Beachbody Insanity Review
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By CANDICE GREY ConsumersCompare.org Update: Jul 09, 2024 |
About The Insanity Workout Schedule
Week 1
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Week 2
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Week 3
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Week 4
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Recovery Week
- Mon: Core Cardio & Balance
- Tue: Core Cardio & Balance
- Wed: Core Cardio & Balance
- Thu: Core Cardio & Balance
- Fri: Core Cardio & Balance
- Sat: Core Cardio & Balance
- Sun: Rest
Month 2
Week 5
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Week 6
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Week 7
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Week 8
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About The Workout
So we know that this workout is really hard and it will make you sweat like no other, but why? The exercises are primarily HIIT exercises, which stands for High Intensity Interval Training, and they are meant to boost your heart rate up high, and then allow you at least 30 seconds of recovery time afterward. A large majority of the exercises last around 3 minutes per rep, but it really just depends on what exercise you are performing to get exact times. The sequence of a couple of minutes at high intensity followed by 30 seconds off will last for around 45 minutes, which will give you the best burn of your life if you are putting in your max effort. [2] This workout program is not a weight program by any means and you will literally be using your body for all of the exercises. You will be doing a lot of lunges, squats, kicks, punches, push ups, and jumps to get your heartrate up. Even though you will be upright most of the time, you also might be on your hands and knees in plank position doing push ups and plank walks too for abdominal work. There are also many different yoga and stretching positions you will get into and learn so that your body will better recover from the wear and tear you will be doing for the previous 35 minutes. What about insanity workout results? Your muscles will be more defined and more cut, and you will be burning fat at high rates if you perform the workouts to your max effort. You will also gain flexibility as well as stamina throughout the course of two months. You will not bulk up with this style of exercise, rather you will see a more lean and athletic look overall. If you are not a workout from home person, you can still enjoy this DVD series many different places. For example, if you have a laptop and want to get a workout in at the park, simply make sure your laptop is charged and set up. Working out will not be the only way you will see results when partaking in the Insanity program, however. You will need to eat right and hydrate your body so that you see the best results possible, especially if you are going through the commitment to work hard.
What Exactly Comes In The Package?
You will get a series of 10 DVD’s as mentioned above, which will get you jump started. You will also receive an Insanity workout Calendar which makes it easier for you to track your workouts and keep you accountable so that you do not miss one. It also comes with a quick start guide which gives you a 10 minute tour into the two month journey you are about to embark on. You will also receive an elite nutrition plan, which has over 60 days’ worth of recipes and meals to choose from. Lastly, you will get online support from the Team Beachbody site which will give you the support and comradery you might be missing when doing home workouts. Another nice thing about purchasing the insanity package is the fact that once you go through the program once, you have the insanity workout for free essentially after that.
back to menu ↑Beachbody Insanity Claims
Shaun T, the Beachbody founder, claimed that this was the toughest workout he has ever created and the toughest set of workout DVD’s available today. Many people would agree with him, and they are convenient because they do not require any gym equipment. They also claim,
“With INSANITY, you do exactly the opposite. You work flat out in 3 to 5-minute blocks, and take breaks only long enough to gulp some air and get right back to work. It’s called Max Interval Training, because it keeps your body working at maximum capacity through your entire workout. You keep pushing your limits – so your body has to adapt.” [3] “For the first time, we’re extending our standard, 30-day money-back guarantee for a full 60 days. Think what that means. You not only get to try INSANITY, you get to actually finish the program. And if you’re not insanely happy with the results, you can send it back for a full refund of the purchase price, less shipping and handling. You get all the reward, without any of the risk.” [3]
Other than that, there are no real large claims made about the effectiveness of the program. The workout really speaks for itself and there are many videos on the main website for a potential customer to look at. Just a side note, if you have experienced any knee or joint pain in the past, it is best to approach this program cautiously. There is a lot of jumping and landing in many of the different workouts, which may leave you feeling more hurt than in shape.
back to menu ↑The Science (or Lack Thereof) Behind The Effectiveness of HIIT Workouts
There have been many studies done on the effectiveness of HIIT training in relation to fat loss and weight loss overall. In one study done from NCBI the results showed,
“When comparing HIIE (High Interval Intensity Exercise) and steady state aerobic exercise and found that after 24 weeks subjects in the HIIE group lost more subcutaneous fat, as measured by skin folds, compared to a steady state exercise group when exercise volume was taken into account.” [4]
This is just one of many different studies done on this type of exercise, but they all have proven how effective it is for burning fat and increasing lean muscle in the leastamount of time possible. Another study done by Science News,
“One of the most dramatic effects of HIIT is how quickly it increases muscle endurance. “HIIT is much more time-efficient than normal endurance exercise,” notes Håkan Westerblad, a muscle and exercise physiologist at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. “For some groups you get better faster with HIIT than with normal endurance exercise.” It’s a short workout that produces results quickly. “Some studies have shown effects in as little as two weeks,” Jelleyman notes, if the person is working out at their highest intensity. “But usually you expect at least two months for long-term changes.” [5]
I could go on and on about the effectiveness of HIIT workouts and how they are effective, but it might be just one of those things you have to try out for yourself. Each workout has been said to burn at least 600-1,000 calories, which is almost an entire day’s worth for people dieting. This happens in just 45 minutes time, which means you are really moving! It is not going to be for everyone, however, as this intense of a workout is not for a person who is just getting into training. You will take a fit test at the beginning, so that the workout will be better monitored for your level of fitness and so you do not get hurt. Even with this fit test, it is important to not overdo it or you may end up hurt and not able to complete the rest of the workout DVD’s.
Word On The Street About Beachbody Insanity
When you first start out with this workout, it might be a shock to your system, but you will get used to the intensity and it may start to feel good after a while. When looking into specific Insanity Workout reviews, there were thousands upon thousands of people who have tried this program and either liked it or were not able to finish due to its challenging nature. Some of the comments included that the workouts contained a lot of jumping, which hurt their joints and gave them pain to the point where they could not even finish the workout. Those who had positive comments about the program said that it reinvented the way they thought about body weight workouts. See some authentic comments below: Jenny (2013, 1 star),
The Difference Between P90X and Insanity
The two workouts that often get paired up against each other are the famous P90X and Insanity workouts. While both are equally tough, many people wonder what the true differences between P90X and Insanity are. Each provide daily and weekly FIIT workouts, and they are both insanely good body workouts no doubt, but there are differences. With the increase in gym memberships, at home workouts are becoming more and more popular with many different groups of people. Whether you are a busy business savvy employee who does not have time to hit the gym or a new mom who is trying to get back into shape, they can appeal to many different groups. It is almost impossible to not have heard about it in one way or another through all of the mass marketing that is happening with internet and TV today. One of the main differences happens to be in the timeline of each program, with Insanity only lasting for 60 days and P90X lasting for 90 days. Another difference is the company and creator who made each workout; Shaun T is the founder of Insanity and Tony Horton is the founder of P90X. P90X specifically targets 12 different workouts that help achieve the ultimate muscle boost all while incorporating different moves like yoga, mixed martial arts, plyometric, strength training, and abdominal work. [9] Unlike Insanity, P90X will require some equipment, which is why different product packages are offered. For example, with the P90X program, there are three different programs you can purchase. The first of them being the basic P90X package which includes 12 DVD’s to follow, a 3-Phase nutrition program, a workout calendar (similar to Insanity), a fitness guide, and online support. The second package you can purchase is called the deluxe package and it comes with everything listed above plus a chin up bar, resistance bands, and a recovery formula. The final program you can purchase is called the Ultimate, and it includes 5 more workouts, plus some additional workout equipment you will need while going through the 90 days. A huge difference right away is the lack of equipment needed for Insanity vs P90X, which is why it appeals to people. The only equipment you will need for Insanity are some good shoes, and even those are not a necessity. I have personally done a few Insanity workouts without shoes and faired just fine! P90X requires a lot of pull ups and chin ups which I found to be extremely hard, even though I am capable of doing both exercises. A support person is needed if you are weak in this area, or you can just skip it all together, but you will not get all of the benefits of the program. There is less standing around, and less recovery time in the Insanity workouts, which can make them feel more “intense”, but they are also shorter in time. Another large factor in deciding between the two are the costs associated with the different programs. Essentially, they are all trying to get the athlete to achieve the same end goal and that is to get in shape and to lose weight. The Ultimate P90X package costs near $350, whereas the most expensive package for Insanity will come in at $150. That is a large difference in price points for a program that is 60 days and requires no gym equipment, yet can give you really great results. I don’t mean to sound biased because I truly like both workout programs, but Insanity does give you better bang for your buck and it takes less time too! That brings me to another point, because some of the P90X workouts are anywhere from 60-90 minutes, whereas the Insanity workouts do not go over 45 minutes. There is more cardio involved in the Insanity workouts, whereas the P90X workouts target certain areas of the body in each workout. Some folks really like specific exercises for each day versus putting the entire body through the grind. Recovering can feel harder with Insanity, and it also can be harder on your joints due to the pounding, jumping, and less recovery time. There are pros and cons to both of them, as they each offer completely different ideas on health, fitness, and how to burn fat. Depending on which package you invest in with P90X the cost can be somewhat similar but you will also be paying for workout equipment somewhere down the line, which will ultimately be a more expensive program. It is best to not use the Insanity workout download, and just get physical DVD’s so you always have the program on hand if need be!
back to menu ↑The Bottom Line: Is Insanity Worth A Try?
Yes. This program is not for everyone, so do not get me wrong! It is best to make an informed and realistic decision before jumping into an intense program like this one. While it has provided very positive results for a majority of the people who have stuck with it, it also has hurt some individuals too. It is best to really understand how your body best operates and then make your decision from there. If you like to workout from home, don’t have a lot of time, and have the joints and ligaments that will hold up under Insanity’s demands, this might be the program for you. They offer a 30-day money back guarantee and are known for their good customer service, so there should not be much stress there! Overall this program is a great idea and has given customers much needed freedom from stagnant living, igniting their passion for getting into great shape! Once you purchase the DVD’s you have them for life, so there is also a possibility you could go back to them years later and get back into great shape which makes it also worth the purchase!
