I'm going to be starting one of these programs. It 50 yrs old and out of shape it long over due to get in shape and improve my quality of life.

I'm really not looking to answer the question which is best. I'm more looking to find out which program lends it's self to travel and hotels.

I know that P90X requires chin up bars among other things so P90X may not be best. That said I will be at home maybe 1/2 the month.

Anyway I curious what some of you might have to say.

Thanks

 

For me Insanity has worked great on the road... It's a great workout and you don't need too much space to get it done....p90x is also a great workout, you can take resistance bands which will replace the weights/pull up bar..good luck

 

You are going to hurt yourself if you jump right into Insanity. The Beach Body company produces many programs. Do yourself a favor and start with an intermediate level program for 6 weeks or so, and then get P90X or Insanity.

The insanity program requires no equipment at all. Pull-ups are not even performed, so you can do it anywhere.

P90X will require at least a decent gym.

Workout Videos & Home Fitness Programs - Beachbody.com

Very good advice found here.

Scooby's Workshop | Home Fitness & Bodybuilding Workouts

This is a wonderful tool that can be easily carried.

Suspension Training With TRX - A Total Body Workout | TRX

Another good source for a travel friendly kit.

Resistance Band Training - Band Exercises - Fitness Bands

 

You could try complexes while at home. Just requires an olympic weight bar and some smaller weights as you progress. No need for a bench or rack. Look up Cosgrove complex, it will wear you out in 15 minutes. You can add weight, reps, sets, or reduce rest to increase the intensity.

 

I agree with everything so far. They're ALL good workouts. Find one you think you can do, but most importantly, STICK WTIH IT!!!!!!.

And as Atlas said, whichever one you pick, be careful. If you've been inactive or not exercising much, you'll have to do a warm up/ramp up before going full bore into which ever program you do. To include some stretching, basic resistance movements (pushups, squats, curls, bench dips, lat pulls, etc.). Otherwise you'll be so sore from the first few workouts you can run the risk of just dropping it and getting frustrated from the pain/soreness.

For the pull up/chin up exercises, you can use a dook anchor.

Although a gym with dumbbells/pull up bar would be ideal, it's NOT required for P90X. I did it on the road with resistance bands and STILL got a good excellent results. You'd be surprised in how tiny of a hotel room I was STILL able to rock the crap out of Plyometrics, I friggin' love that workout!!!!!!!

Granted, some of the exercises with the bands required a learning curve to extract maximum result, as well as not waste excessive time switching the bands out when changing exercises, etc.

And to the OP, remember, all the ads/infomercials are there to SELL a product. Yep, you'll get a killer workout out whatever program you go with. But bear in mind, some of those before and after shots of people may not be telling the WHOLE story. As in, it may have taken MORE than one cycle of the program to the results depicted in the ads.

As I mentioned though, sticking with it and getting it done is the key. And remember, diet and proper rest plays just as much of an important role as doing the workouts does.

 

Health is 70 percent diet, 30 percent exercise.

 

I certainly agree, and it is counterproductive to exercise while not eating correctly. I say don't "believe the hype" and keep it simple. Eat clean foods while making sure to get enough protein. Stay away from processed food as much as possible. Learn to make better choices on the road.

So sad to see people starve themselves. I frequently hear crew members say, with a sense of pride, "I only ate one meal yesterday".

It is very simple, but not always easy. Discipline is my friend, choice is my destiny....

 

I've been having a hard time while on the road. The trio of essentials mentioned (diet, exercise and rest) is killing me.

I am healthy and used to be fit, but since switching to freight, things got a little messed up and I started to gain weight (15lb above my goal). Rest is hard with the irregular flying, so exercising everyday is quite a challenge.

My question is, would this Insanity/P90X deal work on a 4 or 5x per week basis? Even if it's just to keep the body moving... Or do you think it's a waste and I should just stick with the usual running/cycling program?

 

I do P90x in the off season, but the 10 minute trainers are great IMO for just doing "something". It's just 10 minutes and would be easy to do on the road.

 

I have been a runner for over 20 years and started having more frequent lower back issues. I have been doing insanity now for 4 months. Did the 60 day program in about 70 days. Still continue to do the first 30 day workout until I find the right balance. I would definitely recommend the insanity program. My core has definitely strengthened like running or biking could never do. Lost about 7 lbs. without the recommended diet. Lower back issues gone for now. It is hard at times making a judgement wether to exercise or rest when you are already exhausted -(beneficial or not). This fact is something we all deal with as aviators. Insanity does make it easier for me to choose exercise. I can do it in the hotel quickly, even on short layovers and often only do it 4 times/week now and it is a more challenging workout than running for me.