P90X2 v P90X v. Les Mills Pump

+1 for P90X2

All the negative stuff about X2 I've seen has to do with the first Phase. Mostly from people who did the workouts once, didn't get the moves down properly so didn't get to the stage where they could up the weight and push themselves. If you commit to it properly, it's 10 times the workout P90X is. Once you get to the second or third week. Like the last poster, I stayed in phase I for 6 weeks (I wouldn't let myself move on until I had those lolasanas down!)

I've done the X a few times, but I'll probably never go back (at least not for a while).

I haven't done Les Mills, so not qualified to comment on it.

I haven't done Less Mills Pump but I have done P90X2. I loved X2. I have heard people also say that it was not as hard or not challenging enough, but I found it very challenging, due to the balance challenge involved. I loved the addition of the medicine balls to do the pushups. It gives you a huge burn after you are done. I also loved the new pullups. Pretty much loved the variety and new challenge. Its not a major muscle builder program, and I believe Tony mentions it, but it is a great program to add to your workout library.

Less Mills Pump I am not sure about but I think its more of a cardio based weight liting? Like higher reps, lower weights? Not sure. But you can always check out the videos they have on their site and get a bit more info on it.

Good luck!!

Maria

I'm currently working on Insanity. I've only finished week 1 and it's kicking my butt. But, I'm also already noticing some changes. It's worth a try and you don't need any equipment for it either as you do with P90X and P90X2.

Also, Les Mills Pump is all barbell work. My only hangup is that my lower body is much stronger than my upper so even though I can squat over 100lbs I can only bicep curl like 25lbs lol. Changing the plates may be a pain for Les Mills. I'm in my first round of P90X and not sure where I'm gonna go from here. I have gotten used to using dumb bells so not sure I would love all barbell work...

I have not done Les Mills, but a few people in my challenge group have and they LOVE it! I am looking forward to ordering that one on the future. You may also want to look into the new one called Body Beast if you want to bulk up.

I have one friend doing Body Beast and she loves it but I haven't heard too many other reviews on it...

I'm going to toss Tony Horton One on One into the mix...

I'm a 4 year grad of X and have had great results. I was looking for something more challenging so I picked up One on One and it's been fantastic. The jokes are the WORST and I laugh out loud even after hearing them a bunch of times. (Other One on One'ers will laugh along at JOE...PETRI...DISH!)

My current routine goes a little like this:

M - Thirty Fifteen (this will kick your buttox)
T - Insanity
W - Just Arms (Biceps, Forearms, Triceps)
Th - Insanity
F - Diamond Delts
S - Insanity

There are some great cardio workouts in One on One but I prefer Insanity....

I run every morning as well...my legs get their work then.

Warning: The director, Mason, chats with Tony during the workouts and I have to block him out...great producer...but annoying as all get out.

Watch some of the promos on YouTube...

Friend me if you'd like to be pushed.

Chris

I just re-read your post and would add to this that, if running is your primary cardio, and you are looking to build more strength, why use a program at all? Why not just hit the weight room?

Haven't done Pump - but LOVE X2 for the balance, stability and core. I like that it has no cardio in the program, and is easy to incorporate into running. I like that it is Phases - and you don't move on to the next phase until you are totally comfortable with the first phase. This means that you may take more than 90 days to complete the program.

I like X2 for the Phase 1, would do it forever. Phase 2 is similar to P90X, strength training - and Phase 3, is pretty intense. I agree with the statement that I didn't think it was as "hard" as the first P90X.. but then again, I'd already DONE that.

My complaint with P90X2 as a runner, I want to build muscle endurance. Lots of reps, lower weights, just wear my muscles to constant exhaustion. I couldn't really do that with X2 and felt like I was needing to always lift heavier. As a runner, I had to decide what I wanted best for my body, with my age, current strength and ability - the more reps lower weight is really what "I" personally desire for me. I still use weights that are probably heavier than some would consider lighter .

Have you considered Brazil Butt Lift - this is my GO TO program for running at the present time. After being in Physical Therapy for knee pain and being prescribed hip strengthening exercises. I found that BBL was not as boring as the PT exercises, was more targeting, and could always be pushed harder by heavier weights, deeper squats and lunger, using greater range of motion. BBL has a cardio program (which I rarely do), the classic Squat and Lunge routine, a resistance band/ankle weight routine, a super ab workout called Tummy Tuck and an upper body strength, with cardio and balance movements called sculpt. I did Sculpt with 20's the other day, dang near killed me But it goes slow enough that form is important and the instructor is very very good at telling you those little small things like foot angle or what muscles you are working, which I think gets missed in P90X2.

These are all really great THANKS SO MUCH! I do think about just doing the weights but I really need help with form and I was hoping Les Mills might provide that but a video is never as good as a live instructor who is skilled of course.

Brazil Butt Lift is a great suggestion I have considered that many times but you are one of only a few people I know who have been happy with their results.

Really interested to hear how many people liked P90X 2. So do people feel it is more focused on core and balance than on building muscle?

Thanks all!

Wendy, I agree with the BBL rating. I also don't use the cardio workouts but High & Tight is an awesome workout for hitting some of those often missed leg and glutes muscles. Tummy Tuck is also terrific but I'm not using it right now as Jeff has me foo.g so much core work.
I'm putting High & Tight into my marathon training program this week.
Yes, I would say X2 is certainly more core and balance focused, which with your chronic leg injury might be exactly what you need

Based on your pics, it looks like you have developed a decent amount of muscle. If you go to or continue cardio based weight training, you will not progress in that area.
I think the question here is ultimately, what is your goal with your weight training? I am currently training for a marathon and so running is 99.9% of my cardio (I also teach Spin) and I go to the gym for weight training, mostly upper body, glutes, and abs/core, to balance out my body and stabilize so as to avoid injury, and maintain muscle.

I totally thnk that X2 is core, balance, stability, and fluidity.

One more thing about BBL that I like in marathon training, the time commitment is less than x2. If I run in the am and don't have time for a full workout at lunch, I can throw in bum bum, secret weapon, tummy tuck, or rapido to get a solid quick workout in.

I like high and tight, it's band and ankle weight work, and sculpt really is perfect for a runner wanting weights but not overdoing it. The thing I like is it seems to target those areas as a runner get just unbalanced as a runner.

Not to mention, no additional equipment and cost effective. There is supposed to be a BBL2 coming out this fall I think.

old thread I know, but I want to post in case someone else is interested.


I've done 4 rounds of Insanity, P90X 1 and I'm now doing the 3, 3 rounds of Body Pump, Body Beast, Brazil butt lit, and many others as I'm a Beachbody coach. I lost over 90lbs, started 8 months after having twins, mostly when doing Insanity.


Anyways, here is my intake: P90X is upper body heavy. If you look at the bodies of the women who do it, you can see that. the #1 complaint is not much muscle gain in the butt area. After doing body pump for 9 months I gained inches on my butt o pure muscle. Something that I never got doing brazil butt lift, seriously it's like the most amazing *kitten* workout ever. However, P90X (I wouldn't go for the 2, go for 1 or 3) you have the option of going for pull ups and chin ups, along with the weight training it's core centric and upper body focused.

It depends on your goals. I you have liting background, go for pump. I squatted 80lbs and over with a rack while doing pump, not my 1 rep maxes but it's not low weight. You can make strong gains quickly with pump. I you want to focus on pull ups (as I am currently doing, this time around my goal is to do upper body, core and back) and upper strength, go for the p90x (p90x2 was too balancy for me, but then I was spoiled from the original. I'm loving the 3). I'm not a pump instructor BTW, but I thought the form cues were great. I come from a dance background so form is something I concentrate on ( I don't want to get injured). Body best is a lot of equipmet IMO but was really, really fun (I didn't have really all the equipment that it was required).

Anyways, right now I add 5x5's on heavy dead lifts, dead rows and squats on my strength days in the p90x because, for me, it doesn't really work the legs as strenously as I like to achieve volume.