Somebody reached the site yesterday with that exact question, “does P90X help you put on muscle?” The answer is yes. The interesting thing about P90X is that it builds muscles in places that you have probably never tried working out before. Most people don’t have a clue when they are working out. They get into this routine that they started doing back in high school and stick with it. Its what they learned and they feel like they are still getting results and keeping themselves in shape. For the most part they are but your never going to be able to build other muscles and your long term fitness will not change much. All of those muscles that you continually workout are still going to be there. As soon as you peak with a certain amount of weight you can lift or an amount of reps its time to change. A lot of people will stick with the same routine and never change it up. This causes the plateau effect. If anything the strength that you are building goes down.
Will P90X Work Through Muscle Memory?
This is kind of off topic but a good example would be your golf swing. I was watching the golf channel and they were interviewing some pros caddie and he asked the pro golfer if he worked out at all over the winter. The pro replied with no. He then asked the pro that he must at least take his clubs out to fine tune the swing. He replied with no again. The caddie said there is no way that this guy can go 3 months without swinging a club, he must be crazy. So what the caddie did was put a banana in his golf bag and personally put his pros clubs away for him. Three months later he went over to the pros house for their first tournament and went to the closet to get the clubs. When he opened it up he said it was the worst smell he had ever came across. Turns out that the pro did not take his clubs out of the bag at all and didn’t even workout once. They grabbed the clubs, ditched the banana and he went on to shoot 3 under par that day. The reason is that he has made so many swings over the years that his muscles remember that motion and they will just wake up when asked to do something. This happens with all of us. When you peak out with a weight or rep its time to switch it up.
How Will P90X Put On Muscle?
What P90X does is it teaches you what Tony Horton likes to call “muscle confusion.” When you get all 12 of the P90X dvds each one of them is a different workout that is going to challenge you. Your muscles are always guessing because the way P90X works is that you do 5 different workouts a week and after 3 weeks you enter in 3 new workout DVDs. You just continue doing this process. This will let you build some serious muscle because it never gives your muscles a time to plateau. The strength is going to be there even if it feels like you are getting weaker.
I have been doing P90X for about 6 months now and during the first 4 months I stuck to the workout plan to a T. After that I still did the workouts but in a new way. Its kind of cool now that I can take 3 weeks off from doing any pull ups and still be able to do the same or more (depending on how I feel that day) pull ups next time I do it. The reason is because i worked so hard to get to that point and when I started peaking at the end of 90 days I switched it up and started doing different non P90X workouts like swimming. I was still pushing myself and building muscle. All I have to do now is one of those P90X workouts every other week or so to maintain the muscle I had worked so hard to get while in the mean time I work on new fitness goals.
What Kind Of Muscle Will You Put On With P90X?
The kind of muscle you are going to put on with P90X will be the lean and strong kind. The majority of P90X workouts will work your muscles to their failure point while using your body weight for resistance. This cuts down on the fat and you get a “pound for pound” strength to your body which is ideal for most adults nowadays anyways. However, even if your goal is to bulk up, Tony Horton shows you what to do to achieve those results in each workout. Your not going to be doing bench presses 3 days a week so you look like one of those guys at the gym with a huge chest and chicken legs. Instead you will be working chest once a week with shoulders and back. Once you understand the reasoning behind this you will get it that you are trying to work on all of your muscles not just one in particular. You will get outstanding P90X results and you will not believe what kind of body you had stashed away under that skin for all of those years.
Does P90X build muscle or just tone you because im pretty skinny and most people using the program are kinda big in fat.. ??
P90X can help you build muscle or just tone up. Tony Horton shows you how to modify each move to do one or the other. Not all people who do P90X are big or fat. I put on 10 pounds of muscle after my first round of P90X because I use to be skinny.
Hello Brad,
I am thinking about starting p90x soon but i was wondering, do you workout every body part everyday or is it one body part everyday. And what are the exact equipments needed for p90x. Thanks
P90X is a total body workout. You need the P90X DVDs, a pull up bar, bands or dumbells.
Brad, I’m 17 years old, and very small in many ways. Very little muscle, weigh 110 pounds and stand at 5 foot 6. Will doing the p90x visibly improve my muscle mass? Will I be able to tell that my arms and legs have gotten bigger throughout the 90 days? Thanks, Josh.
Josh – P90X will help improve your overall fitness. You will develop stronger and leaner muscle. If you want to put on bulk then follow what Tony Horton says to do in the P90X DVDs. You will also need to follow the meal plan. It shows you how much more you will need to eat to put the muscle on that you are trying to get.
Hey Brad,
I just have 2 quick questions. I just got p90x and I’m a few days in. I’m aware it will take awhile but exactly when will I start seeing physical results? Also, I’m a basketball player and part of the reason I’m doing this is to improve my vertical by a few inches, will p90x do this too, should I add more plyometric workouts? Thanks so much.
Dane
Dane – The quickness of your results will depend on how much you do P90X and more importantly if you follow the meal plan. I can’t guarantee that P90X will help with your vertical because your only doing 2 cardioish workouts a week with one being Plyometrics. What I would recommend you do is (maybe) buy a weighted vest and use it during Plyometrics and with P90X Legs and Back. I think you’ll be surprised with how much better your vertical and athleticism will improve because P90X will work on all of the other things that you currently do not work on. Also, use Shakeology daily. It helped me big time with the meal plans. You can find it at the Beachbody Store.
Brad,
Im a 16 year old guy, im 6’2”, and weigh around 148 pounds. Ive seen the commercials on t.v. and I am aiming to try out P90x. Im a really skinny guy with a fast motabolism and about zero body fat. Im looking to build a decent amount of muscle. Im tired of looking skinny. Is this the right program for me? Will it help me build muscle? And if so what are some tips to help me accomplish this goal while doing the program?
-Thanks
Tyler – Yes. P90X will put muscle on. I was real skinny before starting P90X and put on 10 pounds of muscle in the first 90 days. You just need to follow the P90X workout guide and the meal plans. Its really that simple.
Will P90X work without the diet plan..?? I know you will get better result with it but without will you see any result..?? are the results huge or not by much?
No. I tried doing it without the meal plan during the first 3 rounds and while I did get stronger I did not see as much visible results. At the very least you need to go and buy Shakeology and use it daily. I’ve seen more results when using Shakeology and I recommend you try it.
Can i do p90x again after i am done with the whole 90 days?
Yes. I did 3 rounds of P90X before moving onto Insanity.
I’m about 5 10, 28 years old, and have been 135 – 140 lbs since I was 20. I have been working at gaining muscle weight my second time through p90x more intense with increased weights. I want to reach 160 to 170 lbs. I have cut out excess cardio routines and I am trying to eat more, I don’t follow a strict plan, but I eat healthy, no junk, no soda, no caffeine, no drinking, no smoking. I have modified the workouts to weight training and then abs/stretch/yoga on the following days. Is it simply enough for 3 days chest/back shoulders/biceps legs/back workouts with increased weights? or can more days for weight routines be added in? I also have an extremely high metabolism. I’ve gained about 10llbs and into week 8. Any help or tailored p90x routine for gaining bulk & muscle weight?I have been following the modified less reps with heavier weights.
Jonathan
I am a big advocate of following the plan all the way through. I was about 20 pounds heavier then you were when you started but I still put on 10 pounds of muscle during the 90 days of P90X just by following the plan. I didn’t follow the meal plan the first time through but since then have been doing better with while using Shakeology and having a P90X Protein Bar just about every day as a snack. Start using those two every day and you will see more bulk. I have put on another 10 pounds since using those in later rounds of P90X / Insanity. Go to the Beachbody Store to buy them.
Hey brad would p90x help me gain muscle mass. I am 15 5’8 that weighs about 128 and take in about 1900 calories. Will i need eat about 4000calories to bulk up over the program
Thanks in advance
Garrick
P90X will show you how to gain mass. You just need to follow the plan. Shouldn’t need to eat 4k calories unless you are doing P90X and something else every day.
Hey Brad. Im 6’0 and around 225. I play football in college. I have a little bit of belly fat that i wanna lose so i can get faster. I want to do p90x to get in top shape and be ripped. But i dont wanna lose too much weight. Maybe at the most 20 Ibs. Will taking protien affect my results?
Grayson – Protein shouldn’t effect your results. What you will find out with P90X is you will be in much better shape from head to toe so that when you get back to football specific workouts you’ll be able to do them better.
Brad-
I am 6’4 225 lbs and was in a good routine for lifting. My wife and I just had our first child and now the gym is a dream/vacation so I just bought P90X. I was going to the gym about 5 times a week, and was seeing my strength increase. My bench was 330 max and deadlifting 405. I want to get more cut up but still maintain that muscle and mass. How has P90X been with heavier lifters like myself?
@ Mike
Congrats on the baby. What you will find with P90X is that you will get cut up and improve on your strength even with not hitting the weights heavy. What’s interesting is many power lifters struggle with P90X because it works on all areas of fitness and not just one particular area. The people I’ve met who power lift tell me that they were able to lift more after the 90 days of P90X even though they did not touch the heavy weights during the 90 days. They said it was because of being in better shape from head to toe.
hello. i have been lifting weights at school and have seen little improvement. i have also been taking protein shakes to try and build muscle mass for football. I was thinking about adding p90x in with all this for maximum performance.Is this a good idea?
@ Alex
Try doing P90X for the entire 90 days by itself. Then at the end of the 90 days get back into the weight room. P90X will get your entire body in shape for football season next year while giving you time to add mass.
Can I used P90x in addition to my normal workout routine?
@ Cbaptiste
Yes. However, I suggest doing P90X by itself for 90 days and then go back to your normal workout routine…if you can. Many people who do P90X find it hard to go back to their old routine because their results with P90X are too good to go unnoticed and stick with it.
What do you guys mean by modifying p90x to gain mass? Like how modify
@ Michael
Tony Horton shows how to modify the move in each P90X workout. Do you own the P90X DVDs?
Hey can I work out one hand at a time? Cause I use the other weights from the other dumbbell
@ Michael
If you want to. That’s kind of extreme.
Missing the occasional day for any workout program won’t kill you but I would never suggest it. If you stick to the plan that beachbody lays out for you then you will get bigger and achieve results. Listen to Tony Horton in the videos and stick with it!
Hey Brad I’m 6’2″ and only 165 pounds. I just did my first day of P90X yesterday and and am really only looking to get big and have it show. I extremely skinny and have almost no fat. Will this program get me big and also if i miss days will it have a huge impact?
@ Andrew
I put on 10 pounds of muscle with P90X in my first 90 days. Yes, you can get big with P90X. Follow what Tony Horton says and lift heavier with less reps. Make sure you are following the meal plan and eating enough to build bulk. Stick with plan and don’t go bouncing around with the P90X DVDs. There is a science behind P90X.
Hi Brad!
I am starting P90x this week!(yey!!) I am 5′5 130 lbs, and I am looking to add some mass to my lower body(glutes mainly). Will this program add size to your glutes at all? My butt isen’t flat but I really want higher/bigger glutes. I’ve heard there was not enough glute work in this program. Any input would be great! Thanks:)
@ Vanessa
P90X will show you how to add mass. Plyometrics and the legs and back workout will enhance it. If you are looking for more of a leg workout then give Insanity a go. Its all legs and core with push ups thrown in. Both programs will kick your butt.
Hello,
I’m currently finishing up my second week of p90x. I love it but I want to bulk up. I’m 5″11 155 lbs. I want to start taking protein drinks like creatine. Should I take it everyday before and after my workout when I do the wokouts or just the days I use the dumbells (biceps, tri’s etc)?
Also will I lose strenght using p90x? For example on my bench press, etc.
Thanks
@ Joel
You need to start lifting heavier weights with less reps. I’m not sure about the creatine question. I use the P90X Recovery Drink after every workout to reduce soreness. You can view it in the Beachbody Store. You will not lose strength from doing P90X. I have seen many people who do the 90 days of P90X with no bench pressing and lift more their first time back. P90X teaches muscle efficiency so you’ll get more from less.
Hello Brad, so I order my P90X a couple of days ago and I’m looking forward to it. I’m 23 yrs old, 5’3 and only 125 pounds. I’m not trying to loose weight, I want to put more muscle, get a six pack, and get bigger. I’ve been working out in the gym for the past two months but decided to try P90X. I play soccer 5 out of 7 deays a week so I have a couple of questions for you:
1-Would you recomend the bands or dumb bells if trying to gain muscle?
2-I started drinking the GNC Pro Performance AMP Amplified Mass XXX, it’s supposed to help me gain muscle, so should i stop drinking it while doing P90X or you think it’s okay to keep drinking it?
3-Will playing soccer 5 out of 7 days a week be a negative effect on seeing results since its a lo of cardio?
Thank you for your help,
Luis
@ Luis
1. I prefer the Bowflex Selecttech Dumbbells over the resistance bands. They are a little pricey.
2. Keep on drinking it until its gone and see how it worked. I’ve been using the P90X Recovery Drink for over a year now and like it a lot.
3. Probably as cardio eats away at muscle. You should focus on lifting heavier weights with less reps when doing P90X so you can build up the muscle.
Brad Hello. I am going to start p90x in a few days after I receive my equipment. What I am hesitant about is using a pullup bar. I am currently s guest at somebody’s house for a few months so I dont want to use that equipment on their doors. Can I use complete this program with Resistance bands and dumbells. Thanks in advance. Omer
@ Omer
I wrap a towel around the parts that touch the molding so it cushions it and makes sure that no marks are left. You can use just resistance bands if you want. There is a tool in the Beachbody Store called the Resistance Band upgrade kit. It wraps around the door frame letting you mimick a pull up with the bands.