Comments on: How to Gain Muscle Mass with P90X

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:57:05 +0000

Robert,
We are going to do it exactly how you have it set up above which from my understanding of what you are saying above is the Hybrid program. I checked out the Body Beast website and it sounds like pretty much what we are trying to do. We’ll go ahead and knock this program out and wait for the other one to come out. There has been a small percentage of baseball players that are shying away from the traditional weight room routine and getting into programs like this. I’ll keep ya updated Robert. Last quick question. Is it okay to take in more carbs in the morning and less carbs in my lunch meal or dinner meal? Or should it be like that anyway?

By: Robert Harden

Robert Harden — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:54:04 +0000

Chris,

Chest & Back is repeated twice.

Shoulders & Arms is repeated twice. (Although its slightly different, you don’t go 1-12 moves, and repeat. You do the first 3 moves, repeat those, next 3 moves repeat. But you do them all twice, just like Chest & Back).

Legs & Back you repeat twice.

Chest, Shoulders, & Tris is a straight 24 moves, no repeat.

Back & Biceps is a straight 24.

I just assumed you were starting with Chest & Back, because that is how the regular P90X round starts. The hybrid starts with Chest, Shoulders, & Tris. Hope this helps!

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:37:42 +0000

Hey Robert what do you mean by round one and round two? I watched the first video Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps just to see how it was set up. I only saw one set for each exercise and I don’t believe he ever came back to it. Did I miss where he came back to each exercise or are we suppose to pause the video and do a second set after the first set? I hope this makes sense how I explained it. Thanks again for taking the time out to help!

By: Robert Harden

Robert Harden — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:38:11 +0000

I might add for everyone that has commented or is reading comments. A new program called Body Beast will be coming out soon by Beachbody. Look at the information top right of this page. Sign up for the newsletter to catch more information as its available. This program is going to be designed specifically for adding mass!

By: Robert Harden

Robert Harden — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:36:12 +0000

Chris, This rotation was created or provided by Steve Edwards, Beachbody advisor. I think the idea is how to best modify P90X to obtain added lean muscle mass. The way P90X was designed was not initially intended as a mass building program. So this rotation works within the workouts provided in the program. When someone asked if bench press could be added, the answer I advised was yes, only because I believe people should modify as they see what works best for them. My usual advise is to try it “as is” first, and then modify to suit you personally second. Without at least doing the “original” how would you know it doesn’t work. I think that question was also asked because its hard to reach failure on a low rep pushup, so if a bench is available and that’s what you decide, go for it. I personally like adding a weighted vest to pushups. I feel it engages my core strength more than a bench. Again, personal preference. They also make resistance bands that work specifically for pushups as well. I’d recommend trying the rotation first, and then modify as you go.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:44:21 +0000

Thanks for the above info Robert. Couple other quick simple questions for you. I thought that during hypertrophy you should be doing 3 to 4 sets. I’m not saying your wrong by doing only two sets, I’d just like to know the reason for only doing two sets instead of the traditional 3 or 4 sets that way I can understand it and explain it to several other players that are doing it with me? Last thing is that I read in some other post where people substituted other exercises in for another exercise. Example one person said they asked if they could put bench press in instead of push ups and you said yes. With what I’m trying to do gain mass and strength would you recommend the same or any other substitutions for me? Thanks for the help Robert!

By: Robert Harden

Robert Harden — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:26:11 +0000

Hey Chris, thanks for writing in. The weight workouts run in 2 rounds. First round and second round. As far as reps are concerned, lets look at Block 1, Phase 1 (weeks 1-3), targeted number of reps: 8 to 12 (focus on 10 to 12). So you’ll pick a weight and go for 10, if you get 12, you need to add more weight next round. On Block 1, phase 2, (weeks 4-6), it states 8-12 (focus on 8 to 10 this time). That means your new target is 8 reps, but if you get to 10, you need to add weight. You’ll continue this approach throughout the workout. If the target is 6-10, aim for 6, but when you get to 8, I’d add weight. Hope this helps! Let me know how you do!

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:27:03 +0000

Robert,
I play professional baseball for the past 6 years and want to try something new than just being in the weightroom every day. Several other of my teammates have said they did P90X in the off season and liked it. I’m 6’1 and 195lbs. I’m somewhat lean and very big and strong in my legs. My upper body is what needs the strength and SIZE. Never done P90X but because of what I do I’m in pretty good shape I would like to think and that is why I want to jump into your above Mass program because I don’t really need to lean up. Just wanted to give you a little background on myself so it might be easier for you to answer my questions. If I’m wanting to put on size I should follow the above program outlined correct? I see you have 12 to 8 reps per set, how many sets are we suppose to do or do we follow to amount of the sets in the video? So if there are three sets should we go 12 reps first set, 10 reps second set, and 8 reps third set? Will this program help me to have strength gains as well because I need strength gains also? I have several other questions for you if you don’t mind but I’ll wait till you have time to answer these questions which are the more important questions for me first. Thanks so much for the info and I tried reading most of the older post to get answers first!

By: Robert Harden

Robert Harden — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:39:51 +0000

TSW, I would guess that it’s not as good at adding mass as the other workouts. Just speculation, this is not a rotation I created, but I trust that Steve Edwards at Beachbody had a reason for making the schedule as is.

By: TSW

TSW — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:58:32 +0000

Why isn’t there more Core Synergistics days in this program? I’m a big fan of doing those workouts.