P90X - Overview and FAQ

Is it hard?

I’m not going to sugar coat it - yes, it’s hard. But that’s what I love about it. It’s a constant challenge and never gets old. When I first started, there were many moves that I couldn’t do and I was only lifting 5 pounds at a time. I started doing all of my push ups on my knees. After two rounds through the program, I’m lifting up to 45 pounds an arm on some exercises, and can do up to 40 pushups on my toes. It’s amazing to see the progress. Tony Horton, who is the p90x trainer, says throughout the videos – “Do your best and forget the rest”. Who cares if you can only do 2 pushups? Who cares if you can’t even do a pull up to start? Besides, who would want to be able to master the program right off the bat anyway? Do what you can, modify the moves to meet your ability, and the rest will come in time. I am the perfect example.

Do I need to be coordinated? What about fancy equipment?

I am the MOST uncoordinated person out there. I embarrass myself at aerobics classes because I’m always moving in the opposite direction, kicking when I’m supposed to be jumping, etc. P90X is different. The moves are really rather basic. The first DVD in the series, chest and back, is nothing but an HOUR of pushups and pull ups. Simple stuff! But it kicks your butt.

As far as equipment is concerned – you’ll need at minimum a yoga mat and a resistance band with a door anchor. These are all pretty cheap and can be bought at any sporting goods store. Since there are pull ups in the program, it’s recommended that you get a pull up bar. You can get these from any sporting goods store and mount them in a doorway. I was working out in my basement and didn’t have available space on the top of the door frame to mount one, so I never used an actual pull up bar. All of the pull ups can be simulated using the resistance bands, and Tony will demonstrate each modification for each move in the DVDs. For the resistance training days, you can use a resistance band, but I went out and got a few sets of dumbbells. I started out with a 10lb and 15lb set, and as I progressed into the program, added more to my arsenal. You’ll need the yoga mat for the ab workouts and for yoga days. It makes a HUGE difference with yoga – I had never done yoga before, so I didn’t understand just how important the mat was.)

How is the program set up?

P90X is set up into three phases, each phase being 4 weeks long. Each phase is 3 weeks of “work”, followed by 1 resistance week. The workouts in each phase are the same for each week, but vary day by day.

For example, here is the setup for phase 1:

Weeks 1, 2, and 3:
Day 1: Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 2: Plyometrics
Day 3: Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper X
Day 4: Yoga
Day 5: Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6: Kenpo
Day 7: Rest/Stretch

Week 4 (Recovery Week):
Day 1: Yoga
Day 2: Core Synergistics
Day 3: Kenpo
Day 4: Stretch
Day 5: Core Synergistics
Day 6: Yoga
Day 7: Rest/Stretch

I always started my phases on a Monday so that I had Sundays free as my rest day. Your 4th week, recovery week, is more focused on stretching, flexibility and cardio endurance. Even though it’s a recovery week, it’s still tough! Each resistance workout is approximately 55 minutes (5 min warm up/stretch, 45 min work, and 5 min cool down/stretch), followed by a 14 minute ab workout. The cardio days (plyo, kenpo, and core synergistics) are approximately 55 minutes (with warm up and cool down). Yoga is the longest at an hour and a half (but it’s SO worth it).