Advice on P90X

[Worknprogress]

My friend would like to start working out and came across P90X on the web. I know that a lot of people of this forum have done the program.

She is trying to decide if she should get this or not and I offered to ask a couple of questions here on her behalf.

So the questions are:

1. Is it a beginner workout? She has not worked out much in her life, is 40 years old and smokes. Can she handle this workout?

2. What is the average time length of the workouts? She has 4 children 9 and under - enough said.

3. Did you find it was easy to stick to the program?

4. How does it compare to Cathe's workouts? My friend has never done step workouts, kickboxing, etc. and some of Cathe's stuff I think would be a little too complicated for a beginner. So are his workouts as advanced as Cathe's, are they simple moves, etc.?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[vikinyc]

I'm currently on week 5 of P90X.
It's not as hard as I thought it was going to be. I'm almost 59 years old, reasonably fit and a non-smoker and I'm keeping up. I have worked out on and off for most of my adult life.

The dvds are mostly 1 hr. long with Yoga X being 1 1/2 hrs. long.
You can modify a lot of the exercises. I find it easy to stick to. I like when someone tells me what workout to do on what day - I don't have to figure anything out.

I wouldn't recommend this program for a true beginner; and/or one who smokes.
She might want to try P90 - which is by the same instructor - but a little simpler.

There is some kickboxing (Kenpo X), some Cardio, some weight training - no step workouts.

If she truly wants to try it (and she just might) - I would recommend she order it from QVC (I did). They have great customer service with 30 day return policy. From what I hear beachbody.com isn't great when it comes to customer service.

I wish her luck.

Any more questions, just ask away.

Viki

 

[kathryn]

1. Is it a beginner workout? She has not worked out much in her life, is 40 years old and smokes. Can she handle this workout?

No. It is definitely advanced (though intermediates could do it).
I think it would be too intimidating for her.
I agree that Power90 would be a better choice.

2. What is the average time length of the workouts? She has 4 children 9 and under - enough said.

About an hour each. Yoga is about 80 minutes, IRRC.

3. Did you find it was easy to stick to the program?

I did, in my way (I followed the weight workouts, but subbed some others, and took extra rest days as needed.

4. How does it compare to Cathe's workouts? My friend has never done step workouts, kickboxing, etc. and some of Cathe's stuff I think would be a little too complicated for a beginner. So are his workouts as advanced as Cathe's, are they simple moves, etc.?

The cardio is very straight forward. More like a series of drills, and nothing choreographed (it's geared towards what most men would accept as cardio, IMO).

 

[ellesan]

Hi, P90x is for intermediate/advanced exercisers who are in fairly good shape and have previous exercise experience. There is a detailed fitness assessment they advise taking before you start and if you don't "pass" they advise you not to do the program. Yeah, a beginner could do some of it, but would probably get very discouraged and frustrated and not follow through with the program.

Time wise it is also an intense series: 6 days a week for one hour a day alternating various cardio and weight training. Does she have 6 hours a week to dedicate to exercise right now? It has been a great investment for me but it definitely sounds like she is not ready for this program. Is she planning on quiting smoking? That would be #1 on the list (I'm a Respiratory Therapist), then 20 min or so of walking everyday. She needs to build up some cardiovascular endurance and stamina--get her heart and lungs in shape before she attempts something like this.

Sandra

Edit to add that Tony has workouts called 10 mintue trainer (I think?). The infomercials are misleading, as the "afters" are people who do at least 3 of the 10 minute workouts together, but she could start with these...and time wise it seems like it would work for her. I've heard they are pretty intense and get you sweating fast.

My friend would like to start working out and came across P90X on the web. I know that a lot of people of this forum have done the program.

She is trying to decide if she should get this or not and I offered to ask a couple of questions here on her behalf.

So the questions are:

1. Is it a beginner workout? She has not worked out much in her life, is 40 years old and smokes. Can she handle this workout?

2. What is the average time length of the workouts? She has 4 children 9 and under - enough said.

3. Did you find it was easy to stick to the program?

4. How does it compare to Cathe's workouts? My friend has never done step workouts, kickboxing, etc. and some of Cathe's stuff I think would be a little too complicated for a beginner. So are his workouts as advanced as Cathe's, are they simple moves, etc.?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[lcobb2]

1. Is it a beginner workout? It's not a beginner's workout. If she smokes and does't exercise, I wouldn't recommend it.

2. What is the average time length of the workouts? 45-60 minutes with warm up and cool down.

3. Did you find it was easy to stick to the program? Yes, but it was really easy for me.

4. How does it compare to Cathe's workouts? They are not nearly as advanced as Cathe (IMHO). They are much easier to follow, but I don't think they are as fun.

My friend would like to start working out and came across P90X on the web. I know that a lot of people of this forum have done the program.

She is trying to decide if she should get this or not and I offered to ask a couple of questions here on her behalf.

So the questions are:

1. Is it a beginner workout? She has not worked out much in her life, is 40 years old and smokes. Can she handle this workout?

2. What is the average time length of the workouts? She has 4 children 9 and under - enough said.

3. Did you find it was easy to stick to the program?

4. How does it compare to Cathe's workouts? My friend has never done step workouts, kickboxing, etc. and some of Cathe's stuff I think would be a little too complicated for a beginner. So are his workouts as advanced as Cathe's, are they simple moves, etc.?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[dragonf1y]

I would also not recommend P90X for a beginner. You do the same workouts for 3 weeks in a row, and she would need a wide variety of dumbbells, which most beginners do not have. Beachbody does offer a variety of beginner/intermediate programs that would be more fun and motivating for someone first starting to work out.