Dawn P. did an excellent job of outlining the major characteristics of the P90MS, Core Cardio workout. I will not replicate her detailed review, I just thought I should weigh in with my opinion.

The first caveat would be that I have only limited experience with exercise videos--just a little Tae-Bo in the past which was not successful. Tony’s Power 90 (P90) workout started me on this journey and I have continued on to the Power Half Hour (PHH)and now P90MS.

THE CONS: I agree with Dawn that the workout is choppy and that the duration of time between exercises for demonstrations and patter is way too long. This really breaks up the workout. Moreover, there is constant switching from standing to floor work, which makes the flow seem even slower. If you don’t like Tonyisms, be forewarned that he REALLY hams it up in this one. (In that sense it is a logical extension of the PHH series). If you take all the breaks, it is hard to get your heart rate up to goal.

THE PROS: Beachbody has really increased the level of their video production. As with the P90X, the sets are far more interesting and the quality of the video is far better. I did not have problems with the sound quality on my equipment.

Once you have gone through the workout a couple of times, you can exercise through the breaks. This yields a more difficult workout that really WILL increase and maintain your heart rate. I tend to like more repetitive workouts (think ‘boring’) but there is more than enough variety to keep things interesting. No component of the exercise lasts more than 60 seconds. Judging from results, I found that the moves really gave my core and abs a good workout and after using this 2 times per week (along with the P90MS Plyometrics workout and filling in with PHH) for about 4 weeks I can see increased definition in my abs. I have not had that before and I am REALLY glad I purchased this one.

For me, this is a definite keeper. It may be less conventional than some workouts and a little ‘all over the place’ but it works and for me that is the most important thing. For me it is a logical extension from the P90/PHH level workouts. I found it challenging but doable. I have only one P90X video to compare—the P90X Yoga X workout—which I do once per week. I had to do the Yoga X tape in sections when I started and I still find it VERY challenging to get through the whole thing. If this is any indication this workout (and the P90MS Plyo workout) appear to be ‘filling the gap’ nicely.

I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.

Instructor Comments:
Tony is Tony. You either love him or hate him. Personally, I find him motivating and fun. But viewing other reviewers comments, they find him goofy, silly, and competitive. I own only one P90X tape—Yoga X—where Tony is far more subdued and focused on the exercise. Whatever your opinion of him, the Tony of the P90MS is not the low-key Tony of P90X. He is the same Tony you will find in Power 90 and the Power Half Hour: over the top, making jokes, and competitively motivating the exercisers.

Jon L