Sunday, February 9, 2014

P90X - Les Mills Combat Hybrid: Fun and Effective


The last 90 days I did a P90X/Les Mills Combat hybrid.  I enjoyed mixing these two programs together. 
 

P90X is an "Extreme Home Fitness" program designed by Tony Horton and Beachbody.  If you are serious about getting in shape, this is a great tool.  There are a few "programs" to choose from -- Classic, Doubles and Lean.  I opted for the Lean program again because I wanted more a few more cardio workout days to incorporate running and do the Combat workouts.

What I really like about P90X is that there are different workouts each day.   It mixes it up so it’s not the same thing over and over again.  Tony Horton calls this concept “muscle confusion" but I call it “boredom prevention!”  There are 12 DVDs in the P90X program, each with a different workout.  Most are between 50-60 minutes long except Yoga X, which is 90 minutes and Ab Ripper, which is 15 minutes.   There are DVDs that focus on strength training; targeting parts of the body on different days, e.g., chest and back; shoulders and arms; legs and back; chest, shoulders and triceps; and back and biceps.  Then there are the cardio DVDs, e.g., Kenpo X (kickboxing), Cardio  X, and Plyometrics (jumping).  In addition, there is Yoga X, Ab Ripper, Core Synergistics and Stretching.  Not all of these were used in the Lean program, e.g., Plyo is not used (but I must say it is a great work out).

Note: For more information on P90X, see P90X Review

Les Mills Combat workouts are based on mixed martial arts such as:

  • Karate/Kung Fu

  • Jiu Jitsu

  • Capoeira

  • Muay Thai/Kickboxing

  • Boxing

  • Tai Kwon Do

There are 7 DVD and there is a lot of kicking, punching, blocking and striking in these workouts.  It is a great workout when you’re mad!  Just watch out for little kids and the family pet when you’re working out.

P90X is a proven program for me.  I did my first round of P90X last winter and had great results. 

Weight: lost 12 pounds
Waist: lost 2.5 inches
Hips: lost 4.5 inches (yippee!)
Chest: lost 2 inches
Arms: no change, but I have more definition
Legs: lost 1.5 inches (each leg)

 


This time around I wanted to do something different so I chose to do a hybrid.  I picked Combat because it was a Beachbody program I hadn’t yet.  Also, Kenpo X was my favorite cardio program in P90X and Combat is similar.

The hybrid worked out well for me.  I thought the two programs balanced each other out nicely.  I did all of the P90X strength training DVDs and Combat on the “cardio” days. 

However, things came up and I strayed a little from the hybrid format.  First, I wanted to incorporate more running.  Second, I became an INSANITY Certified Instructor and had to incorporate more INSANITY workouts on cardio days for practice. 

Overall I’d say that I got stronger.  I see a little more muscle definition.  I would have seen more if I was better about nutrition.  Results require a formula of fitness+nutrition+support = success.  I was able to do many more push-ups at the end of the 90 days and more “regular” push-ups vs. modified.  I was even able to do one unassisted pull up!  This is something that I am very excited about.

I didn’t lose weight but I did lose inches.   I lost 1 inch off of my hips and ½ inch off of my thighs.  Not bad.  I still have some more work to do.  I see more definition in my core, even though I didn’t lose inches. 

I also gained strength as I moved on in the program.  So can you.  Don’t be intimidated.  This really is a program for almost everyone if you modify it to your ability.  If you have questions about P90X or if you want to join my next challenge group, email me or comment below or visit www.katjohnsonfitness.com.  I’d love to help you get started.

 

3 comments:

  1. I would love to see a P90X3 and Les Mills Combat hybrid. Any ideas on that one?

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    Replies
    1. Sure! I'll post some ideas this weekend.

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    2. Just posted a hybrid schedule that I like. Let me know if you have any questions!

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