The quick and easy answer is Yes, but we all know gaining mass is neither quick nor easy. I am sure you have heard me say before that P90X was not designed as a mass gaining program. It is a fitness program designed to get you in the best overall shape. Which means getting the most gains in specific areas like speed, strength, flexibility, and muscle growth. I still feel that doing the classic program this is the best way to get in the overall best shape of your life but If you are looking for mass gain only then keep reading.
Gaining mass with P90X involves tailoring the program and nutrition to fit those goals. This is one of the things that make P90X such a great program…the fact that you CAN tailor it. A big misconception from non-believers is that P90X can only make you lose weight…that is just not true. I started at 150lbs and at 17% body fat. After my 90 days were done I had dropped to 8% body fat and gained around 10lbs. Was this huge mass gain? No, it wasn’t “bodybuilder” huge, but it was significant. And I wasn’t even trying to gain mass. The point is that it can work for whatever your fitness goal happens to be.
Who should try tailoring P90X for mass?
Keys to gaining Mass with P90X
The Schedule:
Before you start, make sure you recognize the proper reps in each phase. Also you will see a lack of the highly intense Cardio routines. This schedule won’t burn as many calories as classic P90X. If you are looking to burn body fat while gaining mass, then this might not be for you. What you can do is use the Sprint 8 HIIT technique a couple times a week if you want to add more cardio. This schedule focuses on resistance and recovery. You break down your muscles working out but you need recovery in order to let them grow.
You will not have to keep pace with the videos. You should pause for a brief time when necessary. Do not, however, use the pause button simply to increase the time between exercises. Do each set to failure (if you can add enough resistance; if not, get as close as you can), and don’t exceed your targeted number of reps. Make sure you use good form and control each movement. Speed is for pure power, not size. So here is the Mass X schedule, courtesy of Steve Edwards:
Targeted number of reps: 8 to 12 (focus on 10 to 12)
Targeted number of reps: 8 to 12 (focus on 8 to 10)
Targeted number of reps: 6 to 10
Same schedule as weeks 8 and 9
Targeted number of reps: 4 to 8
Same schedule as weeks 8 and 9
Targeted number of reps: 4 to 6
Gaining mass with P90X is completely possible if you pay close attention to your nutrition, supplements and use the proper weight. If you follow the schedule listed above, apply a clean, high calorie eating plan and take the proper supplements than you will gains mass with P90X. Please feel free to comment or visit me on Facebook with any questions. You can also email me at scal11083@beachbodycoach.com
Looking to Lose Fat and Gain Muscle? Sign up for ME as your Free Fitness Coach Today!
[...] getting great feedback from my first post, Gaining Mass with P90X, I wanted to follow it up with a sample meal plan that one might expect if they want to get serious [...]
[...] should be worrying about when your goal is to gain mass with a program like P90X. My first post, Gaining Mass with P90X, talks about the important basics to mass gain. It shows rep range, weight, nutrition, intensity [...]