p90x and 70.3 training?

There are several issues you mention:

1) Weight loss
2) Core strength
3) Training for 70.3

Whether or not p90x will help you reach those goals depends upon a number of things.

The most important item is whether or not you can handle the total training load. If you follow it "by the book", you are adding 1-1 1/2 hours of very intense exercise 6 or 7 days a week. Even the "off" days are somewhat difficult, like yoga and kempo. Fun, but still challenging. Just as you wouldn't plan to jump into a tri training program at 8 hours per week with no with minimal recent training (say going from 2 hours a week to 8 hours a week...to big of a jump!) You need to have the same consideration for taking your 70.3 training plan of X hrs per week (6-10 right now??) and adding another 6-8 hours on top of that.

Can you recover from that and still get quality out of yoru p90x workouts?

Regarding weight loss...the people you see on TV are real (I know one of them), but the result syou see on TV and on the website don't happen without the accompanying nutrition program, which has 3 phases. the first 4 weeks are somewhat carb and calorie restricted. When I followed it I was very tired and fatigued and had headaches...but I got great results. There is an adjustment phse as your body figures out what's going on. The 2nd month the carbs go up, as do total calories, as do the intensity of the workouts.

Unless you follow the nutrition plan in a simlar way, you will not be "cutting weight" the way you see the folks on the commercials doing.

Since weight loss is nothing more than a net defecit of calories, there are a number of ways you can either 1) increase your expediture or 2) decrease your net calories.

but you still have to be able to fuel your tri endurance training.

My thought si that for your goals, followign the p90x plan would not be the best way to make use of the rpogram...but taking some of the core videos (Ab Ripper x and Core Synergistics) and adding those a few times a week to your training would be a great addition.

Regarding the diet, you'll have to experiment with how much and what kind of fuel will help you reach your weight loss goal...while keeping track of whether the combination of training and weight loss is resulting in faster paces or increased power...or if your weight loss actually results in a loss of power.

IMO, for a May event, it's too late to do p90x. it would be a great program to start after your transition period at teh end of your race season...and then continue to incorporate only the workouts that you feel are benefiting you for tri training later in the year/season

I agree with Bear ^^, I see it as a good year-end, off-season training program. I wouldn't try the whole program while training for a 70.3 (note: I've neither completed p90X NOR trained for a 70.3, so take that FWIW!). Focus on tri right now, nail down your nutrition, make sure you are looking at your body and not the scale, and kick the beejezus outta your HIM. Worry about p90X in the off-season.

And good luck in May!

I'm in HIM training for a HIM at the end of March. I would love to do a P90X training concurrent with HIM training and would if I had more time during the week - I think I could handle the training volume. But with my traveling and limited time, I can train only about 10 hours / week and need to devote that to HIM.

Edited by greyg8r 2010-01-29 9:39 AM

I agree with the others, adding 6-8 hrs a week of intense training is going to be difficult, unless time is no factor, i.e. you have no job.  HIM training takes quite a bit of time as it is. 

I can't see how you'd have any chance of having enough recovery time doing both at the same time.  From a pure time perspective maybe you could pull it off, but remember that recovery is a critical piece of training.

Doing the p90x program by the book would be tough to mix with 70.3 training. 

However, the workouts are great.  I am currently in marathon training mode so I'm doing tons of running right now.  After the mary I have 12 weeks for the HIM.  I an currently doing and will continue to do the P90x workouts.  In training mode I cut out the Plyo, Kenpo and Legs, to me it feels like over kill.  Though they are great workouts and good (rainyday) fill-ins.

My long runs are on Sunday ( brick-day in 70.3 mode), and I do the Yoga X before work Monday to get loose and Chest and Back Monday night. Tuesday Morning Core Synergy and Arms Tuesday night.  The two days of cross-training really helps me recover after the long run.

Wednesday-Friday is tri-training, Usually, Wed swim/run, Thurs bike/run, friday off or make-up day.  Saturday is my long bike. 

This is my big concern with P90x and CF, as those workouts are tough and I dont see how most people could train at that intensity AND the right intensity for tri training. Like many things, without the focus I suspect you compromise both. I'm hoping to grab a set of the DVDs soon and do some of the workouts, but suspect I will save it until Q4 this year after the season has finished. It sounds like a perfect off-season programme when tri training volumes are lower.

The program by the book is intense, especially if you do doubles with the full nutrition plan. 

However, the workouts by themselves not following a specific plan are an hour for the most part, done at home so its quick, some resistance, some cardio, some stretching. 6 days, Chest/Back (r), Plyo(c), Arms (r), Yoga (s), Legs (r), Kenpo (c).  Tri - specific train is gonna take care of you cardio.  If your doing any resistance training or weight training in addition to your HIM / IM plan its probably 2 times a week at the gym.  The resistance workout disks give you a great 1 hour routine and it will take the place of your normal resistance days. You'll have 5 or 6  at home, quick and easy, workouts to choose from.  I think P90x is a great resource to add resistance or take the place of your current resistance days.  The disks push you through a workout with minimal rest.  I'm pretty good in the gym normally, its hard to gethere all the time and its time consuming; but  I notice that since I've done the disks I'm much more efficient and get more done faster at home and at the gym.  On my rest day I do the yoga, never was a fan but its a great routine, and if you get bored of the same routine or its too challenging initially there is a basic stretch disk too.

I think the disks themselves are a great addition to Tri training.   I highly reccommend 2-3 p90x upper body resistance workouts per week along side your tri - endurance training.

Thanks for all the great feedback.  I think that instead of doing the program, ill do two workouts a week to add strength & core but not do it by the books (ie 6days a week 1-2hrs a day).  I think that I can add a couple hours a week without too much detriment. 

I use the P90X workout to keep things interesting but I don't depend on them for my basic training. 
I did the Yoga workout last week.  It was long, about an hour and a half, but I felt great afterwards.  Was perfect for my Monday strength&stretch day for the Half Mary program I'm following. 

good idea.  it would put tremendous strain on your HIM s/b/r workouts.

don't forget ur recovery training,  that is what will make u faster. 

Who has that much time?

I am training for a half ironman in June and have done the P90x program in the past.  I love it and have been incorporating it into my training by just doing maybe 30 min. of shoulders and arms one day and then doing 30 min of legs and back another.  By doing this, I can strengthen the muscles I'll be using during the races and yet still have energy to continue my training.

I ran a marathon in October (chicago), took a week off and then did a round of P90X to get ready for triathlon training.  I feel like it prepared me for tri training (especially swimming) by increasing my upper body and core strength.  Would the time be better spent doing actual s/b/r?  Probably, but I feel and look better so it's a confidence builder.

I agree completely with the diet thing...I cannot reduce carbs and do any kind of exercise much less running and/or biking.  Currently I s/b/r 7 hours a week and do 2 or 3 P90X strength workouts and feel I'm in the best shape of my life.  I'm loosely following the 'Zone' diet which provides carbs but through fruit and veggies (no/low grains).  I have no 'bonking' issues on rides or runs up to 90 minutes.