Body Beast vs P90X: Which Should You Do?

Editor’s note: Updated to reflect BODi’s current subscription-based access — both programs are streamed through the BODi app rather than sold as separate DVD sets.

You’ve decided that you want to get into shape, grow strength, bulk up and lose weight, and your dedication is at a maximum. Two of the best workout programs out there that will give you the results you want, without a doubt, are Body Beast or P90X. Both are notorious for being super intense, and your dedication has to be high to get the job done — I’d like to help you make your decision by giving you some valuable information on each program, and how they differ.

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Body Beast vs P90X — Which Is Better?

Both programs are put out by Beachbody, but with different trainers. Tony Horton teams up with Beachbody to give you P90X — an extreme workout regime paired with a nutrition plan. Sagi Kalev, “Mr. Israel,” teamed up with Beachbody to give you Body Beast. With two quality trainers like these, you know you’re getting quality workout programs and you will get results.

Those who have done both workouts say P90X is a killer program — very difficult, with one of the workouts running 90 minutes. Workouts range from 40-90 minutes each, and you’ll have a trainer pushing you to the limit and beyond.

On the other hand, Body Beast is intense and challenging, with 30-40 minute workouts. Although Body Beast is not quite as intense as P90X, make no mistake, you will be training at your maximum level with amazingly quick results. Most people interviewed say you are more likely to finish Body Beast than you are P90X. On a scale of difficulty from 1-10, P90X would be a 10, while Body Beast would be about a 5.

Nutritional Help on Each Program

When checking out the nutritional help for each program, they’re pretty much equal — each one gives you a meal plan to follow that ups your caloric intake for the amount of calories you burn, while allowing your body to build lean muscle mass.

Do You Need to Purchase Extra Equipment?

With the P90X program you will get 12 workouts, a 3 three-phase nutrition plan, supplement options, detailed fitness guide, a progress calendar, and a quick overview. You will need to purchase a chin-up bar, set of dumbbells, resistance band and a mat.

With the Body Beast program you will have 12 workouts, extensive nutritional plan, workout calendar, and suggested supplements to take. You will need to purchase adjustable dumbbells, weight bench or stability ball, EZ curl bar, pull up bar or resistance bands and a yoga mat.

You’ll need roughly the same amount of extra equipment for either program. If you already have your home gym put together, you’re probably set to do either workout. It’s best to make sure your dumbbells go up to or over 50 lbs, because you’ll always be increasing the weight you work with as you bulk up and get stronger.

The Science and Schedules of Each Program

Body Beast

Body Beast is set up into 3 phases: Build, Bulk, and Beast. You’ll spend about a month on each phase, following a designed meal plan — you’ll be consuming a lot of calories, but it’s necessary to build muscle and keep your body healthy. The exercise sets engage more active muscle fibers, which boosts natural testosterone levels — this causes the micro-damage to the muscle that’s necessary for growth as the body repairs itself. You’ll be steadily increasing the weight you lift and building muscle mass throughout.

The workout schedule breaks down into: Chest and Triceps, Back and Biceps, Legs, Shoulders, Beast Cardio and Abs for the first phases, then Back, Chest, Shoulders, Arms, Legs, Abs and Cardio for the next — six workouts per week, mixing up all the workouts above for the final phase that tones and defines your muscles while keeping the bulk.

P90X

With P90X you’re constantly introduced to new moves and routines so your body doesn’t get used to the same old thing and plateau — this technique is called muscle confusion and allows your body to accelerate its growth. Each workout is extremely intense and diverse, with a great warm-up routine, focusing on a certain part of the body and its muscle groups to accelerate their growth. Along with the nutrition plan, you’re looking at a lot of hard work but great success. P90X also offers more cardio workouts than Body Beast, if that’s a concern for you.

The P90X DVDs break down into: Chest and Back (push-up and pull-up concentration), Plyometrics (30 explosive moves, intensive cardio), Shoulders and Arms (curling, pressing, and fly movements), Yoga X (strength, flexibility, coordination, breath control), Legs and Back (squat, lunge, and pull-up), Kenpo X (kicking and punching for flexibility and endurance), X Stretch (full body stretch), Core Synergistics (multiple muscle groups for core strength), Chest/Shoulder/Triceps (presses, flys, extensions), Back and Biceps (curls and presses), Cardio X (low-impact cardio), and Ab Ripper X (movements unique for the abdominal wall).

As you can see from the workout descriptions, you are going to be working every muscle in your body, building strength, endurance, flexibility, and muscle definition whether you decide to do Body Beast or P90X.

So, What Is the Best Extreme Workout?

We have looked at the science around each program, equipment needed, intensity of the programs nutritional support, and the trainers or creators of the workouts. Since you are almost guaranteed success with each, I think it comes down to just how hard you want to work and the level of intensity you thrive on.

One person I interviewed has done both workouts with success in each. He says: “Body Beast is my go-to workout every spring, but both are so dang motivational and successful.” Whatever you decide, be proud of your accomplishment when you finish — give it your all.