p90x plyometrics x review part 2, please forgive me Tony Horton

Keep telling the truth. Consumers should be aware of it. I am hoping to be on tv here in the next week or so to blast tv fat loss shows as indicative of how consumers should seek to lose weight. As you say – sensible nutrition+ exercise = better body. No need to scream, shout or humiliate.

Eric,

I really like P90X (I did it 3 times and lost about 25lbs) and I also think you are 100% correct. I also have my before and after picture (http://myworkout.garbuz.com/general-fitness/before-and-after-part-2/).

But Plyo X is NOT plyometrics and it has nothing to do with athletic conditioning. It really should be called high intensity cardio workout. It does get the job done when you need to loose weight (burn fat) but it will not make you a better athlete.

Alex, congrats on the fat loss. Most won’t have the nuts to see it through but you are doing a great job. Keep it up

Hi Eric, I happen to read your that “unfavorable article” about P90X and just thought “oh, at least there are people who know what the actual plyo exercises are!”. And now I feel I should write up a few things after I read this article and heard the sad personal attacks you’ve been receiving.

I heard this P90X program years ago from my students, had it and completed it as myself a couple times and benefited from it even though I was already in good shape. So, like you just explained, it’s not a bad program, especially considering the other products on the market. The success of the program comes from its balanced and intense content with a nice nutrition support. So it deserves the credit for being a decent guide to the people who don’t know what to do and how to exercise, especially for the ones who cannot afford for a gym or a personal trainer.

However I cannot help myself but definitely agree with you on the certain aspects. First of all, your point about that the P90x plyos not being the actual plyometrics is, well, actually not even debatable. You’re just rightful, it’s just plain and simple. As a person who has graduated from the university on the subjected profession, I can assure you that I feel your frustration about the misconception of the plyometrics in the P90X. Especially, when you consider what the actual plyometric exercises aim for, that relentless endurance-cardio jumpings and squats in the P90X plyos seem way of the base. Of course they work and they will do good for the people work through, but the problem is, why do you call that practice as plyometrics which has entirely different concept?

Secondly, you have some valid points about people being self-righteous via achieving this kind of fitness program. It’s basically a disgrace to the pro-atlethes and simply unfair. My expertise is for basketball and I can say (through my tens of years experience) this, people have no idea about what it takes to be a pro-athlete. It’s not about finishing a 90 day fitness program, it is a life dedication matter if I have to put in the simplest way. And no, you can’t be just like a pro-athlete just over a pocket-fitness marketing product. Sure you can be fit, catch a good form or maybe even do more push ups than some pro athletes who haven’t workout for that purpose. But no, you can’t go through a season of one of my players do via a purchase-program, unless you’re an athlete from the beginning too.

Third, P90X is not magical. Expressly, that “muscle confusion” topic is highly debatable. To me, the all trick is the intense, rich and balanced content which basically requires people to get their lazy asses off the sofas and move it, of course only if they do it. The diet program is also decent too. But briefly, it’s a marketing success, with a decent fitness program.

And finally I just want to tell that I’m really sad to hear you’re getting personal attacks over such a silly subject. Actually over telling the truth… But I say, never mind them! You’re doing good job at what you’re doing. I’m surveying your site for a few days, and I can say I sure will visit it regularly from now on, you just keep up the good work!

With best wishes, Hakan from Istanbul, Turkey.

By the way, forgive my bad English, trying to improve it…

Eric,

Am I wrong in thinking that you are overestimating the amount people comparing themselves to pro athletes because they do P90X? Although I do admit that the “90″ in P90X is more creative marketing than fact (it took me longer than 90 days to lose 35 lbs), I must say that your reviews of the program are at best hypercritical.

I have been doing the program for just under two years now, and I am doing things at the age of 45 that I wouldn’t have thought twice about doing when I was in my twenties. Plyo X may not be “real” pro-grade level Plyometrics like what GSP was doing in that video (keep in mind that the average person is holding down a 9 to 5 in addition to trying to stay in shape), but Plyo X works for me, as it has done wonders for my stamina and endurance.

While I wholeheartedly agree with you that no one in their right mind would compare themselves to pro athletes because they do P90X, the comment you made about “looking like a fool jumping around in the living room” was unfair, as if you believe people who haven’t achieved your level of fitness are mere posers and shouldn’t even bother working out unless he/she is able to do as much.

Hi again Eric, it’s Hakan, Mikey is my online alias

Sorry to hear you about your rough times but glad to hear that you’re doing quite well. I liked your latest entries, keep it up.

Eric,

I was curious what is your opinion of Insanity and also the Asylum workouts? Have you had a chance to look at them?

Insanity looks like glorified aerobics to me. I haven’t seen asylum but I suspect it’s probably along the same lines