The differences between Power 90® and P90X® are quite significant. When I became a Beachbody Coach I purchased the Showcase Pack which contained both Power 90 and P90X. I started out with Power 90 and completed it. I haven’t followed P90X for 90 days but I have sampled most of the workouts and know what it’s about.

Basic Differences

The basic difference between the two programs are the number of workouts. Power 90 has 4 workouts to include: Sculpt Circuit 1-2, Sweat Cardio 1-2, Sculpt Circuit 3-4, and Sweat Cardio 3-4. There is also a bonus “Fat Burning Experess DVD.”

P90X has 12 workouts which include:

• Chest and Back
• Plyometrics
• Shoulders and Arms
• Yoga X
• Legs and Back
• Kenpo X
• Stretch
• Core Synergistics
• Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps
• Back and Biceps
• Cardio X
• Ab Ripper X

Equipment Differences

Power 90 doesn’t require much in terms of equipment. The most you will need are dumbbells or elastic bands. However, P90X can require dumbbells or elastic bands, yoga mat, yoga blocks, and a door frame pull-up bar.

Intensity Differences

This is also a huge difference because P90X is extreme compared to P90. P90 is still challenging but is nowhere near intense. P90X is much more intense with cardio and weights. If it is a shoulders and arms day, you can expect to do several various exercises focusing on those body parts. Same for the lower body.

Which is Better for Weight Loss?

I think they are both great for weight loss. If you follow either of the programs and eat properly, you can definitely lose weight and get fit. However, I do think P90X will build more muscle mass and develop a more defined physique.

I like both programs and even though I have yet to follow P90X for 90 days the way I did with Power 90, I do enjoy using some of the workouts for variety and challenge. If you are worried that you won’t be able to keep up with P90X, it may be easier to start with P90 first. Get accustomed to exercising 5-6 days a week, get strong, and then move on to something more challenging like P90X.

Learn about both programs on Beachbody’s web site:

Power 90®
P90X®

As you may already know, I have finished P90 (Power 90) and chose to start Hip Hop Abs as my next workout program. I am not at all disappointed. It is surprisingly really fun! I am not a good dancer. The equivalent of my dance moves is limited to the side-to-side move with my elbows at a 90 degree angle. Sort of like the scene in the movie “Hitch” where Will Smith is teaching Kevin James how to dance.

Yet, I am having a ball when I workout because Shaun T. (the instructor) is so hyped and has a great sense of humor, that it makes all of the dance/exercise movements fun. This is the first program I’ve used where the time just flies by. A 30-minute workout feels like 10 minutes because you’re dancing.

I will probably do this work out for a month and then try out Turbo Jam. I did plan on mixing up the two but what I have found myself doing is alternating between Hip Hop Abs and the Power 90 sculpt 3-4 so that I can still get in some weight training and body weight exercises.

I’m also thinking about planning out a good calisthenics routine for myself after I conducted an interview with HIT of Calisthenics Kingz on my other fitness blog. He makes calisthenics sound like a lot of fun and I think it would be a perfect addition to do between workouts with any of the Beachbody programs.

Have you started any new programs? If so, what are they and how do you like them?

I’m closing in on the end of P90 (Power 90) and I’m looking forward to starting some new programs. I’m at the point now where I just want some variety. I could have added variety to P90 by adding in running, bike riding, etc., but I was just focused on completing the 90 days that I didn’t really stray from the program.

New Fitness Programs

When I became a Beachbody Coach, I ordered the Showcase pack which included their top fitness programs (including P90X.) I am just looking for variety right now which is why I plan on mixing up Hip Hop Abs with Turbo Jam. I may switch out every day or ever week. I think doing it this way will keep my motivation up and I’ll have more fun.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake

Shakeology drinkers – try a little bit of peanut butter in your next shake. It tastes like a Reese’s peanut butter cup!

This is just a very quick update of where I am with Power 90. I have reached day 70 and my weight has remained study. I am hoping it is due to water weight or some slight muscle gain. I am not stressed over it because I was never in a rush to drop my extra weight. I am more happy about working out 6 days a week and actually enjoying Beachbody programs.

Now that I have 20 days left of P90, I am debating whether to go right into P90X or Hip Hop Abs. I have 6 other programs to choose from and I really want to try Hip Hop Abs because I hear that it is a lot of fun to use.

While I do love P90 and would recommend it to anyone, I am ready to try a new program. If I decide to go with P90X I will need to get the pull-up bar that fits in doorways as well as a yoga mat and yoga bricks.

Overall, I’m feeling good and accomplished with where I am in terms of working out on a regular basis.

I am on day 63 of Power 90 and this program doesn’t have nearly as many workouts as P90X. After 2 months, I have pretty much memorized all of the routines that I don’t need to use the dvd’s anymore. I can do all of the exercises from memory. I have the sweat 3-4 dvd memorized better than the sculpt 3-4.

Yesterday, just to see if I could, I did my cardio workout out all from memory. When I was done, I was tired and dripping with sweat like usual but I don’t know if I did the right amount of reps on each exercise. I did 3 rounds of everything the way is is on the dvd but I think I may have been a little off on my reps.

I just thought it was funny that I have it all almost memorized now. If you are using P90 or any of the Beachbody workouts, have you got to the point where you have memorized the routines?

Starting P90 has transformed my life for the better. I’m sure I could have said the same had I started off with any of the Beachbody® programs because when I learned how Beachbody worked, I knew I had to make a change in my health and fitness in order to set a good example as a Beachbody Coach. Besides all of the positive physical changes of starting the program, I have also made changes on my own to improve my health.

Below is what I have given up and things that I would like to change as I continue to make progress.

Gave Up Coffee

I used to drink coffee every day. Mostly home brewed but also the occasional Starbucks. I know there are folks out there who love their coffee and would find it hard to stop if they tried. It wasn’t very difficult for me to cut it out altogether. My primary reason for stopping was because of the caffeine. I’ve switched to herbal tea when I am craving a hot beverage.

Gave Up Alcohol

I used to drink once or twice a week. Mostly on a Friday or Saturday night just because. My drink of choice was Ketel One vodka and cranberry juice. Deciding to give up alcohol was not only for health reasons but for personal ones as well. I was drinking just to do it, to feel a “buzz” but I’ve come to realize that I don’t need that in my life. A lot of times, drinking alcohol is used as an escape from reality.

Drinking is usually associated with partying and having a good time. People tend to drink to loosen up and feel what they believe is happiness. I began to notice that I was drinking for the sake of escaping my own problems and that wasn’t good for me.

What I Plan on Trying in the Future

30-Day Trials

Now that I know I can commit to 30 days of exercise, I know that I can commit to 30 day experiments with other things as well. Steve Pavlina has an excellent post on performing 30-day trials. I would like to perform 30-day trials with the following:

• Being vegetarian
• Cutting out all sugar
• Becoming an early riser (5 am or 6 am)
• Meditate

I think I will start off with meditation first as I’ve been wanting to begin meditating for quite some time now.

What have you changed in your life in terms of improving your health and fitness?

I have been using P90 since the middle of June and have dedicated myself to hitting 90 days in order to get into better shape and lose some pounds. So far I have lost 6 pounds. If you are deciding whether or not to work out at home using fitness dvd’s, here are some of my tips for sticking with it.

Find Good Programs

For the most part, the exercise dvd’s out there are not bad. You definitely want to choose ones that have variety in the workouts and include both cardio and resistance training. I also recommend finding ones that have a timeframe. Having a goal to work towards helps such as 90 days, 6 weeks, etc. Of course, you can always set your own time frame as well.

Use a Calendar

Exercising regularly needs to become a habit or else you will give up too soon. Use a calendar to track the days that you work out. As you check off days and stay persistent, you can look back on your progress and feel good about yourself. It will also help to keep track of how long you have been on a particular program as well as when to take your rest days. Time flies fast when you stick to a program so a calendar will help a lot.

Make it Fun

The music on most fitness dvd’s is really bad. Turn down the volume on the dvd player and turn up the volume on your stereo. Play music that you like and you will be more pumped up to do the workout.

Make it a Habit

Pick your programs and stick to them for at least 21 days. It has been said that it takes 21 days to form a habit. You will be creating a workout habit and no matter what you choose to do for exercise, it will hopefully become a part of your daily routine.

Chart Your Progress

Before you start your workout program, take your current stats: weight, measurements, and before photos. Take them all again when you hit 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, and so on. You will be amazed at your progress if you do this and will have something to look back on to compare yourself before and after.

If you want to follow my exact plan that I have been using, check out the below:

Program: Power 90 (P90)
Supplement: Shakeology
Tracking progress: Team Beachbody Club (free version), WOWY SuperGym™ to log workouts (plus all other features in paid version)

So I realized after all this time of charting my progress with using P90, I never stated what my starting weight was and what my goal weight is. That would probably make my whole weight loss journey a little more interesting I would think.

Here are the totals:

My starting weight was: 170 lbs.
Goal weight is: 135 lbs.
Current weight: 165 lbs.

I have 30 more pounds to go! I will post these numbers somewhere along the sidebar of this web site just to keep track. Oh yea, today marks day 50 of using Power 90. I told you this time is flying by fast, it really is incredible.

I did my weekly weigh-in and I’ve lost another pound (Total of 5 pounds lost as of today.) ! I’m excited at my progress and losing this extra weight is incredible motivation to stick with the program and keep doing what I’m doing. I did take two days off this week because by the time Sunday rolled around (I usually use Friday for my rest day) I fell into the lazy Sunday mode.

It actually felt great to rest another day. I have been working out 6 days a week since starting P90®. I may take two rest days whenever I just don’t feel like my body is in the mood to work out. It wasn’t necessarily a lack of motivation, just more about being lazy and enjoying my Sunday.

You Can Do This Too! Remove Your Doubts!

Other than that, I’m excited and I hope that if you are still having doubts about exercise and eating healthy, that you can learn from my experience. It’s a challenge in the beginning, but once you get into the flow of things and stay consistent, change will come. You will begin to realize it isn’t that bad. Trust me, it gets better!

Choose a program and stick with it! If you need support, contact me, I am glad to help you!

Beachbody Products

Today was day 40 of P90® and I couldn’t be more happier because I’ve lost a total of 4 pounds! I’m truly excited because when I did things the old way (running every other day, eating whatever I wanted) I wasn’t making any progress. Now that I’m on a plan and have my goals set, I’m seeing results. It is a great feeling and I can tell you that if you are on the fence about using any of the Beachbody® programs or any fitness program, just take the chance and do it.

The days go by so fast! You won’t believe how fast it will be before you hit day 30, day 40, and so on. Really, it’s all about having a good attitude and being committed to your goals. You CAN do it. Choose a Beachbody® program, learn how to use it, and get busy!