Finding The Right Workout
I’ve spent nearly 2 years doing Beachbody workout programs …. ONLY Beachbody workout programs. I haven’t used the gym or any workout machines. Who needs them? Clearly I haven’t!
I owe all of my fitness success to this great assortment of programs. I want to show people what’s possible with these workouts. And the best part is that there’s such a variety that the possibilities for workouts are endless.
All the talk right now is about P90X2, and there is still a ton of attention on the other “big name” programs like P90X and Insanity.
But which workout is right for you? That depends on where you starting from and where you want to go. There’s no “one size fits all” plan, but there are lots of programs available that will undoubtedly get you where you want to go.
Let’s start with the “Big Guns” — P90X and Insanity. These are the flagship programs offered by Beachbody, and they are the most widely recognized. They are also some of the most intense and extreme of the lineup, so depending on your current fitness level, these may be out of your league. And that’s okay. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Insanity is a hardcore cardio program, and you will burn a ton of body fat with this program. It involves a lot of plyometric jumping and full-body movements, but doesn’t use wieghts (with the one exception of the Upper Body Weight Training DVD). I typically burn over 1,000 calories per session with Insanity, and my heart rate is through the roof! It’s intense! And it requires that you have knees and a back that can handle jumping, pivoting, and getting up and down from the floor a lot!
P90X is a total body fitness program that uses 3 lift days and 3 cardio days per week. The lifting is through pushups, pullups, and dumbbells (or you can substitute resistance bands). P90X has been my favorite program (until now …. P90X2 LOL) because of the balance it has between building muscle and burning fat. The cardio is easier than Insanity, but it still works you pretty hard (especially PlyoX).
But what if P90X and Insanity are a little overwhelming for you? What other programs might you want to consider?
is a great program for those who don’t think they are quite ready for P90X. The great thing about P90 is that you can still see huge results because the nutrition plan is similar to P90X. The workouts are a bit shorter, there are no pullups, and there is a wide variety of workouts just like P90X. Some may think P90 won’t give them awesome results since it’s “easier” than P90X, but I’ve seen story after story of amazing P90 transformations. Just l0ok at our own teamRIPPED member, Chris’s transformation.
I’ve done all of the Power 90 Masters Series workouts, although I’ve never done a full round of Power 90. I’ve got to say that I really love this workout program for it’s versatility. If you are way out of shape, you can start off just doing part of the workout, even if it’s just 15 minutes. As you get stronger and more fit, you can add another 5 minutes, then another, and before you know it you’ll be doing the full workout. Power 90 Masters Series offers resistance training, cardio, core, and abs. It’s the whole package. And it’s a super value too.
And what about the ladies who want to tone and burn calories, but aren’t sure Shaun T’s Insanity fits their style? There is Turbo Fire and ChaLean Extreme — both great workouts for the ladies with ChaLean Johnson. My wife Anita is somewhat ADDICTED to Chalean Extreme, and has just about all her friends doing it with her now. Anita has done 3 rounds of it and isn’t bored at all. She did the base routine first, then got the deluxe upgrade DVD’s and went through a second round. Now she’s doing it again with her friends, who all seem to love it as well. Chalean Extreme is also a great value.
Then there is the all-new Les Mills Pump, which is a great blend of high speed cardio AND lifting rolled into one. It’s great for newbies as well as the old pros, men and women.
And of course there is the ever-popular Slim in 6. You can learn all about these individual programs under the tab “Progams” on the top of this website.
And for those of you who have already done P90X and/or Insanity and want something new, there are lots of ways to add variety and take the intensity up a notch. P90X Plus is a great set of workouts to supplement the P90X workouts for those who have “graduated” their first 90 days, and I really enjoy using them in my hybrid workouts. And of course there are Tony Horton’s 1-on-1′s, which are tailored to particular target zones (like “Just Arms”, “Diamond Delts”, “Upper Body Massacre”, “Killer Abs”, “Ab Ripper Extended”, etc.) These are great to sprinkle into a routine to change things up and work specific muscle groups.
My favorite way to use the vast array of Beachbody workout programs is to put them into my own hybrid workouts. I’ve been doing that for Round 2, 3, 4, and 5. I can change it up, keep it fresh, get creative, and have fun with it. For those of you who haven’t seen my Hybrids, I have them in the “Workout Zone”
Then, for those of you who want to go beyond fit to plain old CRAZY ELITE ATHLETE level, we’ve got the graduate level programs, P90X2 and Asylum. These are designed for those who have already successfully completed a round of either P90X or Insanity, because you have to have a baseline level of fitness to even begin these programs. Boy are they fun! As you all know, I’ll be part of a HUGE P90X2 Challenge the first 3 months of 2012 with many of our teamRIPPED “X2 Crew”, and then I’ll probably go into a P90X2 / Asylum Hybrid — just because … :-)
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22 Responses to “Finding The Right Workout”
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Thanks for the over view Coach. It’s nice to be reminded as to what is really out here, and what’s for what. Can one do the 10 min workout when there doesn’t seem to be enought time in a day to get the whole p90x/insanity/p90x2 in, just to be able to get the workout in with intensity thought not slacking by any means and be able to maintain there fitness? And how many a week would one need to do to maintain there fitness level? After accomplishing for above mentioned, (P,I,P2)?
Hey Craig, everyone is different so it’s hard to say how much it would require to maintain the results you’ve got. 10 min trainer is a great way to get in a short, concentrated workout on days where you don’t have time to fit in a longer workout.
Thanks coach, Was just wondering…I’ll more than likly stay with the long programs as i am used to them so to speak after all whats 60/90 mins in a day, Right?
just did plyocide,
good workout, def need more space ,
i think i like plyo from p90x better.
i pretty much turned my downstairs into beachbody workout room for me n my wife.
i have 8 foot ceilings not good for jumping with extension of arms and medicine ball, and step ups. which i didnt know u needed..
i may be a tough on change, and im excited for rest of p90x2 but the orginal may be tough to beat..
Hey Mike, with 8′ ceilings you may need to stick to the non-equipment modified moves on plyocide. They always have a non-equipment version of every exercise on all videos with the person on the left.
Hey coach, I just finished round 1 of P90X and I have not reached my end-goals yet, mainly still working on fat loss,I want to add running 3-5miles 3 times a week to help accelerate fat loss…good or bad idea?
Hey Jorge, as long as you have the time and your body feels like its holding up well, you can always do extra cardio. I never did (didn’t have time to do extra cardio), but instead I focused on dialing in my diet as tight as possible to maximize body fat loss.
Hey Coach, I’m new to the website and have to admit you are truly inspiring; not only for what you’ve personally accomplished, but also for this magnificent resource you are providing for everyone. Thank you!
I’m getting ready to start P90X and I had a few questions I was hoping you could help me answer. As far as body composition, I would say I’m starting near to where you did originally and I’m curious as to what program you followed, P90X Classic or Lean, and whether or not you would recommend the opposite program given the opportunity to do it all over again? Just curious. Also, I know I’m going to be sore (actually I’m looking forward to it, it’s been a while), do you have any tips to help limit this soreness or decrease recovery time, because I expect to BRING IT everyday and not hold back; limiting and pacing myself has never been a strong point. When starting out, did you ever pace yourself so as to maximize your efforts for the rest of the week? Would you recommend doing so?
Hey Adam. Good questions. I wrote a couple articles that might help = “P90X Schedule” and “sore”. I definitely recommend Classic. And yes you will get sore. You new to push through it as your body adapts. The best thing you can do for soreness is to take a good recovery drink. Read my review of “P90X Results/Recovery Formula” for details.
Bring it!
Wayne,
I also used P90 before moving on to P90X and Insanity, and I can’t recommend it more. I lost about 40-45 pounds, and it really set the foundation for where I’m at now. If someone is not yet ready for P90X, P90 will get them where they need to go. Also, Chalean Extreme and Turbo Fire are solid programs. I’ve done both and enjoy them. My wife loves them, as she prefers Chalean over Tony.
Wayne,
Like others I have been struggling with reoccurring injuries (back and forearm). I am on my last phase of this round of P90X. I am interested in X2, but is this the right program if I still need to loose about 10-15 pounds and recover from strains and pulled muscles?
Hey Greg, as a graduate of P90X, X2 is a great option for you. In addition, it forces you to work on your weak supporting muscles (which could very well be the cause of your recurring injuries) and make them stronger, thus making you less prone to injury. I have weak supporting muscles in my shoulders that are really being exposed with the foundation workouts. I’m excited that this is going to make me better there, and in my core which needs to get stronger.
Coach,
Does P90X or which workout in P90X set triggers after-burn effect?
Hey Ildar, if you are referring to your metabolic rate being higher for a period of time after the workout, all of them except yoga and x stretch will definitely do that.
Hi,
I would like to confess that it was ur video the first i saw on youtube that really inspired me and motivated me to engage in such amazing programs and for that i am really greateful.
I am still vacillating between insanity and p90x to start with, although i am over my optimum weight by 40 pounds i ran a half marthon 3 weeks ago so my fitness is good. I would appreciate ur advice and recommendations.
I was thinking of the following sequence: insanity,asylum, p90x then p90x2. What do u think considering my current status?
One more thing please, i love running how can i include my running sessions in training schedule (i can workout n mng and run evning) but i wolud like to get the max result of the programs so would that affect?
Hey Ammar, thanks man! Yes, that plan sounds great. You will be doing so much cardio work with Asylum that you won’t necessarily want to run in addition, but while doing P90X and P90X2 you can definitely do extra running, either in addition to the workouts or in place of the cardio workouts. I always say that as long as you have the time and the energy, you can always do extra cardio.
Hey Coach,
I have done P90x before and lost 40 pounds and I stuck to the diet, but i had to have knee surgery on both of my knees and i went back to college. Needless to say, I gained all my weight back. haha. I got Awesome results the first time using p90x. Im 100% recovered and ready to hit it hard. I want to get back into shape, but I want to get even BETTER results then I did the first time. Ive got the supplements and the diet. I plan on using your calorie deficit method. Would you suggest sticking to p90x, Insanity, or the p90x insanity hybrid.
Hey Jason! Sorry about the knees. But it doesn’t have to be “needless to say I gained all the weight back” (I’m sure you know that now, but just to remind you and those who read this — you could have eaten clean even with the knee surgery).
Anyways, back to the point. The hybrid will get ripped faster, since the cardio is more intense, but it depends on what your knees can handle.
Bring it!
Hi,
My wife and I have really been enjoying the benefits of the Insanity workouts and are nearing “the end”. We’ve each lost ~8 lbs and want to each lose about 5-10. Neither of us is really heavy, I’m 5’8″ and now 161 lbs and she’s 5’8″ and 127 lbs.
I’d like to get to about 150-155 but also add some muscle, but not too much. I want a lean and muscular look. I was thinking about going to P90X or a hybrid, but my wife is reluctant to do a bunch of muscle building. We’re each others’ motivation when we get up at 5 am to workout before work, so it would be great if we could find a compatible workout. Do you think maybe P90 would be better? Should I convince her to just give P90X a try? If we do go down that road, are bands as good as weights? I’d prefer not to have to buy a lot of stuff, which is what was great about Insanity.
Thanks!
Michael
Good job Michael! It sounds to me like Pump would best suit you both — great resistance training, more calorie burning, lean toned muscle. But yes, it requires the equipment (which is included with it).
How does that compare to P90X or a P90X/insanity hybrid? I really like the cardio effects of Insanity, which I value more than anything else for my health. I woke up the other day with a resting heart rate of 44. I couldn’t believe it, but there it was. I want to continue the cardio, for sure.
I think Pump is great. You can read my “pump review” article for more details. I suggested it because I don’t think your wife is interested in P90X. If I’m wrong, then by all means do a P90X Insanity hybrid.