It’s already starting to feel like summer in Dallas with the temperatures and humidity rising, and students know that classes must be coming to an end.

Though this means a three-month break from school, which many are looking forward to, this also means changes of all kinds.

With changes in living arrangements, places and schedules, students will be turning in their books for business attire for their internships and jobs, so working out can be a challenge.

Gym memberships can be expensive, especially for the summer months when students are on a budget.

Many may neglect their workouts and health regimens for other priorities, but in-home workouts can help students stay fit.

Recently, the P90X, or Power 90 Extreme, at-home workout has become popular, and itcould be the solution to the workout needs of a busy SMU student this summer.

P90X is a 90- day, boot camp style, at-home workout and nutritional guide, which emphasizes “muscle confusion.”

This consists of switching exercises around and incorporating new and varied exercise so that the body does not become complacent and become used to the movements.

Tony Horton, a personal trainer and exercise instructor with the parent company, Beachbody, created the P90X system in 2003, and it has recently become popular with other boot camp-type workouts, such as Crossfit workouts.

“I found out about P90X through a friend of mine from high school and I thought it was kind of silly until I saw the actual infomercial, then I realized that it was a revolutionary way to work out,” Luis Lemus, an SMU junior said.

“I have been doing it on and off for about a year now. You have to be extremely disciplined in order to follow the workout guide as well as the nutrition guide, but when you commit to it, the results are amazing.”

Derek Ruiz, a certified personal trainer and SMU Group X instructor, sees several benefits to the P90X workout system.

“The benefits are that if you commit to any exercise regiment for 90 days, working out six days a week, you are going to see and feel results. It helps that P90X has many different exercises that will help keep your workouts fresh and fun, and allows you to adapt the system to reach your own personal goals,” Ruiz said.

Many workouts, gyms and personal trainers are also adding nutritional guides to physical workout regimens as well.

“It does include a nutritional guide and a way to keep track of your progress. The workouts themselves are complete, full body workouts with little equipment so you perform these exercises almost anywhere,” Ruiz said.

However, Ruiz also sees some shortfalls in the P90X regimen.

“Some people will not progress as quickly, and in 90 days your body still may not be ready to handle the impact and stress of higher impact workouts such as plyometrics,” Ruiz said.

Many also value the experience and feedback from a personal trainer or workout class where a trainer or teacher can critique exercises and individual form.

“Watching a video does not provide feedback of your biomechanics and exercise form to ensure a safe and effective workout,” Ruiz said. “This would be like learning how to play basketball just by watching a game on TV and trying to mimic the movements. Sure you will learn something new, but improper form will lead to injuries and reduced results.”

However, Lemus sees being able to workout at home as a benefit.

“The best part about it is that you don’t have to buy a gym membership or even leave your house to workout. I work out in my living room then hit the shower and a protein shake right after. It makes sense to have your logistics in place when you’re going to do your body right,” Lemus said.

But, he adds, “A complete workout program will focus on muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, cardio, body composition and a way to track your eating habits. P90X does cover it all.”

Ruiz recommends the P90X workout to students with the caution that setting aside the time to fulfill the program workouts can be difficult, but if you take the time and follow the program correctly, he believes that it can produce positive results.

“As for any dieting and eating plan, please consult a registered professional,” Ruiz said. Eating healthy and cardio are very important and should not be neglected.”

Ruiz also made comparisons of P90X to SMU personal training.

“SMU personal training has programs comparable to P90X, but adds personal training feedback of proper form and a high-energy atmosphere to keep you going,” he said. “These programs are ‘Mustang Shed & Shred – Shed the fat and Shred the muscles,’ and ‘Max X Boot Camp.'”

“It tests both the young and old and it gives you a realistic goal that can be attained. If you’re a student, you can do it in your dorm room or your apartment,” Lemus said.

Students do not need to purchase any expensive equipment in order to follow the P90X routines.

“All you need is a set of dumbbells, resistance bands, a pull-up bar and yourself,” said Lemus.

When schedules become busier with internships and jobs students also lose the motivation to find a gym and actually go, but Lemus also sees the benefits in not having to go to a gym.

“There are no excuses, just push play and the rest is history. P90X works for life and it only costs $120 dollars,” Lemus said.

The P90X program usually sells for around $120 and comes with 12 DVDs for the 90-day, in-home workout and includes a nutritional plan.