The P90X Workout touts itself as A Revolutionary Home Fitness Program. The 90 day plan claims it will get you in the shape of your life using, minimal equipment and just 60 minutes a day. That equipment, according to their official site, BeachBody.com, includes a set of dumbbells and/or a resistance band, as well as a pull-up-bar.
P90X was developed by elite trainer Tony Horton, who spent 20 years perfecting his plan. His plan is for the most part simple, but intense and not easy. He does however provide different levels and modifications for those who are beginners.
The other focus of the P90X Workout is that you can do it at home and do not need to go to a gym. The science behind the program is their trademarked “muscle confusion".
“Using the advanced Science of Muscle Confusion™, P90X is a well-organized training system that shows you how and when to change your routine for maximum results. So your body keeps changing throughout the 90 days and beyond.”
One of the main obstacles of many workout plans is the frustration participants feel when they plateau. That short-term feeling of failure often kicks in and those who are impatient for results quickly fall off the wagon and go back to their old habits. P90X claims to keep you motivated by breaking through these plateaus using their Science of Muscle Confusion™.
“P90X uses targeted training phases so your body keeps adapting and growing. You’ll never ‘plateau’– which means your body will never get used to the routines, making improvements slow down or even stop.” The plan utilizes shorter training cycles to achieve these goals, while at the same time using a diverse grouping of exercises at different levels. Each day the plan calls for working a different body part through a variety of exercises that result in optimum metabolic performance and muscle toning.
I like this plan and have tried the workouts myself. It utilizes a variety of different workout regimens including basic muscle work, cardio, martial arts, Yoga, stretching and abdominal work. It also comes with a nutrition plan. My only word of caution as always is to check with your doctor before beginning any workout plan.
The plan does show modifications. If you have major contraindications I would also recommending consulting a knowledgeable trainer or physical therapist who can show you some additional, safe modifications. You want to be able to stick to the plan and get results like those pictured on the P90X website.
Sources:
“P90X – BeachBody.com.” P90X Extreme Home Fitness. Web 16 Dec. 2011.
http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/p90x.do?tnt=P90X_MSC_E1
http://www.beachbody.com/product/how-p90x-works-muscle-confusion.do
Joanne Sgro-Killworth is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training.
Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area with her husband, where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.
Reviewed December 16, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith