What Happens if You Don't Do All of the P90X Workouts?

P90X is a 90-day workout program. That's 13 straight weeks of working out consistently, which can be a long time to stay on track. Do your best to stick to the schedule, but don't panic if you miss some of your workouts. Just understand the consequences of missing workouts and know what to do to make the best of it.

  1. Missing an Occasional Workout

    • Missing a workout once in a while isn't a major problem. In fact, according to Tony Horton, the creator of P90X, an extra day off can actually be good for your body. According to Horton you can simply pick up where you left off in the schedule. This means that the 90-day program will take a few more days to complete, but you'll still get all the same benefits.

    Missing Weeks

    • According to Horton, an extended absence from the program will have much more significant effects. If you miss a week or more you can expect your progress to slip and you may need to repeat some of the workouts that you've already done instead of just picking up where you left off. As Horton says, "if you miss two weeks of exercise, it will take at least that long to get back to where you left off." So if you were on Week 6 of the program, for example, and you missed two weeks, going back to Week 4 will help you get back on track.

    Skipping Workouts

    • While delaying your workouts is an option, according to the "P90X Fitness Guide," skipping them is not. Your results will suffer if you don't stick to the schedule, according to the guide. This means that you won't get as toned or shed as much extra body fat as you would otherwise. The only workout that can be skipped is the optional "X Stretch." This routine is merely a series of stretches, and according to the "P90X Fitness Guide" you can opt for a rest day instead, but you can't expect to improve your flexibility as much if you skip it.

    Modifying the Program

    • Modify your P90X schedule instead of skipping workouts if you're struggling with the program. P90X offers three different workout schedules for people of varying fitness levels. Consider the "lean" schedule if you find the program difficult. The lean schedule doesn't have any fewer workouts than the classic schedule, but it replaces some of the high-intensity weight training routines with easier cardio workouts. Also, in the "Plyometrics" video, Horton suggests doing "Cardio X" in its place if you are not ready for a high-impact workout.