Travis Hyde did a video documentary on the P90X workout program for his senior project. He filmed himself doing the program over three months and tracked changes in his cholesterol, body lipids, strength and fitness levels. While he gained muscle, his health markers did not change. He learned about his strengths and weaknesses. Though he no longer wants to pursue fitness careers, the project helped him learn to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

1. 4/05/12
Judges, Senior Project
Creekview High School
1550 Owens Store Road
Canton, GA 30115
Dear Judges,
My name is Travis Hyde and for my senior project, I did a video documentary on the commercial
workout program P90X. I was interested in whether or not the program was effective and to what degree,
and I wanted to capture the three month trial in video. I began the program the first week of December
and ended it the final week of February. I filmed myself exercising and talking to the camera about my
feelings and opinions about the program. I chose this as my project because I was interested in career
paths such as physical therapy and personal fitness.
My products were the finished video documentary of my experience with the program and a before and
after comparison of cholesterol and body lipids. These measurements were taken via blood sampling by
LabCorp. My research paper discussed the effect of P90X on lipid and cholesterol levels. It was difficult
to be consistent with the program, but the results reflected the program’s effectiveness – I gained 20
pounds and my lipid and cholesterol levels did not fluctuate. The amount of pushups and pull-ups I can do
increased, and my bench press and back squat (two important core lifts) also increased in weight. I
suffered a minor injury the first week of the program, but this did not have any serious effect on my
ability to exercise.
P90X is one of the most popular commercial workout programs on the market. Through research and
word of mouth, I have heard countless stories of success with the program. I learned things about my own
personal fitness, such as the weakness of my shoulders and the strength of my legs, and I learned about
my levels of discipline and organizational skills. These abilities are important to any career, but are
critical to a career in personal training or physical therapy. Because of the project, I no longer wish to
pursue these types of career paths; however, I plan to continue to exercise and maintain a healthy
lifestyle, and P90X helped me learn more about how to do so.
I would not have enjoyed the senior project if my topic had not been such a good choice for me. It gave
me a reason to push myself through an incredibly difficult workout program, and I learned a lot during the
entire project. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday.
Sincerely,
Travis Hyde