I thought that I would first write a review based on the concept of the P90X Upper Body Weight Lifting program, which include 1) chest and back 2) shoulders and arms 3) back and biceps 4) chest, shoulders and triceps, because I would like to underscore the uniqueness of these breakthrough workouts as a whole.

OVERVIEW
Endurance weight lifting video workouts seemed to be long-lasting trend, but finally P90X broke that barrier and introduced a series that is not afraid to lift heavy but also kept endurance-based exercises in the mix. By leaving adequate room for breaks, the exerciser can lift for endurance by maximizing from 12-16 reps. In fact, there is always someone in the crew lifting for endurance so you don’t feel left out if you opt for this route. Also, much of the chest and back work in P90X is completely endurance based as you are encouraged to pump out as many reps as possible. Without limiting the exerciser to a specific rep count, this allows one to lift according to their goals and thus, maximize their potential. This perhaps is the underlying reason why P90X has garnered plaudits from the VF community.

DIFFICULTY
Weight lifting is always customizable to the user so I guess two questions come into play: Can a beginner do this and is there potential for growth? I do not think that the P90X strength training system is appropriate for beginners to weight lifting for several reasons: 1) You are concentrating on isolated muscle groups for long periods of time. 2) Many of the exercises come with innovative twists and it is more important to master form on their more traditional counterparts first to reduce risk of injury. 3) The athletic performance of the crew might discourage a beginner or encourage them to work beyond their limits.

When I started P90X I would rate myself as a solid intermediate and I was thoroughly challenged but a bit discouraged as I was lagging behind the crew’s performance. But with each session I was gaining confidence, and performing better. I could not believe how much I improved in so little time but even after 90 days, I still knew that there was a lot of room for improvement. For example, I still can’t complete that brutal pushup segment in Chest, Shoulders and Triceps. To sum it up, P90X has exposed me to the most thorough and difficult strength routines and for this reason, there is plenty of room for growth.

FUN FACTOR
There is so much going on with each workout – some tried and true traditional weight lifting exercises and some that are semi-traditional. The sequencing of exercises, which involves switching between two or three muscle groups throughout the workout (example: one chest exercise followed by one shoulder, then one triceps exercise) allows for a more engaging routine because the next exercise is always something entirely different.

What initially brought on an onslaught of dread, turned out to be exercises that I can no longer ignore – yes they are the commonly detested pushups and pull-ups. Without P90X I would have never been able to do a pull-up and probably never be able to do pushups on my toes. In P90X, a multitude of pushup and pull-up possibilities are demonstrated so you are not doing the same old standard exercise over and over again. Not only will you be able to pump out more reps with this program, but you won’t be dreading it either. Hey, I will admit that pushups and pull-ups will never be fun but they are a lot more appealing now. And getting that chin above the bar elicits such an empowering feeling: it is well worth the effort.

TRACKING YOUR RESULTS
The reason why so many people are successful with their strength gains when doing P90X is beyond its outstanding weight lifting routines. It is because Tony focuses your attention on the elements that matter: realizing a goal (strength or endurance will determine your rep range goal), knowing what poundage will deliver a burn in your rep range and executing proper form. So in other words, you are you – it doesn’t matter how much the instructor is lifting and for how long. What matters is how much weight you can handle in your rep range goal that will bring you to muscle fatigue. So why should an instructor specify your rep count if they don’t know your potential?

By recording your numbers, not only will you know your current limit but you will also know when you reach the finish line. Once you max out your rep range it is time to start a new race – one with a slightly heavier weight. The beauty of P90X is that it facilitates the process of allowing you to focus on yourself as the sole competitor. The reasons are simple and brilliant: 1) Tony does not ever count off the full number of reps. 2) Everyone is lifting according to their own goals instead of following Tony. 3) Tony isn’t instructing the entire time anyway but going to each crew member to comment on their form and give you tips. 4) The camera never focuses on a single person and shifts around to discourage you from following someone too.

LASTING APPEAL
The most striking aspect of the P90X series is the lasting appeal – these are workouts that you can reach for over and over again because of their challenge, uniqueness, variety, versatility and brutal enjoyment. The organization of exercises and detailed chaptering allow you to easily skip chapters so that you can make your own P90X routines. For example by skipping the second set of exercises or by doing the first or latter half of the workouts, you can easily mix and match a multitude of possibilities. For these reasons, I will be reaching for my P90X strength routines way beyond its 90 day commitment.

Instructor Comments:
I could not ask for a better fitness trainer and coach. It feels like Tony is making sure that you and the crew are always doing it right. He is also pushing you to work hard by exhibiting his own struggle and pointing out the effort of the crew. Tony goes beyond instructing: he is humorous, competitive and fun to work out with.

Celes