P90X for the off season?

jenotter · Nov 17, 2010

DH got it for super cheap from someone, and I'm intrigued. I'd love to lean out and build some muscle to come back stronger next season. But, I don't want to lose running fitness either. It is realistic to do the program AND keep up a decent running base??
 
Anyone have any experience with it?

KitKat · Nov 17, 2010

I have p90X and haven't done it. The equipment is kind of off-putting for me. I just finished 2 months of INSANITY workouts and found that I was only able to run 2x a week (I was also swimming 2x). However, at least with INSANITY, I didn't feel like I lost any cardio vascular fitness. P90X isn't nearly as cardio heavy as INSANITY is though. I dunno, I think you should be able to run 3-4x a week but they might not be real quality runs as you will likely have some fatigue.

MountainGirl · Nov 17, 2010

DH has done the whole program and I have done about 1/3 of it. Very lean on cardio (except the plyometrics workout). If you wanted to do the entire program you would defenitely need to do double workouts on as many days as you felt to maintain your current run fitness. I personally don't have that kind of time, so I pick and choose workouts to supplement my current cardio training.
Plyometrics, core synergistics and yoga will give you a kick ass all around workout. The other DVD's are very body part focused with TONS of push-ups and pull-ups

juliemboyle · Nov 17, 2010

I highly recommend the Chalean Extreme program. It is a 3X week strength training routine, philosophy of lifting heavy weights, less reps. I did it over the summer 2X while tri training and now am doing it 3X. The workouts are 35-40 minutes so I was able to do them and then a short run or ride after. Comes with some ab & plyrometric interval workouts too, which I mix in if I need a cardio but don't want to go outside (say at 5:30 am and it's dark out).
 
I can't say enough about this! Chalean is very motivating and positive without being annoying. I have lost tons of inches and gotten really strong. 
 
I also got a set of power blocks, basically, it is one set of weights that you can change out that goes up to 24 pounds. When I started I was doing some bicep work using 9-12 pounds now I am up to 15-18 pounds. Am doing squats with 21-24 pounds, I'm telling you this really does work!
 
Link to power blocks:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=kickrunners-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPowerBlock-SportBlock-Adjustable-24-Pounds-Dumbbell%2Fdp%2FB000A6T9I8%2Fref%3Dsr_1_2%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1290025620%26sr%3D8-2" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/PowerBlock-SportBlock-Adjustable-24-Pounds-Dumbbell/dp/B000A6T9I8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1290025620&sr=8-2</a>
Link to the program is below.
<a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?gclid=CNrri7rWqKUCFZJe7Aod4RvgVQ&code=SEMB_GOOGLE_CLE&extcmp=11122061151&[email protected]:20101117202025:s" target="_blank">http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?gclid=CNrri7rWqKUCFZJe7Aod4RvgVQ&code=SEMB_GOOGLE_CLE&extcmp=11122061151&[email protected]:20101117202025:s</a>

jenotter · Nov 18, 2010

Thanks, all...I appreciate it. I read through the book today and I'd definitely need to modify it to keep up the running. I'll look into the other program, Julie - thanks for all the info!

SpartyGirl · Nov 18, 2010

Sales was definitely the right path for Julie. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">
<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by juliemboyle <a href="/forum/thread/71198/p90x-for-the-off-season#post_1963272"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I highly recommend the Chalean Extreme program. It is a 3X week strength training routine, philosophy of lifting heavy weights, less reps. I did it over the summer 2X while tri training and now am doing it 3X. The workouts are 35-40 minutes so I was able to do them and then a short run or ride after. Comes with some ab & plyrometric interval workouts too, which I mix in if I need a cardio but don't want to go outside (say at 5:30 am and it's dark out).
 
I can't say enough about this! Chalean is very motivating and positive without being annoying. I have lost tons of inches and gotten really strong. 
 
I also got a set of power blocks, basically, it is one set of weights that you can change out that goes up to 24 pounds. When I started I was doing some bicep work using 9-12 pounds now I am up to 15-18 pounds. Am doing squats with 21-24 pounds, I'm telling you this really does work!
 
Link to power blocks:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=kickrunners-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPowerBlock-SportBlock-Adjustable-24-Pounds-Dumbbell%2Fdp%2FB000A6T9I8%2Fref%3Dsr_1_2%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1290025620%26sr%3D8-2" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/PowerBlock-SportBlock-Adjustable-24-Pounds-Dumbbell/dp/B000A6T9I8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1290025620&sr=8-2</a>
Link to the program is below.
<a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?gclid=CNrri7rWqKUCFZJe7Aod4RvgVQ&code=SEMB_GOOGLE_CLE&extcmp=11122061151&[email protected]:20101117202025:s" target="_blank">http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?gclid=CNrri7rWqKUCFZJe7Aod4RvgVQ&code=SEMB_GOOGLE_CLE&extcmp=11122061151&[email protected]:20101117202025:s</a>
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juliemboyle · Nov 18, 2010

I can't help it if I love something I have to share! You have no idea how many people I have convinced to do races & triathlons! 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by SpartyGirl <a href="/forum/thread/71198/p90x-for-the-off-season#post_1963374"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> 
Sales was definitely the right path for Julie. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">
<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by juliemboyle <a href="/forum/thread/71198/p90x-for-the-off-season#post_1963272"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> I highly recommend the Chalean Extreme program. It is a 3X week strength training routine, philosophy of lifting heavy weights, less reps. I did it over the summer 2X while tri training and now am doing it 3X. The workouts are 35-40 minutes so I was able to do them and then a short run or ride after. Comes with some ab & plyrometric interval workouts too, which I mix in if I need a cardio but don't want to go outside (say at 5:30 am and it's dark out).
 
I can't say enough about this! Chalean is very motivating and positive without being annoying. I have lost tons of inches and gotten really strong. 
 
I also got a set of power blocks, basically, it is one set of weights that you can change out that goes up to 24 pounds. When I started I was doing some bicep work using 9-12 pounds now I am up to 15-18 pounds. Am doing squats with 21-24 pounds, I'm telling you this really does work!
 
Link to power blocks:
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=kickrunners-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPowerBlock-SportBlock-Adjustable-24-Pounds-Dumbbell%2Fdp%2FB000A6T9I8%2Fref%3Dsr_1_2%3Fie%3DUTF8%26qid%3D1290025620%26sr%3D8-2" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/PowerBlock-SportBlock-Adjustable-24-Pounds-Dumbbell/dp/B000A6T9I8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1290025620&sr=8-2</a>
Link to the program is below.
<a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?gclid=CNrri7rWqKUCFZJe7Aod4RvgVQ&code=SEMB_GOOGLE_CLE&extcmp=11122061151&[email protected]:20101117202025:s" target="_blank">http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/chalean_extreme.do?gclid=CNrri7rWqKUCFZJe7Aod4RvgVQ&code=SEMB_GOOGLE_CLE&extcmp=11122061151&[email protected]:20101117202025:s</a>
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niemsco · Nov 18, 2010

I'm skeptical of all these programs. The intent of these programs is to make you look good. If you want to look good then its probably ok, hey who doesn't, but I question whether it does anything positive for an athlete to promote getting faster in your sport. I know people that do p90x, people I train with. How it effects your running I suppose is very specific to the individual. If you do p90x or any type of fs routine I wouldn't do it more than twice a week. That is if you are going to do swim/bike/and running the rest of the week. 
 
That said I do pylo routine twice a week and work on my core at least once a week, just because... i want to look good

But I build my speed by killing myself on the bike trainer and keeping my running up 4x a week with hard runs and hills and swimming with masters group. I think if anything these routines can help prevent injury and are good for those with bone density issues.

MountainGirl · Nov 18, 2010

P90X is so upper body focused I really don't think it would hurt your running, it's just a matter of having the time (or desire) to do the amount of double workouts it would take to maintain your aerobic fitness.

jebba · Nov 18, 2010

Just wanted to pop in and say I did P90x in Jan, Feb and March, the whole program. I average about 30 miles per week while doing it. I ran all my miles easy, except for 2 5ks, a 10k, and a half. The 30 mpw was a cut down of about 10 miles for me. I got a 5k PR (from 23:41 in December to 22:32 in April) shortly after competing the program, and I think alot of that was increased strength and weighing less. I think it can be great for an off season change of pace.
 
When I do it over again, and I will, I will cut out the kenpo workout for sure, and maybe sub out the plyo workout for speed workouts. I may even drop the legs workout to every other week. Last time I doubled almost every day. 
 
Alot of it is designed to make you look good. Which I kinda sorta wanted, anyway. But I definitely did get stronger, too, so that was fun. The trainer in the videos is alternating amusing and annoying as hell. As far as equipment, we bought a few used dumbbells, a pull up bar, and we already had yoga matts.

jebba · Nov 18, 2010

By the way, I am not a multisport person, just a runner.

jenotter · Nov 18, 2010

Thanks for the continued feedback. I'm definitely interested in strengthening my upper body, so it sounds like it may be a nice addition to running. I love doing plyometric workouts anyway, so that may be a sub for one run/week or so. To some degree, I want the "look good" part of it...but not at the expense of my running base. It's more an issue of getting stronger, leaning out a bit, and doing something a little different for a couple months.

niemsco · Nov 18, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jenotter <a href="/forum/thread/71198/p90x-for-the-off-season#post_1963615"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> Thanks for the continued feedback. I'm definitely interested in strengthening my upper body, so it sounds like it may be a nice addition to running. I love doing plyometric workouts anyway, so that may be a sub for one run/week or so. To some degree, I want the "look good" part of it...but not at the expense of my running base. It's more an issue of getting stronger, leaning out a bit, and doing something a little different for a couple months. 

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I think your last point "doing something a little different" is probably the key point. Whatever keeps it fun is a good thing. Looking good doesn't hurt either.

juliemboyle · Nov 19, 2010

I think the other benefit besides getting stronger, leaner (looking good) is that the strength helps keeps injuries at bay. As we get older the injury risk and the loss of muscle mass is an issue. These strength training routines address that. Before I started this, for the last 4 years my workouts have been all about swim/bike/run (cardio, cardio, cardio) you have to have a balanced program.

RoosterTail · Nov 19, 2010

I did p90x for quite a while and thought some works were worth it but some were a waste of time. Chest and arms were good, but you don't need a dvd to tell you to do pushups or dumbbell curls. Shoulders and lower body were worthless. Dumbbells and rubber bands cannot replace a pullup bar or squat rack. And the Yoga ones were waaaay too long, I always gave up half way through out of boredom. There are better yoga dvd's out there that don't take 90 minutes.
 
I still do the ab ripper twice a week, I find that worthwhile.

jenotter · Nov 19, 2010

Yeah...we have a universal and a good set of dumbbells already, and I used to lift a lot (back in a previous life), so I agree that a DVD isn't going to replace any of that. DH and I did the Plyometric workout last night and that was actually pretty fun. Thanks for the tips on the shoulder/lower body and yoga workouts....I get bored easily.

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by RoosterTail <a href="/forum/thread/71198/p90x-for-the-off-season#post_1963748"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> I did p90x for quite a while and thought some works were worth it but some were a waste of time. Chest and arms were good, but you don't need a dvd to tell you to do pushups or dumbbell curls. Shoulders and lower body were worthless. Dumbbells and rubber bands cannot replace a pullup bar or squat rack. And the Yoga ones were waaaay too long, I always gave up half way through out of boredom. There are better yoga dvd's out there that don't take 90 minutes.
 
I still do the ab ripper twice a week, I find that worthwhile.
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jebba · Nov 19, 2010

Yes, when we do yoga, we tend to do Rodney Yee's Yoga for Athletes rather than Long Ass Yoga (p90x yoga).

Silly Sally · Nov 22, 2010

Well, I've got the P90X, though I haven't been able to do it due to my broken shoulder earlier this year. I figure by after Christmas, I'll be ready for it. I'll continue to run, bike and swim as much as my body and time will allow but am aiming to increase strength (especially my arms, back and core), tone up, lose fat, and also gain flexiblity (yoga). I am 100% sure that this will help me with all my sports. Where I'm fortunate is that the Jan-Mar is my quiet season for work.

jenotter · Nov 22, 2010

Yeah...I'd definitely be concerned with coming off a broken shoulder. Ok, so I've only done 3 of the videos, but the upper body stuff is really tough! It's definitely interesting and fun...although the strength training stuff really isn't anything I didn't already know.

Silly Sally · Nov 25, 2010

Well, I'm going to go into it not expecting to do full push-ups but rather on my knees, and also to use a chair when doing the pull-ups since I couldn't even do them without the chair when I tried almost a year ago.

P90X for the off season?

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