P90X: Tony Horton's 90-Day Extreme home Fitness Workout DVD Program

Bottom line

In recent years, few at-home fitness programs have garnered more attention than Tony Horton's P90X. The program promises to transform your body in less than one hour a day in just three months. If you're looking to get seriously ripped -- but not necessarily lose weight -- and already have a high fitness level, no at-home fitness program compares in popularity with P90X.

Trainer

Strong cuing and expertise marred by uncomfortable chitchat: Tony Horton may have gotten his start as a stand-up comic, but he's developed a name for himself in the fitness market thanks to his incredibly tough program. There has, over the years, been some strong criticism of the P90X fitness program -- many have questioned the expertise behind the video. Additionally, experts from the American Council on Exercise (ACE) warn that Horton's pace of switching from one movement to the next can put participants at risk of injury. Reviewers wish there was more instruction as to how to perform the movements safely and effectively. One major criticism is Tony Horton's commentary. While the cuing is stellar, the unnecessary chatter becomes somewhat annoying several weeks into the program.

Workout

Three months of routines to transform your body: Of all of the recently introduced fitness series and programs, few have generated more buzz and media attention than P90X: Tony Horton's 90-Day Extreme Home Fitness Workout. The stand-up comic turned fitness guru developed this three-month, intense home fitness series, which incorporates interval-style cardio, martial arts-inspired workouts, stretching and yoga routines.

The 12-disc DVD set also includes several fitness and nutrition plans and guides to help users meet their individual goals. User reviews on this program skew primarily to the positive and there are several online sources that offer testimonials as to the effectiveness of the program. Still, experts and users are divided. The program is incredibly intense, and despite Horton's "It only takes one hour a day!" attitude, several reviewers say that the program is time consuming. Moreover, the series assumes a high level of fitness of all participants prior to starting the 90-day program. (Even the fitness models look fatigued and their form suffers as the workout becomes more difficult, some reviewers say.)

Instructors encourage participants to perform a pre-workout self-test to determine the appropriate intensity level. Even so, many reviewers say that the program is unsuitable for those who are trying to get back in shape and do not already have a high fitness level. Horton offers a less difficult Power 90: Tony Horton's Total Body Transformation 90 Day Boot Camp Workout DVD Series (*Est. $75), which may be better suited for some.

Moreover, while most reviewers say that the program is effective, the results come as more tone and muscle definition -- not weight loss. Perhaps one of the biggest drawbacks to the P90X at-home fitness series is the materials and equipment you'll need to complete the program, which include a chin-up bar, hand weights or resistance bands, a yoga mat and more (particularly as you try to up the difficulty level of the program).

Materials

In-video promotions are pushy and irritating. The classic P90X kit comes with 12 DVDs -- Chest and Back; Plyometrics; Shoulders and Arms; Legs and Back; Kenpo X; Core Synergistics; Chest, Shoulders and Triceps; Back and Biceps; Cardio C and C Stretch; as well as a time-saving Ripper X DVD and a Yoga X program. Additionally, participants receive the 3-Phase Nutrition plan -- a must-have if you're going to see weight loss, say reviewers -- and the Fitness Guide. While the production value of the program is stellar, some reviewers note that the consistent upselling of P90X-branded supplements and protein shakes can be tiresome.