P90 Sculpt C

Tony Horton
Year Released: 2014

Categories: Total Body Workouts



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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 Horton’s Greatest Hits.

This review is for Sculpt C. The total running time is about 42 minutes plus an additional 2 minutes for a cool down/stretch.

Exercisers: Tony works out with 3 background exercisers, 2 women, one of whom shows the less advanced modifications and/or uses only tubing, and 1 man. Everyone is wearing athletic tops and shorts and no one is noticeably mugging for the camera.

Setting & Music: The set reminds me of a cross between a gym and a loft. 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.

Equipment: tape H on the floor, several sets of dumbbells, resistance band, and door attachment. A mat is optional. A towel and water are also recommended.

Warm Up (about 4 minutes): run in place, jacks, twist & pivot, overhead reach squats, back lunge twist, Egosque grip circles (forward and back).

Exercises: Almost all exercises are done for 16 reps. If the exercise is done for time I have noted it below. I’ve also noted which exercises have everyone using tubing. If not noted, everyone is using dumbbells and the modifier is using tubing. The exercises are grouped into 3 rounds of 7 exercises. There is a 30 second break after rounds 1 & 2.

Round 1: punch push-ups (for time), hero row (tubing), hop squats, arch presses, preacher curls, F16 hammer kickbacks, sweeping crescent lunge.

Round 2: 4 point push-ups (for time), press backs (tubing), lateral squat jumps, balance arch presses, supine curls (tubing), back stabbers, warrior 3 lunge.

Round 3: bird dog crunch push-ups, balance row (tubing), the rockette, diving dolphins, eccentric combo curl, eccentric triceps extension, warrior 2 half moon.

Cool Down (2:11): shake it off, wide leg forward fold, side stretch, groin stretch, runners lunge, hip flexor stretch, and ragdoll up.

The pace of the exercises is very deliberate and Tony often throws in an isometric hold element to increase the intensity. The exercises can be made easier or harder depending on your weight selection and range of motion. That being said, I think that most advanced exercisers would not find this workout challenging enough. I think it is best suited for beginner (if following the modifier) to high intermediate exercisers.

Overall impressions: This is a solid total body strength workout that gets a lot done in just over 40 minutes. This workout has a great mix of exercises. I especially enjoyed the leg exercises incorporating yoga moves. The pace of these exercises was REALLY slow so my legs really burned. I’d definitely do this workout again outside of a P90 rotation.

Instructor Comments:
Tony is a great instructor and demonstrates impeccable form. His commentary at times can be goofy and a little off the wall, and I find it breaks the seriousness often associated with Beachbody systems. Tony doesn’t do the whole workout and often starts the exercise and then goes around to the backgrounders pointing out the form, the modification, or making corrections/adjustments. Tony sincerely wants the home exerciser to try their best and forgot the rest!

Sabine Reuter

02/22/2015