Sorry, but P90X SUCKS.
So, I am sure this post will draw the ire of quite a few people. I realize the immense popularity of P90X, but let me explain just why it sucks more than it doesn’t suck (does that make sense?)
First, why P90X doesn’t suck.
Anything that makes you get off of your ass does not suck. Richard Simmons and Sweatin’ to the Oldies made thousands of people get off their ass, so it has some benefit. A lot of people are black belts in Tae Bo – as ridiculous as you may look practicing this imaginary martial art, the fact that it involves movement (which is always better than doing nothing) means that Tae Bo doesn’t completely suck. So, considering the “get off of your ass” factor, these ridiculous exercise videos at least have one positive thing going for them. So, compared to doing nothing, any exercise plan (even one that is endorsed by Billy Blanks, Richard Simmons or “America’s Mullet” Tony Little, has some value.
Why P90X Completely Sucks…
First and foremost, a cookie cutter program for the masses is like one type of automobile for everyone. What if you didn’t know anything about cars, but someone told you about the 1993 Mazda Miata? Let’s see – you are a mother of 3, yet you buy a two seater… Sounds like the cookie cutter Miata doesn’t fit your needs.
While P90X has different “models” (to use car terms), it is still designed for the masses. One size simply does not fit all when it comes to exercise programs, because no two people are alike. No two conditions or physical shapes are completely alike. No two people have the exact same weaknesses and strengths, and no two people need an identical training program.
For the most part, P90X is a simple cardio and calisthenics video. Don’t get me wrong – that isn’t terrible. I’d consider that good. But on a scale of good, better, best, well, you see where good ranks. Let me explain overload.
Take two brothers that have identical DNA, genetics, etc. Put one on an island with his 150lbs of weights and the other brother on another island with unlimited weights. They can follow whatever exercise program and use whatever exercise philosophy or principle they want (supersets, giant sets, drop sets, rest pauses, etc, etc). As long as the weight is not the limiting factor, both will continuously make progress. However, when each brother adapts to the many different exercises they can do with 150lbs, the brother that has an unlimited supply of weight will continue to add lean body mass (see my last post about the importance of lean body mass, metabolism and fat loss – this goes for females as well – lose fat by gaining lean body mass, and no, females, you are not going to turn big and bulky). Re-read that: once weight is the limiting factor, the guy with the limited weight stack can do whatever he wants (as many sets, reps, calisthenics and any other exercise, etc), but since his body has adapted to the limiting factor of resistance (weight), his progress in muscle growth will be greatly limited, while the other guy can continue to progress by simply adding more weight forcing the body to adapt.
P90X focuses on doing more and more reps, more sets, etc. Since it’s designed for the masses, adding more weight isn’t really built in. Think you can go from couch potato to model hot with a few exer-bands and push ups? Maybe, but a legitimate, well-designed training program that includes weight training would greatly reduce the time needed to do so.
For the most part, videos like P90X prey on the misconception that some people just want to “tone up” versus “get big and bulky”, as so many women fear is actually possible. As I mentioned in the last post on the Caveman Program – muscle is either growing or going away – there’s no toning… Maintaining muscle mass (by inducing growth at a slower rate) versus reducing body fat is how you obtain the desirable lean appearance. That does not mean “higher reps for sculpting” or higher intensity training for definition. That’s bullshit created by the Jillian Halls or Tony Hortons of the planet.
Here it is laid out in a very simple formula: Weight training is used to stimulate the muscles for growth; loss of body fat is obtained via nutrition and cardio and adding lean body mass (thus increasing metabolic rate) via the proper nutritional and training regimen.
There are two reasons to lift weights: to increase muscle size or to increase muscular endurance. There’s no “lighter weights will get you ripped” in that bold print. It is impossible, regardless what rep scheme or relative weight you use to “tone” a certain group or to spot reduce fat. Crunches do not make your stomach more appealing. Tricep exercises do not burn the fat off of the back of the arms. Hamstring exercises will not remove the fat off of the back of your legs. However, most personal trainers are misinformed (or simply idiots) that can’t grasp this simple concept. As I mentioned in my last post, there are many different reasons to use various rep, set and weight schemes (safety, condition, what’s necessary for overload). But as soon as you learn that “toning” cannot be achieved by a certain rep scheme and that you will not grow “big and bulky” with another rep scheme, you’ll be much better off.
As far as the fear of getting abnormally muscular? Let go of that thought. Gaining large amounts of muscle is an incredibly difficult task that takes years (yes, YEARS) to achieve. There are plenty of people that WANT to gain lots, but it’s just as easy as moving weights – it requires constant progression and a well designed nutritional program to achieve. Note to the ladies: hormonally, it is even more difficult for you to become muscle bound – it will not happen by accident.
While I will not disagree that P90X isn’t a bad program for someone who would otherwise do nothing at all, it is by no means the end all of exercise programs. Sure, you’ll sweat if you do that, but you’ll sweat in July in Texas walking to your car, and that did not increase your fitness level.
While I do think it is a great way to increase one’s cardiovascular capacity and help someone that has never really participated in a real exercise program, it is very limited, and will not bring you the body of your dreams.