Back in 2007 at the age of 27 I finished my first round of P90X and it’s when I wrote this review. Its 2018 and just about all of it is still true.
I have done many rounds of P90X over the years including hybrid programs. It became a big part of my life for the better part of five years. More on that below.
You probably know by now that P90X is a workout program based on the concept of “Muscle Confusion” where you do 12 different workouts over a 90 day period.
How I like to do my reviews is share my before and after photos first with my thoughts about P90X below. So here you go.
Round 1: 2007. Age: 27
Before starting P90X, my workouts consisted of running 20 miles a week followed with 50 push ups and chair dips with 100 sit ups. Six months before starting P90X I completed the Detroit Marathon. I was in good cardio shape but did not have a lot of muscle because of all the running. I was “skinny fat.” And I ate and drank whatever I wanted.
Upper body got bigger. From day 1 to day 60 I can see the V shape coming from my shoulders to waist. My forearms look bigger too. Probably could have gone without the flash on the camera for the Day 90 photo and not stuck out my chest either.
It looks like my chest and shoulders got a little bigger in this photo.
I can definitely see that my back, shoulders and arms got bigger and there is some definition now. I contribute a lot of this to doing chin ups and pull ups. I think all of those pull ups made me a little wider so I now have more of a “V” shape.
Either I had a little gut and no chest muscles when I started or I lost the gut and now have chest muscles. My arms and shoulders look bigger now too. I can see the outline for my oblique ab muscles now too.
P90X kicked my butt those first 90 days. Here I am thinking I’m in phenomenal shape from running a marathon and then I barely do 2 pull ups the first time I do Chest & Back. It was an eye-opener.
Week 1 resulted in soreness like I had not felt since practicing soccer 5 days a week when I was growing up. It hurt to walk, lift my arms, or do just about anything. The first month was a real challenge, especially doing pull ups.
Reps and weights gradually increased during Month 2. Definition started to show all over. Month three was a lot of fun. I was not as sore anymore.
The first time I did P90X Legs and Back I was only able to do 3 total pull ups. At the end of the 90 days I did 82. The first time I did P90X Chest and Back I could do 75 push ups and 2 total pull up / chin ups. At the end of P90X I could do 220 push ups and 52 pull up / chin ups.
It took 100 days to finish my first round of P90X. Started at 165 pounds and ended at 175 pounds. Body fat percentage went from 13% to 11%. What makes my results different from most is I put on 10 pounds of muscle where most people lose weight.
I did not follow the P90X meal plan during my first round at all. It was a bit complicated and I thought I ate well to begin with.
I started P90X in the beginning of summer and went out on my buddies boat almost every weekend partying my ass off. We only get a couple of months of warm weather here in Michigan so if you can get out on the lake, you do it. If I would have not partied every weekend that summer my P90X results would have told a different story.
Friends and family were telling me I looked different after my first round of P90X. None of them had ever seen me with muscle before.
The only downside to getting into great shape with P90X was I had to buy new clothes. None of my old clothes fit anymore. My “runners body” clothes were obsolete.
During my first round of P90X I used a Whey Protein Powder from GNC.
Sports
It was immediately noticeable how much of a difference P90X made in my overall fitness. Sports were so much more fun.
Golf drives went from 230 yards to 250 yards with occasional 270 yard drives. And while I took 100 days off from running I went for a 5 mile run after my first round and dropped 2 minutes off my time.
I went from hitting line drives and ground balls at softball to hitting them off the fence some 300 feet away.
Shaved nearly five minutes off my mile swim time from 50 minutes to 45 minutes. Mountain biking was noticeably easier from all the core and leg work. Skiing and snowboarding were a lot more enjoyable as I did not have to take as many breaks.
Round 2: 2010. Age. 29
After looking at my original P90X results I don’t think they give P90X any justice. I was very happy with my original results but to get the most out of P90X you really need to follow the meal plan and that was something I did not do.
I have a lot more definition now then after my first round of P90X. It should be noted I did a round of Insanity and various Tony Horton 1 on 1 workouts in-between rounds of P90X.
Many of my reps (pull ups & push ups) along with the amount of weight I could lift were slightly higher. The biggest factor came from following the meal plan 90% of the time along with using Shakeology everyday. What a difference it made.
After hearing Beachbody sell me on why I need to take the P90X Recovery Drink and P90X Protein Bars a hundred times after each workout I went and bought it for round two. Soreness did seem to go down faster. My best guess is Shakeology did more for me than the other two did.
Ten Years Later
Since that first round I’ve done three more rounds, a number of hybrids, and individual workouts from time to time. Its my humble opinion that P90X is the best at home workout program ever made.
I think about how much my life has changed since 2007 when a friend told me he was doing P90X to get into shape for basic training for Marines Officer Candidate School.
He told me I should buy P90X, start on my own, and when we had the same workouts on a particular day to go to each others house. That is what we did.
My friend undersold P90X and told me nothing more than “its extreme”. What “extreme” means could mean a number of things. Six months prior to starting P90X I ran the Detroit Marathon and thought that was extreme.
When I went looking to buy P90X I viewed the P90X infomercial on Beachbody’s website. Did I see people doing pull-ups? P90X definitely got me out of my fitness comfort zone and it brought my base fitness level way up.
It’s crazy to think how much my body and fitness changed while using a pull up bar, Bowflex Dumbbells, and occasionally some resistance bands or push up bars.
Tony Horton and Beachbody put P90X together so well. And to think you could get in this sort of shape in your home. Plus it challenged people to get out of their comfort zones and try things like Yoga and Plyometrics. After I started to get the hang of pull ups I began to look forward to doing P90X all the time.
Then there’s the whole thing P90X did for me and countless others as Beachbody Coaches.
I cannot say for sure if I will do another round of P90X. But as I approach 40 years old I probably should as Tony Horton was 45 when P90X was released. Hopefully I’ll be able to hang with him when I’m 45.
I never realized the difference P90X had made on you until I saw these photos today…..wow! Even though your friends WILL make fun of you, they’re just all jealous that you have a better body than you did in your college days and they don’t!
@ Andrea
Thanks for noticing my bod!!
I have been doing P90X for 3 weeks and really noticed a difference. Just curious as to what you have been doing since finishing the program. Another round of P90X or something different?
@ Jermaine
I kept on going. I have been doing p90X for about a year now. I do not do it every day now but at least 3 days a week with different workouts. I started swimming, running, and biking more because I am going to do a triathlon. Funny thing is that even with the 10 pounds of muscle I put on with P90X I can still run as well as I did before I started P90X because of all the leg workouts.
well let me just say one thing, that I know p90x works, but better for some than others apparently. Yes, you did get a little bigger, but not much. To tell the truth I had to stare at the picture for a minute to figure out which one was the start and finish but good job. I guess just some people get way more definition than others lol.
@ Myke
I was already in good shape before P90X as I finished a marathon. I put on a lot of strength but even I will admit that I did not get ripped. That is because I did not follow the nutrition plan and was not willing to cut out things I eat or drink like “adult beverages.” If I would have followed the nutrition plan the results would have shown more.
Question, I already have a pull-up bar, do i really need to buy a new one for these workouts?
@ Zandra
If you already have a pull up bar then you are fine.
Hi Brad,
Thanks for the inspiration. I am starting p90x again today. I’ve tried 3 times and have never made it past 3 weeks. My build is similar to yours. 6’1, 170 pounds… definitely not overweight, but I’m definitely out of shape. The other issue is my cholesterol. It’s so high that I couldn’t qualify for life insurance. So I’m going to track my cholesterol and make updates to my blog. If you’re interested in how p90x helps lower cholesterol, you can track my progress at at: http://www.insuranceblogbychris.com/lower-cholesterol-using-p90x-program
Thanks again and way to go.
@ Chris
See it through this time and complete P90X. You will see big changes.
Hello Brad! Thank you for sharing your progress with us! I have a question, I bought the P90X for my husband (not because I think he needs it, because he actually wanted it) but the only thing that comes along w/the dvd’s is a band, besides the pull up bar what other things would he need? Thanks!
@ Chrissie
You might want to get more bands then just the one. Dumbbells will work. You can find them in the Beachbody store.
Thanks Brad!
Hi Brad,
I’m getting ready to start the program and am a bit overweight, however I do run 1/2 marathons, compete in triathlons and work out daily. Do you need to give anything up before starting? I swim 3 days a week and am currently training for another 1/2 marathon.
This program is a bit intimidating… How did you get passed the initial start?
Thanks for your input!
@ Erin
With you already being a Elite athlete you should see big gains from P90X. I cut back on the running and swimming while doing P90X and really pushed it. When I was done with my 90 days I could run just as far and faster as before. I did the Detroit Marathon 6 months before starting P90X also. The leg workouts are killer. I actually have back muscles now from all of the chin ups. This helped out a lot the next time I went swimming. I just stuck with it.
Good Job Brad! I am starting P90X today.
Myke–your an asshole.
@ Kelly
Thanks.
GREAT JOB BRAD! I just completed my 5th day! Is it possible to notice changes this early? I’ve actually stopped drinking alcohol and am eating less (instead of trying to finish the whole meal). I’ve been waking up at 5am for the workouts and am feeling extremely motivated and excited! All of the routines so far have been kickin my butt, but I’m “doin’ my best” and “forgetting the rest!”. Good luck on the rest of your journey as well as the other posters! You guys are keeping me motivated!
@ Brian
Thanks. The 5th day might be a little early. I started feeling and seeing my changes around day 30. Good job on making tim in your day to get your workouts done before other things get in the way. Laying off the booze is a hard one for me. I like beer. Not gonna lie there. I give myself one day a week to have a couple. If you can stop drinking it your results will come a lot faster.
im sorry but all of your day 90 photo’s are strecthed out, either the width or the heighth of the pictures?? showing real pics will help convince people that your not selling anything.
@ Tyler
I took those photos before I even thought about putting them up on the site. I was trying to make the sizes the same. I agree, I need to redo them so they don’t look stretched out.
I need p90x haven’t got it yet because of money. I don’t have a job yet! But then again I am only 14 would be a great birthday present though it’s May 14!
@ Kirby
Tell your parents to buy P90X for your B-Day. My 30th B-Day is the day before yours. Damn I’m getting old..ish.
Hey I’m 6’2 and 145 at 18 I have less than 5 percent body fat. Will this help bulk me up?
@ Chris
Yes. I put on 10 pounds of muscle doing P90X. Tony Horton shows you how to do the workouts to bulk up.
Add me on fb and u will see.
Is in normal to be shitty at it the first day? Like the second set I couldn’t evenpull up anymore.
@ John Deer
Day 1 of P90X was very humbling huh? Yes. It is normal to feel shitty. Have fun with Plyometrics.
Nice results man! P90X is the best…
@ Kody
Thanks
Brad,
Great results! Since you are done, what p90x workouts are doing now? Also, did you use any protein supplements while performing p90x? I just finished day 23, the first time doing core synergistic, and that was rough.
@ John
Since finishing P90X I now do Insanity, Insanity Deluxe and P90X Plus. I’ve made hybrid workouts out of them. I did not use any supplements in the photos here. I did start using whey protein, P90X protein bars, the P90X recovery drink, and vitamins over the next year. They made a big difference. You can find them inside the Beachbody Store. Stick with P90X. The changes start coming around day 40.
sorry..but u show zero change from day 1 to day 90!!!
You show zero defintion and no 6 pack. did you not do the ab ripper x?
@ Jack
Did you read any of the post or just look at my photos? In it I wrote that I followed everything besides the meal plan and partied my ass off on the weekends that summer. That is why I’m not more defined. Yes, I did http://bradgibala.com/p90x-ab-ripper-x.
@ Jack
I can see big changes. My shoulders, lats, and arms got bigger. My stomach got flatter and more defined too. Check out the side angle photo. I know I would have had better “picture” results if I followed the meal plan better (or at all). Many of my results in my first round of P90X can only be seen off camera. Please read the entire post.
Sorry man…i didn’t read any of the main post just saw pics and skimmed. Just now read and understand.
I’m starting week 3 of P90x classic and went into it pretty much in shape with good muscle definition in arms/shoulders…just soft midsection (skinny fat). I eat generally well but will clamp it down even harder to get the abs that I want.
I used to live in RO..now in Rochester Hills…so I appreciate the summer comments. going to buddy’s lake this weekend…falls on Yoga X day which I’ll do before going…and won’t be indulging in any drinking as i stopped for 90 days.
later
@ Jack
I know if I could cut back on the beer that I would have way more visible results. Its not like I’m a booze hound or anything but my social life seems to have it around. Buddies boat, playing softball 3 night a week, golfing, etc. Kudos to you for giving up drinking for 90 days. I think the longest I’ve gone without a beer since graduating from college is 30 days. I dropped 2% body fat from that alone. It kind of pissed me off as it told me that my chances of ever being on the cover of a fitness magazine were almost nill as I would have to give it up. That’s why I bust my butt with these workouts. I know they work as I can see and feel the results. Plus, I think I’ve been sore almost every day since starting Beachbody workouts in 2007. Those photos are 2 years old and was from my first round of P90X. Since then I’ve started following the meal plans more. My photos from my other rounds of P90X and Insanity show more definition.
I was up in Rochester the other week mountain biking through Stoney Creek and the Painted Creek Trail.
I think it is okay to have a beer and eat some things that you enjoy. Once I completed one, two, three rounds what happens after that. It doesnt stop. You can do the maintenance mode for a while but you are still doing the same workouts. I then decided I wanted long term lifestyle change. I am on my 22nd month of using the program. I see and read a lot of people focusing on a specific day or week in the programs like they are sacrificing for 90 days to achieve short term results. That may be okay when you first start but ultimately we want fitness for life. It should be your normal daily routine and your exercise and diet need to be something that you can live with forever and not have the feeling that you are sacrificing. I mix the workouts up so that I work all of the muscle groups and add cardio and yoga. I also mix in sports with my friends and eat reasonably with portion sizes most of the time. I also have a burger and a beer every now and and then because I like to do that. I plan to workout everday for an hour or so and eat reasonably well for the rest of my life and I dont feel like I am sacrificing anything. It is part of my daily routine. That is how I can keep doing this forever.
Day 1 and Day 90 look exactly the same. Am I missing something?
Tim – Yes. You need to read the post. I updated it with new P90X results and why my results through the first round were not as visible.
Nice work Brad… but I do have to ask… what is up with your day 1 angle pose? Are you about to do a curtsy? lol!
I can curtsy with the best of them.
I am on my fourth week of P90X and must say I love it. I have lost 11 lbs and can see the changes in my body every week. I do not follow the diet plan exactly, but I do commit myself to doing the workouts daily. All I can say is it works if you Bring It an Forget The Rest!!!!
Congrats on losing the 11 pounds so far. The meal plans are tough. What helped me was incorporating it a little at a time until it became second nature to eat right.
I start today, Any ideas on food advice? I got the set from a friend and there is no nutrition plan, So I’m stuck there. Any tips would be great!
Lane. First thing you need to do is set up a free Beachbody account. Then click on the Eat Smart tab to get a meal plan made for you. If you really want to get results with P90X then you need to be using Shakeology daily. It simplifies the meal plans and helps out a ton with the nutrition.
Brad,
Awesome post. Really like the video. Great work!
Joe