Switching from heavy lifting to P90X...Good or bad idea???

bcf7683
bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
So I'm having a dilemma. I hit my goal weight doing mainly cardio (did Zumba, running, and Body Pump for about 5 months). So now I've been in the gym for the past 4-ish months on a mostly weight-based routine (different muscle group each day, 12-15 minutes HIIT cardio afterwards). I've put on a couple pounds of muscle and dropped a couple more inches, but I'm growing bored with the weight room everyday (yes, I've switched up my lifting routines).

My question is- would it be going backwards in my development if I took a break from the weight room and did P90X? (I'm borrowing it, but buying it) I know there's the forever-long battle over whether it's more cardio-based or strength-based so I wasn't sure if it'd be a bad idea to switch up my routine so drastically. I was also thinking about possibly doing P90X in the morning, and still doing my weight routine after work, without the cardio- but I didn't know if that'd lead to overtraining...

So I guess I'm looking for some educated answers as to whether it'd be a beneficial choice or if it'd set me back from what I'm doing now....

Replies

  • bcf7683
    bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
    ....Anyone? :huh:
  • huckleberry0070
    huckleberry0070 Posts: 64 Member
    If it's a matter of boredom, switching to P90X could be a good idea for a while... keep in mind, though, that there are only like 12 different workouts so you could get bored with them too. The good thing about P90X is that you do it in stages. You'll do the same 6 workouts for a couple weeks then switch to another group of workouts. When I first started P90X I did an hour of cardio in the morning and P90X in the afternoon... it did lead to a bit of overtraining, so just be careful how you do it. Also, if you want to keep the muscle you have and keep building more, don't go for the 12-15 reps... lift heavy and shoot for 8-10.
  • huckleberry0070
    huckleberry0070 Posts: 64 Member
    Also, don't do more than one session of weight training per day... if you're gonna do two workouts, make one a moderate cardio and the other weight lifting. Your muscles need at least 24 to 48 hours to recover between workouts.
  • bcf7683
    bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
    I read somewhere else about the lifting heavier for less reps, too. I guess what I'm looking for is a perspective from someone who has experience with lifting heavy at the gym but also knows about P90X. I don't want to deplete the muscle gains I've had in the past four/five months- I didn't know if it's possible to maintain muscle mass while doing P90X, it seems like it's a lot of cardio
  • SherryRueter
    SherryRueter Posts: 3,400 Member
    There are only 2 cardio workouts in P90X
    1) PlyoX (or you can do Cardio X- which is less cardio)
    2) KenpoX

    Its 3 days of strength, 2 days of Cardio, 2days of Stretching/yoga.
    They both contain a low impact modifier so you don't have to do high cardio.

    From my experience P90x will at least maintain your muscle, I personally have made gains with the program and dropped bodyfat to an athletic level. My personal recommendation would be that you do P90X and re-assess your gains at the end of 30 days.

    If you think it isn't enough, you could always add gym work in addition to the Stretch/yoga/rest days.
  • bcf7683
    bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
    There are only 2 cardio workouts in P90X
    1) PlyoX (or you can do Cardio X- which is less cardio)
    2) KenpoX

    Its 3 days of strength, 2 days of Cardio, 2days of Stretching/yoga.
    They both contain a low impact modifier so you don't have to do high cardio.

    From my experience P90x will at least maintain your muscle, I personally have made gains with the program and dropped bodyfat to an athletic level. My personal recommendation would be that you do P90X and re-assess your gains at the end of 30 days.

    If you think it isn't enough, you could always add gym work in addition to the Stretch/yoga/rest days.

    What was your body composite when you started??? The stage I'm in is my body is mainly slim, still have a bit stomach fat to lose. My arms, legs, and shoulders have had significant gains in the last few months. I run around 3 miles daily, so I'm relatively fit in the cardio area as well.
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