Since I get asked all of the time, I thought I’d go ahead and list the equipment and supplements you’ll need for P90X.

1) A Place To Do Pull Ups

Beachbody has a pull up/chin up bar designed especially for the P90X program. It mounts to any standard size interior doorway. It’s $44.95 plus shipping. It’s really nice and a good deal for the money. You can check it out in the Million Dollar Body Store by clicking here.

2) A Good Yoga Mat

I can’t stress enough how important a good yoga mat is. You’ll be using this for yoga, “Ab Ripper X”, and some of the other workouts. A poor mat can leave your tailbone exposed to a hard floor. Speaking of tailbones, some people will even want MORE padding when doing Ab Ripper X. I know some folks that fold a towel a few times and lay it under their tailbone. Since my own tailbone is pretty bony, I’ll use a pillow on top of the mat sometimes. Hey, whatever works!

Ok, enough about sensitive tailbones. Check out the Manduka Mat that Million Dollar Body carries. You can see it in the MDB store by clicking here. It will be listed under “accessories”.

3) Dumbells and/or Resistance Bands

People ask me all of the time, which is better, dumbbells or resistance bands. I tell them both. Each has advantages.

I use selectable dumbbells called Versabells. They can be ‘quick-changed’ between 10 and 50 pounds. I paid $299 online with shipping included + a stand.

Here’s another set I’m liking better each time I see them. Actually, I like them even more than the Versa’s. They are the Bow flex Select-Tech 552’s. They are NICE. Sears online has them for $299 currently. There is no shipping if you pick them up at the store. Some readers have told me that Sears is giving a $25 discount currently, making the purchase price actually $274.

Women won’t need the 50 pound set (well, most women). Wal-Mart has a pretty good (and very inexpensive) set of selectables that go up to 20 or 25 pounds. Check them out. Individual dumbbells are also an option for both men and women. They can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, etc. Don’t forget ‘Play It Again Sports’ and any other second hand sports shops. They usually have some deals on used dumbbells. For all of the P90X workouts, 50 pounds is generally enough weight for me. On a couple exercises, such as “Lawnmowers”, I could probably do 80-100+ pounds. It’s really not worth trying to get dumbbells this big for one or two exercises Simply use less weight and do more reps. for those exercises.

Resistance bands can be used throughout P90X in place of the dumbbells. In fact, one of Tony’s “kids” (as he calls them…his workout buddies in the P90X workouts) will be demonstrating the exercise using a resistance band. Million Dollar Body carries “B Lines” resistance bands. I use them and like them a lot. I’ll work in and out of exercises using both dumbbells and bands. The Bicep workout is a good example. Most of the exercises are ‘repeats’. This means you’ll do 3 or 4 sets and then come back and repeat the sequence again. I’ll do the first set with dumbbells and then use the bands on the second round. In bicep curls, one thing I like about the dumbbells is that you can really turn the wrists inwards and SQUEEZE the muscle. It’s hard to turn the wrists using bands.

You can check out the B-Lines resistance bands in the MDB store by clicking here. They will be listed under “accessories” once you’re inside the store.

5) Heart Rate Monitor

Beachbody recommends that you use a heart rate monitor to gauge your intensity and progress during workouts. They have a nice monitor made by Reebok in the MDB store.

6) Yoga Blocks

These are also recommended by Beachbody/Million Dollar Body to use during Yoga. The blocks offer added support to assist with balance while holding certain poses. The MDB store carries them.

7) Body Fat Tester

This will give you an accurate reading on your body fat throughout the program. These are available in the MDB store.
Push Up Stands

I love push up stands. After having 3 surgeries on my wrist for torn ligaments, I can’t do regular pushups without pain. The stands take all of the pressure off of my wrists. You can find Tony Horton’s Powerstands and one other set of push up stands in the Million Dollar Body Store by clicking here.

Supplements I Recommend:

1) Beachbody Peak Recovery Formula: Very Important! Don’t Miss!

I’m yet to find another product on the market comparable to the Beachbody Peak Recovery Formula. We know from extensive scientific research that there is an approximate 60 minute window of opportunity following exercise when muscle cells are primed to repair, rebuild, and adapt from a hard workout. The P90X recovery drink was designed to provide the precise nutrients you’ll need to achieve maximum results from your p90X workout. Proper post workout nutrition is a KEY FACTOR in your success with P90X! Folks, these workouts are WAY too hard to be skipping here!

I’m yet to find another product on the market that is better suited to provide maximum glycogen replenishment and muscle re-synthesis. And this stuff tastes unbelievably good!

Ingredients include protein, creatine, L-Glutamine, and L-Argenine. Ladies, don’t worry about the creatine making you “bulky’ either. It’s only about 500 mg…about 10% of a normal serving of creatine. It’s there to enhance performance without adding bulk.

I know some people who are trying to mix up their own concoctions using whey protein powder, Gatorade, creatine, L-Glutamine, etc. Well, #1…these concoctions PROBABLY don’t taste that great. #2, they probably take a little time to mix up. #3.. Why try to re-invent the wheel? We’re talking $39.95 for a month’s supply. Actually…since you only need the recovery formula after HARD workouts (I don’t take it after Yoga or StretchX) it lasts longer than a month. When you add up the prices of ingredients for the homemade drinks, the Beachbody Peak Recovery Formula really is a no brainer. I love it. I could drink it all day out of a barrel if I could!

You will find the Peak Recovery Formula in the MDB store by clicking here. Click on the “Nutrition tab” once inside the store.

2) P90X Peak Health Formula Vitamins: Very Important!

These vitamins are pretty incredible. You take 6 “easy to swallow” pills each day. It’s a high potency multivitamin + so much more. It has immune support, energy support, cardiovascular support, memory and nerve support, anti-aging support, anti-stress support, & support for skin, hair, and nails.

I’ve taken these performance vitamins since day 1 of p90X. They have made a world of difference in my days. Prior to P90x, I had this period between 5 to 6pm that I would get tired and feel as though I needed a nap. Since switching from a regular multivitamin to this mega-pack…I’m yet to feel that late afternoon “lag”. I’m energized daily. this allows me to plow right through the workouts and still have energy to answer all of your emails!

You will find the Peak Recovery Formula in the MDB store by clicking here. Click on the “Nutrition tab” once inside the store.

3) Whey Protein Powder: Very Important!

P90X demands A LOT from your body. You have to fuel it with enough protein. Protein is a key component in your first 30 days of p90X. Protein is harder for the body to break down. As it is working harder to break the protein down, it has to burn more calories. There’s a novel idea…Have the body burn calories while you’re doing nothing! Brilliant! Great Suggestion is the Shakology, I has all you will need in a drink.

You will find the Beachbody Whey Protein Powder in the MDB store by clicking here. Click on the “Nutrition tab” once inside the store.

4) P90X Peak Performance Protein Bars

The P90X Nutrition Guide calls for performance bars during your first 60 of the 90 days. They are phased out in the last 30 days. The main thing with an energy protein bar is to find something you like. I love the “Mocha” bars that Beachbody has. When I first started P90X, my bars hadn’t come in yet. I went to the grocery store and picked up a few to hold me over. These things tasted like chewing shoe heel. I was pleasantly surprised when I tried the mocha bars. They tasted great and I actually looked forward to them each day.

You will find the Peak Performance Protein Bars in the MDB store by clicking here. Click on the “Nutrition tab” once inside the store.

Other Supplements

Above, I’ve listed all of the supplements I’ve used with P90X. Other highly praised supplements include their Activit Fat Burning/Toning Formulas, Meal Replacement Shakes, and Slimming Formula. I know others that use and love all of these.

Rich Grzyb is an Independent Million Dollar Body Fitness Coach