P90 Sweat A

I am reviewing this workout after doing it 6 times. I have never done a Beachbody rotation, but after much hemming and hawing, I decided to jump on the free 30-day streaming that they offer and do P90.

Because I am in Phase A, I have done this workout several times (alternating with Sculpt A), as indicated by the workout calendar. Six times so far and I still enjoy it...as much as I ever enjoy cardio.

You basically do 2 rounds (one round, a short water break, repeat the moves a second round). The moves are a combination of athletic drills and martial arts moves. The drills are mostly high impact (press jacks, quick feet) but a modifier shows a low-impact option. The martial arts moves are all arm movements, like jabs or elbow blocks (no kicking).

The cool down is brief, and the streaming goes straight into Ab Ripper A.

Instructor Comments:
Tony keeps the chatter up with playful banter. Sometimes funny, sometimes not. Overall, he does great and is encouraging. I wish there was a bit more stretching at the end of these workouts.

Alisoncooks

P90 is an update of Tony Horton’s first Beachbody series, Power 90 which was released back in 2000. While there is nothing wrong with Power 90 from an exercise point of view, it does appear quite dated and the production values are poor. Hence, creating an updated version for 2014. P90 is geared toward the person just getting back into fitness or for someone who, for whatever reason, can’t do high intensity or hardcore workout systems that Tony and Beachbody have become known for producing.

The P90 set includes 10 workouts broken up over 4 DVDs. The program starts with the 3 workouts on the A disc which are the shortest in length and meant to be foundation for the other 2 stages. There are 3 more workouts on disc B, and another 3 on disc C. There is a 4 disc which has the Saturday Special workout. For an additional cost you can purchase the Speed disc which has 3 Speed workouts and Tony’s Greatest Hits.

This workout is for Sweat A (27 minutes).

Equipment: Water, towel, and tape H. A mat is optional.

Exercisers: Tony works out with 3 background exercisers, 2 men (one of which is the modifier), and 1 woman. Everyone is wearing athletic tops and either shorts or pants. No one is noticeably mugging for the camera or acting in a distracting fashion.

Setting & Music: The set reminds me of a cross between a gym and a loft. It's brightly lit and there's a wooden floor with benches, weights, resistance bands, other fitness accessories and posters in the background. The music is instrumental with a kind of rock vibe to it. I found it neither detracted nor enhanced the workout. There is a music off option.

Warm Up: kayak knee lift, run in place, sun salutations.

Exercises: lateral run, elbow uppercut (both sides), press jacks, jab upper elbow (both side), side lunge row, cross knee pull (both sides), fast feet, sprawls (both leads), 30 second break. All exercises are run through a second time. There is a modifier showing lower intensity and/or impact moves for all exercises.

Cool down: jog in place or bounce, knee pulls, side stretch, wide leg forward fold into a twist left and right, and ragdoll stretch.

As done by Tony and the non-modifying crew I would rate this workout as high intermediate. Even though there’s impact and some up and down movements, the alternating format of a fast paced cardio exercise with a MMA type exercise keeps it from being for truly advanced exercisers. Following the modifier would make it suitable for beginners. While this workout is not super creative, it gets the job done and is great when you don’t have a lot of time and don’t want to think too hard. I rate it a solid B.

Instructor Comments:
Tony Horton has A LOT of personality and it seems that you either love it or find it incredibly annoying. What can’t be argued is that he has a passion for fitness and is very encouraging to all fitness levels. He really wants everyone to feel welcome and successful in their efforts to get in shape.

Sabine Reuter