Get in Shape - P90x or CrossFit?

If you’re looking for a fitness program to get in shape you’ve mostly likely heard of P90X or CrossFit. You can’t miss the P90X commercials on TV. Dating back to the mid-1980s, CrossFit is an older program that is well known in fitness circles. CrossFit doesn’t have the name recognition that P90X has to the average American, but don’t let that fool you. CrossFit doesn’t have paid advertising. There are over 2500 CrossFit Gyms (called boxes) worldwide and the number continues to grow.

I’ve done both fitness programs and achieved outstanding results with both. I didn't know it at the time, but I used P90X to get in shape for CrossFit. Neither program is a magic fitness formula. If you are looking for some quick fix, don’t waste your money or your time reading any further. You can’t just sit there and just watch Tony Horton on your TV, hoping to get fit. You actually need to follow along and do the routine with Tony and his gang. The same goes with CrossFit. At the box I belong to, we get people who join, take the time to show up, and then argue with their coach. You can, and should, trust Tony Horton and your CrossFit Coach. They both know what they are talking about.

Both programs rely on muscle confusion to break you down and get faster results. When I lifted weights, I trained Chest, Back and Triceps on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You won't see a "routine" like this in CrossFit or P90X. They both vary your workouts to keep your muscles guessing. CrossFit and P90x do it in different ways with some different exercises and sequences. Their goal is not to have a routine where you plateau and stop achieving gains.

P90X and CrossFit both take a whole fitness approach to training. You will find cardio, plyometric, strength training, balance etc. weaved into both routines. You might find all of it in one workout or it might change from day-to-day. You are getting a whole body program with each option.

If they both work, which one should you try?

I’m a former weight lifter who spent 26 years in the Marines and have a lifelong love of fitness. After I left active duty I took a desk job. During the first year I gained 25 lbs. After trying several other things, mostly just cardio, I found P90X. I did a lot of research before making the decision. I found hundreds of testimonials on YouTube and spoke to several people in person. If you are going to invest the money and time (90 days) in P90X, do the research and know what you are getting into. You've got to dedicate yourself to it for 90 days. If you can't throw yourself into it, you should think twice.

P90X worked for me. In 90 days I lost almost all the weight I had gained (you will pack on some muscle and re-distribute your weight) and was doing things that I hadn't done in years. In my opinion P90X works for two reasons. First, it is an outstanding program. Secondly, it will work if you dedicate yourself and put out the effort.

P90X is an "In Home" program. No kidding you say. This can be both good and bad. If your gym is right downstairs, you got to make sure you have the discipline to actually go downstairs and do the workouts. Tony is there to motivate you after you turn on the DVD. He isn't there to tell you put down the soda, put the DVD in and do the workout! You also have the distractions of daily life to contend with in your house. If you have to stop every 10 minutes to answer a question from your spouse or kids, you aren't going to be focused on getting results.

The DVDs that Beachbody has put together with Tony Horton are awesome and I really believe in their product. They have set up a huge support network online and you can reach out and get answers from people fast. You should realize upfront that this is a very challenging program and that you have to have the discipline and will power to stay with it. If you have a plan and think you can isolate yourself from family, friends and distractions at home then P90X may be for you.

I watched a group of people from my office doing CrossFit during lunch for two years and just didn't get it. I thought they were "fitness nuts" who were going to hurt themselves. How does crossfit get you in shape?

It wasn't until completing P90X that I figured out CrossFit. CrossFit is designed to cause muscle confusion by incorporating all aspects of fitness into a single Workout of the Day (WOD) or multiple WODs. It is done under the supervision of a CrossFit Certified Coach.

The beauty of CrossFit is that you are in a group environment which causes personal accountability to your coach and group. I've heard athletes (everyone in CrossFit is considered an athlete) dozens of times say that they would have missed a workout, but didn't want to let their group or coach down. Everybody encourages everyone to do better. Our coaches will call or email you if you miss a WOD.

The CrossFit coach is there to make sure you are doing the exercise properly and safely. They also make sure you are pushing yourself (or don't push yourself to hard). Sometimes it is constructive criticism, but it is done to benefit the athlete (you)! One new athlete at our box (gym) had a very hard time with her coach correcting her (her form was terrible and she only gave about 50% effort). Her coach responded "You can go into any health club in the U.S. and never be told you are using the equipment incorrectly. Here we'll tell you within 30 seconds or less". Her coach was 100% correct, but the lady didn't want to hear that and left about a month later. Our other athletes that have opened up their minds and are willing to listen have made remarkable gains.

Any CrossFit WOD (workout) can be scaled (adjusted) based on the athletes fitness level, injuries or age. When you start out you'll do the same workout as me, but the coach may have you may use a un-weighted PVC pipe so that you get your form correct. As you continue to progress, you and the coach will challenge yourself more. Get a little better, faster, stronger each workout.

CrossFit emphasizes muscle confusion through incorporating a wide variety of exercises into a WOD or week of WODs. I've gone as long 4 months without repeating the exact same WOD. You will be constantly challenged and never get bored.

Do your homework and get started ASAP. You can't go wrong with either program. If you like working out alone, can motivate yourself and can limit your distractions, then give P90X a try. Do you like being in a group? If you want someone, and something, who will constantly push you to achieve your goals then CrossFit may be right for you.

I hope you find this helpful, please chime in with your thoughts and comments.

GOOD LUCK!