My P90X Results
I decided it was about time that I put up my P90X before and after photos. However, when I was going through my photos I found out that I forgot to take any Day 30 Before and Afters and some Day 60 photos too. Please bare with me on the photos. I never intended to put them up in the first place and I'm not a expert in taking pictures. You will see that I am closer to the camera in some pictures and did or did not use the flash in others. This is why you will see some pictures with different sizes. Sorry about that. Should of done a better job of documenting this.
A little background on me before you look at the photos. Before I started doing P90X I had been doing a lot of running and was in pretty good shape as it was. I usually ran about 20 miles a week and would do about 50 push ups and chair dips after a run with 100 sit ups. Six months before starting P90X I completed the Detroit Marathon. I was in good cardio shape but did not have a lot of muscle because of all the running. I would say that I was "skinny fat." Please read the entire post and not just look at the photos as I go in depth about my first round of P90X.
P90X Photos Of Day 1, 60, and 90
I can see from these photos that my upper body got bigger. From day 1 to day 60 I can see the V shape coming from my shoulders to waist. My forearms look bigger too. Probably could of gone without the flash on the camera for the Day 90 photo and not stuck out my chest either.
P90X Front Photos Of Day 1 And Day 90
It looks like my chest and shoulders got a little bigger in this photo.
P90X Back Photos Of Day 1, 60, and 90
I can definitely see that my back, shoulders and arms got bigger and there is some definition now. I contribute a lot of this to doing chin ups and pull ups. I think all of those pull ups made me a little wider so I now have more of a "V" shape.
P90X Back with Arms Down Photos Day 1 and 90
My back looks a little meatier now.
P90X Side Photos Day 1 and 90
Either I had a little gut and no chest muscles when I started or I lost the gut and now have chest muscles. My arms and shoulders look bigger now too. I can see the outline for my oblique ab muscles now too.
P90X Side Angle Photos Day 1, 60, and 90
Sorry about the photo sizes. My Day 1 photo of P90X looks dumb. What was I thinking? What's up with the beard? I can see from when I started that I was skinny with little muscle definition. At Day 60 my arms, chest, and shoulders started to take shape. It was easy for me to see right off the bat where my improvements have been since Day 1 of P90X. My chest and stomach look a little more defined even from this side angle photo. My arms and shoulders look bigger too.
Why Don't You Have Ripped Six Pack Abs?
Tony Horton once said "Abs are made in the kitchen" and of course he is right. I eat pretty good to begin with but only followed the P90X 3 Phase Nutrition Plan about 30% of the time. I thought what I was eating was good enough. Its not like I was fat before starting P90X so I figured that I could stay with what I was doing. Wrong again. Yes, I did P90X Ab Ripper X (watch my video) and could finish the entire routine after the workout around day 30. I could only do about 10 of each move the first time.
Why Don't You Have More Muscle Definition?
The previous paragraph explains a large portion of that but I have to be honest about something. I started P90X in the beginning of summer. I ended up going out on my buddies boat almost every weekend that entire summer partying my ass off. We only get a couple months of sunshine here in Michigan so if you can get out on the lake then you do it. I know I was feeling a little bloated from all of the beer I was drinking so of course its not going to show off the abs. They are there, but hidden under a thin layer of beer. If I would of not partied every weekend that summer, my pictures would have told a different story. Just being honest here as I'm sure your looking for real P90X reviews. After the weekend was over I pushed myself as hard as I could during the week with P90X trying to burn through those empty calories I consumed the previous weekend.
How Much Weight Did You Lose or Gain? How Much Did Your Body Fat % Change?
I started at 165 pounds and ended at 175 pounds. I was so skinny before starting P90X that my goal was to put on weight. My body fat percentage went from 13% to 11%. I was surprised with this as I thought it would go up based on how skinny I was. Turns out I was wrong. All the resistance training with P90X burned away the fat and turned it into muscle.
Any Accomplishments With P90X You Care To Share?
The first time I did P90X Legs and Back (watch my video) I was only able to do 3 total pull ups. At the end of the 90 days I did 82 through out the workout. The first time I did P90X Chest and Back I could only do 75 push ups and 2 total pull up / chin ups. At the end of P90X I could do 220 push ups and 52 pull up / chin ups.
How Did P90X Help Your Sports Activities?
I put 30 yards on my golf drive...no joke. I was just as surprised as my brother and friends were when they saw me outdrive them. I was now hitting driver and 8 iron into a Par 4's green instead of driver and 6 iron. My scores improved by 4 strokes. If I could only get that putting down. I went from hitting 260 foot pop ups in my softball league to sending lasers off the 290 foot sign. Must of hit that sign 5 times at the end of summer. Those were my immediate gains. I'm sure skiing and snowboarding are going to be a lot more fun as my legs and core are in better shape too.
Are You Happy With Your P90X Results?
Yes. I put on 10 pounds of muscle and was still able to run as far and faster then before P90X. This says alot because I was an avid runner to begin with and would only run about 2 miles a week during P90X when I would normally do 20 before.
I am able to enjoy the sports and activities I play much more now that I am in better shape. I know I need to give the meal plan a chance in my next round as I'm sure it will make a difference. All in all I am very happy that I gave P90X a try. What started as something to do with a friend became a education in fitness. I never did things like Plyometrics, Kenpo, Yoga (its now one of my favorites), or even attempt a pull up.
So if you are looking to start P90X and live a similar lifestyle to mine you can expect these results. If I had to grade myself with P90X I would give myself a 100% for effort on the workouts and a 70% on the eating (would be higher if it wasn't for all of that beer). So 85% or a solid B. I highly recommend P90X to anybody regardless of your fitness level.
Bonus: Check out my Insanity workout results and P90X / Insanity Hybrid workout results. I learned my lesson from my first round of P90X and ate much better during these rounds making my results more visible.
Also: Did you read about the Beachbody Coach program?
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January 26, 2010 3:18 PM
My name is Brad Gibala. In 2007 I was introduced to P90X by a friend training for the Marines. I didn't know it at the time but that moment changed my life. Since then I've become a full time
October 18, 2008
7:42 pm
I never realized the difference P90X had made on you until I saw these photos today…..wow! Even though your friends WILL make fun of you, they’re just all jealous that you have a better body than you did in your college days and they don’t!
October 18, 2008
7:58 pm
@ Andrea
Thanks for noticing my bod!!
February 13, 2009
1:24 pm
I have been doing P90X for 3 weeks and really noticed a difference. Just curious as to what you have been doing since finishing the program. Another round of P90X or something different?
February 13, 2009
3:14 pm
@ Jermaine
I kept on going. I have been doing p90X for about a year now. I do not do it every day now but at least 3 days a week with different workouts. I started swimming, running, and biking more because I am going to do a triathlon. Funny thing is that even with the 10 pounds of muscle I put on with P90X I can still run as well as I did before I started P90X because of all the leg workouts.
August 16, 2009
10:50 pm
well let me just say one thing, that I know p90x works, but better for some than others apparently. Yes, you did get a little bigger, but not much. To tell the truth I had to stare at the picture for a minute to figure out which one was the start and finish but good job. I guess just some people get way more definition than others lol.
August 17, 2009
10:55 am
@ Myke
I was already in good shape before P90X as I finished a marathon. I put on a lot of strength but even I will admit that I did not get ripped. That is because I did not follow the nutrition plan and was not willing to cut out things I eat or drink like “adult beverages.” If I would have followed the nutrition plan the results would have shown more.
September 8, 2009
5:46 pm
Question, I already have a pull-up bar, do i really need to buy a new one for these workouts?
September 8, 2009
7:01 pm
@ Zandra
If you already have a pull up bar then you are fine.
September 21, 2009
5:05 pm
Hi Brad,
Thanks for the inspiration. I am starting p90x again today. I’ve tried 3 times and have never made it past 3 weeks. My build is similar to yours. 6’1, 170 pounds… definitely not overweight, but I’m definitely out of shape. The other issue is my cholesterol. It’s so high that I couldn’t qualify for life insurance. So I’m going to track my cholesterol and make updates to my blog. If you’re interested in how p90x helps lower cholesterol, you can track my progress at at: http://www.insuranceblogbychris.com/lower-cholesterol-using-p90x-program
Thanks again and way to go.
September 24, 2009
10:08 am
@ Chris
See it through this time and complete P90X. You will see big changes.
January 3, 2010
3:55 pm
Hello Brad! Thank you for sharing your progress with us! I have a question, I bought the P90X for my husband (not because I think he needs it, because he actually wanted it) but the only thing that comes along w/the dvd’s is a band, besides the pull up bar what other things would he need? Thanks!
January 3, 2010
5:24 pm
@ Chrissie
You might want to get more bands then just the one. Dumbbells will work. You can find them in the Beachbody store.
January 4, 2010
1:37 am
Thanks Brad!
January 18, 2010
7:57 pm
Hi Brad,
I’m getting ready to start the program and am a bit overweight, however I do run 1/2 marathons, compete in triathlons and work out daily. Do you need to give anything up before starting? I swim 3 days a week and am currently training for another 1/2 marathon.
This program is a bit intimidating… How did you get passed the initial start?
Thanks for your input!
January 20, 2010
7:08 pm
@ Erin
With you already being a Elite athlete you should see big gains from P90X. I cut back on the running and swimming while doing P90X and really pushed it. When I was done with my 90 days I could run just as far and faster as before. I did the Detroit Marathon 6 months before starting P90X also. The leg workouts are killer. I actually have back muscles now from all of the chin ups. This helped out a lot the next time I went swimming. I just stuck with it.
January 27, 2010
3:31 pm
Good Job Brad! I am starting P90X today.
Myke–your an asshole.
January 28, 2010
11:32 am
@ Kelly
Thanks.
February 3, 2010
5:39 pm
GREAT JOB BRAD! I just completed my 5th day! Is it possible to notice changes this early? I’ve actually stopped drinking alcohol and am eating less (instead of trying to finish the whole meal). I’ve been waking up at 5am for the workouts and am feeling extremely motivated and excited! All of the routines so far have been kickin my butt, but I’m “doin’ my best” and “forgetting the rest!”. Good luck on the rest of your journey as well as the other posters! You guys are keeping me motivated!
February 4, 2010
6:38 pm
@ Brian
Thanks. The 5th day might be a little early. I started feeling and seeing my changes around day 30. Good job on making tim in your day to get your workouts done before other things get in the way. Laying off the booze is a hard one for me. I like beer. Not gonna lie there. I give myself one day a week to have a couple. If you can stop drinking it your results will come a lot faster.
March 29, 2010
12:08 pm
im sorry but all of your day 90 photo’s are strecthed out, either the width or the heighth of the pictures?? showing real pics will help convince people that your not selling anything.
April 7, 2010
1:24 pm
@ Tyler
I took those photos before I even thought about putting them up on the site. I was trying to make the sizes the same. I agree, I need to redo them so they don’t look stretched out.
April 7, 2010
3:56 pm
I need p90x haven’t got it yet because of money. I don’t have a job yet! But then again I am only 14 would be a great birthday present though it’s May 14!
April 7, 2010
4:38 pm
@ Kirby
Tell your parents to buy P90X for your B-Day. My 30th B-Day is the day before yours. Damn I’m getting old..ish.
May 21, 2010
5:00 am
Hey I’m 6’2 and 145 at 18 I have less than 5 percent body fat. Will this help bulk me up?
May 21, 2010
8:14 am
@ Chris
Yes. I put on 10 pounds of muscle doing P90X. Tony Horton shows you how to do the workouts to bulk up.
May 21, 2010
12:09 pm
Add me on fb and u will see.
May 22, 2010
3:27 am
Is in normal to be shitty at it the first day? Like the second set I couldn’t evenpull up anymore.
May 22, 2010
2:25 pm
@ John Deer
Day 1 of P90X was very humbling huh? Yes. It is normal to feel shitty. Have fun with Plyometrics.
June 7, 2010
12:26 am
Nice results man! P90X is the best…
June 7, 2010
12:01 pm
@ Kody
Thanks
June 15, 2010
2:21 pm
Brad,
Great results! Since you are done, what p90x workouts are doing now? Also, did you use any protein supplements while performing p90x? I just finished day 23, the first time doing core synergistic, and that was rough.
June 16, 2010
9:08 am
@ John
Since finishing P90X I now do Insanity, Insanity Deluxe and P90X Plus. I’ve made hybrid workouts out of them. I did not use any supplements in the photos here. I did start using whey protein, P90X protein bars, the P90X recovery drink, and vitamins over the next year. They made a big difference. You can find them inside the Beachbody Store. Stick with P90X. The changes start coming around day 40.
July 14, 2010
10:19 am
sorry..but u show zero change from day 1 to day 90!!!
July 14, 2010
10:19 am
You show zero defintion and no 6 pack. did you not do the ab ripper x?
July 14, 2010
10:41 am
@ Jack
Did you read any of the post or just look at my photos? In it I wrote that I followed everything besides the meal plan and partied my ass off on the weekends that summer. That is why I’m not more defined. Yes, I did http://workoutjourney.com/p90x-ab-ripper-x.
July 14, 2010
10:48 am
@ Jack
I can see big changes. My shoulders, lats, and arms got bigger. My stomach got flatter and more defined too. Check out the side angle photo. I know I would have had better “picture” results if I followed the meal plan better (or at all). Many of my results in my first round of P90X can only be seen off camera. Please read the entire post.
July 14, 2010
3:21 pm
Sorry man…i didn’t read any of the main post just saw pics and skimmed. Just now read and understand.
I’m starting week 3 of P90x classic and went into it pretty much in shape with good muscle definition in arms/shoulders…just soft midsection (skinny fat). I eat generally well but will clamp it down even harder to get the abs that I want.
I used to live in RO..now in Rochester Hills…so I appreciate the summer comments. going to buddy’s lake this weekend…falls on Yoga X day which I’ll do before going…and won’t be indulging in any drinking as i stopped for 90 days.
later
July 15, 2010
10:56 am
@ Jack
I know if I could cut back on the beer that I would have way more visible results. Its not like I’m a booze hound or anything but my social life seems to have it around. Buddies boat, playing softball 3 night a week, golfing, etc. Kudos to you for giving up drinking for 90 days. I think the longest I’ve gone without a beer since graduating from college is 30 days. I dropped 2% body fat from that alone. It kind of pissed me off as it told me that my chances of ever being on the cover of a fitness magazine were almost nill as I would have to give it up. That’s why I bust my butt with these workouts. I know they work as I can see and feel the results. Plus, I think I’ve been sore almost every day since starting Beachbody workouts in 2007. Those photos are 2 years old and was from my first round of P90X. Since then I’ve started following the meal plans more. My photos from my other rounds of P90X and Insanity show more definition.
I was up in Rochester the other week mountain biking through Stoney Creek and the Painted Creek Trail.
July 15, 2010
10:15 pm
I think it is okay to have a beer and eat some things that you enjoy. Once I completed one, two, three rounds what happens after that. It doesnt stop. You can do the maintenance mode for a while but you are still doing the same workouts. I then decided I wanted long term lifestyle change. I am on my 22nd month of using the program. I see and read a lot of people focusing on a specific day or week in the programs like they are sacrificing for 90 days to achieve short term results. That may be okay when you first start but ultimately we want fitness for life. It should be your normal daily routine and your exercise and diet need to be something that you can live with forever and not have the feeling that you are sacrificing. I mix the workouts up so that I work all of the muscle groups and add cardio and yoga. I also mix in sports with my friends and eat reasonably with portion sizes most of the time. I also have a burger and a beer every now and and then because I like to do that. I plan to workout everday for an hour or so and eat reasonably well for the rest of my life and I dont feel like I am sacrificing anything. It is part of my daily routine. That is how I can keep doing this forever.