I promised you guys a while back that I’d write up a review on the “Insanity Workout Challenge” when I finished it. Well, this is sort of half of a review, because I only sort of halfway finished it.
For those that don’t know, Insanity is a fairly well-hyped workout program produced by Beachbody, the makers of P90X and quite an array of other well-known at-home workout programs.
I generally like Beachbody programs because the production value is very high and the programs have specific schedules/rotations already mapped out – you’re not trying to mix and match a bunch of stuff to come up with a cohesive program for your goals.
After my last triathlon of the year, I wanted to do something different in the offseason. I have done P90Xa couple of times, so I chose Insanity for something different. I started it with the intention to complete the full 60 days, but, after five weeks of not missing a dayI shelved it.
Why?
I got bored with it!
But, not in the way you might think. It didn’t get so easy that I was like “oh, ho hum, this is a cakewalk.” It was never a cakewalk. It is a very challenging workout program.
They say it is the hardest workout ever put on DVD – I definitely believe that – and while it is hard, it is not impossible. I was able to complete the workouts in their entirety each time, though I had to generally take longer breaks in between each set than was allotted (usually 45 seconds to one minute instead of 30 seconds).
However, unlike some workout DVDs, once you pop in the DVD and get started, the time flies by! I think this is because there is no time for “phoning it in” – you really have to focus to get through the full workout.
It’s worth noting that Shaun T. is a different type of trainer than Tony Horton (from P90X), so I found myself taking a few days to get adjusted to the different style. It’s not a bad difference, they’re different people after all!
Here’s why I got bored:
- While the program comes with 10 DVDs – 1 fit test, 4 workouts for the first month, 5 workouts for the second month — the rotation was not varied enough for me, and I couldn’t bear the thought of continuing to rotate from a small sample of workouts for another month. Granted, the second month has five new DVDs, but my mind was done with this series before I got to disc one of month two. Perhaps this is why I like triathlon so much – lots of variety!
- The exercises within each DVD are really very similar. So, the rotation of workouts is small, and the exercises within them are very similar. And then, in each DVD, you do a circuit of exercises three times. Even the warm-up is a repeat circuit where you do a set of exercises and then repeat that set three times.
- The recovery week is six straight days of doing the exact same DVD – I wanted to scream after two days, and, incidentally, this is the week that lost me.
I just like more variety than that!
This is really a pure cardio program. There is some isometric strength training, but not weight training in the traditional sense, and I missed the weights.
My general thought is that the workout series would be very good if you:
- Don’t get bored easily and like knowing what is coming at you
- Are in relatively good shape already – this is not the step-touch-shuffle type of workout – lots of jumping, lots of intense bursts of cardio, and very little rest. You need to be pretty fit before you start.
- Have good knees (did I mention there is a lot of jumping?)
- Have an 8×8 space that is relatively secluded from the rest of your family. The jumping definitely echoed through our house. This would be a good garage or basement workout.
- Have the mental fortitude to push through discomfort
- Aren’t looking to build muscle mass, but rather, want to get super-duper-uber cardio fit
- Want to burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time. I was regularly burning 600+ calories in the span of the 38 minute-ish workouts (they get longer for the second month)
All that said, have I seen improvements as a result of the half of the program I did? Absolutely.
My cardio endurance improved quite dramatically in just one month. I am able to push through discomfort on the track when doing running speed training that I never could do before – I have learned to focus and dig deep into my reserves. This is probably half mental and half cardio improvements.I have cut 15 seconds off my 400 meter (one lap around a track) time. 15 seconds is not insignificant!
So, I call it a successful foray into Insanity for that.
I am not giving up on the series altogether. I plan to incorporate some of the workouts into my schedule when I need a quick at-home workout that will burn serious calories and can’t get out for a run or bike ride. I just don’t see myself doing them in the prescribed rotation day after day for the full two months!
Have you done Insanity? What did you think of it?
View Comments (26)
Thank you for this! So for someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to go to the gym and needs a good at-home workout, would you suggest P90X over this, or something else?
Thank you!
Hi Chelsey,
I am with you on at-home workouts — I totally prefer them to the gym. I wrote a P90X review on my personal blog before I had this one – you may find it helpful. I totally dug P90X!
In terms of which is better, I think it totally depends on your goals, fitness level, andthe types of exercises you like to do. I wasn’t crazy about Insanity day in and day out, but know a guy at work who can’t get enough. I really like P90X, but a girlfriend prefers Chalene Extreme. I have tried a lot of different at-home workouts, and find the ones from Beachbody to be the best in terms of giving you a program to follow (I have no affiliation whatsoever to BB). One other one I want to throw out there is the Jari Love “Get Ripped” series – they are awesome in my opinion, but all of them are pretty much only weights workouts… I hope that helps!
Thank you Angela, that is great advice. As a full-time college student, finding time to work out is a pretty difficult, so at-home seems to be my best bet as of now. So your advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks for this, and of course thanks for your awesome blog and recipes
Since you have experience with insanity I wanted to know if u might think that it’s right for me!
Description of me:
*5’3
*155pounds
*only able to run about a mile and a half non stop
I would really appreciate your response. I want to be 130 pounds by prom
Hi Edith,
First of all, running a mile and a half non-stop is excellent! Most people cannot do that, so pat yourself on the back!
Secondly, I really can’t say if Insanity is right for you or not – it really has to do with how you like to work out. It is a HARD workout, but that doesn’t mean it might be the most effective for your goals or you will like it. If you can run 1.5 miles, you can definitely do the workouts. I run and bike a lot, and I found them do-able, but I had to press pause and rest longer than the alloted 30 seconds quite often. You may want to check out the reviews of Jillian Michaels’ new 90-system that is similar to P90X as well – people really seem to be liking it
Good luck to you!
There are so many things out there! I’m currently doing this 24 day Challenge through Advocare and I’m down 10.3 lbs! I started 3/25 and have a few more days left – I love the fact that food is the important element of energy. ? I borrowed the P90X from a friend…just didn’t like it. I’ve heard a lot of different things about Insanity. Very insightful. Thanks again for this awesome blog site! I’m looking forward in continuing my healthy eating habits with your awesome tips and recipes.
Congrats JoAnn – 10.3 lbs in only about two weeks is fantastic! Workout programs are so subjective, I think. What one person likes another may not, and vice versa. I have really found that trying a bunch is the way to go. If you don’t like P90X, odds are you will like Insanity — they are very different!
And, good luck making the nut butter. If you do make almond butter, be sure to add plenty of oil if the almonds are not roasted — almond butter takes more oil than peanut butter to produce a creamy result.
Thanks – they truly are subjective. ? I’ll definitely keep those almonds oiled up . I wonder if pecan butter will be any good? I have a lot of those… hmmm… those seem pretty oily too – maybe not so much oil to add to them.
Mmmm…pecan butter! That sounds delicious. I think I will try it out this weekend!
Just made my first batch – seems to smooth out better with water. I put a little bit of olive oil and then tried some regular vegetable oil – it helped but once the water went it – smooth city hit! Now just trying to figure out what it goes with… while still sticking to my 24 day Challenge… lol! :/ Celery isn’t too bad.
Hey, im 14 years old and i have been looking for a good workout program for quite some time. I am very fit, i excersice everyday, i only weigh 47 kilos and the main reason i’ve been looking for one of these workouts isnt because i want to lose weight but its because i want to build bigger muscles, a more noticeable six pack and a stronger chest.
I know im only 14 and you’re probably going to say that i shouldnt be doing this at my age but what workout would you reccommend for me that mee my requirements? Insanity?
Thanks
Hi Markian,
Good for you! I think it is great that you are putting work into your health at age 14. If you want to build muscle and get stronger, I would actually recommend P90X. It is weight training three days a week, cardio two days, and two days of stretching (which you may want to skip, depending on your time availability). The emphasis in the weights routine is lifting fairly heavy, which is what will get you that stronger chest and shoulders, and the Abs workout is done 3X a week and will get you that 6-pack. Perhaps go on Amazon.com and read the reviews from folks that have done it…
IMO, Insanity is geared more towards dropping weight fast — because it is a ton of high intensity cardio — and you clearly do not need to do that.
Good luck to you!
Hello,
I am a 70 yr old woman, weigh 189 and am 5′ 2″. I have lost about 4 inches in height. I do have knee pain from a fall on them in 2010, and a tear in the right hip cartilage. I have lower back pain and have had ruptured disks in 1980 but have healed over the years. Just a weaker back. Balance is not good. I desperately need to lose weight and exercise for toning and for strength and for my health. I have Osteopenia. I need to make stronger bones.
There are so many home exercise programs and I can’t afford to try several to find the right one for me. I do need a good one though. I have a home treadmill and a total gym, a wooden balance beam that I had made to lay on the floor and is about 3 inches high to practice balance. I have an exercise ball and 3 lb hand weights.
Would you please recommend a good program for me to get started with and be able to keep using for a few years, so it can’t be TOO EASY, yet not too hard. I just don’t want to invest money in one that’s too easy and get bored with too soon. I am starting the NutriSystem Diet program to go along with exercise. I need to lose weight as fast as possible for me and my health issues. I need a program that will be easy to understand the instructions on the DVD that doesn’t skip from one exercise to another too quickly. I don’t want the most expensive program either. Please e-mail me your answer. Thanks for your help. (Would the Insanity Challenge be good for me, if I just take it slower?)
Hi LSB,
I am not a fitness professional or doctor, so I would definitely recommend talking to your doctor about this.
However, there is one thing of which I’m sure, I would NOT recommend Insanity to you based on what you have described. It is very high impact and very little focus on building muscle. Just not what you need at all. You would probably end up hurt, frustrated, and unhappy with your purchase.
I would tell you to check out the Jari Love Get Ripped Series. It is mostly focused on building muscle, and most of her DVDs do not include any jarring high impact exercises. There are a ton of choices in that line, and I have recommended them to several of my older co-workers — and they all seem to enjoy them. They are tough, but doable, and give you room to grow.
Good luck!
Angela
I definitely agree with the article and boredom factor. My experience was opposite though. I was bored with P90X and very much engaged with Insanity. Like you said, 2 different people (trainers) and 2 different workout styles. I liked the non-stop cardio based workout of Insanity vs the start/stop pace of P90X. Both very good workouts, just depends on your preference. I appreciate your honesty in this article.
Mario