If you've been on the hunt for the perfect fat burning workout program to start up on, there's a good chance that one you might have come across at some point is P90X. This system has been heavily marketed on TV and is now also appearing in many places online.
What's P90X all about and will it really deliver you the results it promises or is it just another quick weight loss scam that will leave you feeling disappointed? Let's have a look at the real deal of P90X.
The Promise Of P90X
The main marketing strategy of this system is that by using it, you will 'get ripped in just 90' days. Right off the bat this should throw up a few red flags in your mind.
Let's put this into perspective. Say you have two people, both of whom are thinking of testing out the P90X system. One is 180 pounds, 10% body fat and the second is 180 pounds, 35% body fat.
Which individual is already closer to being ripped? Obviously the answer is the former, thus they are going to achieve the stated goal of the program much easier.
If you're starting out in a position that's far from 'ripped' (you have a higher body fat percentage), then expecting yourself to become incredibly lean in just three months may be unrealistic.
Taking into account that the safe rate of fat loss is between 1-2 pounds a week, and if you're currently 35% body fat at 180 pounds (meaning you have 63 pounds of fat mass), means you could lose somewhere between 12 and 25 pounds over a 90-day period.
Even if you lost the highest safe amount, this will still mean you have 38 pounds of fat mass, which puts you at approximately 24.5% body fat if you assume no lean muscle mass is lost in the process.
At 24.5% body fat, you are anything but 'ripped.' So first off, put the claim into context. If you clearly know you have a lot of weight to lose, it's going to take you longer than the stated 90 days.
To expect to do a complete transformation in that short of a period of time is just setting yourself up for disappointment.
What's P90X All About And Will It
Really Deliver You The Results It Promises?
The P90X 'Secret Weapon'
So what's the secret or technique that P90X claims makes it so effective? Constant manipulation. Your body is highly adaptable and when you go into the gym day after day after day and perform the same workout over and over again, it's going to get used to it.
It's going to realize that it can easily get through that workout and it will see no reason to continue to progress. That's when results stop and you hit the plateau.
To combat this, you must kick your body out of its comfort zone and give it something it's not used to seeing. This could be new exercises, new rep ranges, heavier weight, reduced rest, a different execution order of the exercises and so on. As long as something changes, you should still get results.
The P90X system utilizes this principle to the max. They are offering you a total of 12 different workouts so you can be sure your body never knows what's coming.
Why Is P90X So Effective?
It's no secret that many people are having success with the P90X workout program. All you have to do is search for reviews and you find people reporting their 'amazing transformations.'
But before jumping straight into the program thinking you'll be the next to completely transform your body, it's important to ask yourself why this program gets the results it's getting.
Reason 1: It Provides A Variety Of Workouts
As pointed out above, the fact that you do such a wide variety of workouts is one key element, from a physiological perspective, that does help you continuously generate results.
Second to that though, if you are doing so many different workouts, you aren't going to get bored. What's the single biggest reason people fail with their workout program (P90X or otherwise)? Failure to stick with it.
The drop-off rate for any workout program is very high and you don't need to be told that if you aren't working out, you aren't getting results. Those who have struggled to stick with traditional programs start up the P90X and find boredom dissipate, which then keeps them motivated to continue on. That plays a large role in their ability to generate success.
The Fact That You Do Such A Wide Variety Of Workouts Is One
Key Element That Does Help You Continuously Generate Results.
Reason 2: It Provides A Full Meal Plan
The second factor that is playing a role in the success these people are having is that it provides you with a diet. If someone was to just start up a workout program with no regard whatsoever for what they are eating, the chances are high that they aren't going to like the results they get.
No workout program can overcome a poor diet plan, so without both factors being considered, results will be slim to none. Most people starting a workout program will attempt to 'eat healthier' but unless they are following some type of specific diet plan, chances are low that they will see success.
Those who are excited about the P90X system get themselves on the diet program as well as the workout, and that is why they actually start losing weight on the program.
Those Who Are Excited About The P90X System Get
Themselves On The Diet Program As Well As The Workout.
The Final Verdict Of P90X
So in closing, does the P90X system work? Yes, it does. But, there is nothing incredibly special about the system that is delivering the results. It's based on the simple fact that you will stick to the workout program, follow the diet and shock your muscles with new training stimuli.
If the truth is told, most beginners who jump onto this program, who have never exercised before will get results simply because they are exercising. It wouldn't have made a difference if they were to have used their own workout program or used this system. It's a new activity for their body and that causes it to respond.
If you're looking for something new to try and feel the system interests you - give it a shot. The nice thing is that it does give you a good variety of activities to perform including cardio training, resistance training, yoga-type workouts, and so on, many of which you wouldn't get with a straightforward weight based program.
But if money is tight or there are any factors that you're hesitant about, don't think that you can't get similar results with another program. As long as you are sure to avoid doing the same things day after day and take care of your diet, you too can be on the path to 'getting ripped'.
