p90x

[SheilaHash]

What are your thought's on p90x? I currently do the 5x5 but am looking to switch things up for a bit

[Flex Luthor]

Depends entirely what your goals are. I did it for a few weeks but it became apparent the program is weight loss focused so I stopped. If that's what you want it's a great program and I highly recommend it.

[SheilaHash]

just looking to get in shape in general. I like the 5x5 and how quickly the strength gains are there, but I'm not seeing any physical change, even with a healthy diet. I thought maybe incorporate the ab ripper dvd in on the days I do SL and the yoga dvd once or twice a week and see how it goes

 

My cardio is also HORRIBLE.. half a lap around a track and my lungs are killing me

[Flex Luthor]

Weightlifting has been proven to improve cardiovascular function so you don't have to worry about that. Sometimes the physical changes can be slow. How long have you been doing 5x5 for?

[SheilaHash]

I'm starting week 5.

[Flex Luthor]

You probably won't like this answer but give it 2 more months. Strength is someone that can change rather quickly. Your body is a bit more stubborn.

[SheilaHash]

lol. you're right, I don't like it! But I'll keep at it Thanks!

[El Exorcisto]

Trying to change decades of bad results in 5 weeks just isn't going to happen, and program hopping is just going to leave you with no results and a pile of frustration. Are you trying to cut weight or put on some muscle? If you are trying to cut weight then diet is the answer. If you are trying to put on some muscle then eat like you mean it (within reason) and strap in for a long ride.

[Draken50]

More clearly defined goals can also help. Generally in good shape means different things to different people.

 

Ultimately muscle means more to me than it does to some other folks. It can mean the ability to do a pullup, the ability to run a mile in some set period of time, or the ability to lift an amount of weight over your head. For a lot of people it's some combination thereof.

 

Stronglifts starts with an empty bar, this can be good for learning form, but does make initial progress a bit slower. I already did martial arts, and weighed in at about 205 so my first squat sets were at 115. At adding 5 lbs. per workout that still would have me about 5 weeks slower in progression. Ultimately though, that time pays off. Keep at it.

[Raev]

I did p90x for a while.  Personally, I find it inefficient and too complicated.

 

There is no need to have to do 380 different ab movements, after spending an hour doing a few hundred other movements.  Not when you can achieve the same strength and cardiovascular gains in half the time with good ole fashion iron and compound movements.

 

It's a gimmick, it's marketing.  It seems as if it is designed to make you tired in complicated ways and make you do reps until the cows come home, instead of regularly increase resistance.

[theDonnybrook]

While, generally, I agree with Raev concerning his criticism of P90X, the system was designed for people who wanted to do something drastic, for the couch to fit set that want to feel like they are doing something extreme.  The program is designed around interval training, and if you take a look at the before/after photos in their marketing, it is more about cutting than building.  This is Beach Body's general approach to fitness with the exception of some of their newer offerings, like Body Beast.  If you like 5x5, and it is working for your with your weight training, and if you have already made the investment in P90X, consider swapping the weight days in the program for your 5x5 routine and doing the cardio routines in P90X.  Most of your body change will result from your diet, so there is no silver bullet for exercise.  I liked P90X as a newer person to fitness.  Now that I have a sport I am dedicated to, I focus my cross training to the sport.  My strength focus is targeted at core and lower string, and my off-season cardio is also targeted.  That said, when I get board with the same plyo routine I do, or want more core work, I will use P90X Plyo, Ab Ripper X, Core Synergistics, and/or Kenpo X.  As for cardio, weight training will help your cardio if you circuit, but there is nothing like cardio training to build cardio endurance.

 

Bottom line, there is nothing wrong with it, and the variety will probably help.  Most people I know that do P90X will do one round and then jump into another area of fitness like cross-fit, power lifting, or some other sport.  It is a good gateway, but can also be a good supplement if you have already spent the money.

[Caution]

I did a few rounds of P90x and while It worked at getting me in better shape and following the meal plans helped me lose a lot weight, it is incredibly long. Basically 1-1.5 hours a day, 7 days a week. I don't have that kind of time and it no longer fits my goals but it was good for one thing: structure. It gave me something to do every day so I would keep at it and it told me exactly what to do, which for a novice is a good thing. I probably will never do it again but it kept me consistent for 6 months. 

[Malcore]

I was way out of shape.  I am former Marine and found myself fat and out of breath and in general disinterested with life in general.  My wife deployed to Kuwait and I decided to change while she was gone, so I hit P90x.  I had to hit pause several times during each workout to catch my breath.  I actually videoed myself doing every session.  Yoga, at first was pure comedy, but by the end it was great.  Result, I went from 295 to 265 lbs and pausing from time to time during workouts became rare for me to need a break.  In an effort to show myself the cardio I had gained I ran 1.5 miles in 12 minutes flat without having ran at all during the program.  I'm 6'2, and was still a good deal overweight, but 12 minutes for 1.5 at 36 yo was great.  I went from 8 pushups to 35.  As far as the dumbbells, I don't know how "strong" I got.  Still had to do assisted pullups.   At the end of the program I bought Starting Strength then went to Dicks and picked up a power rack and a barbell and lifted for 7 months.  After a layoff of doing everything about a year later (work was the excuse that sucked me dry) I tried 90x again briefly, but stopped because compared to barbell sessions I wasn't satisfied anymore.  Or barbells are easier, I'm not sure.  Even though you log everything in 90x, it is clearer and more motivating tracking progress with a barbell.

 

My bottom line is that I believe in 90x, it is very organized and having someone tell you what to do - even if it is a television- helped me with success.  It will definitely get a person fit. 

 

However, getting bored with a lifting program is normal, everyone starts to wonder if there is something better out there and jumping from one program to the next is a bad idea.  Stick with one thing and let the one thing work until it no longer does.  Options are out there though, one would be to eat a lot for 3 months while lifting then do 90x, back and forth- if you can stand that kind of lifestyle. I wouldn't do that though until I bled Starting Strength or Strong Lifts dry, though.   

[Marty]

It always depends on your goals and what you're more likely to do. 

 

I have friends that hate the gym and the whole atmosphere, so they stick to workouts like p90x.

 

For me, it depends on my situation. When I'm traveling, I may not be able to find a gym, so I stick to bodyweight stuff similar to p90x.