P90X vs P90X2 – Which One Is Better?

So after completing both programs I thought about P90X vs P90X2 and tried to see if one of the programs is really better than the other.  They are so different in one way but very similar in others.  Tony Horton is himself and you get his comedic personality in both programs.  When I think of the differences between P90X vs P90X2 I see old school fitness with P90X and everyday functional fitness with P90X2.  We all know that P90X is simple old school.  Push ups, pull ups, weight and some yoga.  But simple old school from P90X is very successful and I still personally love it.  Simple old school workouts will always be some of the best.  With P90X2 you really focus on functional fitness.  A lot of core and balance moves that we all need in everyday life.  In addition, P90X2 brings in a very new type of scientific training called Post Activation Potentiation aka PAP.  A lot of professional athletes are doing this today.  This refers to “heavy loading prior to an explosive movement induces a high degree of central nervous system stimulation, resulting in greater motor unit recruitment and force.” ~ Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.  An example is doing a weight resisted movement like squats followed by an explosive movement such as power jumps immediately thereafter. This can increase the amount of power and results in people that do movements like this.  So I guess when it comes to P90X vs P90X2 and which one is better I would say that they are pretty much equal.  They are both excellent programs that will transform your body to feel and look its best.

P90X vs P90X2 – Are The Schedules Different?

P90X vs P90X2

One of the differences between P90X vs P90X2 is the amount of days you work out in any given week.  P90X has you work out 6 days in a row then have one day off.  In P90X2 you only work out 5 days a week and have that extra day off midweek.  P90X2 has a lot of core work and total body moves throughout the program which calls for that extra day off to give your body more time to recover.  P90X also sticks with all different types of pull ups and push ups throughout the program.  In P90X2 the first month is about building a foundation and getting your body used to being on unstable ground.  The second month is just like the original P90X.  A day of chest and back, another day of shoulders and arms and so on.  The third phase of P90X2 is all about Post Activation Potentiation which you never experience in the original P90X.  Last but not least P90X2 doesn’t have a scheduled in recovery week and the phases range from 4-6 weeks.  Basically the program tells you to take a recovery week when you feel you need it and also tells you to move on to the next phase when you ready for the next one.  So when it comes to P90X vs P90X2 the schedules do have some differences however they are both 90 days.

P90X vs P90X2 – What Equipment Do I Need?

When comparing P90X vs P90X2 they both use minimal equipment but are somewhat different.  In P90X a chin up bar, some resistance bands and a mat is all you basically need.  In P90X2 there is someone always doing a modified version for that person that travels a lot.  P90X2 also incorporates the use of medicine balls, a stability ball and a foam roller.  These pieces of equipment all challenge your core stability.  The foam roller is used to apply something called myofascial release or a deep tissue massage.  You use this everyday of the P90X2 program.  It may seem like a lot of equipment but it really isn’t.  Both of the programs can be done in a small area of your home with minimal equipment.  So when you are thinking P90X vs P90X2 and the equipment needed overall its pretty minimal.

P90X vs P90X2 – Which One Is Harder?

P90X vs P90X2

So which one is harder? P90X vs P90X2.  I think they are both harder in different ways.  For a first timer doing P90X we all know how hard chest and back could be and how we feel like we are going to throw up after doing Ply0 X.  Lol! But in P90X2 the introduction to PAP is a wake up call and doing push ups on medicine balls makes you use core muscles you never knew you had.  I absolutely love both programs in their own way and still currently use both workouts.   So overall I think certain workouts in each program can be harder than the other.

P90X vs P90X2 – Do I Need To Do P90X First?

I would say no.  P90X vs P90X2 are similar programs and P90X2 is considered a graduate type program but I think anyone can start with P90X2.  This is not like Insanity vs Insanity Asylum where I feel that you should do Insanity first before giving Asylum a try.  So if you want to try P90X2 first then go for it!

P90X vs P90X2 – Try One Of Them Now!

I love both of these programs equally and when I think of P90X vs P90X2 I think they are both great.  Is P90X or P90X2 better? I don’t think one is better than the other.  I have done multiples rounds of each and love them both.   Definitely give one of them a try! You won’t be disappointed and will get great results from both.  I hope this P90X vs P90X2 review helped you.  Feel free to Contact Me if you have any questions and remember to Bring it!!

Your Coach,
DAVE