As I consider all the workout routines available, it is difficult to decide which is best for me. I am sure you have the same problem. So, I decided to compare two different programs – ChaLEAN Extreme vs. Tony Horton’s 10 Minute Trainer. Both programs are created by Beachbody.

ChaLEAN Extreme uses circuit training techniques and shifts the workout’s focus from cardio to weight training – lifting heavy weights in 3 phases. Tony Horton’s program is a super stacking technique using resistance bands. Stacking is combining fat-burning cardio, total-body toning/sculpting, and ab workouts into the same movements.

The main difference is obvious from the name: Tony Horton 10 Minute Trainer. It consists of 4 workouts – total body, lower body, cardio, and yoga flex. Each lasts 10 minutes. Plus you get a bonus abs routine as a free gift. Chalene extreme comes with 15 workouts on 6 DVD’s, including 2 starter workouts to teach you form, 3 burn circuit workouts, 3 push circuit workouts, 3 lean circuit workouts, and 2 ab routines. Each workout is 30-45 minutes in length.

Both programs come with tools and Beachbody offers 24hr/7day a week support. ChaLEAN Extreme includes a guide book, body fat tester, and thigh toner band. Weights and additional resistance bands need to be purchase separately. Tony Horton’s program includes a resistance band kit, customized workout calendar, guidebook and Tony Horton’s 10 Minute Meals.

Each program offer a 30 day money back guarantee, plus free gifts you keep even if you return the program. The gifts with Tony Horton’s program are a bonus abs routine, On-the-Go Workout cards, and the 10-day lean jean plan. With ChaLEAN Extreme, the gifts are Fat-Burning Food Guide, Extreme Motivation Audio CD, “Healthy Eats”, and a Kitchen Makeover DVD.

Customer reviews and success stories revealed more differences. Customers liked Chalene’s personality and appreciated reminders to keep proper form and to work at your own pace. They loved her encouragement and felt she made working out fun. One customer completed the workouts despite his arthritis because of the tips provided to protect your knees and back. No particular comments were given on Tony Horton’s personality.

Fit people and out of shape people found both programs challenging and experience success when they consistently worked out. In ChaLEAN Extreme, people generally noticed a difference in 2-3 weeks as they lost weight and increased their strength. On Tony Horton’s program, customers reported significant weight loss and a decrease pant size in just over a month.

One customer owns over 300 workout programs and declared ChaLEAN the best program. Never boring was another reoccurring comment regarding ChaLEAN Extreme. People felt they could stick with the program.

Customers of the 10 Minute Trainer were pleasantly surprised to be sweating by the end of the workout. One customer commented they were done with the workout before they could talk themselves out of it. Even fit users felt the burn and were sore in the beginning. Several customers felt they pushed themselves too hard or hurt themselves trying to stretch the resistance bands as far as the girl in the video. They cautioned others to build up to that level.

ChaLEAN Extreme’s price is 3 payments of $39.95 plus $19.95 in shipping for a total of $139.80. Tony Horton’s program is 2 payments of $39.95 plus $9.95 shipping for a total of $89.85.

AND THE WINNER IS … well, that depends on your goals and personality. The success pictures for ChaLEAN Extreme show more muscles and definition, but the workouts are longer and you provide your own weights. In my opinion, this program is better for people serious about weight loss and fitness. For people ready to put in time and money to achieve more muscular results. Tony Horton’s program is ideal for people with limited time, those unwilling to invest money into a program, or those wishing to lose weight without caring about muscle definition.

No matter which workout routine you choose, the most important step is taking action. Both programs will get you results if you follow them. So, choose one and get started!

Written by Healthy New Age, the natural health blog and website.

Ok, so I have decided to take the plunge and start the P90X workout program. I am coming to the end of my current workout routine at the gym and it’s time to mix it up a bit.

For those that don’t know what P90X is, it’s a home workout program designed by trainer Tony Horton. The system consists of 12 workouts (listed below) a diet plan and a workout calender. You can see the sales pitch here.

I was very fortunate in the fact that I didn’t have to pay for the program. A friend of mine purchased it several months ago and just never really kept up with it. I traded it to for my Abs Diet book. It retails for $119.95 so I’m happy with the savings.

I’ve had a chance to watch all of the workouts, read some reviews, watch the infomercial (I have it PVR’d) and look over the diet plan, which I will not be following. Not that there is anything wrong with it, it’s just that they really like to promote their own power bars and shakes.

There are 3 phases to P90X nutrition plan:

Phase 1 – Fat Shredder:
Focused on High protein meal plan designed to help give you strength and “shred” your fat.

Phase 2 – Energy Boost:
A little more balanced meal plan where you get to add some complex carbs back into your diet.

Phase 3 – Endurance Maximizer
Much more focus on complex carbs, pretty moderate protein and fat intakes.

Nothing groundbreaking here but it fits with the overall theme of changing things often. I will be following something similar but more based on my own likes and dislikes. I already eat a lot of protein rich foods so I’ll be focusing on cut back on the carbs and saturated fat.

What equipment to you need?

Other than the DVD’s themselves you’ll need to get the following:

* Good quality yoga mat or a rubber mat.

* Dumbbells with a decent amount of weight (10-30 lbs) or resistance bands.

* A Chair or a Stool.

* A chin up/pull up bar (this can be difficult to obtain, depending on your living arrangements)

Here is a picture of my homemade pull up bar. You can buy doorway pull up bars that are just as effective. Here is an example. Mine is very crude but for $20 it gets the job done.

The 12 At Home Workouts:

These are the 12 workouts that come with the program:

* Chest and Back
* Plyometrics
* Shoulders and Arms
* Yoga X
* Legs and Back
* Kenpo X
* X Stretch
* Core Synergistics
* Chest, Shoulders and Triceps
* Back and Biceps
* Cardio X
* Ab Ripper X

None of them look even remotely easy. But that is the whole point of this program. To work yourself hard and push your body to be the best it can be. To coin their slogan you need to “Bring It” and man do I plan to.

Who else is doing P90X?

I want to know who else out there is doing P90X? Have you tried it already and if so was it all you thought it would be? Let me know your thoughts and wish me luck. By the looks of the Ab Ripper X workout I think I’ll need it.