How To Start P90X The Right Way
How To Start P90X
I see SOO many people jumping into P90X without doing the critical steps that they need to do so that they set themselves up for success. There is no beating around the bush. P90X is an EXTREME program. This isn’t some type of fad workout, or one of those goofy 80′s dance workouts. This is an extreme program that gives extreme results. Period.
However, you will only get those extreme results if you follow the program as it’s laid out and you do ALL 90 days! Doing a few weeks or even a month and then quitting won’t give you results. Doing whatever workouts you feel like doing whenever you can won’t give you the results. Ok, maybe you’ll get some results, but definitely NOT the kind of results if you had followed the program as it’s laid out (that includes the workouts AND the nutrition!).
So…if you’re absolutely serious about losing the weight. If you’re absolutely serious about getting toned, getting ripped, or even bulking up…If you’re absolutely serious about getting into the best shape of your life so you can live a long, happy, healthy life with your kids (or future kids), with your spouse (or future spouse), and with your family and friends, then it will behoove you to follow these steps on how to start P90X the RIGHT way.
How To Start P90X (and Finish) The Right Way
I’m going to try to keep this page as brief as possible and literally give you step by step instructions on how to start P90X with links to resources that have videos, PDF’s, etc. to give you every leg up possible to ensure your success.
STEP 1 – Create A Free TBB Account For Free Coaching.
This is a no brainer. By clicking the above link and creating a free Team Beachbody account you’ll get an extra layer of support and motivation that you’ll need to ensure you stick with P90X. You’ll get ME as your personal success Coach, and you’ll get access to some free tools that you’re going to need to get yourself started right. So don’t think about this step, just do it.
STEP 2 – Read Through The P90X Fitness Guide AND the P90X Nutrition Guide.
P90X Nutrition Guide
A lot of people don’t do this, and then they don’t have a clue about anything. Those guide are there for a reason! Read them from cover to cover.
If you don’t have the P90X Nutrition Guide, then click the following link for some alternatives- P90X Nutrition Guide
If you don’t have the P90X Fitness Guide, then my blog is going to become your best friend. Use this page as your road map to starting P90X the right way.
STEP 3 – Confirm You Have All The Required Equipment.
You need to do this step ASAP in case you need to order any equipment or supplements (so you leave yourself some time for shipping). You also don’t want to start doing the workouts, and then you say “OOOOPPPPS, I don’t have X piece of equipment so I can’t do X exercises.” That’s just going to derail your progress with the program.
To confirm you have all of the required equipment, go here (do this EVEN if you think you have everything)- What Equipment Do You Need For P90X
STEP 4 – Take Your Measurements AND Your Before Pictures.
I’m not going to explain why this is important, actually I’m going to YELL and say…JUST TAKE DO THIS! DON’T SKIP THIS STEP!
Just click the following link and I’ll explain why, and how to do this- How To Take Your Measurements & Before Pics
STEP 5 – Take The Fit Test
You shouldn’t skip ANY of these steps, but this is another common thing people skip (really just out of laziness). I’m not going to yell this time :-), rather I’m just going to give you a page that will tell you how to do it. Just do it.
Click the following link to learn how to take the P90X Fit test- P90X Fitness Test
STEP 6 – Decide Which P90X Schedule You Are Going To Do & Print Out The Worksheets
There are 3 different workout schedules of P90X that you can do. You need to pick which one you are going to do, and you need to print out the work sheets so you can track your progress.
Click the following link to figure out what schedule is right for you, and to print out the P90X worksheets- P90X Workout Schedule
STEP 7 – Figure Out Your #’s, Clean Out Your Kitchen, & Go Grocery Shopping.
Your nutrition is JUST as important as your workouts. It’s basically like an equation…Your workouts + Your Nutrition = You Meeting Your Goals. Proper nutrition is FIFTY percent of that equation. So here’s what you need to do-
- Based on your goals (whether you are trying to lose weight, maintain weight and just get toned, or to even bulk up) you need to figure out your numbers (calories, protein, carbs, & fat) – How Many Calories Should I Eat A Day.
- You need to keep a food journal for at least a week to confirm you’re not over eating or under eating – How To Keep A Food Diary.
- Then you need to RID your house of ALL of the junk, and go grocery shopping and purchase foods based on the P90X Nutrition Guide or the alternative resources I gave you in Step 2.
STEP 8 – Proclaim Your Start Date & Give Us Daily Updates.
It’s proven that people who tell other people that they are going to do something, are MUCH more likely to actually do that something and follow through. Also, the people who commit to giving our community daily updates whether here on my blog, or on our Facebook page are more likely to stick with it. So here’s what you need to do.
- Leave a comment below and let me know your start date for starting P90X. THEN come back to this page and reply to your comment and tell us how your first workout went.
- Next, give us daily or at a MINIMUM weekly updates here on our Facebook page – Trek2BeFit Facebook Page.
STEP 9 – Share Your Results.
The people who go through ALL 90 days MUST be recognized! The fact that you just completed such an extreme program is something you should be so freakin proud of. Send me an email and tell me your results. I may even want to feature you here on my blog to share with the community of 90,000+ (and growing) visitors and members. I may also eventually create a separate page to feature everyone’s P90X results.
At The End Of Each Phase & At The End Of P90X
Make sure at the end of each phase that you re-take your measurements, and your pictures. Also, at the end of 90 days, re-take your measurements, your pictures, AND the P90X fit test. This will help give you some added motivation, will help keep you going, and will allow you to see if you are going in the right direction or if you need to make adjustments to your nutrition.
Now…TAKE ACTION!
You’ve got ALL the resources you need and you even have a step by step blueprint on how to start P90X. It’s now your time to just DO IT and take action! How serious are you about accomplishing your goals whether it be to lose weight, get toned, get ripped, or to bulk up? You ONLY get something different by doing something different so JUST DO IT! I can’t wait to help YOU on your journey and to see your final results.
Yours In Success,
Work With Me - Leaders Only
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here in p90x phases calender the exercises are mentioned like in week one and day one mentions chest and back,ab ripper x ……….i wanted to ask do i have to perform the whole dvd of both these programs of chest and back and then ab ripper x on that day one followed by other immediately or some specific exercises mentioned in the videos??
Yep! When it has Ab Ripper X listed, you have to do Ab Ripper X and the other workout for the day.
I’m starting P90x on Monday. I have all the equipment,done the shopping and I’m excited and scared at the same time. Whew….here goes.
CONGRATS for committing to P90X Shawana! Will you be doing the Lean or Classic version?
I will be doing the Classic version.
Cool! Let us know how the first workout goes!!
P90X is on it’s way. Nervous, excited and a Scared ad hell but extremly excited! So keep me movaited and let’s do this. X
Congrats again for getting P90X…Don’t be nervous, just be excited! You’ll hear Tony Horton say this a lot, “Do your best and forget the rest!” Really take that to heart and do the very best you can and don’t worry about anything else.
The motivation starts with you. I can’t get you to anything if you don’t truly want it. I asked this in my FB message to you, but why do you want to do P90X in the first place?
Started P90X last night. Good workout. A little harder than I thought it would be. Did what I could. Just a little sore but did some good stretching this morning. Looking forward to tonights workout. Motivated!
Congrats Debbi! Just do your best and forget the rest!! Really take that to heart. Keep up us updated on your progress with P90X!
So day 1 down. Pretty hard I have to say. But I’m still excited as hell and looking forward to day 2 with plyometrics. The ab ripper x kicked my ass today and I’m sore ( no pain no gain). I’ll let u know how I make out and if I can still walk.
lol…Way to go Urica!!! It’s an ass kicker alright, but your abs will be thanking you in 90 days! :-)
Just finished Plyometrics for the first time, WOW… My legs are like jelly and I feel sick but it is worth it. Now I am feel the soreness in the chest from yesterday….took extra time to cool down….My husband is a great partner…He is in much better shape than I am..He keeps me motivated.
NICE JOB Debbie! You may be in some pain tomorrow, but it is DEFINITELY worth it!
Check out this post for help with the soreness-
http://trek2befit.com/relieve-muscle-soreness
Keep the updates coming!
Great job Debbie!! Bring it! Im going to be bringing it hard tomorrow. Still nervous still excited. I’ll let u guys know how I do.
Debbie and Urica great job girls. Debbie I know how you feel. I did my plyometrics today too. My arms and shoulders felt rubber bands from Monday and today so do my legs. And let’s not talk about the sweating from places that shouldn’t sweat LOL. Looking forward to tomorrow. Good luck
lol…LOVE IT! We’re all in this together so GREAT JOB!
Let us know how it goes Shawana!
Thx!! I just woke up and my arms and chest are hurt’in (I love the pain) going to do plyometrics.
BRING IT with Plyo Urica!
just finished my first workout. I feel great, can’t wait till tomorrow
GREAT JOB Paul! Keep pushing play buddy and keep us updated on your progress!
Paul you got this!! I’m On day 3 it hurts but it hurts so good! Bring it people! Bring it!!!!
Congrats Paul. Completed day 3 today. Awesome!! Urticaria it does hurt so good.
Felt a little tired today….still got up and pulled it out arms & shoulders done on to ab ripper x! Bring it!
Good! Nice job for sticking with it Urica!
Thx! I hate ab ripper x. Looking forward to yoga x tomorrow.
Last night I soaked in a tub of hot water and Epsom salt and my body feels so much better. You guys should try it. There is still some soreness but not nearly as much.
Urica I hate AB ripper X too, I really really do but its a necessary evil.
Gonna push play when I get home from work, a little sore today too
I just finished my 2nd workout and I feel great! My legs are a little sore, and I’m sure that I will be feeling it in the morning. I’m going to fix dinner and get a good nights sleep. Keep pushing play and I’ll talk to you tomorrow
NICE job Paul! Good! Plenty of sleep is important for your recovery. BRING IT! Keep us updated!
Thx Shawana! Great job everyone! Getting up bright an early for some yoga x. Can’t think of a better way to start my Friday! Bring it!! X
so I just completed the yoga…I stretched muscles I didn’t know I had LOL. Legs and back tomorrow with AB ripper x. As my kids would say when they are being sarcastic…oh what lovely mud LOL….lets BRING IT guys.
lol…LOVE IT! Yea for a lot of people the Yoga is tough, but it will help you with all the other workouts.
BRING IT with Legs & Back and Ab Ripper X! Let us know how it goes!
Did biceps and shoulders this morning, got through it ok but ab ripper x kicked my butt. Great job everyone, hope we all stick with it.
I love that workout! Sounds like you got an AWESOME workout with Ab Ripper X! KEEP IT UP! Have an awesome weekend Paul and I can’t wait to hear how next week’s workouts go for you.
I did yoga today for the first time. It was pretty tough and I cramped up a couple times but I stuck it out and had a great workout. My body is sore, but I feel great . I’m really getting in to this. Can’t wait to start seeing results. That’s it for now, watching the Broncos lose, talk to you all tomorrow
GREAT JOB! Yea it’s a tough one! Just keep sticking with it buddy!
Great Job Paul! I’m going to tackle KenopX Today. An ripperX is getting easier I’ve completed it three times now. That makes me very happy. Can’t wait to watch the packers game today.
Kenpo was awesome! It may take me a little bit to get the sequences but I will get it. Have a great day go packers!
NICE job Urica!!!! Yea you’ll get the sequences down. Then it becomes even more fun!
Legs and back went smooth, loved it, Giants took it to the Packers , talk to you all tomorrow
Good! Are you sore from Legs and Back today?
Week 2 starts tomorrow. Let’s Bring it
Once week 2 is done…You’ll be halfway done month 1! B-B-B-BRING IT!!! :-)
Sore so sore. Going to do some stretchX – no days off for me. Bring it!!
X Stretch feels freakin AWESOME after a full week of P90X! Enjoy!
Omg Jonathan it does! Wow and talk feeling completely just refreshed and foscused more. I can see why yoga is so vital. And my day got even better when my boyfriend decided he should start working out too. (he needs it) my evil plan is working! Best Monday!! Bring it!!!!
lol…Good! Sounds like you’re rubbing off on him! That’s how it happened for my wife and I too.
She started to get fit and healthy, and then with time I decided to start my journey too.
Keep up the AWESOME work Urica!
Good job Urica, and yes Johnathan I am sore, my butt and calves are sore. Just finished kempo, I’m a little uncoordinated but got through it, what a great sweat!! I thought about taking the day off tomorro.w, but just don’t wantto, can’t wait to stretch, I’m hooked. Great job everyone
I figured you would be! If not, then that just means you need to step up the weight! :-)
You’ll love X Stretch! It will FEEL SOOOOOO GOOD!!! :-)
I love this journey. Can’t wait for more- week two starts tomorrow!! Brrring it!!
Good! Sounds like you’re becoming a P90X addict like me!! ;-) It’s a VERY good addiction to have!
Just finished stretching, my whole body feels great!! Hope everyone has a great day, raining where I am. I’m taking the rest of the day off. Gonna go shoot my bow. Week 2 starts tomorrow
You too buddy! Have fun shooting your bow! Sounds like a lot of fun!
Day one of week 2 went great, ab ripped kicked my butt AGAIN!! Looking forward to tomorrow, hope everyone is pushing play.
Good!!!! Are you able to get through Ab Ripper X without stopping yet? If not…you WILL! Just keep BRINGING IT!
Hey hope everyone’s still bringing it! Plyo wooped my butt yesterday. I’m going to try cardioX next week just to compare the too. Shoulders and arms went great today ab ripperX is still ab ripperX – I have a love hate relantionship for ab ripperX. Still bringing it and still push in play! :D
Just wait until you get to Ab Ripper X 2! :-) It’s a whole different kind of pain. Sounds like you’re ROCKIN it Urica so keep up the awesome work!
Hello. I have read your article and love it.
But how do you combine P90X with other workouts.
Right now I have a running program 0 – 5km in 6 weeks. And I have been running regularly for about 8 months before that. Just short trips of 1-3 mile. To strengthen my joints. Now I will increase the intensity. And work my way up to 5km over the next 6 weeks. And then 10km of additional 12 to 16 weeks. After how my body react.
Plus I want to train with my backpacks. Walking in the hills behind my house. to start with 10% of my body weight and then work my way up to 30 to 35 kg.
But I weigh just 15kg too much. I smoked but I stopped 7 weeks ago. And is super motivated. Because I’m going on mt. goat hunting this fall.
Can P90X combined with running 3-4 times a week and hiking 2 times a week.
For I am completely desperate to find any exercises I can do for upper body and core here at home. And the flexibility of yoga, I am sure will do no harm. And I also lack a good nutrition plan
So after this long explanation, I will ask.
Can I use P90X with my running and hiking program.
And do you have any good suggestions for how. So I can get ready for some serious hunting (I hope)
Honestly, if I were you, I wouldn’t combine P90X with that many extra fitness activities. You’ll end up overworking your muscles, or not getting the best results with P90X since you’ll have to skip some P90X workouts. If you’re serious about getting the best results with P90X, then you could always keep the running (just replace the cardio days with your running), and then follow the regular P90X schedule.
I hope that helps!
Hey Jonathan, not quite able to complete ab ripped without stopping,but not giving up. Plying got me today, I’m sore but feel great. I told my wife I’m committed to finishing this,and I look toward to each workout. Cooking dinner for the ram, talk to you all tomorrow. Keep pushing play!
You’ll most definitely get there! I love me some PLYO! :-) Great job buddy! Us people who are 100% committed don’t let excuses get in the way…And you’re doing EXACTLY that.
KEEP IT UP!
Shoulders and arms was great, and I feel great, not as sore. Ab ripper kicked my butt… Again! Its getting a little easier though. I’m going to my sons wrestling match this afternoon. Hope everyone is doing well. Talk to you tomorrow.
Good!!! lol..yea it still kicks my butt to this day!
Hi Jonathan,
Just awaiting delivery of the final pieces of equipment to start P90X classic on Monday 30 January! A quick question as I prepare – can I get shakeology and the P90X supplements delivered to the UK? The postal options on the website appear to be USA and Canada only……
Cheers!
Nice! Congrats Mike! Yea unfortunately you can only get it through Team Beachbody here in the U.S. right now. They are working hard on getting it opened up to other countries.
Legs and back today, ab ripper still killing me. Ice fishing and kempo on the menu for tomorrow. Everybody keep pushing play and have a great week, with any luck, rainbow trout for dinner!
Hope you ROCKED Legs and Back yesterday and had some yummy rainbow trout! :-)
BRING IT today with Kenpo X!
Hey Jonathan, raining here so I didn’t go fishing, I did kempo instead. Chicken ceasar salad instead of trout, maybe I’ll get on the lake this weekend. I’m taking tomorrow off to watch my kid wrestle after I get out of work, back at it on Wednesday. No stopping me now!!!
Got it…Yea unfortunately you can’t control the rain! Good! Keep up the awesome work Paul!
Question, I have done P90X before but i was injured on my right shoulder and now its hard to do pull ups! What is a good alternative to do? In a week i will be doing it all over again, so i kinda need some advice on what to do! Thanks….
JT
As you probably know…I’m not a doctor so it’s always a good idea to talk with your doc before doing P90X especially after an injury. Have you tried using the resistance bands instead of doing the pull ups? Those tend to be a little bit easier to do and you can use a lower tension band and work your way up.
Alright.
I received my P90X. And I’m desperate to get started.
Do you have to use the rubber bands To complete the program. Or you can do it with only hand weights?
I am from Denmark and have the program used with Nutrition Guide And pull up bar. And I think it’s not so cool with white powder and customs. And the wait time from the trip across the lake. So I’m looking for any alternatives to the recovery drink and protein bar? Can I just grab another snack from the book. As a protein bar. And make protein shakes from the book as a recovery drink.
I will not have any excuses. Which can make me skip a training day.
Ditto to what J.T. said! It’s up to you if you use the bands or the weights. Just grab yourself some whey protein…I’ve heard the low fat chocolate milk is a good recovery drink too.
@ Erik
You can use either or, I like the free weights! But you can choose which one is best for you! You do not have to have the bands to complete it though
Day one of week 3 went great, ab ripper still kickin my butt, but the tide is turning, feeling pretty good, hope everyone is sticking with it, until next time… Keep pushing play
Good!!!! Yea the tide will keep turning for you…Keep it up Paul!
Plyo was tough, worked all day on my feet. Once I got warmed up it went great, love the burn. I’m not as sore as I have been after the workouts, my wife says I’m looking good but I see little difference. I’ll keep pushing play! Have a great weekend everyone
I was the same way! I didn’t see any changes, but my wife saw the changes in me really quick. I think it’s tough for us to see the changes since we see ourselves everyday.
At the end of 90 days, if you look back at your pics, you’ll see the changes!
Great job Paul! KEEP BRINGING IT!
I am staring p90x classic on Jan 30th! I have already done a few of the workouts this week and so far I can tell this is for me.
Congrats again for committing to P90X Mike! Let us know how your first workout goes. BRING IT!
I love shoulders and arms, I had a great workout today, and I finally made through mason twists without stopping !!!! Enjoy the weekend
NICE! It’s a great feeling to finish all of them isn’t it? Way to go buddy!
Have a good weekend too!
Another question! I’m counting my calories and I’m supposed to take in 1660 calories a day! Now, my question is, is it my calorie intake minus the calories I burn….is that the amount of calories a day?…example, 1660 calories – 500 burned calories = 1160 net……or is it 2160 calories – 500 burned calories = 1660 net
If you used the Team Beachbody online calculator, and chose your program, then it already accounts for the program you’re doing. So just stick with the number it gives you.
Go here for how to do that-
http://trek2befit.com/how-many-calories-should-i-eat-a-day
Day 1: Mushroom omelet, strawberries and cottage cheese. All I know is my breakfast just got a whole lot bigger! Who can complain about that!
Sounds awesome! Yea I love my big breakfast! :-)
I do not have body fat calipers, but wanted to calculate and log my body fat percentage as my goal is to hit an athlete level 10-12%. I used this formula and got 16.6%
http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html
Can someone with calipers validate this formula as a close enough way to calculate body fat?
With a body fat caliper you actually need to use the caliper on your body to get a measurement.
I’ve found that the online calculators can tend to be on the high side. Only way to get a more accurate % is to use the caliper. They’re pretty cheap though..
Kempo was awesome, butt cheeks are sore! Looking foward to stretching tomorrow and starting week 4 on wednesday. My body feels great. Haven’t heard from Urica or Shawana lately. Hope your still pushing play
lol…You’re going to have buns of steel! Yea Urica and Shawana have gone MIA. Hopefully they’ll chime in soon.
GREAT job for sticking with it Paul. I’ve stretching today too. Can’t wait!
Unfortunately, I have had to take so time to deal with my mother’s hospitalization and I haven’t worked out in a week and a half. Now I’m back on track and I am starting again today, but I can’t decide if I should go back to week one and start over or if I should just continue where I left off. HELPPPPPPP!
Sorry to hear that! I hope everything is getting better with your mother.
How far are you into P90X?