A few years ago we did a post comparing the legendary P90X workout to its later siblings, P90X2 and P90X3.  Its been several years now since P90X3 has been released, so we thought it was time to revisit the topic with an updated review of the workout programs, P90X vs P90X2 vs P90X3.

Overview

P90X, P90X2, and P90X3 are all workout programs developed by Tony Horton and Beachbody. Each program consists of a series of workouts that are designed to help people improve their fitness and achieve their health and fitness goals.

P90X

P90X is a 90-day program that includes a variety of workouts, including resistance training, cardio, plyometrics, yoga, and stretching. The workouts are designed to be intense and challenging, and the program includes a nutrition plan to help people achieve their goals. This is the original workout, and when it came out, was revolutionary to the industry, and quite literally took the fitness industry by storm.   can remember driving around town and every local gym and studio were offering “fitness bootcamps” that were “just like P90X.” The workouts in P90X are divided into three phases: the energy booster phase, the endurance maximizer phase, and the strength and power phase. Each phase focuses on different fitness goals and includes a variety of workouts to help people build strength, improve their endurance, and increase their overall fitness.

For the P90X program, it is recommended to have a variety of equipment on hand, including:

• Resistance bands or dumbbells for resistance training
• A yoga mat for yoga and stretching exercises
• A bench or stability ball for some of the strength training exercises
• A pull-up bar or resistance bands with a door attachment for the pull-up and chin-up exercises
• A jump rope for the cardio and plyometric exercises

The energy booster phase focuses on improving cardiovascular endurance and increasing energy levels. It includes workouts such as cardio and plyometrics, which involve jumping and explosive movements to help improve power and endurance. This phase also includes yoga and stretching workouts to help improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.

The endurance maximizer phase focuses on building endurance and improving cardiovascular fitness. It includes workouts such as running and cycling, as well as yoga and stretching to help improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.

The strength and power phase focuses on building strength and power through resistance training. It includes workouts such as weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, and kettlebell training to help build muscle and improve strength and power. This phase also includes yoga and stretching to help improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.

P90X2

P90X2 is a sequel to P90X and includes a variety of new workouts that build on the principles of the original program. The workouts in P90X2 focus on balance, core stability, and power, and include a combination of resistance training, cardio, and plyometrics. The program is designed to help people improve their balance and stability, build strength and power, and increase their overall fitness. P90X2 includes a variety of new workouts, such as yoga, stability ball exercises, and medicine ball exercises, to help people challenge their bodies in new ways.

For the P90X2 program, it is recommended to have a variety of equipment on hand, including:

• Resistance bands or dumbbells for resistance training
• A yoga mat for yoga and stretching exercises
• A stability ball for some of the balance and stability exercises
• A medicine ball for some of the strength and power exercises
• A jump rope for the cardio and plyometric exercises

The balance and stability workouts in P90X2 focus on improving balance and coordination through exercises such as single-leg squats, one-armed push-ups, and balance lunges. These exercises help to improve the stability of the core and lower body, which can help reduce the risk of injury and improve overall athletic performance.

The strength and power workouts in P90X2 focus on building strength and power through exercises such as weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, and kettlebell training. These exercises help to increase muscle mass and improve strength and power, which can improve athletic performance and overall fitness.

The cardio and plyometrics workouts in P90X2 focus on improving cardiovascular endurance and power through exercises such as jumping, sprinting, and other explosive movements. These exercises help to improve power and endurance, which can improve athletic performance and overall fitness.

I was one of the first to acquire P90X2 when it came out, and it was met with mixed reactions.  The goal of P90X2 was different, rather than focusing on bodyweight movements and plyometrics, P90X2 was more sports training focused.  The addition of the stability balls and exercise balls were controversial as they added quite a bit of complexity to the workouts, and many felt P90X2 had deviated from its core base of users and fans.

P90X3

P90X3 is a shorter, 30-minute version of the P90X program. It includes 16 workouts that are designed to be efficient and effective, and can be done in just 30 minutes per day. The workouts in P90X3 include a mix of resistance training, cardio, and plyometrics, and are designed to help people build strength and improve their fitness in a shorter amount of time. The program is divided into four blocks, each of which focuses on a different fitness goal: the foundation phase, the strength phase, the power phase, and the recovery phase. Each block includes a variety of workouts to help people build strength, improve their endurance, and increase their overall fitness.

For the P90X3 program, it is recommended to have a variety of equipment on hand, including:

• Resistance bands or dumbbells for resistance training
• A yoga mat for yoga and stretching exercises
• A bench or stability ball for some of the strength training exercises
• A pull-up bar or resistance bands with a door attachment for the pull-up and chin-up exercises
• A jump rope for the cardio and plyometric exercises

Each block includes a variety of workouts to help people build strength, improve their endurance, and increase their overall fitness.

The foundation phase in P90X3 focuses on building a strong foundation of fitness through a combination of resistance training, cardio, and plyometrics. This phase includes workouts such as weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, and kettlebell training to help build muscle and improve strength and power. It also includes cardio workouts such as running and cycling, as well as plyometric exercises to improve power and endurance. This phase also includes yoga and stretching to help improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.

The strength phase in P90X3 focuses on building strength and muscle mass through a variety of resistance training exercises. This phase includes workouts such as weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, and kettlebell training to help build muscle and improve strength and power. It also includes yoga and stretching to help improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.

The power phase in P90X3 focuses on improving power and speed through plyometric and explosive exercises. This phase includes workouts such as jumping, sprinting, and other explosive movements to improve power and speed. It also includes yoga and stretching to help improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.

The recovery phase in P90X3 focuses on promoting recovery and reducing the risk of injury through a combination of yoga, stretching, and low-impact exercises. This phase includes workouts such as yoga, Pilates, and stretching to help improve flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.

P90X3 was a return to its roots, with many of the fan base praising both its return to the Plyo type of workouts, as well as the shorter, get right to it, style of workout, and elimination of the exercise balls and medicine balls.

Wrap Up

Overall, all three programs are designed to be challenging and effective at helping people improve their fitness and achieve their health and fitness goals. It’s important to choose a program that is appropriate for your fitness level and goals, and to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program. It’s also important to have the necessary equipment on hand to complete the workouts safely and effectively. While some of the equipment listed above is optional, having a variety of equipment can help to increase the variety of workouts and make the program more challenging and effective.

Additionally, it’s important to properly maintain and store your equipment to ensure it is in good working order and to extend its lifespan. It’s also important to use the equipment correctly and follow proper form and technique to avoid injury and get the most out of your workouts.

It’s also worth noting that while having the recommended equipment can enhance the workouts and make them more effective, it’s still possible to complete the programs without all of the equipment. In some cases, bodyweight exercises or improvised equipment can be used as substitutes. For example, if you don’t have a pull-up bar, you can use resistance bands with a door attachment or try modified pull-up exercises using a chair or other stable surface. It’s important to listen to your body and adjust the workouts as needed to ensure you are exercising safely and effectively.