Now that we are nearly done with Phase One (first 28 days), I have a good sense of what the program has to offer. Because it is presently only day 22, I will withhold a detailed review but simply talk about features I enjoy as well as what is left to be desired.
I will begin with the disappointing aspects of the program, and brevity will show that these are few and far in between. First, the weights you will need to purchase can be expensive, obviously heavy, sometimes bulky, and difficult to store effectively. I started out using the bands as I thought that would be just as effective, but on some of the exercises, I felt very little muscle action. I probably had cheap bands (from Sports Authority), but nonetheless, it just wasn't comfortable. I'm currently looking into getting Powerblocks, which seem to be a consensus worthwhile investment for strength training. For now, I just bought a 40 lb. set at Wal-Mart that does the trick. I will increase reps until I get the Powerblocks.
Next, the iron gym pull-up bar works very well, but at 6'2", I have to bend my legs to keep them off the ground for the pull-up. This may actually be a good thing, because I feel like that's harder than when the bar is higher. The last aspect of P90X I don't enjoy is the fact that the supplements the program suggests are quite expensive. Protein is a very necessary aspect of the diet, and supplements are almost a must to get you to the desired amounts. Fortunately, we found inexpensive alternatives, namely Ovaltine vs. the P90X Recovery Drink and Cliff Builder Bars instead of the P90X version.
With that being said, there are many things I very much enjoy about this system.One of my favorite aspects of the P90X, is that everything can be done at home. I've never been a fan of going to the gym, and I don't plan on joining one any time soon. Even prior to P90X, I used the Navy Seal Workout to get into shape, which requires no weights. Back in high school and college, I would force myself to go to the gym or Rec Center, and the workouts were fine. To me, however, it was never all that fun and much too time consuming. Additionally, waking up early and going downstairs to the living room just to push play is much easier than waking up, getting in the car, driving to the gym and back, and then starting your daily ready routine. Not only does staying at home save on gas, but it's much easier to stay on track this way and incorporate it into your morning "routine".
The next feature I enjoy is that the workouts are actually very challenging. At first, I was skeptical as to how difficult a program could really be at home, but after day one of Ab RipperX, I was certainly convinced. When the first day of Yoga arrived, I got downright discouraged, but the challenge gets easier each time you push play. Presently, I'm substantially better at the Yoga workout than when I started (although I still rank it as my least favorite). The workouts are also entertaining. It is fun to work hard and push your body beyond what you think you are capable of. Granted, it is hard work, but certainly rewarding.
The best thing about this program, however, is probably not a testament to the program itself, but just the decision to begin. My wife and I now have another aspect of our lives that bond us together. We are both focused and driven to succeed, and that makes it easy to press on when you may not have had the strength to do so. We have fun, joke with each other during the workouts, and push each other every day. Both of us are competitive, so we wind up competing on a lot of the exercises, which only enhances their effectiveness. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it is entertaining for me to watch her do KenpoX, because she really looks like she knows who she's fighting!
The recovery week has been good so far - not because it's been easy, but because it's still been a challenge to the body. I have full trust in the program after doing it for three full weeks, and I know that it will help me acheive my desired results. Just like anything else, you get what you put in. Proudly, I can say I have never missed a workout, and I am strictly following the nutrition plan. Success is definitely the only option here, but it can only be done after you DECIDE and COMMIT.
Decide - Commit - Succeed... it's that simple.
~ MJ
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