The P90X is a home fitness DVD program that has taken the market by storm.  It is the best seller in the history of home fitness DVDs.  I am not a fan of exercising at home and so although the infomercial was inviting, I didn't buy it, initially. Eventually, I did break down and purchase the multi-disc set but not because I had heard of  Tony Horton, I had not, nor because of the results promised because I am in enviable shape. I bought it  because of the word of mouth reviews I was hearing.

The P90X is being spread not just by the money spent on advertising but by the viral effect it has had on America. What makes this a unique is experience is actually two fold; one is the fact that it targets young men – 18 to 35 years of age and two is the focus on muscle confusion. The DVD market is typically geared towards women with the emphasis on the beginner to the moderate level participant. The P90X is as intense as they come with workouts that leave you breathless. Each disc is its own workout with a focus on a different body part or energy system; there is a disc for legs, arms, back, core, yoga, martial arts, my favorite plyometrics and more.

This program is a 90 day weight loss/ muscle definition system that includes the 12 workouts, a fitness guide, nutritional guidance, supplement options, online support and it comes backed by a 100% money back guarantee if you do not see the results.  If you decide to take on the P90X you will need a few pieces of equipment such as resistance bands or dumbbells and a bar for performing pull ups.

The term “muscle confusion” is not a new term but Beach Body (producers of the P90X) made it a household phrase with its effective marketing. Muscle confusion simply means keeping the  body guessing about what it is doing and this in turn will not allow the muscles to become accustomed to any one workout thus keep the dreaded plateau at bay. Your body will see continual changes because you will be doing a different one hour workout each day.

There are some drawbacks to this program. For some people, the hefty $120 price tag may be more than they can or are willing to pay for a home fitness workout. For a beginner, the workouts may be too intense and that will lead to frustration and ultimately drop out.  Lastly, the lifestyle change needed to incorporate workouts into your everyday routine might be challenging.

Even with those “cons”, the P90X is worth a try and changing a lifestyle pattern to include daily exercise is certainly something worth striving for.