Started P90X today

[TstebinsB]

Good luck to you!

I thought about starting P90X but the extra cost of buying equipment was higher than I expected. I'll have to budget for it.

[blary54]

I officially started today.
It was chest and back....brutal.
I really pushed myself doing 25 reps of each push-up and 8-10 of each pull up. The ab-ripper was pretty hard too. Just starting out, I did 15 of each exercise instead of 25. I'm curious how sore ill be tomorrow...

Overall Im happy with my day 1 performance and its reassuring that I can do the workouts.

[SRock]

If you want a good way to watch what you eat I would suggest signing up for myfitnesspal.com . Its free and has most foods (including restaurant food) programmed in it so you can accurately keep track of your intake.

Another good option is a program called 'Lose It'. You can get it as an iPhone app and it is linked to their website.

[Randy Watson]

I've always been interested in trying this, but have a couple of questions: How much time is needed per day for this? I'm sure you can do it as much as you want, but what is typical? Also, does this program require any additional items (weights, bands, etc.)? Seems like I remember seeing a pull up bar with P90X labled on it.
thanks in advance

[blary54]

I've always been interested in trying this, but have a couple of questions: How much time is needed per day for this? I'm sure you can do it as much as you want, but what is typical? Also, does this program require any additional items (weights, bands, etc.)? Seems like I remember seeing a pull up bar with P90X labled on it.
thanks in advance

Each DVD is around 60 min. On the lifting days there is a 15 min Ab workout after the first workout. And I have heard the Yoga Dvd is 90 min. You do this program 6 days a week with an optional stretch dvd on day 7.

You need a pull-up bar, some bands or dumbbells, and a yoga mat is recommended(but if can probably get by if you cant afford one. )
Ive only been doing it for two days but so far I like it alot. Its amazing how good of a workout you can get with just using your body weight. Today was plyometrics and it was not fun. I'm already sore in my legs and its only been around 2 hours.

[Doc4]

I started it a few months ago and it is a great program if you can stick with it. The hardest part for me was finding time for it - you need at least 1.5 - 2 hours per day to do it right. I just could not fit it into my schedule consistently and once my baby daughter arrived, I had to put it on-hold. Once things get back to normal, I will be re-starting it. For now, I try to do 30 minutes on treadmill and that's about it.

Anyone knows a good program with 30 - 60 minutes per day max?

I'm in the same boat and would love a good P-90X-ish programme that would run about 20-30 minutes a day ... it can be a brutal insane 30 minutes, but I just can't find more time than that at home in the evenings.

Darn kids.

(Having seen the confirmations here that P90X is actually 'for real' and not a gimick like everything else ever sold on an infomercial, I had hoped and planned to start it this fall once I got back from my summer vacation. It is now painfully obvious to me that I will not have the 60-90 minutes per day that I would need to do this programme. So I need to find a similar programme that will squeeze as much @$$-kicking exercise into about 20-30 minutes per day as possible. I know that won't be 'the same' as the full P90X workout, but hopefully 'similar' with the same goals ... just not quite so lofty.)

I'm going to sound like a shill but www.crossfit.com. The affiliate I train at I'm in and out in an hour or less. That's counting strength training and conditioning work.

Another good option is a program called 'Lose It'. You can get it as an iPhone app and it is linked to their website.

I'll check those out ... keep the suggestions coming!!

[spoonman]

I started it a few months ago and it is a great program if you can stick with it. The hardest part for me was finding time for it - you need at least 1.5 - 2 hours per day to do it right. I just could not fit it into my schedule consistently and once my baby daughter arrived, I had to put it on-hold. Once things get back to normal, I will be re-starting it. For now, I try to do 30 minutes on treadmill and that's about it.

Anyone knows a good program with 30 - 60 minutes per day max?

You would be surprised at what you can do in 30 minutes. If you have a look at some of my workouts in the Daily Workout thread, I do them in about half an hour. It's all about not resting between sets and exercises, so the only 'rest' you get is when you're setting up your next exercise. You can even do some skipping or burpees or similar between exercises to really keep your heart rate high. By sticking with high rep, compound movements like pull ups, push ups, squats etc you will really get your muscles and heart working.

The other key is to keep mixing it up, so do weights one day then some high intensity cardio the next day, then different weights the next etc etc. A good treadmill cardio workout is to sprint 200m then walk 200m and just keep doing that over and over. Seems easy at first, but just keep going......

[Cappo]

Long story short, I was in killer shape coming out of highschool from playing lacrosse for about 10 years (5 year round). Got into the working world and got a legit job, and packed on about 40 lbs in 3 years. I was always lifting but couldn't get in the gym enough for the cardio. Like I said, long story short, I bought p90x and did it twice. I dropped about 30 lbs and was pretty happy.

The key though is finding that threshold of calories. You can't go and only eat 1000 calories a day. Your body will starve and actually pack on bodyfat. I remembered from lax we had a trainer preach cycling our food. I tried it for a month and saw a huge difference.

Try doing 2 days of 1300-1600 calories and then a day of 3000 calories. But the key is, all clean food. You'd be surprised how much food 1300 calories is when it's all clean.

I've been on a cut cycle now getting ready for summer. I bulked aug - oct and gained about 30 lbs. Most of it was muscle, so now I'm going to try to cut down some more for may. I get in about 40min of cardio in the morning and an hour in the afternoon(depending on work, skip this a few days a week).

Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.

The key to home workouts, I've found, is keeping a clean diet and doing some crazy things. So you only have a half hour? What kind of tools do you have? Decent weather outside?

Go outside and jog around for a little. Warm up, stretch out. 5 minutes.
Grab a jumprope(Your best friend, love it)
Circuit:
1 min jumprope(As fast as you can, seriously)
1 min pushups
1 min pullups (Get the motion if you have to cheat use a chair)
1 min lunges
1 min burpees
Repeat, not letting yourself drop more than 2. Use some determination.
Circuit as much as you can, leaving yourself a cooldown time. Walk it out and get your heartrate down before sitting down.

Just an example, it's a bit intense but basically what I did on sunday just so I didn't have to drive to the gym.

After a workout(within 20 minutes), try to get a whey protein shake in. It'll be absorbed into your blood super fast and will help you recuperate. You'll be sore the next day, but not nearly as sore if you take the shake. Then about an hour after you finish the shake try to get a clean meal in.

Try to eat about 7-10 meals a day, small clean meals. The more, the better. Your blood sugar will stay more stable, and it will keep your metabolism up. This is probably the hardest thing for me, being as I'm up in a bucket most of the day.

Any questions feel free to shoot, I come here for shaving advice and I can bring some lifting / fitness advice with me here.

And like my old coach used to say, "whatever it takes." Get it done.

[breadstick]

I finished a round of P90X and highly recommend it to anyone. It is designed for 3 separate types of fitness goals. Lean is if you just want to get in shape and lose weight, classic is for those that want muscle and still lose weight, and doubles is for those that really want to work. I am starting the program again on Monday and it is easier now knowing I will get the results I want because I got them last time.

If you want something with no equipment required that will really push you quickly, Beachbody (the makers of P90X) have a program called Insanity that is exactly that. It is ridiculously hard and fast paced and the first phase only lasts 30-40 minutes, warm-up and cool down included.

Lastly, if you are getting fit on the cheap, a pullup bar is about $30 from Wal-Mart or Amazon and 3 bands (which is what you would need) are about $45.

My best advice is keep pushing through and follow the diet plan. Almost everyone that doesn't get the results they want from the workout also say they didn't follow the diet plan, which the company admits counts for a great deal of your success or failure.

[matt711]

I agree with about 90% of what Cappo posted. ABs are definitely a result of diet. You can get a great workout with just your body weight. If you work out with high intensity, eat several small meals throughout the day and get plenty of protein you will see improvements. Read food labels and count your calories.

Push-up's, hindu squats, dips, chin/pull-up's, crunches and jumping rope all done at a high level of intensity is enough to get most people in pretty good shape. Be honest with yourself about how hard you are working, if your not smoked at the end of 20-30 minutes then you are either in great shape or you didn't work very hard. Motrin or tylenol should be your friend for the first 2-3 weeks.... 20-30 minutes isn't much time and if you do it in the evening it will improve your sleep quality as well.


Matt

[blary54]

Oh man...today is my first challenge on my diet. My work had a Thanksgiving meal today(happened on 1st shift I work 2nds) and there is tons of left over food sitting in the break room. Gotta stay away from those pumpkin bars.

I did the shoulder/arms workout today. Much easier than Back/Chest(thought I was gonna throw-up on that one) but still a great workout. I'm loving ab ripper x.

[DFrancis]

Today was plyometrics and it was not fun. I'm already sore in my legs and its only been around 2 hours.

yah, that's a tough one, I always looks forward to stretch-day after a hard week. SWMBO and I are probably going to do it again after life settles down a bit.

[gldnbear93]

I am starting week 5 of my second cycle of p90x. My first cycle was the lean version. I did not follow the diet but still lost about 10lbs. I did find that my body required that I eat better in order to feel better and recover, so even though I did not do the p90x nutrition plan I still got some good results. I am overall stronger and slimmer. I was 5'9" 185lbs now about 174. My belt is two notches tighter and my suit pants are too large and slide down my hips. One thing that I certainly like is that I am MUCH more flexible than I was prior to starting. My strength has increased as has my stamina. My arms and shoulders are more defined and I am even getting some definition along my ribs in front of my lats. My hands no longer ache when pouring a pitcher of water. I bound up the stairs now. I have received many comments from others regarding the differences. It's great!

I have had numerous people ask me about the routine and several are now doing it now as well. The first three weeks are tough, especially if you have not really done much and are pretty out of shape. The plyometrics seemed brutal when I watched it before starting my second cycle, but with the lean version behind me, plyo is the workout I look forward to the most now. My wife says I am crazy, but I enjoy that workout like no other.

As to time, I give myself an hour and half, a little longer on yoga day. I get up at 4am and work out till I'm done. My wife does the same workout right after I am done. She is starting to get a little burned out on it, but is going to finish this cycle. I am looking forward to continuing and may soon get the insanity workout to supplement it with a shorter, but intense evening workout.

In short (after that long monologue) I recommend P90X if you are willing to work hard and give it the time needed for the full 90 days.

[Wendy]

you need at least 1.5 - 2 hours per day to do it right.

That is too much. I was really debating getting this but you just helped my decision. I will have to skip my cake and cookies instead.

[AL3X]

Make sure you finish it!!! GOGOGO!

I haven't been able to do it myself yet, but many of my friends have and are very happy with the results.

[blary54]

OK... so Im 2 workouts away from being done with my 3rd week. My impressions so far:

Its a good home workout, but nothing ground breaking. Not much time for sitting around....its always go. go. go...so there is a large calorie burn even on the lifting days.

I miss going to the gym and lifting heavy. Yoga is brutal for me because I am not flexible at all. I find myself skipping this workout(I know I shouldn't be) and supplementing cardio instead. Plyo is a great calorie burn workout that I always dread doing, but once im done I feel great. I wasn't super impressed with Kempo X and may also start subbing in cardio at the gym on this day. Ab ripper X is pretty good. I cant do all 25 reps on every move. I usually do about 20 of each exercise...I hate doing the crunchy frogs, usually just do more in and outs.

The music on P90x is very generic(some electric guitar loops). So I put a boom box in my room and work out to music.Tony is getting a bit annoying but not to the point where I have to mute him yet.

Overall im pretty happy with the program. I notice I no longer get winded if I run up a flight of stairs and my back looks a little more defined from all the pull-ups im doing. Even when im done with it I will take away some techniques/exercises I learned from this program and carry it into my everyday routine. I'm also liking the fact that I can get a good workout without leaving the house. Something Im partial to during the cold Wisconsin winter that's approaching.

[blary54]

Completed P90X today. Started losing interest near the end. However decent results. I didn't stick to the diet...didnt lose any weight. However my back, biceps and shoulders are pretty defined.

I gave up on the yoga after week one and never did the Kempo workout. Overall though its a pretty decent home workout. I think I will do round two but do it without the videos at the gym I belong to(Ill still do the Plyo dvd at home). Worth checking out. If I would of ate better and cut out alcohol I think I would have had much better results.

[Wendy]

Completed P90X today. Started losing interest near the end. However decent results. I didn't stick to the diet...didnt lose any weight. However my back, biceps and shoulders are pretty defined.

I gave up on the yoga after week one and never did the Kempo workout. Overall though its a pretty decent home workout. I think I will do round two but do it without the videos at the gym I belong to(Ill still do the Plyo dvd at home). Worth checking out. If I would of ate better and cut out alcohol I think I would have had much better results.

I am a couple weeks in and cannot say I think it is wonderful. I love the plyo and Kempo. I did about 15 minutes of Yoga, not for me. I have not done the stretch either.

I did Body for life several years ago and that seemed to give me a much better workout. I had a huge drop in body fat, I think 7% after 90 days and two clothing sizes. But this started after years of nothing so it is not as great of a comparison. I am generally active now.

I too need to layoff the 12oz curls and Mexican if I want to lose weight. I think if I stick to in come cycle season I will see a much better result.

[blary54]

I am a couple weeks in and cannot say I think it is wonderful. I love the plyo and Kempo. I did about 15 minutes of Yoga, not for me. I have not done the stretch either.

I did Body for life several years ago and that seemed to give me a much better workout. I had a huge drop in body fat, I think 7% after 90 days and two clothing sizes. But this started after years of nothing so it is not as great of a comparison. I am generally active now.

I too need to layoff the 12oz curls and Mexican if I want to lose weight. I think if I stick to in come cycle season I will see a much better result.

I really liked the stretch dvd. Pretty relaxing and good for loosing me up. Learned a lot of stretches that Ive never tried before.

The yoga I couldnt do. Im not flexible at all, so I would supplement cardio on yoga and kempo days(I thought kempo was lame).

Stick with the workouts you will see results. But like Tony says you have to find your maximum rep/total burnout on the exercises. There were some days at the end of my workout I would be doing 100 plus pullups.

Plyo kicks your butt...I liked it alot. But honestly got bored with it near the end.

[Wendy]

There were some days at the end of my workout I would be doing 100 plus pullups.

I will be lucky to do that many in my life time. LOL I guess having both shoulders operated on in late 2009 and early 2010 hinders me some.