Looking to buy P90X

Cassia
Cassia Posts: 467 Member
edited September 20 in Fitness and Exercise
I know a lot of yall use this P90X, is there anything I need to know before I buy? I have already looked at the fitness test to see if I can handle it.
I've also looked at buying it on the beachbody site, but I don't really know what i need to get... I mean, does the "after workout drink" come with it? What about the eating plan? Also, I am testing my self for lactose-intollarance so is the meal plan workable w/ that?
Thanks for any help!
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Replies

  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    First off, if you belong to a gym, there's nothing p90x offers that you can't do in your gym. I find a lot of people buy it b/c they're sold on all the marketing hype that backs this product when in reality, there's really no magic to it. It's a pretty basic program.

    That said, if you don't belong to a gym and you like the idea of the product, it is one of the better structured programs out there.

    Though you by no means need to follow their supplement or nutrition protocol.
  • wolffe
    wolffe Posts: 3
    You'll need a set of dumbells or resistance bands, a pull up bar and depending on where you work out, a mat. Yoga blocks are nice to have but you may not need them.

    I never used the eating plan, but it does come with the program. I don't think it contains a lot of dairy, so you should be able to work with it. I doubt the workout drink comes with it since they pump it on the DVDs. I've never used their recovery drink. Water works just fine for me, or if I feel like I need it, Gatorade.

    It's a great program! Good luck!
  • I don't know about anyone else but I'm very sceptical about any product that claims to "transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days"

    Ripped takes A LOT weights and exercise - and real effort to get body fat down to a minimum - my own personal advice would be to stick to a traditional exercise programme, or if you want to do a weights work, make your own up - if you have an iphone for example there are loads of examples on there

    Good luck either way :-)
  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    I don't know about anyone else but I'm very sceptical about any product that claims to "transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days"

    It's all part of the hype. For them, it's all about tugging on the right emotional strings to trigger a purchase.

    For those who like being spoonfed exact routines to follow, there are much worse products on the shelves. I just wish people would be more knowledgeable so that they're buying stuff like this for the right reasons (which would not include the supposed miracle results and secret "muscle confusion" they like to talk about).
  • doughd2
    doughd2 Posts: 86 Member
    I don't know about anyone else but I'm very sceptical about any product that claims to "transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days"

    Just thought I'd throw in - it IS possible. My boyfriend went from a little bit of a belly to a six pack in less than 90 days. He worked his butt off and followed the eating plan fairly well when he could. I didn't have quite the transformation, but my heart wasn't in it quite like his.. it just wasn't fun for me.

    If you're looking for something to do at home (i have zero interest in going to a gym) then this can definately work.
  • FrankyOsage
    FrankyOsage Posts: 275
    Bump

    I was thinking about getting it myself...
  • kellygirl5538
    kellygirl5538 Posts: 597 Member
    I want to do this program but I'm waiting until late fall.......spring and summer are coming up and I don't want to spend 1 to 1.5 hours a day inside when I can run, hike, and swim!!!!! Good luck to you.
  • Doughd2: Just curious - I'm starting this tomorrow and wonder what you mean by 'your heart wasn't in it' . . . did you do the whole program but maybe with less effort or resistance? Skip days? I'm not sure what to expect and am just trying to get an idea.

    I'm a huge fan of the 'spoon-fed' approach. If I haven't thought of what to do at the gym on any given day, I'm likely to do nothing at all. I'm pretty sure I can remember to push the button though!
  • If you buy it on the Beachbody site, you know you are getting an authentic set. There are a lot of copied versions out there. As for things to buy to get started is some form of resistance (bands, weights). I personally use resistance bands and I recommend buying them from Beachbody. The quality is really good and when you are pulling a huge rubber band towards your face, quality matters. If you want to buy a pull-up bar, the easiest ones are the ones that hang on the door frame. I would look on Amazon or Ebay for that. It should be cheaper on those sites. The post workout Results Formula drink does not come with the program unless there is a new offer. It tastes pretty good and I felt that I recovered better following the exercises. It does get expensive and the orange flavor is the only flavor they have so that got old after a while. I personally do not follow the meal plan. I modified my diet the best I could. Having two young kids takes away from quality cooking time. Good luck with your decision. I just passed the 1 year mark with P90X and I look forward to it every night.
  • doughd2
    doughd2 Posts: 86 Member
    I made it through about 2.5 months.. there was alot of factors with it.. I was working long days outside with a long commute, so getting up at 4am and working out for an hour and a half got old. I'm also just not much for weights and that sort of thing. I think I could've put in alot more effort if I had enjoyed it more. (On the flip side, I started the Insanity program this week, and actually look forward - so far - to getting up at 5am to do it)

    I also like the spoon fed approach. Nothing to think about - just do it.
  • Cassia
    Cassia Posts: 467 Member
    Thanks everyone for the great reply!!
    I am actually not expecting to be "transformed in 90 days" at all. I have an extreamly hard time losing weight, so i don't think this is just going to make the pounds come off, but it does seem to be very well structured and a good hard workout.
    I don't belong to a gym, I would take me 45 mins to get to the nearest women's gym, so my basement does the trick. I have been doing a weight routine for about a month (i have plenty of dumbells but no pull-up bar), but i would really like something more structured and challanging.
  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    I'm a huge fan of the 'spoon-fed' approach. If I haven't thought of what to do at the gym on any given day, I'm likely to do nothing at all. I'm pretty sure I can remember to push the button though!

    Haha, fair enough. Trust me, you aren't alone. Heck, I make a living b/c people want to be told exactly what to do. I'm a personal trainer. :)

    I just like to throw out objective advice and play devil's advocate.

    Plus, I despise the marketing this industry uses. But that's beyond the scope of this thread.

    Best of luck!
  • kyp90x
    kyp90x Posts: 1 Member
    P90X is a great program if you have the time and dedication. My husband and I did follow the program including the meal program with substitutions since I only eat fish and not other meat. The meal preperation was time intensive but the food was good. We also used the recovery drink which was awesome and worth the money. I really think the recovery drink helped me stick with the program. Good luck. The program works if you follow it.
  • Canuck_TriFit
    Canuck_TriFit Posts: 97 Member
    I would like to give an opinion of someone who is trying it. Yes I believe the program works as advertised, but advertised means doing all the routines, bringing it to your workouts and following the suggested nutrition plan (I don't believe this means following the exact meals but following the prescribed ratio of carbs, protein and fat).

    The program brings
    1. structure to a workout (warmup, workout, cooldown)
    2. motivation to press harder or to take breaks if needed.
    3. variety (cardio, yoga, stretching, strength / muscle building)
    4. Different variations, Lean program, regular, and Doubles for those in need of more.

    You will need as suggested earlier, dumbbells or resistance bands, pullup bar (although resistance bands can be used), yoga blocks and mat are optional.

    You don't need the extra recovery drink and other supplements but with every other workout whether it's at a gym or home you might want protein powder, vitamins and some form of recovery drink.

    I believe this program works, I am on Day 58 of it and have seen some great improvements. Would I have got this from going to the gym, maybe but the motivation to spend all the extra time of going to the gym might not have been there. I can do this workout in my home at the time of my choosing. It does take dedication to do the 60 minute to 90 minute workouts 6 days a week.

    With all this said, you need to be prepared to put the effort in, as with all exercise programs in order to see results. Most people it seems quit the program after a few weeks, I for one am going the full 90 days and then more because I love the results I get.
  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    The program brings
    1. structure to a workout (warmup, workout, cooldown)
    2. motivation to press harder or to take breaks if needed.
    3. variety (cardio, yoga, stretching, strength / muscle building)
    4. Different variations, Lean program, regular, and Doubles for those in need of more.

    That it does.

    It also brings introduces progressive overload, which is inherent in any routine that "works."

    My original point, which I want to highlight just so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle, is ALL PROGRAMS that are built upon the fundamental principles work. You can find them in books, DVDs like this one, from worthy personal trainers, and for free on the Internet. They're supply is endless.

    I think this is an important point to stress b/c while some people are certainly buying the program for the right reasons (which are, they like the structure, spoon feeding, the trainer and the motivation he brings to the table, etc), there are others out there who buy this product b/c they think it delivers something other properly stuctured programs don't - which is false.
  • digger61084
    digger61084 Posts: 1 Member
    I am almost half way done with the 3 month P90X routine. The first month in I lost 12 pounds and 2 inches from my waist. I have not followed the diet plan exactly, just counting calories on this site. I did not buy it thinking I would go from 28% body fat down to ripped in 90 days. I bought it because it was a nice mix of cardio and muscle training. I get a good pump on the muscle days and am very sweaty when done with the cardio days. If you want a program that is well rounded, this would work for you. All routines, except Yoga, are 55-60 minutes start to finish. There is no gym in my town, so I love the idea of being able to get a great workout done in under an hour. I would be looking at close to 2 hours if I was to drive to a gym. Just like any exercise program, it is all about the effort you put into the workouts. For the cost of a few months at a gym, I have a solid workout I can do at home while my kid naps. I bought mine through Amazon along with a pull up bar and bands. The bands are nice, but if you have 400 bucks to blow, I would get the adjustable dumbbells... I am saving up for them..
  • eriny
    eriny Posts: 1,509 Member
    well results here are from this great site !!! my floor for the first year and the gym for 30 -45 min if with my boys most time 20 min and still use the floor (situps ,pushups and planks ) about 5 min so look before buying anything talk to people on this great site
  • mworld
    mworld Posts: 270
    i belong to a gym and the big benefit of P90x to me is having a structured program that is by no means routine from day to day. The other benefit (And larger one to me) is that as part of my time management I no longer have to waste time driving to and from the gym, dealing with gym bags/clothes etc.. It may not seem like much, but that extra 30 minutes of peripheral time you end up using going to the gym is time i'd rather be working out or hanging out at home.

    At home workouts are usually hard to do with intensity, the structure of p90x makes it hard to do without intensity and I totally feel like I don't ever need to go back to the gym as a result. I'd highly recommend spending the 140$ on this first and see if it works before paying to solicit any other professional 'gym' advice.
  • KarenECunningham
    KarenECunningham Posts: 419 Member
    I am not sure what this is. I belong to a gym and love using the elliptical. I do kettlebells at home. What ever you find that works to get you moving is great.
  • AwMyLoLo
    AwMyLoLo Posts: 1,571 Member
    First off, if you belong to a gym, there's nothing p90x offers that you can't do in your gym. I find a lot of people buy it b/c they're sold on all the marketing hype that backs this product when in reality, there's really no magic to it. It's a pretty basic program.

    That said, if you don't belong to a gym and you like the idea of the product, it is one of the better structured programs out there.

    Though you by no means need to follow their supplement or nutrition protocol.

    For me, I was a member of a gym for over 2 years and was going nowhere fast. I just didnt have the knowledge or willpower to really do what I needed to do to get where I want to be! I am on day 48 of P90X and have seen great results so far. It was the best choice for me because there is no guess-work involved. Do the workouts as instructed and you WILL see results. I don't follow the nutrition plan exactly but do have my MFP settings set to reflect the P90X ratios.
  • BiloxiBelle
    BiloxiBelle Posts: 680 Member
    Amen Canuckfit! Well said!

    It is FOR SURE possible to transform your body in 90 days. My husband & I did just that w/our 1st round of p90x last summer. No, the workouts are not some new, mind-blowing routines. But they are well thought-out & if you use heavy enough weights, they bring great results. P90x forced me to do exercises I would normally avoid on my own at the gym...ugh I used to hate push-ups, tri dips....2 things I can crank out 40 each of now. & the nutrition guide forced me to take a good, hard look at my eating. I am a totally different eater now. I even suscribe to Clean Eating magazine. Yes, I could've researched different exercise combinations online or in books. Yes, I could've visited a dietician or did more research online or w/books. I personally don't have the time or want to put in that type of effort. I'd rather pay $150 or whatever for a program that has already done all of that for me. I have done Insanity as well & same goes for that program. Now I do a hybrid of them together. The possibilities are endless & have lasted me past the 90 day program. It is not a far reach to say P90x turned my life around.
  • AwMyLoLo
    AwMyLoLo Posts: 1,571 Member
    I don't know about anyone else but I'm very sceptical about any product that claims to "transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days"

    It's all part of the hype. For them, it's all about tugging on the right emotional strings to trigger a purchase.

    For those who like being spoonfed exact routines to follow, there are much worse products on the shelves. I just wish people would be more knowledgeable so that they're buying stuff like this for the right reasons (which would not include the supposed miracle results and secret "muscle confusion" they like to talk about).

    I honestly don't think P90X is hype at all, and I believe that my overall fitness has improved drastically in the past 48 days as a result of "muscle confusion"
  • AwMyLoLo
    AwMyLoLo Posts: 1,571 Member
    i belong to a gym and the big benefit of P90x to me is having a structured program that is by no means routine from day to day. The other benefit (And larger one to me) is that as part of my time management I no longer have to waste time driving to and from the gym, dealing with gym bags/clothes etc.. It may not seem like much, but that extra 30 minutes of peripheral time you end up using going to the gym is time i'd rather be working out or hanging out at home.

    At home workouts are usually hard to do with intensity, the structure of p90x makes it hard to do without intensity and I totally feel like I don't ever need to go back to the gym as a result. I'd highly recommend spending the 140$ on this first and see if it works before paying to solicit any other professional 'gym' advice.

    I completely agree with you!
  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    I honestly don't think P90X is hype at all, and I believe that my overall fitness has improved drastically in the past 48 days as a result of "muscle confusion"

    I'm speaking more specficially regarding the peer-reviewed research literature regarding periodization and muscular adaptation. Muscle confusion isn't really a principle that's rooted in reseach and human physiology.

    Remember, correlation is not causation.

    By that, I mean just because they say muscle confusion works, it might not be that principle that's giving you your bang for your buck. In reality, I'd argue it's not. Rather, it's the intensity and progressive overload that's giving you your results and I base that on what we know about the human body and its response to the stress of resistance training.

    I am a fan of p90x. I really am. It's one of the few commercial products out there that actually includes the foundational concepts that all worthy programs have. And because of this, especially if you put forth the effort, I'm sure you will realize awesome improvements if you adhere to it.

    I congratulate you.

    My "argument" is that:

    a) there's a lot of marketing hype that goes behind p90x. In part, it's good as it gets more people resistance training than otherwise would. The other part is not so good from the eyes of someone like me who values research and scientific integrity.

    and

    b) Many other programs deliver the same thing.

    Neither of these refutations discredit the efficacy of p90x though. At the end of the day, it's a program that, if followed consistently, will deliver results.

    Fair enough?
  • AwMyLoLo
    AwMyLoLo Posts: 1,571 Member
    I honestly don't think P90X is hype at all, and I believe that my overall fitness has improved drastically in the past 48 days as a result of "muscle confusion"

    I'm speaking more specficially regarding the peer-reviewed research literature regarding periodization and muscular adaptation. Muscle confusion isn't really a principle that's rooted in reseach and human physiology.

    Remember, correlation is not causation.

    By that, I mean just because they say muscle confusion works, it might not be that principle that's giving you your bang for your buck. In reality, I'd argue it's not. Rather, it's the intensity and progressive overload that's giving you your results and I base that on what we know about the human body and its response to the stress of resistance training.

    I am a fan of p90x. I really am. It's one of the few commercial products out there that actually includes the foundational concepts that all worthy programs have. And because of this, especially if you put forth the effort, I'm sure you will realize awesome improvements if you adhere to it.

    I congratulate you.

    My "argument" is that:

    a) there's a lot of marketing hype that goes behind p90x. In part, it's good as it gets more people resistance training than otherwise would. The other part is not so good from the eyes of someone like me who values research and scientific integrity.

    and

    b) Many other programs deliver the same thing.

    Neither of these refutations discredit the efficacy of p90x though. At the end of the day, it's a program that, if followed consistently, will deliver results.

    Fair enough?

    Perfectly fair. I have seen several of your posts and you seem very knowledgeable. I just didn't want the OP to think that P90X would be a bad choice. :flowerforyou:
  • nali_12
    nali_12 Posts: 172 Member
    I totally agree with Canuckfit and some of the others. Not sure what Stroutman81 has against it, maybe it's taking away his clients, haha! :) Ok, I just read stroutman's last post so I take back my previous comment! :)

    I am a believer in p90x. p90x takes all the guesswork out. whether you belong to a gym or not it's all about balancing the right foods and doing the right exercises. you could go to a gym everyday but if you are not doing the right things you won't see the results you want. the nutrition plan is not a crock. there is a saying that says, "your abs are made in the kitchen and results are 70% diet and 30% exercise." You can't fuel your body with crap and then do some hard core exercise and expect to have a lean, mean, fat burning machine! :)

    sure there might be other programs out there but this is a awesome one that works. It does take dedication and time but no pain, no gain right! You can do it whenever is convenient for you and best of all it works, did I say that already! :) I'm just starting my 2nd round and this time I am following the nutrition ratios. I saw great results with my 1st round just by counting my calories and eating healthier but I think this round will be even better. You definitely can't go on a low calorie diet for this program. Your body needs the fuel. This program is not hype and not promising unrealistic things. They have done all the hard stuff by figuring out what to do when and how to do it and what types of food to eat, all you have to do is do your best and push play everyday! and no i'm not getting paid to say this, i just truly believe in this program and it is one I will probably do for life!
  • nali_12
    nali_12 Posts: 172 Member
    I don't know about anyone else but I'm very sceptical about any product that claims to "transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days"

    Ripped takes A LOT weights and exercise - and real effort to get body fat down to a minimum - my own personal advice would be to stick to a traditional exercise programme, or if you want to do a weights work, make your own up - if you have an iphone for example there are loads of examples on there

    Good luck either way :-)

    you obviously have never tried it and here's my ??? why make up your own when there is one out there already???
    sorry, i think I'm overly sensitive as I think this is an awesome program and I hate to see people bash it.

    Getting ripped does take work but it is possible. Diet makes up a huge part in that. anyway...i'm putting away my p90x claws now! :)
  • AwMyLoLo
    AwMyLoLo Posts: 1,571 Member
    I don't know about anyone else but I'm very sceptical about any product that claims to "transform your body from regular to ripped in just 90 days"

    Ripped takes A LOT weights and exercise - and real effort to get body fat down to a minimum - my own personal advice would be to stick to a traditional exercise programme, or if you want to do a weights work, make your own up - if you have an iphone for example there are loads of examples on there

    Good luck either way :-)

    you obviously have never tried it and here's my ??? why make up your own when there is one out there already???
    sorry, i think I'm overly sensitive as I think this is an awesome program and I hate to see people bash it.

    Getting ripped does take work but it is possible. Diet makes up a huge part in that. anyway...i'm putting away my p90x claws now! :)


    :laugh:
  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    Perfectly fair. I have seen several of your posts and you seem very knowledgeable. I just didn't want the OP to think that P90X would be a bad choice. :flowerforyou:

    Great and thanks. I wouldn't want the OP to think that either.
  • stroutman81
    stroutman81 Posts: 2,474 Member
    Not sure what Stroutman81 has against it, maybe it's taking away his clients, haha! :)

    Hey now. No reason to make this something personal.

    I own a gym and online consulting business and have a waiting list. I'm not one to brag, but I assure you p90x isn't even on my radar as far as competition is concerned. It caters to a different market than I target.

    I belong to communties like this to offer research-backed, objective/unbiased opinions. That's my very simple motive. I feel people are entitled to that given the enormous amount of biased, monetarily driven motives out there in the fitness industry.

    Not once did I knock the p90x program, itself. I simply commented about some of the marketing tactics and unfounded claims.
    Ok, I just read stroutman's last post so I take back my previous comment! :)

    Ok. I appreaciate you retracting the statement. But I'd like to be clear... I'll never personally bring someone into a conversation even if I'm in a debate with them. Debates are great... I love them. Being forced to defend your beliefs will either 1) reinforce them or 2) create doubt, in which case you reassess and either go back to 1) or you learn something. In any event, having people disagree can only lead to a positive outcome IMO. That's assuming people don't get personal when debating.
    I am a believer in p90x.

    And here's my point....

    This above quote is the equivalent of saying, "I am a believer in all programs that offer sound advice that's based on the core principles of training."

    Obviously not everyone is familiar with the core principles and not everyone is interested in doing their own investigative work. For those, p90x is great. And if you buy it, love it, and realize results... I wouldn't be surprised and I'd be happy for you.

    But if we all idol-worshiped particular programs, there'd be no objectivity. And that's when people can become blinded to the facts. The whole reason I join communties such as this is to maintain some of that objectivity. Let's face it, there's no such thing as The One Diet or The One Program that is "right" for everyone. Knowing this, we need to maintain objectivity when assessing things.
    This program is not hype

    Just so we're clear since this has come up twice now in response to my original statement... I don't think p90x, as in the program itself, is hype... as I've said numerous times now. I'm saying that *some* of the marketing is based on hype. Which is the case with any commercial fitness product.

    There's a big difference there.

    I think I've said all I can say on the topic. I'm not here to offend anyone and it's obvious some people are misreading what I'm saying. So I'll exit the conversation.

    Best to everyone!
This discussion has been closed.