Fitness for Less: The real cost of P90X

When asked “How much does P90X cost?” I’m always a little surprised that people flinch. “P90X cost is $120! That’s too rich for my blood,” they’ll say as they suck down their daily $4 latte (which ironically is a $120/month habit). The problem is that people don’t break down the price over time (I’ve already taught you this principle when figuring out the true cost of Shakeology). Yes, the P90X cost is $120 up front. But that’s one time and the workouts are yours to keep … forever. And unlike that latte, the workouts get cheaper over time. While the same principles hold true for any home fitness program you buy, we’re going to take a look at P90X as an example.

Before we go any further…

Some of you skeptics out there are already thinking, “Of course he wants us to buy a home fitness program… he won’t make any money off my YMCA membership.” I get that. I’m a skeptic too.

I’m also big on being smart with my money. So much so that I wrote Fitness for Less: Tips for keeping costs down, Save Money While Getting Fit, and Boost Your Savings While Building Your Home Gym to help you do the same. So the best you can, squash your inner-skeptic. You’ll soon see, the numbers don’t lie.

P90X Cost broken down

P90X lasts 90 days (hence the “90”). There are 6 workouts a week and it spans over the course of 13 weeks. 6 x 13 = 78. So in 13 weeks, you are going to do 78 workouts. At $120 for 78 workouts, you’re paying $1.54/workout ($120 / 78 = $1.54). That’s not bad to begin with. But let’s keep in mind, that’s only for one round of P90X. The discs are yours, remember? There’s no rule that says you can only do it one time. I’ve done it four times myself (not in a row… I wouldn’t recommend that) and I plan on doing it more.

So let’s do the math on the next three rounds:

After Round 2, I’ve done 156 workouts, for that same $120 price. So I’ve cut my P90X cost in half at $.77/workout.

After Round 3, I’ve done 234 workouts, for $120. So now my P90X cost is $.51/workout.

After my fourth round of P90X, I’ve done 312 workouts for $120. I’ve now only paid $.38/workout.

Let’s also not forget that if someone else in your household is doing the program, that will cut your P90X cost per workout in half.

P90X cost and savings

I haven’t even mentioned how you’re saving money long-term on medical bills using exercise as preventative medicine. Or how you’re saving money on gas by not having to drive to the gym. Or how you’re saving money on your recurring $60/month gym membership, a membership that most people don’t use enough to get their money’s worth. Not only that, but you don’t own your membership. You’re really just renting the space and the equipment every month.

And why you would hesitate at a one-time $120 cost but not flinch at paying for monthly luxuries such as Netflix, Cable/Satellite, SiriusXM, cell phone and data plans, and the list goes on?

I’m just wanting you to crunch the numbers instead of running away from sticker shock. 38 cents is couch cushion money man! Why are you hesitating?

P90X cost of equipment

Okay, admittedly I have left out the cost of equipment, but I did that for several reasons:

#1) With P90X in specific, there are ways to modify nearly every move. So if you don’t have a chin-up bar but you have resistance bands, you’ll be fine (you will definitely need either dumbbells or resistance bands however).

#2) Depending on the program you’re doing (Insanity, TurboFire, Asylum, P90X2, or something else), the required equipment varies. Furthermore, some programs come with all the equipment you’ll need.

#3) There’s a wide range in quality levels of exercise equipment. I believe you get what you pay for, whether it’s equipment or supplements or something else entirely. So I buy things that last (like SelectTech dumbbells) and/or is backed either by a great warranty (like my beloved Vitamix), and/or is sold by a reputable retailer that would honor returns/exchanges (like Beachbody and Amazon). And again, unlike your use-it-or-lose-it gym membership, the equipment is yours for keeps.

No matter what you buy, be it a home fitness program, a bed, a car, you name it, you’d be wise to calculate the cost over time and the “return” you’ll get in exchange (for this reason alone, I would be wise to eat out less).

With P90X (or any other Beachbody program), you’re getting fit, building lifestyle habits, setting an example to those around you, increasing confidence, relieving stress, and practicing good body stewardship. These kind of “returns” are priceless and you can get them over and over for pennies on the dollar.

So how much does P90X cost? As little as you want it to.