P90X: Plyometrics

[Polish_Power]

I received a copy of the Plyo X DVD from a friend and tried it a few days ago and it's a pretty intense cardio session. I'm sick of the same old cardio- running, bike, elliptical. It's about 50 mins long so it's a rather long cardio session but I do get some BCAAs in before I start.

Is this consider HIIT?

How many times a week should I do this to lose some fat but still maintain muscle? (I believe P90X program recommends once a week)

Keep it seperate from days with weights?

Thanks in advance.

[Robyn81478]

Originally Posted by Polish_Power

Is this consider HIIT?

I have the p90x DVD's too, but I haven't tried anything but the abs yet. When you ask if this is HIIT...I wouldn't think so. HIIT is high intensity INTERVALS and from what I've seen/heard about these DVD's there is no cycle in the intensity. It's just all out intense. My husband did the Kenpo cardio DVD last night for 25 minutes and said it kicked his ass the entire time. Not to mention I think 50 minutes of HIIT would make you vomit. I've gotten sick after 15 minutes of HIIT.....

Originally Posted by Polish_Power

How many times a week should I do this to lose some fat but still maintain muscle? (I believe P90X program recommends once a week)

I guess all of that would depend on how many other days a week you plan on doing any other cardio. Are you looking to just do this program and no other kinds of cardio? I think mostly you just have to find what works for you. I prefer cardio daily at this point because I'm ok with losing a little muscle at this time and building it back up later. I know others feel it should be no more than 3 times a week.

Originally Posted by Polish_Power

Keep it seperate from days with weights?

Some people do their cardio on different days than weights, others don't. I believe what is recomended if you must do them in the same day is one in the morning, the other in the evening. I myself have always lifted and then done cardio after. But, being a female just interested in having a nice tone body, my goals are probably different than yours. Hopefully someone else can chime in about that.

[waynaferd]

I always do cardio first thing in the morning before eating or after lifting....Dunno's if I'd go for 50 minutes, though.

[HammerTech]

If you're going to do something like this, I'd not do it on a lifting day - just my 2 cents. This sounds like much more than hopping on the elliptical for 15 minutes after lifting.

[iko172202]

Originally Posted by HammerTech

If you're going to do something like this, I'd not do it on a lifting day - just my 2 cents. This sounds like much more than hopping on the elliptical for 15 minutes after lifting.

100% agree. I have done the plyometrics dvd (and the rest of them) and it is not a cardio you should do on a weight day. Plyo is tuff and intense and long. If you lift first then do this, you wont last through the whole workout and if you do plyo first then you'll be gassed for weights. Save all your energy for one or the other. I would say no more than 2 times a week, thats two full hours of intense cardio (which is too much IMO)

and no, this is not HIIT at all. It is intense but not HIIT intense.

[Polish_Power]

Thanks for all the responses. I will keep it to no more than twice a week.

[Robyn81478]

I just did this DVD. Wow. It ain't no joke. Definetly isn't HIIT, but it's rough. I've got legs to do tomorrow and I don't know if I'm gonna be able. My legs are jello. I think I picked a bad day to do this workout. Though I do feel pretty accomplished in the cardio area. And there's no way in hell I'd try to lift on the same day. I don't think it would even be possible...unless you want to lift girly weight...lol.

[jacked475]

I've been meaning to try P90X for a while now. Is is really that effective? and does it tell you how to cycle through the different workout DVD's?