It’s been nearly 2 decades since the launch of P90X, yet people all over the world are still excited to improve their fitness using this method. Here’s why the leading workout program by BODi is nowhere near slowing down.
In 2005, P90X burst onto the scene and changed the face of home fitness. At a time where in-person workout classes and visits to the gym set the standard, BODi (formerly known as Beachbody) launched the one-of-a-kind home workout program led by super trainer Tony Horton.
With over 11 million copies sold worldwide, P90X quickly became a household name, proving that working out and achieving results could be done from anywhere—even at home. Standing for Power 90 Extreme, the robust workout program, was created after the success of the original Power 90 fitness program, designed to help individuals drastically transform their bodies in as little as just 3 months.
Using a combination of bodyweight exercises and interval training, P90X meets people where they are and gives them the opportunity to work with what they have—a big part of the reason the program’s become so successful.
“With 140 million overweight adults just in the US, there’s plenty of people who want to find a workout that appeals to their schedule, convenience, and interests, and we’re always trying to find a way to help them get there,” says Co-Founder and CEO of BODi, Carl Daikeler.
Daikeler shares that P90X was born of necessity and personal experience, as he, who admits to disliking both working out and eating healthy, needed a program that would help him get in shape within a specific amount of time.
“This was a consequence of my own problem because I eat like a second grader and have no problem skipping a workout, so unless I’ve got a more short-term mindset, I have a very hard time staying consistent,” he says.
As it turns out, this is something that a lot of people relate to. Many individuals don’t have the time to go to the gym because they have kids or work a busy job, so the option to pop in a quick workout DVD became all the more appealing. “This is what we’ve been catering to,” says Daikeler, “people who prefer to workout at home, who don’t want to work out at the gym with a trainer, but need a system.”
The team at BODi created that system, allowing people to commit themselves to a short-term program, which is different from the gym or other fitness companies which demand a daunting long-term consistency. “It’s about the mindset of, ‘let me tick off another workout,” Daikeler says, “that really is magic for people who don’t naturally love working out.”
However, P90X didn’t achieve mainstream success right away. In 2005 when it first launched, Daikeler revealed “a lot of people, particularly men, scoffed at the idea of in-home workouts.”
“We had to produce it in a way that was immediately legitimate and looked cool,” he continues. The BODi team eschewed typical workout attire such as spandex and adopted a more relatable look consisting of things like boots, camouflage shorts and torn t-shirts.
But despite the innovative approach, P90X didn’t win over too many people. The program underwent two years of rigorous testing and faced internal doubts within the company. However, persistence paid off. By 2007, P90X reached brand new heights, cementing its place as a groundbreaking program.
“By 2007, P90X took off, and we never looked back,” says Daikeler. “We would see people writing down the moves to P90X so they could take it to the gym. We also had schools and gym teachers reach out to us because this concept really helped them do their jobs,” he says.
Daikeler shares how BODi prioritizes making fitness programs that are not only effective but super entertaining, which has also helped it become so successful: “One of the things that we do is we select talent for their ability to be unique and interesting so that it’s as much entertainment as it is fitness. Tony Horton, as an ex-comedian, just makes it so fun.”
Initially available on DVD only, P90X has since adapted to digital formats, making it more accessible to a broader audience. Users can now stream workouts on various devices, allowing them to exercise anytime, anywhere. This “complete flexibility” is particularly appealing to those with busy schedules or who frequently travel.
P90X’s success ultimately led to the creation of more challenging workouts, such as INSANITY, which was marketed as the hardest fitness program ever put on video—with a unique money-back guarantee for those who couldn’t finish it.
Today, BODi continues to push limits while simultaneously meeting people where they are. Their continued innovation has helped keep the P90X program fresh and alive nearly 20 years since its inception.
New iterations of the program, such as P90X2 and P90X3, each build on the original program’s success while incorporating the latest fitness trends and scientific advancements. These updates ensure that P90X remains at the forefront of the home fitness industry.
To learn more about P90X, BODi, or any of their other programs, visit their website today!
Published by: Nelly Chavez