Fitness
This page was originally dedicated to my multiple experiences with the P90X, P90X+, Insanity and Asylum programs which I had fun with.
However, I’ve long since expanded my overall fitness experience to include olympic lifts, TRX, and kettlebells in conjunction with my long-lived addiction to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (which has it’s own page.) I’ll expand accordingly.
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I am a huge fan of Beachbody’s P90X Extreme Home Fitness program. Yes, the infomercial you’ve seen late at night while eating doritos on the couch 
Yes, it absolutely works. It’s a fantastic program that is fun, easy to stick to but challenging nonetheless — even when traveling and inhabiting hotel rooms for weeks at a time.
I used to blog about every workout…then it just became a normal part of my routine/life, so I stopped. You can read my old P90Xperience blog here. Again, it’s *way* old but has some nuggets of info. in it.
At home I generally use the Bowflex Selectech dumbells, kettlebells and for some of my hybrid workouts I also have traditional dumbells/barbells that aren’t as bulky. NOTE: you need minimal equipment with P90X.
Here’s one of those older posts answering “What equipment do I need for P90X”
I use resistance bands (www.bodylastics.com – the T.O. Edition) when traveling and now I’m sometimes add the TRX suspension trainer to my regimen whilst on the road — am loving doing so at home.
As of March 2010, I’ve completed 5 rounds of P90X/P90X+ and I’m enjoying mixing stuff up now with combinations including the 1-on-1 Tony Horton routines and I’ve added the “Insanity” routine to the mix.*
I started P90X in what I thought was OK shape. I was 5’10, 184 pounds and 22% bodyfat even though I train religiously in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu four times a week.
I ended the first round at 161 pounds, 8% BF with about 20 pounds more muscle and my health/cardio through the roof.
At the risk of looking like every other egotistical shirtless freak on Facebook who thinks it’s a great idea to post a picture of himself half-nekkid, I *do* think it’s encouraging to see how a former fat-ass like myself can use this program.
The “before” pictures were not pretty. Trust me (or the 1.5x more of me that there used to be.)
So here goes. I still have quite a ways to go but you get the idea.
I have weird muscle groups sprouting up all over the place. I need to work more on my chest and triceps.
I’ll update this page with more specifics as I have the time.
Update: See below for the start/finish pictures from my old dedicated P90Xperience blog…don’t blame me if you need mental bleach.
/Hoff
* So after the last round of P90X+ (12/09) I’m incorporating a hybrid routine into my BJJ and TRX workouts. I found this on one of the Beachbody Forums (I can’t find the original posting) and I think it absolutely rocks. It’s a mixture of P90X, P90X+, One-on-Ones and Insanity — just what I was looking for.
Here is a follow-on hybrid routine I’m looking at pulling the trigger on — I need to find a way to integrate the barbell (deadlifts, squats) — into this mix. Of course, now both Insanity Asylum and P90X:MC2 is about to be released
Here’s Day 0: 176 184 pounds, 22% bodyfat… (176 was @ Day 11)
<< Fat
Here’s Day 21:
Here’s Day 39:
Here’s Day 52:
Here’s Day 90: 161 pounds, 8% bodyfat…20+ pounds more muscle
I’m really disappointed with these pictures. No matter what I do, I can’t get the lighting right (it was better in day 52) to show my ab definition — I actually have a 6 pack though it doesn’t show..
Updated: I took a different pic/angle to prove my point — same room, different angle, much better 
<< Not so much fat
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Have you tried CrossFit yet
?
Petr
@Petr R.
Can't do CrossFit in a hotel room.
/Hoff
Great blog, it's not often I see infosec, bjj and crossfit-style workouts in one place.
It seems as though P90X and CF have essentially the same basic tenets: intensity; varied work patterns; lots of body weight exercises.
As to not being able to do crossfit in a hotel room, not so. I have a list of "no equipment required" workouts that I use in hotel rooms, next to hotel pools or at local parks. I think p90x is more accessible (once you buy-in). The CF business model tends to want you to go to cf facility and pay cf fees to learn, pay for cf certification and so on.
Thanks for the blog and your well-considered posts.
best,
John
Hey Hoff,
Great insight, On the extreme home fitness workout. I have been thinking about it for a while, could you answer a couple of quick questions?
How long does each work out session take?
Did you get your best results with a strict diet in conjunction with the program?
Can I get away with just a set of dumbells?
Thanks again! Great sleeve by the way.
Chino
@Chino
Each workout takes about an hour.
I didn't keep a 'strict' diet, but I watched what I ate and kept fat low. High protein, balanced carbs, lots of water. I don't eat a ton of sugar and since I'm allergic to wheat/gluten, I don't eat a lot of refined foods anyway.
You need a way to do pullups, but bands and/or a set of dumbbells work great.
Hey Chris,
Came to your blog to read your thoughts about cloud computing. Good to see you at cloud camp. (My Mom's not on facebook) I started the p90x program last fall. It's the best thing I've done for myself in a long time.
Let us know what you think of Insanity. That looks fairly promising, as it's all body-resistance type stuff, which is easier to manipulate than dumbells…well, at least for a portion of the populous.
This is an awesome site that for running it.
Also wanted to know if you have tried Kettlebell training?
It works great for my Judo cross training.
@beaker
Sure you can
I do it all the time (not deadlift, clean and bench combo though 
KB, CF of this PX-thing – it's all about the intensity
Thank you. I was just planning to buy some weights, but I'd rather have something more practical. Buying weights would be like going back to vinyl when I take DJ'ing back up.
Awesome post.
I threw my back out 2 months ago training with Tony Horton at a leadership offsite. P90X rocks. Crossfit rocks. BJJ with MT, subwrestling, and MMA rocks. Good to see others on the journey.
I've learned to not want more that what I've been given, so I have the mass you want (and the V-shape), but prefer to be thin like you. Want to switch?
Bulk up? Just eat 12 hardboiled eggs every day. Mentor: Dr. Robert Rey………Dr. 90210.
Smokin' :')
You asked.
Hey Hoff
Awesome results man!
How have you incorporated P90X and Insanity with your Jiu Jitsu? Do you doubole up on BJJ days or substitute BJJ for Kenpo or another workout?
Good luck with your coaching.
Kevin
I'm just starting the p90x workout and im concerned about the workouts while im on the road. i travel every week for work and spend half my life in hotel rooms. can you elaborate on your hotel workouts and what equipment is necessary for each. thanks, joe
Nice results bro! I started P90X about a year ago and got great results as well. Added Insanity into the mix to keep things interesting. At 42 I'm in the best shape of my life.
Awesome post, thanks for sharing Hoff. I might try to incorporate some P90x into my routine.
Looks like the chest got shaved around Day 52 ;-b