Hypothesis: Muscle confusion is the way to peak fitness
Time Commitment: 90 days
Researcher: Ryan Krogh
Kelly Slater brings it. So does Barry Zito. Even the Old Spice man dished on Jay Leno about it. The only thing more ubiquitous than the hype surrounding P90X fitness is its snappy catchphrase: Bring It!
The philosophy behind P90X, a home exercise system designed, in part, by celebrity fitness guru Tony Horton, is muscle confusion—subjecting the body to a variety of exercises designed to prevent it from adapting to a set routine. Give your muscles new challenges and you won't plateau. P90X has 12 DVDs' worth of variety—each day is a new routine roughly an hour long, and the weekly lineup changes every four weeks. When my $120 P90X package arrived in the mail, I felt like I'd been given the training manual for a living-room boot camp.
I didn't exactly Bring It my first week. For starters, I watched the Chest and Back DVD while hunched over a bowl of Froot Loops. But by the end of week one, I was sweating like hell on my living-room floor. The workouts involve, among other basics, heavy doses of push-ups, pull-ups, squats, yoga poses, and core strength moves. It wasn't until week three that I finally managed to match the pace and volume of Horton and his fitness models.
So was it working? "'Muscle confusion' is obviously a marketing term," says Richard Cotton, national director of certification for the American College of Sports Medicine. "What it really is is exercise variety, and variety certainly makes a difference." But anyone can add diversity to his training; what P90X provides is structure—and reliable companionship. Despite his penchant for fitness televangelism, Horton grows on you. He's a good, high-energy, digital workout partner. Hit play and he's coming at you with "How many you doing?" and "It's going to burn. It's supposed to!"
I'm in my sixth week—almost halfway through—and I've dropped nearly ten pounds. Somehow I've managed to stick with the program's draconian three-phase nutritional guide, too—heavy doses of fish and vegetables and minimal fats. With the arrival of ski season and a noticeable improvement in both my flexibility and my core strength, I'm determined to keep Bringing It.
Comments
Well, hope you'll report back at the end of 90 days. & I suspect the diet is a big part of the "lost 10 pounds" part of the story!
Flag ThisTo Tom Faranda, don't knock it until you try it. P90X is a serious workout, not just marketing hype. It actually does work - that is if you are able to keep up with it. I suspect you haven't tried it and your comment is based on ignorance. Too bad. If you tried P90X and stuck with it, you would see some great results.
Flag ThisMy husband and I have been doing P90X for 2 1/2 years and have also incorporated P90X Plus and some One on One videos into our workout program. We love it because it works! But the only way it works is if you do it 6 - 7 days per week and you eat clean foods. P90X isn't just a workout program, it is a lifestyle. Don't knock it unless you've tried it, seriously.
Flag ThisOf course exercise AND diet attribute to weight loss! For the record, I did P90x From Oct 09-Jan 10. I followed the exercise routines rigidly. I didn't follow the diet plan exactly but watched what I ate. I dropped 22 pounds over the course of the program. After finishing the program I exercised in other manners and lost another 8 pounds. Not as active lately and it shows, but still 20 pounds lighter than before starting P90x. P90x works and the positive effects are LONG TERM.
Flag ThisP90X works, but the diet is just as important as the exercises. You can't skimp on the diet and expect to feel good or look good in the mirror. I lost 18 lbs and 3 inches on my waist the first time through.
Flag ThisI just received my order and will be starting tomorrow. I am a runner and was injured quit a bit last year and gained weight. My key learning through this is that I need to loose the weight and get lean body mass. I plan on rotating my running and P90X workouts to get stronger and avoid possible injuries.
Flag ThisI am on my second round of P90X (Lean). I used to run but hit the plateau. I have not noticed weight loss but rather a redistribution of my weight. My clothes fit better. My waist, arms, shoulders and legs are more defined. I do not follow the diet per se but have increased my lean protein, veggies & fruit and cut the carbs & fat. I allow myself one treat a week for fitting in the hour +/day workout at 5am. It works if you give it a chance!!I wonder, does he have new DVD's of the program?
Flag This@ Nancy.....Yes, Tony has many more DVDs, I have done P90x Plus, One on Ones, and 10 minute Trainer. All are available through Beachbody coach websites. If interested in getting one you can go to www.beachbodycoach.com/amybweiland
Flag ThisWhat a great article. I am currently finishing up my one year venture doing the daily X...To anyone who is currently struggling...Keep pushing play everyday...Do your best and forget about the rest"Tonyism" Here's a link you can find your next workout...I am a coach and looking to help others get in the best shape of their life.... http://www.beachbodycoach.com/albanyfitclub
Flag ThisWeight Loss of 60lbs. I am proof it works...Check out my results...Try it and you will see results...I have my 90 day and 180 results...My 360 day pic is soon to be posted @ www.beachbodycoach.com/albanyfitclub
Flag ThisDefinitely works! I'm a nerd that likes hike, bike, and backpack. When my desk job, wife, and two kids entered the picture - I got flabby fast. I bought the DVDs, scheduled the time to workout, followed the nutrition guide and BAM! I went from nerd to fit in 90 days! I lost 10 lbs of fat and gained 5 lbs of muscle. My cholesterol dropped 34% too! You can read more about my journey on my new blog at www.HappyFitLife.com
Flag ThisI've been doing program for 2 1/2 years straight. Now I mix in with p90x+ and Insanity 60 for additional cardio. I eat as smart as possible, but really didn't do the diet. Lost about 20lbs and 2" on waste, but the big difference is lean muscle mass and core strength. If you can't stick with the strict diet, you can still see big results with this program.
Flag ThisI tried P90x two years ago, and only did it 4 times a week and still achieved great results. I do think it's necessary to do a Yoga or Stretch workout on the day that it's regularly scheduled. I made the mistake of doing it as the last workout of the week, and injured myself because I hadn't stretched well enough. Those of us with tight muscles might need extra stretching due to the grueling workout. I didn't do the diet, either, although my natural eating habits are very similar. I highly recommend P90x and look forward to doing it again.
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