How Is The P90X Workout Schedule Exactly Work?
The P90X workout schedule is broken down into three phases primarily called Phase I, Phase II and Phase III. All three phases are different from the prior phase to avoid muscles from hitting a plateau aka muscle confusion. This allows your body to constantly grow and never adapt from doing one certain thing. Each Phase is broken down to four weeks. The first three weeks are your weeks of intensity and the last week of the P90X workout schedule is your recovery week. Now don’t be fooled into thinking that the recovery week is a walk in the park because it is not. It actually has some tough core exercises in it. In addition, you will be working on your cardio, balance and flexibility during the recovery weeks. The P90X workout schedule consists of 12 different workouts. They are:
- Chest and Back
- Plyometrics aka jump training
- Shoulders and Arms
- Yoga
- Legs and Back
- Kenpo X (type of kickboxing)
- Chest, Shoulders and Triceps
- Back and Biceps
- Core Synergistics
- Ab Ripper X
- Cardio X
- X Stretch
Does the P90X Workout Schedule Have Different Versions?
Yes! The P90X Workout Schedule has three different versions. Classic which is the most popular, Lean and Doubles. The Classic Version I feel is the bread and butter of the P90X system. I have done over 12 rounds of P90X and have done nothing but the Classic version. My results have been exceptional! It entails all the workouts except Cardio X because this is an easier option in place of those Kenpo X days. Here is the basic breakdown of the Classic version in the P90X workout schedule.
Phase I – Four Weeks
Weeks 1-3
Day 1 Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 Plyometrics
Day 3 Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 Yoga X
Day 5 Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6 Kenpo X
Day 7 Rest or X Stretch
Week 4
Day 1 Yoga X
Day 2 Core Synergistics
Day 3 Kenpo X
Day 4 X Stretch
Day 5 Core Synergistics
Day 6 Yoga X
Day 7 Rest or X Stretch
Phase II – Four Weeks
Weeks 5-7
Day 1 Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 Plyometrics
Day 3 Back and Biceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 Yoga X
Day 5 Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6 Kenpo X
Day 7 Rest or X Stretch
Week 8 (repeat Week 4)
Phase III – Five Weeks
Weeks 9 and 11
Day 1 Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 Plyometrics
Day 3 Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 Yoga X
Day 5 Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6 Kenpo X
Day 7 Rest or X Stretch
Weeks 10 and 12
Day 1 Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 2 Plyometrics
Day 3 Back and Biceps, Ab Ripper X
Day 4 Yoga X
Day 5 Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X
Day 6 Kenpo X
Day 7 Rest or X Stretch
Week 13 (repeat Week 4)
As you can see in the P90X workout schedule Phase I is different than Phase II because on the resistance days (Days 1 and 3) the workouts are switched up thus creating that muscle confusion. Then to take it one step further in Phase III the P90X workout schedule has you rotate a week from Phase I and a week from Phase II. This will really confuse your body! As you can see there is Yoga in all the weeks which is a crucial component to success in the P90X workout schedule. P90X is a very taxing workout on your body and it needs those days to recover. Yoga is known as the fountain of youth and though many of us hate it we must learn to do it. It will humble you but most importantly will help you get better results. This version also has a second workout Ab Ripper X on Days 1, 3 and 5 of the main weeks of each phase. This is a 16 minute pounding of your core. Most workouts are just under an hour so on the days I had to do Ab Ripper I would frequently do my main workout in the morning and my abs at night. Not the ideal situation but it does work. Whatever I had to do to make the P90X workout schedule fit into my life was my goal.
The Doubles version of the P90X workout schedule is for those that are already fit and looking for a little more. It adds in Cardio X as an additional workout three days a week. So you are looking at doing your main workout in the morning and Cardio X at night. This workout only is added on those resistance days of the P90X workout schedule. I personally never did doubles because it was very time consuming and I felt that the Classic version was more than enough to give you great results which it was.
Now as for the Lean version of the P90X workout schedule it basically has less resistance days and more cardio days. Some people may fear the Classic version is too hard and rather start with the lean version. This is NOT a version meant for females who are afraid to bulk up! You will not bulk up as a female if you do the Classic version. Tony Horton talks about this in all the videos. Don’t worry your repetitions of each exercise is what makes a difference and females don’t have testosterone like males. For example, 8-10 reps is for size and 12-15 is for lean. So females can focus on 12-15 reps on those resistance days. I have seen numerous females do the Classic version and have great lean results. I think the Lean version is for those that feel that that they want a less intensive program.
Is The P90X Workout Schedule Something You Could Repeat?
Absolutely!!! The P90X workout schedule is truly one of a kind. The P90X calendar can be repeated! Think about it. How many people do you know (this may even be you) go to the gym week after week, month after month, maybe year after year and find yourself doing the same machines or exercises each and everyday. You probably repeat the same thing week after week. People will always ask me “What do I do next?” I say do another round! Remember each of the phases are different from one another so if you repeat the P90X workout schedule you will only do the same thing one month out of six! This will definitely keep your body guessing and therefore will never hit a plateau and adapt. You will get constant gains. Like I said earlier I did the Classic P90X workout schedule for 12 rounds and still benefit each time.
What Is The Best P90X Workout Schedule?
I think overall the best P90X workout schedule to follow is the Classic version. It will give you the full experience and I feel the best results. Don’t be afraid. Jump right in and go for it!!
P90X Workout Schedule – Call to Action!!
If you are looking for something different or simply something to get you started than the P90X system is the way to go! Millions of people are doing P90X today and millions are having results. There is nothing better than doing P90X from the comfort of your own home. So give P90X a try now and I can even Coach you through it for free! Let the P90X workout schedule work for you!
Your Coach,
DAVE
