Bring It: P90X Total Program Review

P90X created by Tony Horton is nothing short of extreme. I should know as I have just recently become a P90X graduate. Through the 12 different DVDs offer, I have sweat, cried and transformed into a whole new person. It took me a full 90 days, but I have finally come to the point where I can give an honest and truthful review of the entire program.

If you would like to start from the beginning of this series, please click here. However, if you just want to see the final results and skip the 90 days worth of research, feel free to just check out Day 90 by clicking here.

Anybody that floats around the internet world of health, and maybe perhaps has a thing for informercials, will have probably at sometime heard of P90X. This program, created by Tony Horton is part of the many Beach Body programs out there to get people in better shape, physically and mentally.

P90X works like this: P90X is broken into three phases. You have 3 weeks of tearing down your muscles and kicking your own behind. This of course is followed by a Recovery Week that focuses mainly on core. This is the trend for the first two phases. The final phase is an incorporation of the prior two phases. Phase 1 for the first and third week; Phase 2 for the second and fourth week, followed by a final Recovery Week.

While you are expected to give it 100%, the Tony Horton will give you the motivation, the tools and the variety needed to change your life. This is what is known as muscle confusion. However, this program is not just a workout. It is a lifestyle change. That means you are not just expected to push play, but you should also be aware of what you are putting in your body as well!

Any workout will give you results if you put in enough effort and you eat the right foods. So, for me to say this workout gives you results, it is only obvious that I am going to say yes. Then again, just getting into the routine of walking when you are mostly sedentary will also give you results.

So you may be wondering what makes P90X so special then. Well, the combination of the moves really shreds off the fat. That means the results are going to be dramatic. Yet, getting the results will be completely up to you.

If you don't push yourself, you will not see much of a difference. Even worse, if you just use this as a workout and don't change your eating habits, you also won't see much of a drastic change. This is not a miracle pill; this is hardwork. But if you are willing to put it in, you will see the results!

Overall, the workout is something easy enough for you to do without having a degree in coordination. Yet, the moves are hard enough to challenge you regardless of your skill level and still be effective.

The workout is filled with variety. Yet, as an honest opinion, I did find that I got a little bored. Sure, the workout is different each day of the week and then it repeats the next week. But, it is still the same workout time after time with very similiar moves. To me, that gets boring. I like to have constant change in my workouts. I like to do many different things. And as a final downfall for the workout, you can only listen to the same dialogue time and time again before the motivating talks from Tony Horton become annoying. After 90 days, I can now quote Tony Horton before he says his line.

However, the thing I do like about this workout is for almost every exercise I was able to modify to fit my skill level. The fact is I wasn't even in starting condition when I started this program. What I was - stubborn. So I did push through the workout and I did get stronger. For others, this might not be wise because it could result in injury or just giving up.

This workout is great though because of the results. Anybody who likes to do a "military" type workout, will come to realize how familiar this type of workout is. Since I am prior military - I found the moves familiar. Others who have spent time in the military will also find it familiar and like the routine.

• P90X might be too extreme for everybody, which could result in injury
• This is extreme - you might lose motivation before you even get started
• Time-consuming - each workout takes about an hour. Not good for someone always on the go. A shorter workout might be more beneficial
• You WILL be sore for almost 90 days straight
• The exercises are military type and could get boring after awhile
• Not enough cardio (personal opinion) to lose weight. Seems better suited to those who just need to tone.
• Pricey - The whole program will put a dent in your wallet. If it is just going to sit and collect dust, you might want to reconsider the purchase.

• This workout will give you results! It is geared toward building the muscles and kick starting your metabolism.
• The exercises are easy enough - not much coordination needed
• Variety - there are 12 different DVDs included with a different workout to be used. The guidebook outlines the programs and will help you know which workout is for which day.
• Plenty of support - BeachBody.com is a free online support tool
• You can workout at home, at your own convenience
• Very little equipment is needed - most of the workouts can be done without the use of equipment. The exception to this is the pull-up bar. There is plenty of pull-ups throughout the 90 days. You can use bands though for replacement.
• Tip of the day. Not only are you doing the workout but you are also gaining valuable information with each session. This will help to avoid injury throughout the 90 days.
• Motivation. The saying is "Do your best and forget the rest!" You will not master this program the first time you try it. You probably won't master it on the 90th day either. Know that if you tried your hardest, that is all the matters. You will get stronger.
• Muscle definition. If you want to get ripped - your muscles will start showing up for the count.
• Increased energy - Who doesn't want to have a neverending supply of energy. You will become more productive in everyday life. You might even be bouncing off the walls.

P90X, depending on where you find it, can be pricey. This is one of the biggest downfalls of the program. Why would you invest hundrends of dollars into your workout?

This is easy... why wouldn't you? After all, so many of us will invest in gym memberships for the year after we have made a New Year's resolution. If you don't use the gym, how much money have you wasted. For P90X, any equipment you purchase, will be able to be used elsewhere, even if you end up throwing the program aside in the end.

However, this program does give you results, and honestly, your health is worth the investment. Worse case scenario, you end up reselling the program to get your money back.

For me, this program was worth the extra dollars, but make sure to do your research beforehand. If you know you can't invest time in the hour long workouts, you already know this will go unused. In addition, if you are just starting out, this might be too difficult. For you, getting started on something easier would be the way to go.

Yet, if you are stubborn like me, and you are determined to get results, this might be what you have been looking for. If that is the case, and you are ready to make a committment, this is well worth the investment.

I give this program 4 out of 5 smileys because it does what it says. This is not a "weight-loss" program. While it will take the pounds off, the focus is more on reshaping the body and building muscle. If you have a lot of extra pounds to lose, starting out on a cardio program might be more beneficial as P90X is lacking on cardio, in my opinion.

However, the pictures speak for itself. If you are looking for results, this program will do that. The only reason I did not give it a full five stars is due to the time-consuming nature of the program. Most people have a hard time squeezing in 20 minutes 3 times a week, so that makes this program a committment that you need to stick with 7 days a week.

The only other downfall others might not like is the cost, but when weighing out the benefits, I will spend the money again. Your health should be something you are willing to invest in!