P90 or Power 90 is an in-home fitness program that is on DVD. The program lasts for 90 days and is a tool to help users shed pounds and get into terrific shape. You may have heard of the more recent and popular version called P90X. The "X" stands for extreme.

P90 is a good option for those who may not have exercised in awhile or beginners who are not able to handle more advanced exercises. It is easy to follow and comes with a program guide and meal planner. Unlike most fitness dvd's, the P90 program can be used in combination with an exclusive online gym in which user's log their daily workouts and communicate with other members.

It is a great way to stay accountable and actually follow through with using the program

Unlike P90X, the equipment required for P90 is fairly basic. The most you will need for the full 90 days include:

• DVD player
  
• Gym shoes (running shoes, cross trainers, etc.)
• Dumbbells (light set and a heavy set that you can handle)
• Elastic bands (optional)
• Fan (optional - but it does get hot as you workout)
• Towel
• Water

I use dumbbells for my workouts, however, the elastic bands work just as well. The elastic bands can be purchased in varying degrees of resistance. If you choose elastic bands, I recommend getting at least 2 kinds in order to challenge yourself as you get stronger.

Dumbbells are usually inexpensive. A nice set to get would be the more expensive models where you can set your weight. They are more expensive but they take up less space and you can choose your weight as you progress.

What I enjoy about P90 is that it is put together really well. Before you even start the program, I highly recommend reading the program guide cover to cover. It is important to understand how to use the program as well as when you should transition from phase 1-2 to phase 3-4. The program guide will teach you how it works as well as providing tips and motivation from others who have already completed it.

I use P90 6 days a week and take one day off for rest. My rest day is on Saturdays which works out well for me as I like to start the week off with exercising. Don't try to transition to fast. Phases 1 and 2 are slower paced and instructional. It's a good idea to get the exercises down and with good form. There is no need to rush into phase 3-4 when you have 90 days to do so.

I transitioned to phase 3-4 cardio/abs much sooner than the sculpt portion of the program which deals with resistance training. However, waiting until day 30 to transition is just as fine for either phase. Overall, just listen to your body and don't force yourself.

Another important factor is your diet. Follow your meal planner and try not to keep eating junk. Food will make or break your results. Even if you exercise 6 days a week, if you continue to eat the wrong foods, you will not shed unwanted pounds. All of your hard work will be in vain so clean up your diet first.

There are way more positives to using P90 than negatives. For one thing, it is great program for the average person who needs to get into shape. The workouts last from 30 - to 40 minutes or so and go fairly quickly. You can do the program at home at anytime which means savings on gym memberships and having to drive back adn forth. You can have accountability by incorporating the online gym.

The only negative I can think of is that it may be somewhat easy for someone who is already in decent shape. If that is the case, you can easily add a challenge by using heavier weights and increasing intensity in the exercises.

If you are considering P90, it is a great program to follow. I am a fan and absolutely love what it has done for me so far. I have more energy, feel stronger, and eat much better. If you would like to see the various in-home fitness programs that are available in the Beachbody® line, you can visit: beachbody products.