P90X - Tell me about it

Funny, I was just thinking about P90X today. I bought the program about five years ago. I also bought Insanity, the one from Shaun T that is like P90X on steroids.

P90X requires you to work out six days per week. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are weight training days. You don't need heavy weights. About 25 lbs. was enough for me. Or you can use resistance bands. But you'll need a chin-up bar. You can buy the ones at your local Wal-mart that hook onto your door. That's what I use.

Tuesday is Kenpo Karate and Thursday is Yoga.

The program also comes with an eating plan that YOU MUST FOLLOW if you want to see the results on the infomercials.

But get this. The guy from Yugoslavia or wherever he's from on the commercial, I saw him in the P90X forum saying how he bought one of those Jenny Craig food plans, and that's how he got so ripped.

The program works if you follow it to a T. The problem is that it's almost too intensive. Most people buy it because they want to go from flabby to ripped in 90 days, and that's who they market to.

This is what got me going. They have to make it super-intensive to ensure people see results. But most people quit after the first thirty days. The few who make it 90 days have to repeat the cycle because they're 'not quite where they want to be'.

I finished two cycles of P90X and I never got cut. I'm in shape, but I didn't get ripped. Insanity didn't work, either.

Oh, my strength and conditioning went through the roof. My cardio abilities and endurance skyrocketed. But I still had that padding over all my muscles. Why?

Because I didn't eat like a health nut. And I like to drink on the weekends, two things that aren't conducive to a 'cut' body.

I wouldn't recommend spending money on P90X. If you're new to fitness or you're back after a long time, start slow.

I have P90X and Insanity sitting on my shelf gathering dust. I work out with two dumbbells I bought at Wal-mart in my garage and I'm in the best shape of my life.

P90X is expensive and Tony Horton can really get on your nerves sometimes. But it's a great program if you follow through to the T. If you're not prepared to make the exercise and EATING commitment, save your money for a gym membership or a set of dumbbells.

There are plenty of free exercise routines online and I oftentimes switch it up to alleviate boredom.

Hope that helps.