P90X Review - Detailed!!

Here is a full P90X Review:

If you look at my photos posted to the left you can see that I have made BIG changes in just 60 days.  So you can only imagine that I have had many friends & family asking me "What are you doing?".  Well, I say I'm doing a home-based workout program called P90X!   They say "what is that?".  Well, if you were wondering What you get? . . . . Here is a breakdown and review of the DVD's you get in the program:

1.  Chest & Back:

This is the DVD that introduces you to what will be P90X.   I happened to watch a youtube video called "Average Dad Starts P90X" BEFORE I got my copy of the program and he was doing this DVD.  It scared me to death.  He could not do it.   He just couldn't.  I started thinking "I made a mistake".    However, that turned out not to be the case.  In fact, it was the best thing I ever could have done.   This is a great workout.  It is 12 different moves.  6 chest/6 back.  Lots and lots of pushups & pull-ups.   THEN you repeat the process.   But let me tell you - it is fun.  It is hard - but in a good way.  You know you are working out.   You will feel pumped up.  Great, great burn.  

2.  Plyometrics

What is what I call "Plyo"?  It is jump training . . . and lots of it.   I will tell you, as I have told many people, that this DVD made me curse under my strained breath the first couple times.   Tony says it himself - it is the "mother of all P90X workouts".   It's true.   It puts the "X" in P90X.  But, here is the thing - as your lungs get stronger this will become one of your favorites as it is now one of mine.   It is perfectly laid out, in my opinion.  Just when you feel your legs and lungs cannot take anymore, you do a move that is less strenuous and you can keep going.  Love it, love it!

3.  Shoulders & Arms

Well, after Plyo, this might feel "easy".  Not easy, but just not as extreme, if that makes sense.  Honestly, this is one of those workouts that you will decide how tough it is by the amount of weight you lift.  But let's face it - these are the glamour muscles, so why not work the heck out of them???  Right?   It is a great workout and it will pump you up.

4.  Yoga X

This is a hard workout.   Not like Plyometrics hard, but patience hard.  But you know what?  It is suppose to be.  You, like many others, may not like this workout at first.  I didn't.  BUT . . . it will grow on you.  Trust me.  I now love this workout.  It is one of the most important of the bunch, I believe.   This workout is a great gauge of where you are in your fitness.   Are you holding the poses the entire time and doing them correctly?   Once this one grows on you, you will look forward to it.  No doubt. 

5.   Legs & Back

Do you have stairs in your house or apartment?  Hmmm . . . that may be a problem the day after you do this workout the first time!!  (kidding . . . sort of)  This is another one that will convince you when you think "how can I get a good workout at home??".    But again, it is perfectly laid out.  Just when you think "I cannot do another squat move",  they move you on to pull-ups for a set.  Then you're ready to get back to the legs.   Talk about great burn.  Wow.  Bring it!

6.  Kenpo X

Anyone else have Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris as childhood heroes?  Well, I did and it makes this DVD that much more fun.  This one is FUN.   It will get your heart rate up,  you'll sweat buckets, but all while having a great time.   Punch and kick your heart out here.   This is another one that you'll look forward to after some of the really tough ones.   

7.  X Stretch

An optional workout on your 7th day of the week.  You can do this or Rest.   It is a very valuable workout.  I agree with Tony that stretching is VERY important and this one does it.  It is very relaxing and gets you all limber.   

8.  Ab Ripper X

Abs, Abs, Abs!!!  Want ripped Abs??  This will do it.   Let me tell you right now.  I am over 60 days into the program and I still cannot do the entire routine.  It is that hard.   Again, a great hard.  In fact, Tony says in the "intro" to the DVD " I hate it . . . but I love it".    While you're doing it you will hate it, but check my photos again - it is working and the ABS are coming. 

9.  Core Synergistics 

You will do this workout during your "Recovery Weeks", which are week 4, week 8 & week 13.  I believe it to be a very accurate gauge of where you are in your fitness.  The first time I did it, it seemed like a test.   A "let's see where you are in the program" test.   I just did it again last week, and I did much better, so my fitness is better.   But the first time - the lungs were a burnin'.  It is all core work and a great workout.  

10.  Chest, Shoulders & Tri's

You will start this workout week 5 instead of Chest & Back.  (Chest & Back then comes back in week 9 & 11)  It will make sense once you have the program.   When I did this workout the Monday of week 5 I felt like I had started over.  But that is the whole point - muscle confusion.  Different types of push-ups, great shoulder work and triceps work - that pushes you that much further in your strength and development.  GREAT workout. 

11.  Back & Biceps

Again, you will do this workout in weeks 5,6 & 7 instead of Shoulders & Arms.  This is a great DVD workout.   Talk about pumping up the show-off muscles.   You might want to have your friends reserve tickets.   Tickets to what you ask?  Tickets to the GUN show you are going to be putting on after doing this workout for a couple weeks.   If you push your biceps in this workout, you will notice rapid development.   

12.  Cardio X

Now, I have not done this one.  This is for people who either 1.) cannot do Plyometrics yet or; 2.) are doing what is called "Doubles" or "Lean" versions of the program.  That's right there are different ways you can do P90X.    Bottom line is it's a cardio workout but not as extreme as Plyo.  

Please let me know if you have any additional questions about any of the specific workouts.  It is a GREAT program.   Stick to it and the nutrition guide and you WILL see results.  

To great health,

Chris