Calories Burned During P90x Workouts

P90X markets itself as an extreme workout. In terms of calorie burn, P90X is effective -- but it may not be as extreme as you think. According to researchers who studied P90X for an American Council on Exercise study, the calorie burn from P90X is "very comparable to jogging."

The Plyometrics routine, which consists of jump training, burns an average of 14.7 calories per minute. This works out to 631 calories burned in the complete workout according to the ACE study. The average calories burn is slightly higher for men, at 16.2 calories per minute or 699 calories per session. For women it's a bit lower; women burn an average of 12.6 calories per minute or 544 calories per workout.

The Legs and Back workout is a resistance routine that burns an average of 12.4 calories per minute, or 534 calories in total as reported by the ACE study. The average calorie burn for men doing this routine is 14.0 calories per minute which works out to 600 calories in a complete session. Women burn an average of 10.4 calories per minute in the workout, or 449 calories in total.

Chest, Shoulders and Triceps is yet another resistance routine. The ACE study found that it's slightly less of a calorie burner, burning an average of 9.0 calories per minute or 378 calories in total. Women burn an average of 302 calories in the workout, or 7.2 calories per minute. Men however, burn an average of 441 calories per session or 10.5 calories per minute.

As the name suggests, Cardio X is an aerobic workout. The routine burns an average of 397 calories in the workout, or 12.0 calories per minute per the research commissioned by ACE. The average for men is 441 calories per session or 13.4 calories per minute. Women burn an average of 302 calories per workout, or 10.3 calories per minute.

The ACE study assessed just four workouts as a sample of P90X. As of 2013 the other workouts in the program have not been clinically evaluated. The P90X Nutrition Guide estimates your daily caloric needs from exercise at 600 calories. Your actual calorie burn will vary based on your effort and your weight. For a more accurate estimate of your calorie burn, wear a heart rate monitor with a calorie counting feature during your workouts.