Is P90X a good supplement for triathlon training in the winter months or should I stick with the weights in the gym?
Depends on what you like. The P90X DVD’s have a lot of functional training exercises in them and I feel like they are more indicative of real life movements (as opposed to traditional bodybuilding-style exercises like leg curls and extensions; what does that make you better at?). If you want to use the DVD’s, you will need to have a certain amount of equipment at your house or be prepared to go buy it.
All that being said, if you want to be hardcore into triathlons and you have a finite number of hours to devote to working out, you’re probably better off spending those hours swimming, biking, and running. Personally, triathlon is not my only goal so I try to do other things to put on a little muscle so I don’t have a tiny bird chest and strings for arms. So far it’s not working. 
Disclaimer: I’m way too lazy to do P90X myself; my wife wanted them so I got them for her for Christmas last year and she’s really liked them. I have, however, watched many of the DVD’s–usually while sitting on the couch drinking a beer.
P90X was one of the best fitness purchases I’ve ever made. I think they are a great set of DVD’s and are a good way to supplement your tri training as long as you have strength training in your workout plan. There’s a good variety of workouts and you won’t get bored. Most of the strength workouts are about an hour, but I often do half of a workout if I only have 30 minutes. If I’m really short on time, then I just do the Ab-Ripper X program (which is absolutely killer!).
You only need dumbbells or bands and, optionally, a pull-up bar (you can use a band for that, but it’s not as good). Definitely a good investment.
I’ve got a set of those and all i have to say is get ready to be sore. Even the evaluation exercises had my quads burning for a day after. I think they are great, though I’ve not done the workouts in some time.
Personally I think that is is good to supplement swim/bike/run with soem other things to keep the body balanced. After years of running in a straight line I could barely chase a soccer ball around with my young nephews. The P90X seems to bee a great way to build core strength, balance, power etc. without putting on a lot of bulk. Plus they are pretty fun
I’m half-way through the 90 day program right now. It’s actually been better than I anticipated (a bunch of my cousins were doing it and convinced me to try. I was pretty unmotivated to begin). I gotta say: (1) it’s pretty damn hard. (2) it’s working.
I wanted to get more flexible and increase my core strength. I’ve seen significant improvement in both those areas. What I didn’t expect to see was… lats! Delts! Abs! (i.e. I’m getting kind of ripped). This is not normal for a scrawny-runner type like me. Even better - my weight has stayed exactly the same (if anything I’ve lost a pound). I really like the program. My wife, however, has LOVED me doing the program.
One question - has anyone done the Kenpo workout and broken a sweat? I must be doing it wrong because it seems WAY too easy (especially compared to all the other “suffer-fests”)
I’ve done Kenpo exactly one time only. It’s the only video in the series that I think is a waste of time, although I haven’t tried the cardio video that you do if you don’t want to do Plyo so that could be another one. By the way, how kick-ass is that Plyo workout! I am totally wiped after that one!!
The kempo workout is a pretty basic karate/kickboxing beginner workout.
IF you do the entire workout with proper form and power it is a great workout. I can see how people with no martial arts experience would not get a good workout from the video. It can not be treated as a simple aerobic workout. Without power in your punches/kicks etc it is not worth much.
As for the rest of the program, I am in week eight right now and it is doing some good things for me. My body is recovering from a busy race season still, and the strength work is working quite well. I have gained a few pounds, but mostly just due to bigger muscles (I hope). Once my run focus starts (soon) it will be interesting to see how I look when I drop 10-15 pounds of body fat.
I can only speak from observing my son who stuck with the program with religious fervor. It definitely changed his body shape to lean and cut. He is as fit as I have eer seen him including during swimming or water polo. As a triathlete in the off-season, I would think it would be a nice break and change of pace.
I like it - good program. Nothing special , just hard work. I don’t do the cardio, or kempo days as i would rather ride or swim. I am using the lean program for my off season workout.
Not a bad option if you’re not familiar with structuring your own workouts. There’s nothing revolutionary about the system, it’s really a combination of some of the current trends popular in the fitness community right now. Having said that, P90 isn’t a gimmick like so many of those infomercials. The work focuses on exercises that produce real world results.
Wow - he’s going to really do well in his inflatable water polo team this year! (I hope I’ve got the right person - that was your son, right? That pic you posted of him was hilarious!)
So do you do them everyday following along the appropiate DVd starting at #1? Are you doingthem in place of any tri training &/or weight room work or as an addition. I just got this & am not sure the best way to begin. Barb
No, I don’t follow the P90X plan. I use them for my weight routines within my regular training schedule. I’m thinking about taking some time off tri training and doing the 90 day plan this winter, but I’m not sure yet.
I do them everyday- if you can’t commit 1hr per day you are likely wasting your time.
I do the complete program.
I am doing this instead of the gym this winter.
As others have mentioned, P90X works more on functional strength/core/balance than gym programs. The workouts are mostly pretty hard. Kempo X is not so hard. I think it is good to introduce work that is new and that you are not good at though.
Will it work better for me than 12 weeks in the gym? Time will tell.
I think I can benefit from the plyometrics day more than anything.
what does the P stand for?
I’ve kind of been tempted to try this. How much does it cost again? If anyone who owns it wants to burn me a copy of the DVDs let me know!
When you do your run focus how will you balance the p90x workouts? I am suppose to be getting my set in the mail soon and am also training for a 1/2marathon to get my speed up.
It’s about $130 I think for the 12 DVD set. I’ve known a couple of people who were not able to burn the DVDs so I guess they’re protected.
If you still want to fit a full training load into your day, P90X also puts out a ten minute workout series. It’s apparently the same stuff, just consolidated, obviously. I’m still waiting to hear what the wifey has to say about it. I’m doing the the full P90X this winter along with building a huge running base, but come February when I start training up for IM CDA, I’ll do the ten minute workouts.
When you do your run focus how will you balance the p90x workouts? I am suppose to be getting my set in the mail soon and am also training for a 1/2marathon to get my speed up.
I will be through the 90 day program by mid December when I will start my run focus by doing the 100/100 ST challenge. After that I think I will continue the three weekly strength training sessions with a focus on less weight more reps.