A P90X Primer: What You Need to Know

I couldn't name the first time I watched the P90X infomercial. I couldn't tell you if it was before or after I watched the one about Insanity or Jillian Michaels or the Total Gym (you know, that apparatus that Christie Brinkley and Chuck Norris peddle). But I can definitely attest that I was skeptical at first. Could these people really looked that ripped after following a program in their living room? Was it a  scam like the weight-loss pill infomercials where the spokesperson gained weight to film the before shot that was filmed after the "this is what I looked like after taking X pill" (so I heard)? Could you really get an effective workout at home, doing P90X?

I let those inhibitions go this summer, cracked down and bought myself a copy of the 90-day program. But it wasn't until I had the opportunity to talk to Tony Horton, the motivator behind the 12 workouts to rotate through, that I really became a believer. Sure, one hour of Core Synergistics was enough of a  butt-kicking--I was ready to collapse during a set that Tony flew through effortlessly while I had to pause and regroup--but I wasn't ready to quit yet. Far from it. Bring on the muscle confusion. Bring on the workouts that are tough even before adding the weights or resistance bands. Bring on the blood-rushing, sweat-inducing, breath-panting torture--and ensuing pain and soreness.

Me in my living room to work out? The two don't mix. Not yet as I struggle to skip the couch breaks and pauses, gain coordination, and watch the nutrition that's just as key as the routines. I'm trying, but I have to constantly remind myself of these need-to-knows I shared at buzz.snow.com before finishing a workout. Granted I have yet to actually test the results on my skis, but I have a feeling my core is stronger and my legs are ready for the day-in, day-out beatings. And if not, I'll just give myself until March to get that transformation displayed in the infomercial.

Any P90Xers out there willing to chime in?


Photo courtesy of Beachbody.