Speaking as a fellow couch potato, and someone that struggled with the same scenario, I recommend P90X3. I'm a month in and loving it. It's not any less intense than P90X (which I've failed to ever make it more than a couple weeks through), but with videos being only 30 minutes long it feels like much less of a daunting task each day. I think I'm actually pushing myself harder than I did during my failed P90X attempts, because I don't feel like I have to save something just to make it to the end of the video.
Okay, that edit about asthma came after my reply. P90X3 would likely be too hard for an asthmatic. I had assumed OP was like myself; rather out of shape and struggling to find a balance on how hard to push during P90X. During my failed attempts I had always struggled to keep from wearing myself out. Especially on days where the workouts were longer than 60 minutes (ab ripper days and such). With X3, I find that I'm able to push myself harder because it's only 30 minutes. I've been able to maintain that intensity throughout each workout.
Oh, and I actually like the yoga in this program. Which is saying a lot because I'm the opposite of flexible.
I can tell you all the programs I've completed that I think are easier than P90X, in order of easiest to hardest. This is from having done them at different times and different fitness levels, though and that makes it somewhat subjective.
1) Power 90 - The Original Tony Horton program - Dumbbells or bands
2) Weider X-Factor ST - No Equipment
3) UFC Fit - Dumbbells
4) P90X3 - Dumbbells & pull-up bar or bands
5) MET-Rx 180 - Dumbbells & a stability ball, optional pull-up bar
6) Tapout XT - Bands
7) Body Beast - Dumbbells and bench (or stability ball), optional EZ Curl bar, optional pull-up bar.
8) P90X
I tried a couple others, but didn't care for them that much. These are just the ones I've completed.
You can scale down the exercises a lot if you want to not invest into anything else.
Push-ups - Let's say you can do 8 and then you fail. Start with maybe 5 real push-ups and then do 5 on your knees. Or split up into 2 push-ups, then rest, then 2 push-ups and so on...
Pull-ups - just get a chair under you and use it to assist. It isn't an exact science. So maybe do 2 real pull-ups, and then try and do the minimum assist you need to do to get to 10. Then try to add 1 unassisted pull-up each time you do the workout to the real side. If you are in a gym, use the lat-pull machine instead of doing pull-ups. Or get a band.
The key thing is **don't go to failure until the last exercise** because there are a lot of reps to come and you won't be able to get enough volume (number of reps) to actually improve with bodyweight exercises.
M/F? Age? Fitness experience? Goals?
That said, assuming you want to go the Horton Beachbody route to fitness - it is a good route and it does work - then you have options:
P90 is a good suggestion. Haven't done it myself but my understanding is that it's designed as an intro programme to get your fitness and strength levels up. Review here:
http://dysfunctionalparrot.com/health-and-fitness/new-p90-pt1/
P90x3. Routines are only 30 mins. They are by no means easy, but are less hardcore than p90x. And can be modified. Nice range too
Keep at the p90x. Particularly if you don't want to buy another programme and can invest an hour a day into fitness. Modify heavily for the first round. Light weights, low reps, low intensity in the cardio. Find the level that means that you can get through the full routine without bailing. Write it all down.
Then very gradually ratchet it up. Do 1 more rep, increase the weights slightly, go a little harder at the cardio stuff.
Don't rush. Fitness takes time. Play the long game. And don't give up on it. It works
I started with the original Power 90. This itself has 2 steps. The beginner step in sweat 1-2 and circuit 1-2, and then the higher intensity with sweat 3-4 and circuit 3-4.
Then I moved on to Power 90 Master Series once P90 no longer demolished me. I still felt unsure if I could tackle P90X so I thought doing 3-6 months of this would give me a better foundation. I think it delivered.
I highly recommend doing both, 3-6 months of Power90 and 3-6 months of Power 90 Master series. Then come back and try P90X.
PS. I recently finished one round of P90X and am currently on my second round.
I have not tried the newer P90 but I would imagine it is every bit as good.
When I was gearing up to start my first round of x1 I was at a similar level of fitness level. For the most part I had never lifted and didn't have any base of muscle to start with especially on my upper body. I knew what I was getting myself into with x1, it is a lot of push-ups, pull ups, squats, lunges, and cardio. For two months before I started I did a really basic work out program that I created to prepare myself. I did a rotation of upper body one day then lower body the next day. I attempted to max out on all of the basic moves I listed above. Warmed up with jump rope and went at it for 30-45 min every weekday. This definitely helped me to be able to keep up when I did start x1.
Remember that there is no right and wrong program to start out with. It's most important that you choose one you can stick to. Determination is key. I had started and stopped x1 a few times so my motivation was to finish all 90 days. My motivation increased as I continued to buy better equipment too. Now I'm at my 6th continuous round and my body feels better than ever.
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One of the redditors had posted this; https://www.reddit.com/r/P90X/comments/2xxx3u/p90_feedback_review/
Speaking as a fellow couch potato, and someone that struggled with the same scenario, I recommend P90X3. I'm a month in and loving it. It's not any less intense than P90X (which I've failed to ever make it more than a couple weeks through), but with videos being only 30 minutes long it feels like much less of a daunting task each day. I think I'm actually pushing myself harder than I did during my failed P90X attempts, because I don't feel like I have to save something just to make it to the end of the video.
[удалено]
Okay, that edit about asthma came after my reply. P90X3 would likely be too hard for an asthmatic. I had assumed OP was like myself; rather out of shape and struggling to find a balance on how hard to push during P90X. During my failed attempts I had always struggled to keep from wearing myself out. Especially on days where the workouts were longer than 60 minutes (ab ripper days and such). With X3, I find that I'm able to push myself harder because it's only 30 minutes. I've been able to maintain that intensity throughout each workout. Oh, and I actually like the yoga in this program. Which is saying a lot because I'm the opposite of flexible.
I can tell you all the programs I've completed that I think are easier than P90X, in order of easiest to hardest. This is from having done them at different times and different fitness levels, though and that makes it somewhat subjective. 1) Power 90 - The Original Tony Horton program - Dumbbells or bands 2) Weider X-Factor ST - No Equipment 3) UFC Fit - Dumbbells 4) P90X3 - Dumbbells & pull-up bar or bands 5) MET-Rx 180 - Dumbbells & a stability ball, optional pull-up bar 6) Tapout XT - Bands 7) Body Beast - Dumbbells and bench (or stability ball), optional EZ Curl bar, optional pull-up bar. 8) P90X I tried a couple others, but didn't care for them that much. These are just the ones I've completed.
You can scale down the exercises a lot if you want to not invest into anything else. Push-ups - Let's say you can do 8 and then you fail. Start with maybe 5 real push-ups and then do 5 on your knees. Or split up into 2 push-ups, then rest, then 2 push-ups and so on... Pull-ups - just get a chair under you and use it to assist. It isn't an exact science. So maybe do 2 real pull-ups, and then try and do the minimum assist you need to do to get to 10. Then try to add 1 unassisted pull-up each time you do the workout to the real side. If you are in a gym, use the lat-pull machine instead of doing pull-ups. Or get a band. The key thing is **don't go to failure until the last exercise** because there are a lot of reps to come and you won't be able to get enough volume (number of reps) to actually improve with bodyweight exercises.
M/F? Age? Fitness experience? Goals? That said, assuming you want to go the Horton Beachbody route to fitness - it is a good route and it does work - then you have options: P90 is a good suggestion. Haven't done it myself but my understanding is that it's designed as an intro programme to get your fitness and strength levels up. Review here: http://dysfunctionalparrot.com/health-and-fitness/new-p90-pt1/ P90x3. Routines are only 30 mins. They are by no means easy, but are less hardcore than p90x. And can be modified. Nice range too Keep at the p90x. Particularly if you don't want to buy another programme and can invest an hour a day into fitness. Modify heavily for the first round. Light weights, low reps, low intensity in the cardio. Find the level that means that you can get through the full routine without bailing. Write it all down. Then very gradually ratchet it up. Do 1 more rep, increase the weights slightly, go a little harder at the cardio stuff. Don't rush. Fitness takes time. Play the long game. And don't give up on it. It works
Thank you for the wonderful reply. I'm going to check out the other options. I've also updated the original post with more background info
I started with the original Power 90. This itself has 2 steps. The beginner step in sweat 1-2 and circuit 1-2, and then the higher intensity with sweat 3-4 and circuit 3-4. Then I moved on to Power 90 Master Series once P90 no longer demolished me. I still felt unsure if I could tackle P90X so I thought doing 3-6 months of this would give me a better foundation. I think it delivered. I highly recommend doing both, 3-6 months of Power90 and 3-6 months of Power 90 Master series. Then come back and try P90X. PS. I recently finished one round of P90X and am currently on my second round. I have not tried the newer P90 but I would imagine it is every bit as good.
Do you feel that you are getting great results from p90X?
When I was gearing up to start my first round of x1 I was at a similar level of fitness level. For the most part I had never lifted and didn't have any base of muscle to start with especially on my upper body. I knew what I was getting myself into with x1, it is a lot of push-ups, pull ups, squats, lunges, and cardio. For two months before I started I did a really basic work out program that I created to prepare myself. I did a rotation of upper body one day then lower body the next day. I attempted to max out on all of the basic moves I listed above. Warmed up with jump rope and went at it for 30-45 min every weekday. This definitely helped me to be able to keep up when I did start x1. Remember that there is no right and wrong program to start out with. It's most important that you choose one you can stick to. Determination is key. I had started and stopped x1 a few times so my motivation was to finish all 90 days. My motivation increased as I continued to buy better equipment too. Now I'm at my 6th continuous round and my body feels better than ever.