What Is the Difference Between P90X & Power 90?

Power 90 and P90X are both home workout programs created by Tony Horton and marketed by Beachbody. While the two workouts share a number of similarities, they are distinct programs designed for different people. Understand the key differences between these programs before deciding if one of them is right for you.

  1. Who They're For

    • According to the P90X Fitness Guide, P90X is not intended for people who are out of shape. Before doing the program you should be in reasonably good shape and able to pass the P90X fit test -- a series of exercises pulled from the videos. Power 90, on the other hand, is intended to help you get in shape if you aren't already. Beachbody recommends starting with Power 90 if you aren't ready for P90X. Before starting either program, however, you should consult your doctor.

    The Workouts

    • Power 90 features six workouts in total. There are three types of workouts in the videos: strength training, cardio and core exercises. There are two videos for each type, one at a lower intensity and one at a higher intensity. For instance the cardio workouts included the easier "Cardio 1-2" and the more difficult "Cardio 3-4." P90X includes 12 workouts including strength training, an ab workout, a martial-arts-inspired workout, yoga and plyometrics.

    What You Need

    • The Power 90 program requires a few basic pieces of equipment. You'll need a set of dumbbells or resistance bands for the strength training routines and a yoga mat for floor exercises. You'll need this equipment for P90X as well, but P90X also requires a pullup bar. Both programs recommend using a heart rate monitor for the cardio workouts and suggest using optional pushup bars when doing pushups.

    Schedules

    • Both programs follow a 13-week, or 90-day, schedule. In Power 90 you do three cardio workouts per week and three strength training routines. You do your ab workouts on the same day as the strength training workouts. You are supposed to transition from the easier workouts to the more difficult versions whenever you are looking for an increased challenge. With P90X there are three schedule options. The "classic" schedule includes an even mix of resistance workouts and cardio, while the "lean schedule," which is designed for weight loss, includes more cardio and less resistance training. The "doubles" schedule is designed for people looking for a greater challenge. It adds extra cardio workouts on top of the "classic" schedule.