P90x or Chalean Extreme?

Updated on January 03, 2011
M.L. asks from Tarpon Springs, FL
10 answers

I changed my lifestyle back in June and have lost 50 lbs but have 30lbs more. I currently have a membership to the YMCA, which I use 4-5 times a week. I love the classes, the gym, etc. However, I start Nursing school in 1 week and life is going to change dramatically! It is long hours plus I need extra time for studying. And, we pay $75/mo for the family membership and my husband never uses it! Can't change to just me because then I can't do the childcare. Not to mention, the closest Y is still 20 minutes away so I feel like I will take more time away from the limited family time I am going to have to go. Anyways, I am thinking with the time constraints/ money issue I should quit the Y. BUT, I cannot stop exercising. Anyone try p90x or chalean extreme? Did you have good results? Which one is better? Did you have a gym membership ever and prefer the dvds? I am SO nervous to quit the Y and then have my weight loss stop. Please let me know what results you have had with either! I workout pretty hard now, I do hard spin classes/shred classes so I am not worried about it being too hard. Thanks once again moms!

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S.D.

answers from Sarasota on

I've done P90X and the Insanity workouts. I don't know anything about Chalean extreme. I love working out at home because of the reasons you listed. I do have a Y membership also but don't use it much. My favorite workouts are by Tracy Anderson. I also like The Firm workouts better than P90X or Insanity. I think anyone can do The Firm workouts because they have such a wide variety of DVD's to choose from. Tracy Anerson's cardio is dance so if you don't like dance aerobics you may not like it. I recommend her muscle work for all women. She goes for a lean look rather than building muscle. She has a book out called The Method that is fantastic. It comes with an instructional workout DVD. I truly feel like Tracy Anderson's workouts have transformed the way my body looks more than anything I've ever done in the past and I've been working out regularly for almost 20 years. I hope you find what works well for you. In the end it's really about personal preference. Do what you love and you'll be more likely to keep up with it.

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S.C.

answers from Chicago on

I am a personal trainer and pilates instructor with a 4 month old and I too am trying to get the last few pounds off. I am also a Beachbody Coach, so I am very familiar with the various formats. I have used P90x, Insanity, 10 Minute Trainer and Turbo Jam and familiar with or used Chalene's other formats of Chalene Extreme, Turbo Fire, Turbo-Kick and Pi-Yo.

I had great results with P90X pre-pregnancy. It helped me sculpt long lean muscles while retaining flexibility and made huge improvements in my upper body strength without bulking up. The muscle confusion technique that Tony Horton emphasizes really works. The Ab Ripper X is great to strenghten our weakened abdominals, but I would consult with your doctor prior to starting it, particularly if you had a C-Section or had diastasis recti. Even at 8wks post C-Section, I just wasn't ready to get back to that level of abdominal intensity.

Chalene's formats are great for weight loss and body sculpting and I chose to use her Turbo Jam program post pregnancy. She uses great music and her high energy really revs me up and keeps me excited about my workouts, while building up cardio endurance and providing total body sculpting. She also has a great AB focus with signature moves.

I teach in the gym environment, so I have access to memberships and I still love my DVDs. Sometimes I just want to get a quick workout while my little girl is napping or before I go to work. Feel free to email me if you'd like to talk further. ____@____.com or www.scfit.wordpress.com.
Good Luck!

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S.J.

answers from San Francisco on

My husband LOVED p90 and had excellant results. I can't compare it to the chalean extreme as we don't have it.
That said, I found when I was in school, it was difficult to find the time to work out, study & go to school & be a mom. It might be very hard to find a time to work out for the first 2-3 weeks while you adjust to your new schedule in nursing school!
Congrats

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S.T.

answers from Provo on

My husband and I both do P90X. We love it and have seen great results. The only thing I would suggest is really stick to a meal plan even if it's a little different than theirs. Watch our portions and do the work outs consistently and you'll see the results! :)

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L.T.

answers from Dallas on

P90X is an awesome workout regimen. I laugh when people say it's for people who want to get "ripped...", they clearly have not done their homework! The program is for anyone who wants to take their great workout to a fantastic workout! I love how Tony Horton gives you different plans (the booklet explains it all) so you can create the workout plan best for you! P90X + healthy eating/portions = results!!! When you buy the set it comes with a band and you will want to have a variety of hand weights. The chin up bar is optional, I bought it and enjoy it b/c I wanted the challenge. I love P90X and highly recommend it!!! I'm actually taking a class from Tony Horton on Jan. 10 and I'm so excited!!! He's coming to my city to promote his book and is teaching a class followed by a book signing. Good luck and as Tony would say...Bring it!!!

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R.G.

answers from Dallas on

P90x is AWESOME!! You have to DO it, of course...but you're definitely going to get great results when you do. The first 2 weeks are tough because you will be super sore, just keep plugging away and it will become much easier. I promise you will feel GREAT and that will keep you motivated to keep it up.

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T.B.

answers from Miami on

I've never had a membership to a gym ever. I've always enjoyed working out and enjoyed doing it in the privacy of my home. I do not know anything about Chalean Extreme but I own the P90X. I've done 3 rounds of it and although I didn't follow the diet plan, I DID the workouts consistently and had AWESOME results. I say "had" because I am currently 23 weeks pregnant and I am very limited with what I can do with my body these days. Depending who you ask, some will say the P90X is difficult, some will say it's impossible. Let me just say this: If you are already accustomed to working out, the P90 X will not be impossible for you. Challenging maybe, but our bodies can handle the challenge and IF you can't do a certain move or can't do as many reps, you can modify the workouts. I have the P90 Master Series and that is easier compared to the P90X but in my opinion not much easier, only a shorter and condensed version of the X. The P90X workouts consist of 12 DVD's and you do one workout a day (or you can maximize your results by doing 2 a day depending on how much time you can devote). Each workout is about an hour long (just slightly under an hour, to be exact) except for the AB ripper x which is about 15 minutes long and the Yoga X is 1-1/2 hours. I always chose to do the Yoga X at night when my children went to bed as I found it to be most relaxing at night without having interruptions. Just go to the beachbody website and look for the workouts you are interested in. You should be able to see videos of the workouts you are seeking. Also, youtube has "real life" results you can see for yourself of people who have had very good results with the programs in question.

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S.D.

answers from Dothan on

I suggest Insanity. minimal impact and high cardio. Unlike p90x which is for getting ripped if you are looking for slimming down Insanity is great. You dont even have to keep up with those insane people just sticking through the 30-45 min workout at your best shows fast results. In 2.5 months I lost 15 pounds and kept it off. It insane hard workout with simple moves, you just pushing yourself to the max constantly. Give it shot, its worth yor while, i love my new legs.

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A.R.

answers from Naples on

My husband did the p90X but did not follow the diet plan - he does like it but you need a pull up bar and a place to hang it near a TV which was an issue in our house with really tall doors. I do all different kinds of DVD's and Running. The Biggest Loser and Jillian Michaels DVDs are excellent. Also, Workout by Jackie Warner. By doing those I get the strength training and cardio and on the days I don't do those, I run 4.5-6 miles outside for straight cardio. I find this is much less time consuming than the gym and I weigh less than when I had a gym membership. I find I can always fit it in b/c I have all the tools I need at home. Good luck!

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T.W.

answers from Denver on

I love the p90x. It is a hard program but easy to understand, stay motivated and it works - I really enjoy it. My husband is a fan of the Chalean Extreme but I haven't looked into it much so can't speak to it.

Good luck to you and GREAT JOB on the first 50 pounds, that's not easy.

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