Take It From Those Who Know: The Insanity Workout

There are few people out there who don’t want to be as physically fit as they can be… Nobody intends to get out of shape (and nobody ever wakes up like that one day). The demands on our daily life are not limited to the multi-tasking required at work. It’s not easy to commit to an impactful exercise regimen. It’s also not easy to push yourself as hard as you need to in order to maximize your conditioning and your health. With any number of workout programs available, more and more people are turning to Insanity in their search for peak physical fitness.

Not-So-Fringe Benefits

The benefits of any workout program are obvious enough; combined with a sensible diet, daily exercise reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, adult-onset diabetes and high blood pressure. Men and women of any age can stay in top shape using the Insanity workout program – provided they can bring the intensity. That’s where pro trainer Shaun T comes in. His motivation comes from within, and his own weight-loss experience (which propelled him into a fitness career) puts him in touch with the same basic issues that concern many people who have “let themselves go”. Shaun T’s attitude, and the prevailing attitude of most personal trainers, is that you need to get moving so you can get yourself back. Judging by all the online testimonials out there, this program will definitely produce results if you follow the instructions and maintain your dietary discipline. It is designed to succeed – meaning, it is designed to make you succeed.

Pleasantly Surprised to Feel the Burn

The nature of the workouts themselves is challenging enough that his program begins with a fitness test. The standards that he has set, determined through years of experience as a personal trainer, may exceed the physical abilities of some people; there are also modified exercises for those who may have certain injuries or limitations. Either way, workouts that are done in the P90X mold (using muscle confusion to cross-train the body) should be approached with a degree of caution, including Insanity. Even those who are in decent condition, who know what it takes to stay in good shape, are happily surprised to find themselves dripping with sweat, well into their cardio-zones in a matter of minutes and feeling the burn in places they had long since forgotten about. This is borne out by the typical Insanity workout review, each one a health and fitness documentary unto itself.

P90X vs Insanity? Apples and Oranges – But They’re Both Good for You

When it comes to the dynamics of P90X vs. Insanity, there are a few big differences that have little to do with the kinds of workouts each offers. Nobody questions the results of Tony Horton’s extremely popular program, but it’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all proposition. First off, P90X is a 90-day program, whereas Insanity lasts for 60 days. P90X is based on a 75-minute workout; Insanity workouts last for 45 minutes. P90X gives you one day of rest after six days of intense workouts. Insanity goes for three days with intensity, followed by a day of light conditioning for recovery, then two intense days followed by a day of rest. And whereas P90X requires the use of resistance bands and a yoga mat, Insanity is a workout where the only equipment required is the human body.

Some might look at those differences and think that P90X is the workout that offers more action and burns more calories. Many people prefer Insanity because of the shorter duration, with the focus on metabolism-boosting interval training. Also, because there is no equipment involved, Insanity is an easier program to stick to when you are away from home. As far as cost and availability go, there are great deals to be found on both programs. Those who find one too strenuous may feel like trying the other, and vice versa, but Insanity’s versatility and flexibility continue to appeal to an ever-growing audience as any other workout program, including P90X.