The P90X system was developed by Tony Horton emphasizing muscle confusion through adjusting the order of the routines and including varied movements. This purportedly discourages your body from getting used to the exercises. The program is designed to be done within a 90 day period, combining plyometrics, cardio, yoga, strength training and stretches. It also includes a set of 12 DVDs, a 90-day calendar for progress tracking, a 100-page fitness booklet, and a 113-page nutrition plan.

I bought P90X when seeing an infomercial over Christmas Day about three years ago. It was the best present I got that year. The program is wonderful. It does pack a punch though. Tony put together a wonderful program. It made me go back and buy all his old DVDs too, because the man can train.

The P90X regimen goes for 13 weeks, with routines intended to be done 6 days a week. a total of 12 DVDs are in the program, each catering to different muscle groups and skills. These DVDs are divided into chest and back workouts, plyometrics, shoulders and arms, Yoga X, legs and back, Kenpo X, X Stretch, Core Synergistics, chest, shoulders and triceps, Cardio X, and Ab Ripper X. Most of the workout last for at least an hour to an hour and a half.

The fitness plan lets individuals choose from 3 different workout modes, depending on their goals. These are the Classic, Lean, and Doubles. What is also very cool is that Tony has 2 to 3 different levels always modeled for you. So if you are not Joey Biceps, you can work at your own level. Take for instance push-ups, Tony will have someone doing a standard push for the average level. For the lower level, he'll have someone on their knees, doing push-ups. And at the crazy, insane levels he will have someone raising their leg. It's really nice to have this. On some exercises I would be average and others elite levels. But when it comes to flexibility and cross training , I might only be able to do the lower levels.

There are also 3 phases in the P90X nutrition plan. For the first 30 days, you can go with the Fat Shredder where the plan is to get individuals to consume foods low in carbohydrates and high in protein. The second phase, called the Energy Booster, increases the amount of carbohydrates. The third phase, also known as the Endurance Maximizer, then presents the athlete's diet, comprised of higher amounts of carbohydrates. Each time there is a change in the program, the phases on the nutrition plan also progress along with it.

How it works is that each of the exercises are shown in circuit format, where you have very little time to rest in between routines, making your heart rate go up and stay that way throughout the course of you session. It is also based on techniques being used by athletes to condition their bodies. It is also based on a research study that workouts with a number of variations provided better results. The P90X also requires participants to use standard personal gym equipment such as dumbbells, yoga mats, a chair, and push up/pull up handle bars.

If you are looking for variety, this program allows you to change your routines to avoid boredom. Should you need to rest a bit longer than what the videos suggest, you can always pause the video and catch your breath. However, the P90X system is not meant for everyone.

There is a test on the Beach Body website that determines whether your body is able to keep up with the program. Should you be unable to meet the criteria to participate in the program, you will be given recommendations on other products that Beach Body has.

One of the downsides to the P90X though, is you will need to acquire basic gym equipment if you don't already have any. If you are focused on muscle gain and strength, you would be better off with doing traditional weight or strength training that provides a variety of resistance equipment. The P90X program is mainly targeted to enhancing endurance, cardio fitness and muscle tone. The nutrition plan are also low-carb diets that nutritionists do not recommend for any individual to practice in the long run. It is not based on the standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and seemed to have been designed by someone who is not a licensed dietician.

This program is not for the unfit, obese or beginners. I could see a beginner taking it slow and in a few months come into the program full force. The system is designed for athletes and those who are already accustomed to above average exercise routines. Since this is a home-based workout program, distractions are harder to avoid and serious dedication is needed, and the more effort you put into doing your routines, the better the results.