Do These Before Day 1 Of P90X

1. Read The P90X Workout Guidebook – Tony Horton and the people at Beachbody put this book together to give you the knowledge behind P90X. You’ll learn what each move is called, why the meal plans are important, what equipment you need to do P90X, and most importantly what version of P90X to do. Picking P90X Lean, P90X Classic, or P90X Doubles will set you on the right path to achieve your fitness goals. I recommend P90X Classic because it will show you very quickly where you stand with your fitness. Tony also gives some tips and advice to help you get through all 90 days.
2. Put Up The P90X Calendar – This way you see it when you walk in or out of your house everyday. Cross off workouts as you go so you feel like your making progress.
3. Read The P90X Meal Plan – Over 70% of your results will come from what you eat. The P90X Nutrition Plan is a in-depth plan that tells you exactly what you need to be eating to provide the right balance of fuel your body needs to get through P90X. Trust me when I say its important. I thought I ate right before starting P90X so I didn’t read it. While I did get much stronger in my first round of P90X I didn’t see the definition I was expecting. Went through the guide, made some small changes in my diet, and what a difference it made.

You should be able to get all of these done in about an hour. You’ll be opening the workout guidebook and meal plan every once in a while as you move through each phase so keep them handy. Take the meal plan guide book with you grocery shopping if you need to. Doing these tasks before you start Day 1 of P90X will make a big difference in your results.

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Should I Start Day 1 Of P90X As Soon As I Get The P90X DVDs?

My First Round Of P90X

I did not take any supplements at all during my first 90 days of P90X. The only thing I did do was continued on with a protein shake after each resistance workout. I was in good shape before starting P90X from my previous 2 years of running almost 20 miles a week. But I was not in P90X shape. I cannot tell you how sore I would get after most of the P90X workouts. Whatever workout I did two days ago would be the group of muscles that was killing that day. This was common for the entire 90 days. Was pleased with the P90X results I earned in my first round of P90X that I came back for another round.

I Start Using The P90X Recovery Drink For Round Two

I broke down and bought the P90X Recovery Drink after hearing Tony Horton mention it in almost every workout. Finished off my tub of Whey Protein before getting it because money was tight at the time. Wanted to see if it was everything it was cracked up to be. Didn’t really start noticing the differences it made until the second week after taking it because I wasn’t noticing something I had noticed all the time before. Soreness. It now lasted one day. Some of it could be because I was on round two and have mastered some of the moves but I was pushing harder this time. At the end of round two of P90X I started seeing more definition and didn’t hurt as much. The P90X Recovery Drink was making an impact. Felt like I could recover much faster from the workouts and be ready to get at it again.

What About Other P90X Supplements?

I’ve been buying the P90X Recovery Drink since finishing round two and will continue to use it after every workout. Was still curious to see what the other P90X supplements could do for me. Picked up a box of the P90X vitamins during round 4 of P90X. These bad boys were potent. The directions said to take 6 at a time or 3 twice a day. If you took all 6 at one time you could feel it going to work on your system asap. Kind of like a shot of energy. I didn’t notice any benefits from it in regards to my workouts. Was still taking the recovery drink to help with that. It was not until I started using Shakeology in 2010 did I notice results in how I felt and my overall health. Had this steady level of energy and cannot remember the last time I got sick.

Do You Need To Buy Supplements For P90X?

You don’t have to but if I was to recommend buying any of them then I would go with Shakeology and then the P90X Recovery Drink. I don’t see a need for the P90X Multi-Vitamins because the ingredients are in Shakeology. The P90X  Recovery Drink ingredients are also in Shakeology but the reason you still want the P90X drink is because it has a lot of the ingredients you just burned from your system doing P90X. You need to get those back in your system so the body can repair and grow.

If you stick with these two supplements then you should get some results faster and feel the benefits of using it. I use both of these products even when I’m not doing P90X. Shakeology in the morning and the P90X Recovery Drink after any workout (swimming, biking, snowboarding, etc.) If you have any questions about the products then leave a question below for me. Otherwise you can go to the Beachbody Store and learn about the ingredients yourself.

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Should I Buy The P90X Recovery Drink Or Take Supplements When Doing P90X?

“P90X is among the most popular of the high-intensity, interval-style home workout exercise programs sweeping the nation, many of which promise to help individuals burn high amounts of calories in a short period of time,” said American Council on Exercise’s Chief Science Officer, Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D.  “Our study results found P90X offers an effective workout, and, when combined with a sensible eating plan, we believe it can help many individuals achieve their weight-loss and fitness goals in the comfort of their homes.”

I still think its funny that Tony Horton is not a certified personal trainer and that’s exactly what ACE does. Whats interesting about the study is they only did a couple of the workouts three different times. I think they did themselves and P90X a big disservice. It’s like they only completed the first month of P90X without giving them a chance to see what kind of results they can get over 90 days. Plus, they missed out on some of the hardest P90X workouts like Ab Ripper X, Chest & Back, and Back & Biceps. I smell conspiracy. Probably wouldn’t be a good idea to tell people that P90X does everything they do for $120 without all the certifications and fees to get the ACE Certification. Just kidding. Or am I?

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American Council Of Exercise Gives P90X The Thumbs Up

Most of my riding was done in the summer time on my way to softball games. I do own a car but rarely use it because I work out of the house. It’s a 6 mile ride to Liberty Park from my house and during rush hour it was almost just as fast to ride as drive. Did this almost once a week the entire summer. The guys on my softball team would laugh at me when I rolled up on my bike but I was warmed up and ready to go. Would also ride up to Lifetime Fitness in Troy from my house to go swimming once a week which was a 12 mile round trip. Through in a round of the Insanity Asylum workout and double-header softball games twice a week and it was a busy summer. My calves were more defined and stronger than ever and my knee didn’t hurt as much. Don’t know if it’s a good thing or not but I got wider from the riding. Like thunder thighs but with muscle.

Whats funny is I just took my bike in to KLM Fitness to get it tuned up for spring. Was talking some shop with the guy who did the work when I was picking it up. Told him how I did a lot of riding in 2011 and put a little over 300 miles on the bike. A couple of minutes went by and he responded with “Yah in 2011 I put 11,000 miles on my bike.” Here I am thinking I’m a bad ass for doing 300 and this guy tops me by 10,700 miles. Ridiculous.

My goal for 2012 is to put 500 miles on the bike. Its pretty easy to start racking up miles if you make the effort. I live in a small downtown area where it makes sense to ride than drive to places. Don’t have to deal with parking. Probably saved myself $40 in gasoline last year from riding. What a deal.

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Put 300 Miles On My Mountain Bike In 2011

You’re Not Following One Of The P90X Workout Plans

Lots of people get the P90X DVDs in the mail, pick out the first dvd, and start getting to work. They did not take the time to open up the P90X Workout Guidebook and read it which would explain how to do all 90 days. What ends up happening is they only get through each workout maybe two times in the first 30 days and that’s assuming they don’t miss a day. Doing it that way won’t challenge the muscle groups targeted in month 1 of the Lean, Classic, or Doubles routine. Take the time to go through all of the materials and read what Beachbody and Tony Horton have put together. My recommendation is to start with the P90X Classic routine and stick with it.

You’re Not Following The P90X Nutrition Plan

This is probably the biggest reason why you’re not seeing results. This is also the one I struggled with understanding in my first and second rounds of P90X. Tony Horton has said that over 70% of your results will come from eating correctly. Still eating fast food, junk food, having that 500 calorie Starbucks coffee in the morning, and the daily Pepsi / Mountain Dew? Those things are hindering your results no matter how hard you are working out. You might feel stronger but can’t see the changes in the mirror yet and its because of those foods / drinks. Over weight people might see changes if they haven’t changed their eating that much because they have a lot to lose. I fell into the category of being in shape before and ate well 75% of the time which made seeing the definition a little harder in those first 30 days. Shakeology really helped me a lot and it’s why I’ve been buying the stuff every month since it came out in 2010. If you’re not using Shakeology then I recommend you buy it today as it really simplifies the nutrition aspect of P90X.

You’re Not Pushing Play Enough

Don’t think you’re going to get the P90X results you see from people on the infomercials, YouTube videos, or on other websites if you’re only working out 3 days or less a week. I’m sorry, it’s not going to happen. You might see some small changes and feel a little healthier but you are doing yourself a disservice thinking your going to have dramatic life changing results in 90 days by only working out 36 times in those 90 days. You missed 54 workouts. How are you going to burn the fat or build muscle if you’re not showing up? I’m happy that you are doing something but I feel that working out is the hardest habit to get into and it’s why you need to set yourself up to workout six days a week. Better to miss one or two days a week when you planned for 6 than miss one or two when you planned for three days. The nutrition plan is something that you can make dramatic changes with by sitting down at your dinner table for an hour and writing down a shopping list of things to buy for the next week. If you have good food around the house you’ll start eating good food when your at work or out and about. Working out is different because it forces you to do something you otherwise might not want to do. Make a habit of working out 5-7 hours a week and that 1 hour of writing down what to eat next week won’t seem like a big deal.

These are the 3 biggest reasons I’d say why people don’t see results in their first 30 days of doing P90X. If this sounds like you then you know what you need to do. Give it time. If your over-weight in the beginning then making a change in your eating will start to show dramatic changes. A friend of mine told me he was drinking one or two Mountain Dew’s a day at work for the past year. Told him to stop and go to water instead. He ended up dropping 9 pounds two weeks later. If you’re in shape and feeling the changes while working out everyday but don’t see muscle definition then you will need to dive back into the P90X meal plan and see what changes you need to make.

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Why Am I Not Seeing Results After 30 Days Of P90X?

Will I Still Get Results Missing A P90X Workout?

Yes. I’d say it takes most people 110 days to complete an entire round of P90X. It’s not because they can’t set aside 90 straight days to do P90X. It’s because they have other physical activities set up in their lives and trying to do P90X and play a sport or an activity is too much. This is called over-training. I’m in that same boat. In the winter I go snowboarding or skiing once a week and in the summer I play double-header softball games twice a week. Throw in a weekend tournament, round of golf, or the 40 miles of bike riding I do a week and that adds up. It takes a lot out of me but I enjoy doing those things. As long as I’m being active then I don’t think its going to hinder my results at all through P90X or whatever program I’m doing. Tony Horton would probably agree. I workout to be able to enjoy those things. What’s key is to plan P90X around the things you like to do. Who cares if it takes you 120 days to complete P90X if you are being active during that time. You will still results.

Will It Take Longer To See Results If I Skip Workouts?

Yes. It will take longer to see P90X results (not to be confused with being healthier or fit) if you’re doing other things. If you’re not following the P90X workout plan to a T the body won’t master the P90X moves. If you’re skipping lots of workouts every week then you might never see results. You’ll probably be healthier and a little bit more fit which is fine but you’ll never get everything you can out of P90X if you’re only doing P90X three times a week.

How To Get Results With P90X If I Skip Workouts?

Eat healthy. I remember Tony Horton saying one time that over 70% of your results with P90X (or any program) come from following the meal plan. Keep drinking Shakeology every day so your body is getting the nutrition it needs to properly function. This way you’ll feel ready for tomorrows workout.

How To Make Sure I Don’t Skip P90X Workouts?

Schedule a time to workout every day where nothing else can creep in and take it over. It keeps you accountable and lets everybody else know what you’re doing. You’ll have to figure out the best time to do P90X but make sure you do it.

Do everything you can to not skip workouts. If your playing sports, training for a 10k, or doing something else active then don’t kill yourself about skipping a P90X workout because in the end your really not. It’s all about living a healthy and fit life. P90X is just a plan to help you get there.

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Can I Skip A Day Or Two With P90X And Get Results?

• Commit To A Time – If you have a full schedule then you need to set aside time to do P90X where nothing else can take that time from you. P90X is not just for you. It’s for everybody else in your life. Think of it as they are getting a better person in their lives when you are a healthier/fit person. You’re doing them a favor.
• Split Up The Workouts – Going from an hour long P90X Legs and Back routine to 15 minutes of Ab Ripper has a tendency to mess up people’s psyche. If this is so then do the long P90X workout in the morning and then the 15 minute ab ripper at lunch or before you go to bed.
• You Just Don’t Have An Hour - Do 30 minutes of each of the resistance workouts with ab ripper. That 45 minutes of working out will still kick your butt but will also get you in the habit of working out. You’ll probably be wanting to do the entire P90X workout in no time because your body will be ready for more.

What’s most important is that you are doing the workouts. If you’re a morning person than do mornings. If you’re a night owl then workout at night. Every persons schedule is different and hopefully these tips will help you in picking the right time to do P90X.

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What Is The Best Time To Do The P90X Workout?

• Already A Gym Rat? – Skip the gym for 90 – 100 days and do the entire P90X program at home or bring the DVDs to the gym. If you don’t like the results after the 90 days then you can go back to what you were doing before. My guess is you’ll be like my buddy Brad who was already in awesome shape before P90X and got even more ripped. He said his bench press went up by 5 pounds his first time trying it in 3 months. He catches himself doing many P90X moves at the gym.
• Extreme Athlete? – I’m not an expert on this and can only assume that triathletes and marathoners use the off-season to recover. If your one of the people who only do 1 or a couple of them a year then plan a 90 day period with no event specific training and do P90X. You’ll be surprised how much more fit you are from head to toe the first time you go out for a run, bike, or swim.
• Play Sports? – Make P90X a priority to do in the off-season. It will work on your weaknesses so you’ll be ready to get at the sports specific workouts when the season comes around. If you like the results then stick with it. I seem to be having games all the time and I like to schedule Yoga or a stretching workout on game day. Sometimes I don’t workout that day and just play. They key is I stick with the workout plan and mix game days around it.

From my experience I would recommend seeing P90X all the way through before trying to do hybrid workouts or only some of the DVDs. It will take you much longer to see results or any at all if you mix. The goal is to treat the P90X workout like the challenging program it is. The only way to do this is to follow the program for the entire 90 days.

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Should I Do Other Workouts With P90X?

What Can I Do To Be Able To Do Pull Ups?

• Workout With A Friend – If you are doing P90X with friends or family then have the other person spot you. I remember my first time doing P90X Chest & Back and not being able to do any. Luckily for me I had my buddy Joe there to spot me through about 15 reps. My biggest issue was finding the strength at the very bottom of the rep to start upwards. After 2 weeks I could do a couple on my own and increased from there without any help.
• Use A Chair – Tony Horton tells you to use a chair to start building up your strength. There are people in most of the P90X DVDs using one too so you can see how they approach it.
• Use Resistance Bands – Wrap a resistance band around the P90X chin up bar or something else in your house and do what Tony Horton tells the people in the workout to do. This is an easy way to start building up your strength.
• Chin Up Assist – This is a very cool tool Beachbody came out with during the Insanity Asylum workout. It attaches to your chin up bar and has 3 bands with a loop to place your foot in. This gives you the boost you need to do the move. It also helps when you can do pull ups and want to get a couple extra reps. You can find it at the Beachbody Store.

Just because you can’t do pull ups now is no reason to not do P90X. I felt the same way at the beginning. Be patient and keep on showing up. You’ll be surprised how fast you go from 1 to 3 to 8 to 15. At the end of my first 90 days of P90X the pull up became my favorite move. It was a bench mark for how fit I was. Keep your head up and listen to Tony Horton. He’ll show you the way.

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Can I Still Do P90X Even Though I Can’t Do 1 Pull Up?

Quite a bit of stuff huh! And it doesn’t have dumbbells or resistance bands in it. I used a chair instead of the Plyo Box and I only have 2 Medicine Balls so I wasn’t able to do the exact move as Tony. The worksheets, pen, water, and towel are there for more of a reminder. Do I think the commenter on the message boards was onto something? Maybe. His biggest problem was that Beachbody made P90X2 a lot fancier than the simplicity and toughness of P90X. I could agree with that so far.

Chest + Back + Balance was a bit harder than expected. Trying to balance on Medicine Balls and the Stability Ball while doing push ups was a little sketchy. Arms were going everywhere trying to stay in one spot. I had to pause the DVD after almost every exercise to move the equipment around. I’ll probably get more efficient at this the more I do it. I don’t think Beachbody added all this extra gear just to make more money. I think they are just trying to do what they did with P90X in P90X2. Take health and fitness to another level. If they have to add in new equipment, than so be it.

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Is All The Equipment In P90X2 Necessary?