P90X - Bring It!!
Discussion
So tonight, I have completed the first training block of three of P90X and can report that, for me at least, it is a brilliant programme - barring a very sore left pec (overdid the Kempo X last week!)
For the record, I'm 45, 5', 11". Started just over a month ago at 14st 2, 36" waist. I'm still 45(!) but 13st, 1 and sub 34" waist with some decent muscle definition starting to form and a general sense of well being that I've not had for many a year. Never had a 6-pack (well, I have, just all in the one barrel) - but one is starting to form.
For those that aren't aware of this, it's an American Fitness programme devised by Tony Horton. Central to the programme are 12 DVDs that take you through various routines combining resistance, stretch, cardio, martial arts, yoga and ab crunchers - each around an hour long. They use what's called 'muscle confusion' so you don't always do the same routines in the same order which keeps it all fresh. The programme is extreme (hence the X) and goes over 90 days (hence the 90). The kit comes with resistance bands and the option of a pull up bar that fits to a doorframe.
The yoga module is properly mad. Never done yoga before. It's the longest routine at over 90 minutes and boy do you sweat!!!!
It comes with a nutrition plan which I'm sort of keeping to but for the second block, I'm going to follow it a bit more closely.
I've previously been highly sceptical of any 'home fitness programme' but a bit research revealed far more positive stories than negative. Main reason I went for this was on the recommendation of a friend who like me, travels about a lot for work and can't always get to the gym. He has had terrific results. I've been a member of gym for about 10 years which has helped to keep the ravages of time at bay - just - but realised I wasn't actually getting any fitter - just not getting unfit, not helped for a penchant for Real Ale and Phillip Morris' finest!
So far, I have to say the results are excellent. Thoroughly enjoying it - probably a bit too much and there are many comments on the message board where people say they should have paced themselves a bit more at the beginning.
Downsides?
Well, you need a certain degree of fitness to start and there's a fit test you need to do before you start the programme. The kit comes with two extra workouts which are useful to build up to this. The fit test isn't that difficult though, unless you're a complete tubber or a total novice to anything fitness.
It's all very, 'American' which from a motivational point of view is excellent (Tony Horton is really brilliant at this), but the constant up-sell for other products (P90X Recovery Drink, Suppliments, Equipment, etc...) gets a bit wearisome. Plus, the nutritional guide is American so some of the foods and dishes need a bit of translation.
And that's it really. Won't be for everyone but is working for me and lovin' it!
For the record, I'm 45, 5', 11". Started just over a month ago at 14st 2, 36" waist. I'm still 45(!) but 13st, 1 and sub 34" waist with some decent muscle definition starting to form and a general sense of well being that I've not had for many a year. Never had a 6-pack (well, I have, just all in the one barrel) - but one is starting to form.
For those that aren't aware of this, it's an American Fitness programme devised by Tony Horton. Central to the programme are 12 DVDs that take you through various routines combining resistance, stretch, cardio, martial arts, yoga and ab crunchers - each around an hour long. They use what's called 'muscle confusion' so you don't always do the same routines in the same order which keeps it all fresh. The programme is extreme (hence the X) and goes over 90 days (hence the 90). The kit comes with resistance bands and the option of a pull up bar that fits to a doorframe.
The yoga module is properly mad. Never done yoga before. It's the longest routine at over 90 minutes and boy do you sweat!!!!
It comes with a nutrition plan which I'm sort of keeping to but for the second block, I'm going to follow it a bit more closely.
I've previously been highly sceptical of any 'home fitness programme' but a bit research revealed far more positive stories than negative. Main reason I went for this was on the recommendation of a friend who like me, travels about a lot for work and can't always get to the gym. He has had terrific results. I've been a member of gym for about 10 years which has helped to keep the ravages of time at bay - just - but realised I wasn't actually getting any fitter - just not getting unfit, not helped for a penchant for Real Ale and Phillip Morris' finest!
So far, I have to say the results are excellent. Thoroughly enjoying it - probably a bit too much and there are many comments on the message board where people say they should have paced themselves a bit more at the beginning.
Downsides?
Well, you need a certain degree of fitness to start and there's a fit test you need to do before you start the programme. The kit comes with two extra workouts which are useful to build up to this. The fit test isn't that difficult though, unless you're a complete tubber or a total novice to anything fitness.
It's all very, 'American' which from a motivational point of view is excellent (Tony Horton is really brilliant at this), but the constant up-sell for other products (P90X Recovery Drink, Suppliments, Equipment, etc...) gets a bit wearisome. Plus, the nutritional guide is American so some of the foods and dishes need a bit of translation.
And that's it really. Won't be for everyone but is working for me and lovin' it!
As I keep saying, it will work. There've been a few threads on P90X and Insanity already.
There's no need to wish you luck apart from maybe the resolve to stick to the plan.
Oh, there's a similar (free) style of training available at http://www.6weeksixpack.com/ (as I mentioned in another thread). As it's free, you can expect lots of American marketing but you don't need to spend a penny.
Mind you, they're all pretty much similar.
There's no need to wish you luck apart from maybe the resolve to stick to the plan.
Oh, there's a similar (free) style of training available at http://www.6weeksixpack.com/ (as I mentioned in another thread). As it's free, you can expect lots of American marketing but you don't need to spend a penny.
Mind you, they're all pretty much similar.
Edited by Hoofy on Tuesday 3rd July 12:05
It's one that's always tempted me and does always seem to get positive reviews. Although I'm always very sceptical of internet reviews, so it's good to hear a review from a trusted source.
My main concern is that I won't have the resolve to complete the exercises every day and cook the correct food for 3 months.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
My main concern is that I won't have the resolve to complete the exercises every day and cook the correct food for 3 months.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
JQ said:
My main concern is that I won't have the resolve to complete the exercises every day and cook the correct food for 3 months.
Was one of the things I was worried about too. For me, I've found the more I do the more I want to do. Had a few days with family in Sweden last week and even took the discs with me and was up early working out!I haven't yet followed the nutrition plan to the book but have changed a lot about what I eat - cutting out the usual suspects, and generally using the plan as more of a 'guide'.
StevieBee said:
JQ said:
My main concern is that I won't have the resolve to complete the exercises every day and cook the correct food for 3 months.
Was one of the things I was worried about too. For me, I've found the more I do the more I want to do. Had a few days with family in Sweden last week and even took the discs with me and was up early working out!I haven't yet followed the nutrition plan to the book but have changed a lot about what I eat - cutting out the usual suspects, and generally using the plan as more of a 'guide'.
If you haven't started anything, why not try this: http://www.6weeksixpack.com/
Would be interested to see the results; it's a similar routine to P90X. No need to give the guy money.</tightwad>
Would be interested to see the results; it's a similar routine to P90X. No need to give the guy money.</tightwad>
ParanoidAndroid said:
Interested in this, what other kit do you need at home to be able to complete the workouts shown on the DVD's?
pull up bar - mine is a temp one fits on door frame about 20 from amazon, also you need free weights. best get separates because you need to swith weights between excercises. you can also use rubber bands instead of weights.
it is a really tough workout. good though, I struggle since I have a bit of a damaged lower back so it us very easy to overdo it and end up crippled for a few days!
must
The diet side is ok, it is a cutting diet at first, from memory the simply want you to consume a couple of hundred calories less than you need per day.
the yoga is really tough.
ParanoidAndroid said:
Thanks. My goals are not really to lose weight but to tone and bulk up if possible. I am already used to excercise so hopefully i'll be OK but a nice challenge!
Tone is a result of low body fat so if you want to tone up you need to lose bodyfat. Also nearly everyone out there can't add muscle whilst losing weight since the two aims directly conflict with each up.
ParanoidAndroid said:
Interested in this, what other kit do you need at home to be able to complete the workouts shown on the DVD's?
The resistance bands that come with the pack are generally sufficient. Where you have a choice of a routine using weights or bands, you are shown both options.I've found some of the routines do work better with weights (Dumbells). A pull up bar is handy too (but get one from a sports shop rather than the official P90X one) and depending on how you are with push ups, a couple of push-up stands would be worth splashing out for. Oh, and a matt.
StevieBee said:
The resistance bands that come with the pack are generally sufficient. Where you have a choice of a routine using weights or bands, you are shown both options.
I've found some of the routines do work better with weights (Dumbells). A pull up bar is handy too (but get one from a sports shop rather than the official P90X one) and depending on how you are with push ups, a couple of push-up stands would be worth splashing out for. Oh, and a matt.
Definitely a mat ... What I've found out is that your half way through, sweating like mad. The sweat drips on the floor and makes it very very slippy. I do my workouts in the garage which has a painted floor. Works much better with a mat.I've found some of the routines do work better with weights (Dumbells). A pull up bar is handy too (but get one from a sports shop rather than the official P90X one) and depending on how you are with push ups, a couple of push-up stands would be worth splashing out for. Oh, and a matt.
So, a quick update for those interested.
Finished the first training block over a week ago and extended the recovery phase due to me overdoing the Kenpo X routine (non-impact, martial arts movements) and tearing a muscle deep in my left pec.
Recovery phase is a week of non-resistence, low impact stuff, yoga, stretch and a bit of cardio. Comes at exactly the right time! Still tough going though!
Biggest gains over the past week has been flexibility. On a forward, down, hamstring stretch I've gone from maxing with hands just below the knee to palms on the floor - though strangely, not quite there yet on my left side. I've mastered some of the more complex Yoga stuff which has also helped on breathing techniques for other routines.
I've dropped another couple of pounds so have gone in total from 14st 1 to a faction under 13.
Flabby belly is clearly in the decline (though Ab Ripper X remains for me the toughest of all the routines).
Getting a really decent form, standing straighter, feeling lighter, sleeping better.....
Now started the second training block and beginning to follow the diet plan a little more closely (mainly because its largely stuff I eat anyway).
I'll report back as I go but still liking this a lot.
Finished the first training block over a week ago and extended the recovery phase due to me overdoing the Kenpo X routine (non-impact, martial arts movements) and tearing a muscle deep in my left pec.
Recovery phase is a week of non-resistence, low impact stuff, yoga, stretch and a bit of cardio. Comes at exactly the right time! Still tough going though!
Biggest gains over the past week has been flexibility. On a forward, down, hamstring stretch I've gone from maxing with hands just below the knee to palms on the floor - though strangely, not quite there yet on my left side. I've mastered some of the more complex Yoga stuff which has also helped on breathing techniques for other routines.
I've dropped another couple of pounds so have gone in total from 14st 1 to a faction under 13.
Flabby belly is clearly in the decline (though Ab Ripper X remains for me the toughest of all the routines).
Getting a really decent form, standing straighter, feeling lighter, sleeping better.....
Now started the second training block and beginning to follow the diet plan a little more closely (mainly because its largely stuff I eat anyway).
I'll report back as I go but still liking this a lot.
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