Since you have used P90x, I have a couple of questions. I have done several low frequency, high weight workouts, centered around the big compounds (deads, squats, bench/shoulder presses, etc.). While they work, they just stopped working past a certain point, and I always had the sense that while I had built some muscle, I really hadn’t gotten any fitter. I really feel that there is something genetic, that my body-type demands vigorous, sustained exercise, more than short high-load workouts.
So I took all of the things I had learned, and built a regimen that concentrated on my weaknesses, but revolved around longer, more intense workouts. I have been curious about P90x, but don’t want to waste money on something that isn’t substantially better than what I came up with.
My big question is this: is there anything in P90x that is really revolutionary? If I work out with varied resistance exercises combined with intense cario, stretching, and bodyweight exercises, for an hour a day (I actually do 2 hours on some days, and take 2 days off after ever 4 days on), am I really gaining anything by buying the DVDs? I don’t need someone to push me or motivate me, and I am always throwing in new variations. And as far as diet is concerned, I have done a lot of research, and am fairly comfortable that my diet works for me. But given the ridiculously positive reviews for p90x, I can’t help but wonder if I am missing something.
The information itself is not new. It’s been known for about 60 years as to the effectiveness of HIT training.
What 90X does though is package the information in a usable way for most consumers, because most people know very little about training effectively for good results.
It’s not a lot of money to be the program and I think that, even if you only learned one thing you didn’t know before, it’s worth the money. But that is my opinion.
If you’re doing the same thing day in and day out, that’s where P90X provides a difference. Tony Horton calls it “muscle confusion.” Just when your body is getting used to a routine and begins to plateau, the routine changes. So if you feel like you aren’t making any further progress, maybe you oughta give it a try.