How to Mix Up P90X Workouts

P90X promises dramatic results after 90 days.

The P90X Extreme Home Fitness Training System is an in-home exercise DVD set distributed by Beachbody. The workout includes 12 DVDs featuring resistance training, interval training, abdominal exercises, yoga and stretching. Beachbody assures users that they will see radical health, muscle and weight changes if they use the DVDs six days a week for 90 days. While the P90X system sets out a specific order in which you should perform your workouts, you can actually mix and match the DVDs to tailor your results.

Things You'll Need

• P90X DVD set and workout guide
• TV with DVD player
• 6-by-6-foot workout space
• Comfortable fitness clothing and shoes
• Dumbbells or exercise bands

Instructions

1. Focus on the DVDs that are in line with your goals. If you are looking to lean out and are not concerned with building more muscle, replace the resistance training DVDs with additional core, plyometric and cardio workouts. Alternatively, if you are only looking to gain more muscle and do not have any weight to lose, replace the cardio workouts with more resistance training moves. Just be certain to leave 48 hours between workouts of the same muscle group.

2. Change the scheduled order of the Ab Ripper X DVD. The P90X schedule suggests doing the ab workout after the resistance training workout, but many people find they are too tired after the main workout to do anything else. Scheduling the ab workout first, or even later in the day, will allow you to have the energy you need to do both workouts.

3. Replace the Ab Ripper X DVD with less intense abdominal workouts until your core is strong enough to handle Ab Ripper X. The P90X ab workout DVD is one of the hardest in the set and many beginners, especially those who are overweight, will not be able to do the exercises. Because this DVD does not have options for beginners like many of the other DVDs, you can make the replacement yourself by choosing other abdominal workouts.

4. Replace the cardio DVDs --- Kenpo X, Plyometrics and/or Cardio X --- with any other intense cardio that you prefer such as interval training, sprinting, cross training or other intense cardio DVDs. Similarly, you can interchange any of the P90X cardio DVDs if there is one that you do not like.

5. Switch your rest day to any day of the week that is more suitable to your schedule. If you have very busy Mondays, make that your rest day or day Seven. Accordingly, begin your Day One workout one Tuesday.

6. Mix in other DVD workouts to add even more variety to your regimen. Choose workouts that have similar high intensity exercises so that you can continue to be challenged and to get good results.

7. Add P90X+ workouts to your regimen. The P90X+ DVDs are also distributed by Beachbody and are meant to be a more advanced workout for people who have completed the 90-day P90X regimen. It is not recommended that you add the extra DVDs until after you have finished the whole P90X program.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow the P90X program for the entire 90 days for best results.

• Include the P90X nutrition program that comes with the DVD set for maximum fat-loss results.

• P90X is not meant for people who are new to exercise. Begin exercising with a less intense program and gradually graduate to P90X.

• Do not begin an intense exercise regimen without getting consent from your doctor.

References

• PledgeToStayFit.com: How to Create a Hybrid Program with P90X and Insanity
• American Council on Exercise: P90X Extreme Home Fitness Training System
• P90X Workout Schedule
• Team Beachbody: P90X Message Board

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Beachbody: P90X