What Exactly Is the P90x Exercise System?

The P90X exercise system was introduced by Tony Horton and is supposed to transform you into a sculpted beach body in 90 days. The claims of the product are, if you follow the exercise plan and diet plan you will have a new body to show for it in just 90 days.

The program uses a combination of cardio exercises, yoga, plyometrics and light weights. Plyometrics are exercises that bring strength and speed together, and are used by many professional athletes. The P90X theory is that the exercises should be changed frequently to avoid what they call plateaus. This is where the body gets used to what your doing so it stops being effective. The P90X system creates "muscle confusion", so that these plateaus are avoided and the system continues to work.

There isn't a lot of weight lifting with this system. In fact, the exercises are done at home. The idea is several repetitions with light weights rather than shorter exercises with heavy weights. If body building through weight lifting is the goal, this is not the program.

You have to be willing and able to commit to an hour a day, six days a week, for 90 days. It comes with 12 DVDs that show you exactly what to do each day. It also comes with a nutrition and diet plan. You have to follow that as well to expect results in the promised 90 days. The program is clear when they say that you cannot continue to eat just anything. It requires a detailed nutritional diet. The instructions will guide you on what you will be eating.

If a person is truly committed to getting healthier and losing weight the P90X program can deliver exceptional results. It does, however take incredible commitment and dedication. For most people it will be a completely changed way of life. So before spending the money on the system a person should really decide if they really can make such a big change.

Although the program says that you will lose the fat and have a sculpted body in 90 days, you really are making a lifestyle change ongoing. Otherwise, the results will eventually slip away. After the 90 days you will still be following a healthy diet and exercising. So it is more of a lifetime commitment. If you are looking for a healthier lifestyle, this system can get you there. If you stay there is up to you.

Alex Morre is a fitness buff and maintains a website about the P90X workouts where he answers the question what is P90X?