Working out with P90X: Part 1

Posted by stickel on October 26, 2008

Over the years I've been both obsessed and completely indifferent to improving my fitness. I've tried several different methods, programs, and techniques to do so. I've done cardio only workouts, my own weight-lifting program, Body For Life, and various others. Now I'm committing to the P90X program. Throughout the process I'll log progress on TheHealthier.me.

What is P90X?

P90X is a fitness program developed by Tony Horton. It's claim to fame is muscle confusion. Muscle confusion is very important to the continued improvement in fitness and muscle development. The best way to keep muscles growing is by working them in ways they aren't used to and changing the exercises or movements when or before muscles do get used to them.

Confusing muscles can be done in any program really, all you have to do is change the exercises you're using. Simple. Muscle confusion keeps your body guessing and at that is what gets you results.

The P90X program just lays it out a proven method for anyone wants to use it. Instead of having to figure out what exercises to change and how to change them, Tony gives you a 90 day plan.

P90X comes as a set of 12 DVDs with a printed program and nutrition guide. The DVDs are set up as one day's activity per DVD. There's no need to switch DVDs during your workout, you just pop in that day's DVD, hit play, and workout.

Before you start

The P90X program asks you to gather up some information on your body before you start — body fat percentage and actual measurements of various body parts. Because the program builds muscle and burns fat this is the best way to chart your progress. Muscle weighs more than fat and I'm not concerned about my weight so I'm not going to bother tracking it.

This is how my body measures up on day 0:

• Total body fat %: 13.88%
• Measurements:
  • Chest: 37"
  • Waist: 34.5"
  • Hips: 35.25"
  • Left thigh: 20.25"
  • Right thigh: 20.25"
  • Left arm: 11"
  • Right arm: 11.25"

No peeking, yet

The P90X program also asks you to take pictures of yourself in the following poses:

• front hands on hips
• front making muscles
• side
• side upper body twisted to camera
• back hands on hips, and
• back making muscles

I'm not going to put my day 0 pictures online now but I will post them with comparison shots after I've completed the program. The 30- and 60-day milestone photos won't be posted anywhere either but I will have them if anyone is curious.

Now, as Tony says, “Bring it!”