Insanity by Beach Body
Reviews
1449 of 1458 people found the following review helpful.
P90X this isn’t…
By A. Ort
I’m a former P90X junkie. That program literally changed my life and got me into the best shape of my life, even at 40 years old. However, this is not P90X. That is not a criticism at all, just don’t expect more of the same.
This is all floor exercises using your body weight with lots of plyometric and isometic exercises, cardio and core exercise that will work you – hard. The exercises come fast and furious with a good mix of cardio and strength building (e.g. squat type exercises and push-up type exercises). But its primary focus is the CORE. If you didn’t know what that meant before Insanity, you will definitely understand it once you begin.
It’s broken into two four week segments with a “recovery” (I use that term loosely..) week in between. The warm-up itself is a workout. The first four weeks are two rounds of three sets of a series of exercises equaling about 40 minutes per session. In the second four weeks you’ll find some of the warm-up exercises were exercises from the actual program from the first four weeks. And the program itself moves to three rounds of three different sets of exercises equaling about an hour. You’ll actually be begging to go back to the first four weeks. If you like crazy, you’ll love it…
Shaun T is a good motivator and provides good tips about proper form and techniques. The music adds to the program as well; as each routine picks up intensity, the music is well designed to keep you going.
It is tough on the body, though, so be forewarned. If you aren’t in some semblance of shape, you may want to rethink this one. I pulled a neck muscle during the first week because I didn’t breathe properly. It will tax your joints, your knees, your feet, your back. If you are injury prone, be extremely careful. Modify if you need to or pass on it altogether.
It requires serious focus. Breathing is key. Drink lots of water. And move at your own pace. Even the participants in the DVD (including Shaun T) have to quit and take breaks. It’s that intense.
The caveat is really only this: you may lose some of the “glamour” muscles. This doesn’t mean you will get less strong but there are no no exercises for the biceps or the lats (no pull-ups here). However, the muscles you do have (especially the legs) will be stronger and more defined. If you want to maintain weight, you will need to increase your food intake big time, especially as the program progresses.
Your body will change and your core (including the abs) will be stronger than you ever thought possible and you will be in incredible shape, even if you only do the program at half the intensity.
I give it a definite thumbs up but know what you want to get out of the program and understand what it is about before investing your time and money in it.
UPDATE: The first time around I was surprised and frustrated with the loss of size (due to lack of adequate calorie intake) but a second round with more focus is producing positive results. The body fat reduction happened from the top down. I am seeing more definition in the shoulders and the chest and seeing muscles in and around the abs, especially the obliques. Things just feel tighter all the way around. The “spare tire” thing is not completely gone though I feel quite ok in a t-shirt that fits rather than a larger size to hide behind. Results: maintained my body weight and dropped from 20 to 16% body fat which means I actually built muscle.
Final reflections: Using the CORE (which is much more than just your abs) makes all the difference. Keep it tight, no shortcuts and you’ll feel your power increasing. The true test of this is during the high knee run in the warm-up and in the high jumps on the cardio power and resistance disc. If you use anything other than your core, you will never get the speed and power and you risk injuring your back.
If I could emphasize one other thing it is to continually push through. One more rep, one more second, just a little further than you think you can. Don’t be foolish, recognize your limitations, but don’t confuse your body’s need for rest with your mind’s tendency to quit too soon.
And, just as a reminder, drink lots and lots of water before, during and after.
Heads up: Shaun T has a new program just out called Insanity: The Asylum Deluxe. It’s a 30 day program using sports training techniques that looks brutal. And that’s a good thing…
792 of 795 people found the following review helpful.
Rrrrrripppp….yes, that was the sound of my abs flexing
By Storylover
This is a nuts set of workout DVD’s. I am overweight and just shy of 40, but I have dreams of getting back into my pre-marriage body. I decided to seize the day and go for it, and I am not sorry. My muscles are currently screaming, every bit of me hurts. Every day, I both love and dread pushing play on this dvd, because I know what will happen when I do. I will spend 45 minutes gasping, lurching around, heart pounding, sweat running off me like a monsoon, desparately trying to keep up with a workout designed by fitness demigods. Afterwards, when I can catch my breath and pull myself up of the ground, I feel so good it is not even funny. Yesterday when I finished my workout and was talking to my wife, I said “You know what I feel like? I feel like I’m on vacation!”. You know, that feeling you get on day 1 of vacation when you have the whole thing stretching before you, when there is a cool drink in your hands and not a care in the world? That’s how I feel when my blood is pumping, when my body is sore and I am so proud of myself.
I can’t even begin to keep up with this video, but that is ok. I keep my heart rate up, I have a great time, and I try to get a little better every day. I’m not done with the program yet, I hope I have the stamina to keep it up, but for now, this is fantastic.
The DVD’s themselves are good, the music is fine, the instructor is incredible and never demeaning. I feel like he is speaking directly to me and he is very encouraging. I am also encouraged when the folks exercising with him can’t keep up, because I know that if these very in shape people can’t do it, then I am in good company. The rest of the package is fine. I’m on weight watchers, so I’m not using their eating plan. I’m not changing diets midstream. Anyway, the workout calendar is nice, I keep it up to date and it is a good motivational tool for me. The DVD case is compact and sturdy. It’s a little pricey, but I think that it is worth it so far. It is giving me back my self respect.
—-**UPDATE**
I’ve done the program now for 21 days. I have gone down 2 pant sizes, lost 11 pounds, am losing my love handles, have had to take my belt in 2 notches (almost 3!) and am getting my neck back! The workouts are very active. They are very intense, and the more I do them, the more intense they can get. When I first started, I could not do the exercises with anything approaching good form. 3 weeks on, my form has improved, but now the workouts are tougher because I’m pushing myself harder to complete them. Shaun T. is inspirational,and I have a love hate relationship with him on the DVDs! I yell at the screen as I exercise. Get yourself a good pair of shoes, it made a huge difference to me, and make sure you do all the warm ups. If you are chunky like me when you start, don’t be discouraged, just keep at it, do your best, and so far the results have made me a believer. It has been a very hard 3 weeks, but I love the way I feel, I’m happy to be in clothes I thought I would never wear again, and my wife and co-workers all notice the difference. This set has made a big difference in my attitude towards exercise, and I think I’m going to do P90x when Insanity is done!
–**Update**
Day 31 of insanity here, down 14.1 pounds, ran 5k yesterday, pushing harder. The workouts don’t get easier, but there is a huge sense of accomplishment every day as I fill in the workout calendar. Someone told me today that I look thinner, and I was very excited. I’m still thick, don’t get me wrong, but I’m getting there. Insanity has made me excited to get physical.
–**Update**
5 weeks of insanity done, 17 pounds down, preparing for a 4.5 mile run this weekend, really nervous about starting week 6–it supposedly gets even insaner (?). My wife has joined me for some of the workouts and my kids are now doing it with me (as much as they are able, and they have a great time!)–the whole family has gotten into it. Can’t say enough about how good I feel–it is a crime to feel this good, I swear.
–**Update**
I must admit that I look forward to these little updates, as I use them for encouragement. Anyway, day 45 of insanity is today. From a discipline standpoint, this is a daily decision–these workouts are hard. I feel great, but every day, I look in the mirror and think a)this is great and b)long way to go. On the up side, my belt is too big, have to use it on its tightest setting. I’m down 18.5 pounds since I began. I can see my neck–and it is not just a solid column of blubber. I have abs popping out (!) (although they are still buried under some belly fat–let’s face it, I started this waaaay overweight). My wife has now joined the culture of fitness in our family, and is working out regularly. The second month of insanity, which starts 6 weeks in, is significantly more insane than the first month (which I didn’t think was humanly possible). Shaun T goes completely nuts, and the workouts are tougher, more intense, longer, and still lots of fun. I could never have dreamed 45 days ago of keeping up this level of activity. Back on day 1, the first warm up blew me away and I wanted to lay down and cry. Now, the warm up still kicks my rear end, but I know it is because I am trying HARDER working STRONGER doing Better. My flexibility is so much increased! I walk around and I feel stronger in everything that I do. Listen folks, this is a great program. If you have the determination, it will change you, mentally, physically, cardiovascularly. It is so hard, but soooooo good.
–**Update**
Today is day 59 of Insanity. Wow. I can’t believe I have almost made it through the first round. I weighed myself today, and I am down 21.8 pounds. My old pants are falling off me–literally. I put them on yesterday just to walk around the house because they were in the top of the “clean” pile, and they fell right off. I had to change clothes! I’m using a smaller belt I never thought I would use again. My size 36 jeans are now my jeans of choice (down from busting out of size 40′s to the point that I wouldn’t even wear jeans because they were not comfortable). I’m planning on doing Insanity: The Asylum when this round is done, which will turn the Insanity journey into a 90 day (actually, 93) day trip. Then, on to p90x!
–**Update**
This will likely be my final update. I finished Insanity 2 days ago. Wow. Wow. It was a bear. The last week was so intense, I struggled just to keep up (two Max Plyo workouts? Two Max Interval workouts? And Cardio Abs twice??). I’m 22+ pounds down, happy as a clam, sore as can be, and chomping at the bit to keep going. I did my final fit test, and more than doubled many of my exercises–I would NEVER have believed it possible. I was still sucking wind by the end of the fit test, because I was pushing as hard as I could to better my last scores. I started the sequel to this video set (Insanity: The Asylum) yesterday, and it is equally intense, but different. I’ll probably review it as well when I have done more of the workouts. Anyway, I could never have survived even 5 minutes of the Asylum if I hadn’t done Insanity first.
In the end, this set worked for me because I needed someone to push me. Or I thought I did–I really ended up pushing myself, but the videos gave me the structure and the tools to get it done. I promised myself I would do it every day, even if I had to workout at midnight. It was just me, a pair of shoes, and my DVD player, kicking some butt. Some reservations here–it is not easy on your joints. I’m 40, and overweight. Some exercises were just too hard on my knees, and I modified them. I kept my heart rate up. Shaun always says “exercise at your own level”, but what I told myself was “exercise just a little past your level”. So I did, and it worked for me. Take their warnings seriously–don’t do this if you aren’t willing to push, and if you have health concerns, then for heaven’s sake, choose something else. But if you are willing to get your goose cooked on a daily basis and come back and ask for seconds (!), then this is a great choice. Cheers to everyone in the Insane Posse of Fitness Gazelles, and I hope that these updates have helped. Be smart, work hard, and whatever method you are using to lose weight, Insanity or something else, keep it up. I’ll be doing the same!
–**Update**
I know that I said that the last update would be my last update. But I wanted to give a status report 1 year on–I’m now just shy of 50 lbs down since I began one year ago. I did the following things–I did Insanity x 1 round, Insanity Asylum x 1 round, P90x+Insanity hybrid x 1 round (P90x + insanity cardio), P90x straight up x 1 round, and I’m now in the midst of a p90x2 + Insanity hybrid with 3 weeks to go before completion. I also run 1-2x per week for 45min to 60 min on the elliptical because I enjoy it. I do insanity with a 20 lb weight vest on now sometimes, and I run on the elliptical with a weight vest. I have gone from being able to do 1 (count it, 1!) pull up to 10 sets of 8 pullups. They aren’t the prettiest pull ups around, but I get up, all on my own. I can do push ups until the cows come home. I’m still about 20 lbs overweight from what I’d like to be, but I’m not complaining. At 50 lbs in a year, you can see that weight has been slow but steadily coming off. No loose skin, lots and lots of muscle coming on. I’m still a big dude–but I now RUN up and down the stairs at work. And I’m out of breath–but I love it. I’m not yet back in my wedding suit, but I’ve pulled out clothes I haven’t worn in YEARS. Yesterday, I had to take off a sweater because it swallowed me whole. Then I put on another sweater–and it was too big also.
All of this is to say that I haven’t done anything that crazy, not really. About an hour a day, sometimes more because I really enjoy it now, sometimes less when I’m tired. I do it 6 days a week when I’m on insanity only, 5 days now on p90x2 because that is the program. I still do weight watchers, and it has changed my relationship with food. I still love to eat (believe me!) but now I eat to enjoy and not to make myself stuffed. I still have a burger and a beer on Friday nights and I don’t worry about it. I eat a lot of healthy things, and have discovered that I enjoy them. That’s a shock.
I’m just a dude. I have a job, I work 60+ hours a week. I have 3 kids. I have a wife. I have pets. I have a yard. But I decided that no amount of pain during exercise was as painful as not being able to wrestle with my boys. No amount of pain in a workout is as bad as sitting on a couch and feeling gross in my own skin. So I got going. I have to keep struggling every day–some days I just want to sit down and not get up–but then I think of how things were only a year ago, and I think that, yea, I can get off my duff and exercise. The insanity/p90x programs work for me because I respond to structure (I need someone telling me what to do!) and I can’t afford a trainer. Shaun and Tony are my trainers now.
You can do it. You really can. I’ve been super careful–done all the stretches, listened to my body, MODIFY MODIFY MODIFY when I knew that the movements weren’t possible for me, and I’ve by and large avoided major injury. Lots of sore muscles. Shin splints. A few things like that. But just use your good sense–protect your body, give it all your love, and it will love you for it.
You can do it. I’m still doing it. See you 20 lbs down, ok?
401 of 408 people found the following review helpful.If You Do It, It Will Do It
By C. N. Sheridan
Okay, I’m 54 and have run regularly, lifted weights but couldn’t get the reduction in inches and bodyfat that I wanted. I did P90X in the summer and a month of P90X+. Great programs that got me into the consistent routine of early morning (5 AM) workouts and built overall strength, coordination, and flexibility. With a 2 pound weight loss, but, I admit I was not very careful with the nutrition plan.
Enter Insanity. I cut out white[flour]bakery products, sweets, sweetened drinks, all sodas, and desserts except for once a week. Then I started the craziness. There’s no need to tell what’s in the package, others have done that. Let me say I lost 12 pounds and an inch and a half off my waistline in 60 days. This on a frame my family and friends said had nothing to lose.
This program works if you follow it. Don’t worry about keeping up with the folks on the video because NONE of them do all of the routines to completion on any of the DVDs. You do your best at YOUR pace but it has to be your BEST. It never gets easier because as you get more conditioned, you do more repetitions. You must do the Fit Test because you WILL see improvements and the test won’t lie and it will keep you motivated.
It’s not easy but it works. Nothing worthwhile is easy so why should this be different? You have to be in decent, not great, shape, and follow the warnings about injuries and other potential health problems because it is a serious workout. But if you get the green light and you stick with it, you won’t regret it. There’s nothing to it but to do it.
PROGRAM UPDATE: I have completed another four cycles since this first review. I have added some variations such as some running and weight workouts. STILL, I cannot do ANY Insanity routine all the way through without taking a break a couple of times. It’s not the agony of when I first started but it’s still hard and remains a challenge to keep doing. However, I feel better than I ever have in terms of conditioning and stamina and so does my wife who has started and continued this program after I finished my first cycle.
Give it YOUR best!
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Your personal trainer Shaun T will push you past your limits with 10 DVDs packed with cardio and plyometric drills with intervals of strength, power, resistance, and core training. No instrumentation or weights is needed, and you don’t have to be in uttermost shape to do it. As long as you’re ready to dig deep, Shaun will aid you get insane results in just 60 days.
Here’s what you get:
Ten Insane Workouts
- Dig Deeper & Fit Test: To start, Shaun will put your body to the test and see what you’re made of. (30 minutes)
- Plyometric Cardio Circuit: Burn fat with intervals of intense lower-body plyometrics and sweat-inducing cardio. (40 minutes)
- Cardio Power & Resistance: Build lean muscle and upper-body definition with strength-training and power moves. (40 minutes)
- Cardio Recovery & Max Recovery: Shaun goes posing no difficulty on you once a week so you’ll be ready for the next round. (80 minutes)
- Pure Cardio & Abs: Nonstop, uttermost cardio workout. (40 minutes)
- Cardio Abs: Do explosive intervals of cardio and core moves for rock-hard abs. (20 minutes)
- Core Cardio & Balance: This workout lets you take a break after month 1 and gear up for month 2. (40 minutes)
- Max Interval Circuit: With MAX Interval Training, this circuit is more intense than anything you’ve ever done before. (60 minutes)
- Max Interval Plyo: Push your legs ‘til they beg for mercy with power and plyometrics, all at your MAX. (55 minutes)
- Max Cardio Conditioning & Abs: Get pushed to your limit with this extreme cardio workout. (50 minutes)
Four Helpful Tools
- Elite Nutrition Plan: A meal plan distinctively designed to fuel your body for these intense workouts.
- Fitness Guide: It’s short and to the point, with just the data you need.
- Insanity Calendar: Allows you to track your progress through month 1 and month 2, set workout goals, and stay motivated the whole time. Plus, the Fit Test Tracker tracks your results as you transform your body.
- Free Online Support Tools: Stay inspired with round-the-clock access to fitness experts and peer support.
Shaun T’s Insanity workout is the best of it is kind. No other workout may get you these types of results in just 60 days… Guaranteed!Shaun T’s Max Interval Training proficiencies are a step in front of each other fitness program ever designed. You get you a lean, muscular body in a short amount of time. The Insanity Workout is a difficult workout, but the results are phenomenal.Brand New, Factory Sealed Box Set. Complete set includes a nutrition guide, calender to track your progress, and 10 intense DVDs that all comprise a GREAT workout. You don`t need exercise equipment. All you need is just a little space and a huge heart!You will receive:-Elite Nutrition Manual -Fitness Guide -Fit Test Tracker -Workout Calendar 10 Insanity Workout DVDs1: Dig Deeper & Fit Test:To start, Shaun T will put your body to the test and see what you’re made of.2: Plyometric Cardio Circuit:Burn fat with intervals of intense lower-body plyo and sweat-inducing cardio.3: Cardio Power & Resistance:Build lean muscle and upper-body definition with strength-training and insanity workout power moves.4: Cardio Recovery:Shaun T goes requiring little effort on you once a week so you’re ready for the next Insanity Workout round.5: Pure Cardio & Abs:Skip the intervals-this nonstop cardio workout is all extreme.6: Cardio Abs:Do explosive intervals of cardio and core moves for rock-hard abs.7: Core Cardio & Balance:Take a break after month 1 of the Insanity workout and gear up for month 2 with this workout.8: Max Interval Circuit:The interval circuit that’s more intense than anything you’ve ever done before.9: Max Interval Plyo:Push your legs ’til they beg for mercy with power and plyo, all at your MAX.10: Max Cardio Conditioning & Abs:Get pushed to your limit with this uttermost cardio workout
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #1 in Sports & Outdoors
- Brand: Beachbody
- Model: 60 Days Workout
- Released on: 2012-01-25
- Format: DVD Region
- Dimensions: 3.00″ h x 9.00″ w x 12.00″ l,
Features
- Complete set includes a nutrition guide, calender to track your progress, and 10 intense DVDs for a great workout
- Your personal trainer Shaun T will push you past your limits with 10 workout DVDs packed with plyometric drills
- Each workout keeps you constantly challenged as you alternate amidst aerobic and anaerobic intervals performed at your max
- Perform long bursts of maximum-intensity exercises with short periods of rest
- Free online help tools aid you stay motivated with round-the-clock access to fitness experts and peer support
Over the next couple minutes you will learn the comparings and divergences amidst these two rival “workout at home” exercise programs.
The P90X workout program used to be the one exercise program that every one knew thanks to early morning and late night infomercials. Recently Beachbody added a new program to the game that to numerous may be considered a rival, that program is Shaun T Insanity.
But which one is more intense?
Comparably they are both equivalent in their own rights but each workout program focuses on a dissimilar approach towards fitness.
I have personally used both programs and this gives me the rare chance to offer a initial hand look at both the P90X workout program and Shaun T Insanity. After this article you will be to the full or entire extent equipped with the answers you are looking for.
Which works better? P90X or the Insanity workout?
Great questions, though it’s hard to put both workout programs side by side as it’s not a simple apples to apples comparison but more like apples to oranges. Both programs are capable of supplying a huge physical challenge but each has it’s own approach and it’s own target results. I’ll explain.
The P90X workout program is a 90 day system which could other than as supposed or expected be considered an “at home boot camp”. You will need a chin up bar, a chair, a set of dumbbells and/or bands, shoes, plus in regards to 1 hour to 1 hour and a half 6 days a week. The 7th day is an optional stretch or finish rest day.
From initial hand experience I like to look at P90X as a “all-in-one” program. It is not designed to just bulk you up, it’s not going to just help you lose weight, it’s not just balance, and it’s not just cardio.
The P90X workout program just tosses a bit of everything into the equation. You lift heavy one day (or light if you want);, you’re punching and kicking with Kenpo karate another day, and to top it off on other days you will be doing 1 and a half hours of Yoga for a finish mind/ body/ soul adventure.
You will go through three phases of 1 month each in P90X with each month switching it up. Most of the cardio, stretch, and remainder routines stay the same. The divergence in each phase is that you change out the resistance workouts so that your muscles are perpetually challenged so they will always be receptive to the workout rather than plateauing.
Shaun T Insanity takes a completely dissimilar approach. The workout program is 60-days in length and is based solely on Plyometrics, Core, and Cardio training. You will not lift weights, you will not do chin ups, you don’t need a chair, and the workouts range from 35-45 minutes the basi phase to 1 hour and 15 minutes the second phase.
You will need very good shoes, preferably a mat to jump on, and near perfective form to refrain from injury.
You may already see that Shaun T Insanity is dissimilar than P90X so how are the comparable?
The Insanity workout program, even though shorter in length, is based on greatest or most complete or best possible venture Interval cardio. Meaning it’s all when it comes to fast, powerful, and organized moves. You will still be doing push-ups just like in P90X but other than as supposed or expected you only use your body, gravity, and will power to push through.
I am telling you from personally experience, with Insanity you in a literal sense drip buckets of sweat, seriously! Just because it’s shorter than P90X doesn’t mean it’s not as intense.
You will not be running in one place for an hour, you are jumping around, squatting, balancing, and crunching your core. Shaun T Insanity is on the same level as P90X but the divergence is you don’t need extra equipment, you won’t be lifting weights, and the workouts go by much faster.
Insanity is more for the leaner ripped look while P90X will grant for more muscle size and strength.
If you have already finished P90X then I will tell you this. Shaun T Insanity is like taking P90X Plyometrics, doubling the intensity, and doing it 6 days a week.
So which one is better, P90X or Shaun T Insanity?
I don’t think you will find one “better than the other” but what you will find are two dissimilar approaches towards fitness.
P90X is a longer 90 day program that has longer workouts but incorporates a slower pace equated to Insanity providing more time to adjust and become stronger. Also you are lifting weights so there is more potential to gain size and muscle definition.
Shaun T Insanity is 60 days with much shorter and more quickly pace workouts, you won’t be capable to adjust as fast and you won’t get great results by pausing through each workout. Insanity is a balls to the walls style workout, it’s straight forward and fast but demands major motivation and energy.
Both workout programs have a “mix-it-up” style so each one changes things all around the program so there is no monotony.
One final note, if you have knees or lower body joint issues, Insanity may not be for you. It is based on a lot of jumping and actually may and will tax your knees and joints if not performed correctly. It is much higher affect equated to P90X. That is something to consider when looking at the two side by side.
Because of the approach Insanity takes I like to look at it this way. If you feel you are P90X competent and are in decent shape, if you may do push-ups, chin-ups, and if you may handle interval cardio, then either program is suitable.
If you can not do some or all of the antecedently cited exercises then it’s better to keep out of the way of Insanity until you may at least finish P90X. Insanity is not a beginner workout, so if you just stepping back into the physical fitness game, throw the ego out, get started someplace little and build up.