P90x.

I need to repeat this point...once you buy P90x and some equipment, you have a home gym for life. It is the same with any Team Beachbody program. You do not have to step foot in a gym again once you buy P90x. It is so convenient People spend hundreds of dollars a year on gym memberships. This is a one time purchase and you are set forever!

This P90x review was an effort to show you from a more personal perspective that this stuff WORKS. If you have questions about P90x (individual workouts, modifications, hybrids, supplements, equipment), or Team Beachbody, or Insanity, or Shakeology, or just wanna talk about anything ever find me on Facebook (links on the top right), twitter (@CoachZoso).

See you folks, keep bringin' it!

Tim