Sunday, April 03, 2011

Variety

Hey Boys & Girls,

More and more people are discovering that Variety truly is the Spice of Fitness!

Multiple types of physical activity can be very humbling for people because it exposes our weaknesses - and most people don't like being/looking bad at anything. The commitment to exercise is hard enough and now I'm asking you to do pull-ups, jump-knee-tucks, throw punches and hold Warrior 3. "That's too hard!" This is why most people never leave the yoga studio, spinning class, get off the elliptical machine or attempt something other than their 3 mile run. As a "skills" based program P90X is designed to emphasize your weaknesses as well as your strengths. This is the sole reason why it works. Never before did you see Yoga and weightlifting in the same program because even trainers gravitate toward only one or two specialties.

Boredom, plateaus and injury are the enemy and the only way to combat them is through Variety. If you're struggling it's working. Swallow some humble pie and get busy.

TH-

35 comments:

Brian said...

Thanks Tony for all the encouragement and challenge. I have just finished week 7 and I feel great. I wish I could see more actual weight loss (10 Lbs. so far) but my clothes are starting to fall off and I have to tighten my belt, so it IS working! I'm looking forward to sending my before and after pics! Thanks for everything.

Brian, NC

Tom said...

Great advice. Variety keeps things fresh and offsets monotony. Your post reminds me that it's time to try some new exercises and activities in my workout routine. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Just got done with P90X. The wife and I are 2 weeks into P90X / P90X + and ONE on ONE. I LOVE THE VARIETY. Thanks !

Jeremey Tate/ Rachel Tate
Nashville.

Unknown said...

hey tony, i just finished the program and have been described as being "cut". I dropped 20 pounds and now I am looking to make some bigger muscle gains. So two questions, 1 how can i get some more mass, and 2 how do I maintain after so i dont lose what i worked so hard for?

Anonymous said...

Never thought I could replace the "runner's high" I got from over 20 years of running 25-40 miles per week. At 45 I needed something less stressful on my joints, and also wanted to see my guns again. The variety in P90X is awesome and just what I needed to get through the winter months. Starting round two to be ready for the summer beach vacation. Thanks Tony!!!!!

Tony
Rockville, MD

Angela said...

Been doing P90X for over a year now. Just mixed it up with Plus! I'm going to be 47 in one week and plan to keep going for as long as I can..........

Trainer T.s Fitness said...

I love mixing all the programs and add running and boxing in too.
Thanks Tony!

Anonymous said...

Tony, my son uses P90X and has tried to get me to use it too. At nearly 54, I'm looking to try something new for me to get and keep off the weight that keeps creeping on with getting older. I have chrondomalasia and want to know if this is a program I can benefit from or if it would be too much for my knees.

Linda
MD

Dave said...

I am though phase 1, started off at the beginning of the year at 43yrs old, 6'5" and 345lbs. Yes, you read that right, 345lbs. Started P90x and extended phase 1 a bit, took a week off on vacation, etc.. But So far I am down 42Lbs. and am just beginning Phase2. I am a believer!It may take more than 90 days to get though, but thats OK, the results are there. Bring it!

Anonymous said...

I started the program and at week 6 I stopped because I was not seeing any results on the scale, in inches, or energy. I started again then started school so I stopped again.

I am going to start again but try a different program .....was doing lean but will try doubles to see if I get any additional energy, weight loss, or loss of inches. Thanks for the encouraging words!

Anonymous said...

I love the program!!! Enjoy the variety of the workouts. However, question for you....I started the classic work out with the after work out recovery drink and within 7 days was hospitalized for 2 days with Rhabdomyolysis. Prior to starting P90X, I worked out at least 5 - 6 times a week; strength and cardio. Any thoughts? Could this have been caused by the creatine in the afterwork out drink?
I recently started the program back up and am doing the Lean version first and then will go back to the classic.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree about the weight loss.. should I be doing the lean plan to drop more pounds at first? I have just completed week 2 of the classic phase.. definately getting stronger!!!

Dave said...

Tony mentioned in the video that if you felt OK and wanted to extend phase 1 to drop more weight its OK, so I did. I extended by about 3 weeks, took a week+ off, and am starting phase 2 now. I dropped about 42, and feel fine. Good luck!

Dave

Unknown said...

I finished the 90 days this week...I have never committed to an exercise program in my life...but P90X is great - Tony you are a legend, thank you....I have got up religiously at 5am everyday and I'm really proud of myself......but now our relationship is over...I'm moving on to Shaun T and Insanity! :))

P90X Reviews said...

I love the program!!! Enjoy the variety of the workouts. However, question for you....I started the classic work out with the after work out recovery drink and within 7 days was hospitalized for 2 days with Rhabdomyolysis. Prior to starting P90X, I worked out at least 5 - 6 times a week; strength and cardio. I love this post much. Thanks alot.

taio said...

v intresting,ok

Chael said...

Thanks Tony. Im now ENGAGING into your 90day-Xripped-program :) Continue inspiring us..

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for P90x : MC2!!!

Onionish said...

I am on my third round of P90X. I'm very happy with the results. I have had a lot of other workout DVDs and I really think it's Tony's personality that keeps me coming back to the P90X. He seems like he would be a hoot to work out with.

To the person who said he was not seeing results--you need to check what you're eating. If you don't follow the eating plan (and it's easy to do because you get 3 different approaches to doing it) you'll see a bit of toning but no dramatic results.

A couple of days ago, my daughter said, "What do you think Tony will be for Halloween?" It made me laugh.

HangryDRAGON said...

On day 5 now of the P90X, and yes, the variety is what's kept me going. I love that not only can I substitute certain videos for others, but within each video, you offer so many variations of each exercise for beginners on up through the ripped. I don't know if it's psychosomatic or if you're program's just amazing, but I feel stronger already (and have lost a bit of weight in the process.) True believer after 5 days, loyal fan for life.

Jill T said...

I love this program because of the variety. Too much of the same thing has injured me in the past. I'm in week 11 of my first time through P90X and I lost a size in the first month. I'm slowing down on the weight loss but no matter. I'm happy and healthy!! I'll continue to repeat this program as long as my body lets me :)

Elena said...

Hi from Ukraine) I want to say THANK YOU for your wonderful program) it's REALLY WORKING)) now i feel much more healthy and much more happy)) thanks))

Beth said...

I started the program a week and a half ago. I look like a complete fool doing most of the stuff, but I keep plugging away because in a short time I can already fit back in to my favorite jeans and I love the workouts... and most importantly the variety keeps me interested and motivated!

Keith said...

I am just finishing up week 12, this is the best program I have seen. I'm 46 years old, I started the program at 186 pounds, I'm 166 as of this morning. I feel better and my attitude toward life is great. If you have any questions about whether the program works or not IT WORKS! Put in the time and Bring It!

Unknown said...

Tony, I have been doing P90x and all of your one on ones for the last 5 years. I love it . I want to increase my muscle mass. I have been at 150-152 for 5 yrs. Everyone always comments that I look too skinny... Can you tell me the best way top go about gaining muscle without adding fat

Thanks and keep up thegreat work

Anonymous said...

Tony,

I have bad tricep tendonitis from one armed pushups. What do I do? Right where it connects to my elbow hurts quite a bit and the doctor says there's nothing they can do.

Rich P Trumbull CT said...

Tony - you are so right with the overall program strategy of variety and always mixing it up to include the things we do not do well at. As an athletic 50 yr old with total hip replacements in my past, your program has allowed me to enjoy most if not all physical activities such as skiing the black diamonds all day long! I am a long time user of P90X and will continue to be....nice seeing you at the Wallingford CT workout & see u on the slopes someday..

Rich
Trumbull, CT

Larry Brown said...

Tony I love this workout I have lost 25lbs since Febuary. plyometrics rock. Larry Brown Kennilworth NJ

Anonymous said...

Tony, I did P90X for over a year and became ripped but then I took a break for a week, which turned into 2 and so on and so forth, now Ive lost alot of those results and it is extremely DIFFICULT to get back to it. I have a wife and kids and work 10 hours a day, i cant see myself spending another hour and a half in my office working out, while my wife is doing laundry, helping kids with homework...Also life is passing by, I looked awesome stuck in my workout room, but everyone looked at me like Im a snob when I went to their house to visit and I would say "Sorry, I cant eat any of that" ...or they offer me some wine or soda and I say sorry I cant drink that, do you have some water? ITS TOUGH to live like that...and I did it for a year. Isnt there a program for real people that offers some balance? I mean 15 minutes-30 minutes a day...but maybe not as ripped...and you can still have a drink or eat some foods?? Fast paced lifestyles are what kill us...I just dont have time. Its not an excuse...its real. I can do the workout after kids go to bed and responsibilities are met at 10 oclock...but then Im tired..not to mention I get up at 5 AM..and then Im not getting enough rest...THoughts? Can you blog on balance

mario said...

Hey tony im almost done with p90x i didnt quite get the results i was looking for. i would love to get an email from you to go more in depth. it would be greatly appreciated

FoodSmart RD said...

How about mixing it up? Do p90 twice or three times a week and bike, jog, walk (with your kids and spouse) a couple of days/week. Eat the right stuff and drink the right stuff at home and when you go out make the best decisions you can. It CAN be done.

Holly Mann said...

Awesome points here Tony. And you are right. I am not the type who can follow a workout DVD if everyday it is the same workout and the person teaching is just teaching, and not very personal. What I love about you is that you're not afraid to be yourself and I find you to be pretty funny on the videos at times. It adds to the variety of all the videos. I get bored too easily so it helps when people keep things interesting. I am also very surprised that you have Yoga in the DVDs and know it is extremely beneficial. I did Cardio X yesterday and loved it! You have the best job Tony - you're an inspiration and instrument in helping people change their lives and health. You've made a workout program that is so diversified and challenging that I am sure I will never get bored of it. I am on week 9 and loving it. I'm in better shape than when I was in the army! Thanks Tony!

darwin andres said...

eyo im 13 272 pounds on day 1 and now 206 pounds day 7:) thank u

balletomane3 said...

This is why our World Gym remodeled and expanded giant room to promote their new Crossfit program. They even bought a flat panel TV that the put at the desk to run promo videos of Crossfit. Their literature specifically criticizes the person who thinks that fitness means only running 2 marathons a week as well as the bodybuilder who is big as a brick shithouse (my dads slang) but can't bend over to tie his own shoes.

In the interest of cross training, I participated once in an aerobic style class called 'Will, Power and Grace'. I was the only guy in it (meaning that I had all of the hot babes to myself :D ) and it was a killer. I felt embarassed that it kicked my ass. But taking that class exposed my weakness. This weakness is typical for guys. This area is the strong point for women. But mostly because guys are afraid to take the class.

Jep said...

I don't see humble pie in the nutritional guide! ;)

Keep up the great work and keep pressing play!