P90X at 120 Days Out

I have been working out with Tony Horton for 120 days at the writing of this. I have done a full round of P90X, and am now doing a custom P90X+/One on One Hybrid program. I have had a lot of questions about P90X and thought one of the easiest ways to answer would be to write a concise review of each workout in the series. I can only say thank you Beachbody and Tony Horton for helping me get in the best shape I have been in for years.

How To Bring It
(13 minutes)

This short intro video is an overview of the series. It covers both the fitness component and the science and nutrition that went into the food plan and the supporting supplements. I watch it again every few weeks as a reminder and a little motivational pep.

Chest & Back
(54 minutes)
Push and Pull, alternating pushups and pull-ups or weighted exercises. This is a great workout. 12 exercises repeated for 24 sets. I was surprised how much I liked this workout since it only had 3 exercises that used weights, but it really pushes you to the limit.

Plyometrics
(59 minutes)
I really expected to not enjoy this workout. Yet it quickly became one of my favorites. Plyometrics is jump training - 30 moves repeated twice all in under 60 minutes. You will be dripping in sweat when you finish this workout, and aglow with the feeling of accomplishment.
Shoulders & Arms
(60 minutes)

Here are fifteen exercises repeated for 30 sets in under 60 minutes. All but two have weights. I always feel great after this workout. You can feel and see results almost immediately.

Legs & Back
(59 minutes)
This is the only weight workout done in all weeks and all phases. It has 23 exercises so be ready to squat, lunge, and do pull-ups like you never have before.

Kenpo X(56 minutes)

You will burn major calories while throwing punches, blocking and kicking. A very intense high energy workout.

X Stretch
(58 minutes)

Is designed to help you reach a higher level of athleticism, prevent injuries and to help avoid plateaus. Used in recovery weeks or on your rest day as an option to keep active. Not nearly as difficult as X but still a good stretch routine to help keep the kinks at bay.
Core Synergistics
(58 minutes)

I literally puked the firs t few times I did this workout. It is incredibly intense and because most exercises are designed to target two or three muscle groups simultaneously it will crush you (in a good way).

Chest, Shoulders, & Triceps
(56 minutes)

24 sets back to back, designed to work the whole upper body. This is my favorite of the original P90X workouts. My arms always feel massively pumped after this workout. Pushups, flys, dips and more. An awesome routine.

Back & Biceps
(52 minutes)

Another routine of 24 different exercises. A pull-up, a tricep exercise, then 2 bicep exercises. Tony Horton has created some awesome workouts, and this is one of the best.

Cardio X
(44 minutes)

This is a low impact cardio routine that is fun and will have you burning calories. It is used in the Lean and Doubles version of P90X or as an alternate for Plyometrics if you need it when starting.

Ab Ripper X
(17 minutes)

11 moves, over 300 reps in just under 17 minutes. Talk about killer. It took me about 6 weeks to get the number of reps and another 6 weeks to have good form. Almost everyone starting out questions this one - should they keep pace, or do the reps. It comes down to choice but each day try for better form and or more reps until you're matching Tony and the gang. (Note: this is on the Weight day DVDs also, so you don't need to switch them out.)

Interval X Plus
(40 minutes)

Propels your heart rate up and down with 3 speeds, creating more dramatic change in the shortest period of time. (40 minutes)

Kenpo Cardio Plus
(40 minutes)

This is an advanced version of Kenpo X with new moves to help you reach your ultimate fitness goals.

Upper Plus
(45 minutes)

This upper-body workout will work all your muscles from the hips on up in a completely new way. This is a great workout, and doing a traditional P90X+ you do it twice a week. 20 exercises most done for 60 or 90 seconds straight.

Total Body Plus
(45 minutes)
This one did not really do much for me. 21 Exercises designed to work the whole body.

Abs/Core Plus
(20 minutes)

20 Exercises designed to take your abs to the 6 or 8 pack range. Yet you will really need to have a chin-up bar. Many of these exercises cannot be modified for use with the bands.
Tony Horton is a master motivator. His workouts keep you interested and coming back day after day. This is an excellent how-to fitness program. It is exciting and diverse enough to be challenging and to keep you motivated. For the most part the video's have 4 audio options also, normal Tony talking throughout, music off, music and cues and cues only. There is also a great video series on You Tube on the making of P90X. But what really matters is getting active, being healthy and making wise food choices. I will keep posting at the end of each phase and as I try new workout videos from Tony Horton, Beachbody and others. To the right is my current schedule I am in week 3, and you can download the workout sheets here.

P90X Articles in order Phase I, Phase II, Gear, Phase III, Fitness Options.
(Disclaimer: I am asked frequently if I am a Beachbody Coach, no I am not, I am just some one who has used their products, P90X, 1on1 with Tony Horton and more and liked them and achieved good results. I am not paid by Beachbody or any of their affiliates. You can see my full disclaimer here.)
Other Fitness Articles:Fall 2011 Programs
Workout program March 2012
My Gear February 2012
Fitness My Retrospective

TRX Articles:TRX an Introduction
TRX Force
TRX Force Tactical
TRX Essential Flexibility

My P90X Series:Phase I, Phase II, Gear, Phase III, Fitness Options, P90X at 120 Days Out
Health & Fitness Book Reviews:The Primal Blueprint 21 Day Total Body Transformation - Mark Sisson
The Ten Commandments Of Lifting Weights - Jared Zimmerer
Toadally Primal Smoothies - Todd Dosenberry
Caveman Resurection - Jeff Pickett
40 Days to Optimal Health - Dr. Scott Morris
Eat Stop Eat - Brad Pilon
The Primal Blueprint - Mark Sisson
The New Rules of Lifting - Lou Schuler and Alwyn CosgroveBench Press by: Sven Lindqvist
Sly Moves by: Sylvester Stallone
Fit for Eternal Life: A Christian Approach to Working Out, Eating Right, and Building the Virtues of Fitness in Your Soul by: Dr. Kevin Vost
Body for Life 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strenght by: Bill Phillips Lose Fat Not Faith by Jeremy R. Likeness
Living The Good Life: Your Guide to Health and Success by: David Patchell-Evans
Dump your Trainer by: Ashley Marriott and Marc L. Paulsen