Insanity Workout Re-cap Week 1
Hi guys! How’s your day been?
Thanks for your awesome feedback on the Show Me Your Smoothie post! I hope you get some fun new ideas from it 🙂
Feel inspired by all of the creative smoothies, I decided to get in on the action and try something NEW!
Special ingredient:
Blueberry Lavender Smoothie
-1 C almond milk
-1/2 – 1 C water
-1 C frozen organic blueberries
-1/2 banana
– 2 t hemp seeds
– 1 scoop vanilla Sun Warrior
– 1 t dried lavender (+ extra for garnish)
-1/2 T maca
– 1 t vanilla
– pinch Stevia (optional)
It was SOOOOO delicious 😀
Kind of like Shaun T’s abs…. haha
(He’s the mastermind behind Insanity)
So as ya’ll know, Ashley and I have been doing the Insanity workout. (FTC disclaimer: I’m not getting paid for this review and did not get the DVDs for free. Ashley paid for them- I’m just providing the workout location and occasional protein smoothies) At the request of some lovely bloggies, I’m going to write up my initial thoughts on the program and will update ya’ll each week with my progress and reviews on the workout.
Here’s some info on Insanity:
-It’s a 60 day max interval training – this is the exact opposite from traditional interval training. Instead of going at a recovery pace and adding really difficult blasts for short amount of time, you go balls to the wall for longer, with short rests in between. The workouts are intended to be done 6 days per week, with one of those days being a recovery, more restorative type of workout and the 7th day of the week totally off.
–Insanity utilizes your own body weight for resistance (no weights), can be done in a small area and the DVDs are short (less than an hour each day) but very effective.
Even the packaging is intense:
(Source)
-It includes 10 DVDs that you rotate through according to the schedule:
1. Dig Deeper Fit Test (30 minutes)
2. Plyometric Cardio Circuit (40 minutes)
3. Cardio Power and Resistance (40 minutes)
4. Cardio Recovery and Max Recovery (40 minutes each)
5. Pure Cardio and Abs (40 minutes)
6. Cardio Abs (20 minutes
7. Core Cardio and Balance (40 minutes)
8. Max Interval Circuit (60 minutes)
9. Max Interval Plyo (55 minutes)
10. Max Cardio Conditioning and Abs (50 minutes)
The program also includes a nutrition guide, calendar and fitness guide, which goes over a lot of the exercises.
Week 1 thoughts:
– I feel really, really good. To be honest, the first Fit Test scared me a little, but it was a great way to start the program and will be a good way to see how much stronger I get as we continue. The workouts are ridiculously challenging, but not impossible or to the point where I dread them—I really look forward to our AM Insanity seshes. Because I sweat like a beast, it feels glorious to get the toxins out and the intense cardio gives me noticeable energy and feel-great endorphins.
–Shaun T. is an excellent teacher. He’s motivating, but not in a cheeseball way, and encourages you to take breaks when you need them. He goes over the movements while you’re doing them to make sure you have proper form and always says that if your form starts to suffer, take a break and then get back into it the right way.
-This workout program is definitely about quality over quantity. From teaching, lifting weights, running, yoga-ing, doing Pilates and training clients, my workouts were starting to slip into the “more time, way lower quality” category. Less is more.. if it’s effective. I’m working out for far less time each day and after a full week, I’m already seeing subtle (but celebrated!) physical results.
-The movements are very high impact and if you have bad joints, medical conditions or are injured, I would not recommend the program at all. I danced for my entire life, so hopping and jumping aren’t foreign things to me, but I could see that if I were beginning this program at the start of my weight loss journey, I wouldn’t stick with it. I would be intimidated, lose motivation, become discouraged and the DVDs would be pushed to the bottom my exercise DVDs.
-This program isn’t for beginners. A lot of the exercises begin with the assumption that you already know proper form- if you don’t, you could easily hurt yourself. I really think that this program is better-suited for active, athletic people who are just stuck in a rut (like ME!). It’s a great way to shock your body and trick your muscles into evoking change.
–I’m excited to see what our results are like! Ashley started a week before I did (and then re-started the program with me when I got back from Orlando) and her abs look AMAZING. We took pictures and measurements (which I’m not going to post on the blog because well, that info wouldn’t really help anyone) before starting the program and I can’t wait to compare our end results.
So that’s it for my Week 1 thoughts- I’ll give ya’ll an update each week and will write a final review post when it’s over.
(Source)
I would probably do each Insanity workout in a row before I’d go skydiving. Just the thought scares the dickens out of me!
Off to walk the puppers <3
G
Have you ever tried a DVD workout program?I haven’t in a looooong time, but I used to Tae Bo like it was nobody’s biznazz 😉
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I would love to try Insanity or P90X, but I’ve been afraid that they wouldn’t be effective for me, since I have knee problems and doing a ton of jumping moves (like jump squats, etc) can make it hurt… based on your review, it sounds like i might be right. Bummer, but at least I didn’t put in all the $$ to buy it already!
yeah if you have knee probs, it would totally mess with your knee. :/ the good news is that there’s a lot of low impact stuff that you can do, like spinning and swimming
Yep, lots of cycling and yoga going on over here 🙂
I’ve heard of p90x, but haven’t heard of this until you started blogging about it. Yet another thing I’ve learned about from you 🙂 I want to try this! I may get it for the summer. Keep up the reviews, I would love to see before and after pics, but I totally get why you wouldn’t want to post them! thanks for sharing as always!
Love the Insanity review! I’m on week 5 of P90X and loving it so far — for a lot of the same reasons. It’s been great to change up my workout, which had definitely fallen into a rut. I do have some knee issues that are aggravated by the Plyo and “Kenpo X” P90X workouts, but they are VERY doable with some slight modifications to two or three of the moves.
My friends and I invested in the program, but due to a bad infection last week, I am starting a week behind them. I am excited to see what the results will be like, but wonder if I am doing too much. I don’t want to stop lifting, so 3 days a week I lift and do insanity. Any thoughts? Thanks for all the smoothie recipes, it will be a nice change to mix it up!!
ehhh, if you’re doing insanity, i’d just stick with that and get back into weight lifting (with maybe 2-3 days of insanity) when the program is over. you don’t want to overwork your muscles, because then your results wont be as good.
this sounds really interesting! what with summer around the corner and tons of hiking i don’t know if it’s the right workout for me right now, but come winter when i’m freezing my arse off outside it would be great to have the insanity program!
Thanks for the awesome review! I do have runner’s knee and pounding can really kill it, but it’s good to know that it’s out there and that it does work 🙂
hi gina, that workout sounds awesome!! i would love to try it sometime. my aunt and sister do P90X and they LOVE it. now i know what to expect from insanity! i went bungee jumping, and i think even after i already did it, i would rather do all of the insanity workouts – and i dont even know what they are yet! terrifying
Great recap! I did Chalean Extreme and loved it! I know she bugs a lot of people, but I really like her videos:)
Are you serious?!?! I JUST bought a container of lavender last night because I thought I might use it for “something”!!! Whoa!
Thanks for the Insanity review! Growing up, because my mother was also overweight, she would be every bloody gimmick in the book. From Richard Simmons (man…I did ALL the Richard Simmons stuff) to Greers Childers (wack-job) I was suckered into doing ’em all. I did enjoy Tae-bo though (although I couldn’t do it at the time, could now though!).
Tae Bo! Love it. My friend and I certified as instructors with Billy Blanks a few years ago, and I still go to my friend’s classes and I teach cardio-kickboxing at the local University. My friend watched some of the insanity dvds last night though and threw some of those plyometrics moves into this morning’s class –KILLER!! These might have to be an investment for me. You’re right –they shake you up!
I’m starting P90X on May 1st. I’m excited, but nervous!
Love you blog! Have you ever tried CrossFit? A lot of military men do it….
I have been CrossFitting for over a year and will never look back. I am a former marathon runner/Olympic-distance triathlete who thought if you didn’t workout for hours you were pretty much a wuss 😉
CrossFit changed my life. It is HANDS-DOWN the hardest thing you will ever do. Olympic lifting, running, jumping, pullups, gymnastics moves. It’s awesome! I have crazy-muscles and I do things I never thought possible (handstand pushups anyone?) A 20-25 minute workout is all you need, because you physically can’t do more!
Love it! You should try it.
And no offense PX90 lovers, a PX90 workout doesn’t even qualify as a CrossFit warmup…hehe jk
Thanks for the review!
I recently bought the Physique 57 workout DVD set and have been using it for the past couple weeks– I’m in love!! I have definitely noticed an increase in my strength and definition, and don’t dread the workouts, even though they DO burn! The instructor has a fun personality that gets me through it. 😉
My workout buddy just got P90X, so I’m excited to try that out with her sometime soon, too!
Lavender in a smoothie just sounds glorious! I have tried P90X and such a few times, but have never bought them myself. However, the group classes that I’m certified in (Les Mills) send out DVDs to learn the classes, so I do those – they are fun!
I love Jillian DVDs! I tried the Tracy Anderson Method dvd and I didn’t like it one bit. I wanted to throw something at Tracy when she made me do standing arm circles for 20 minutes without stopping.
Have you tried P90X? I have never tried it but I have friends who swear by it. From the little I know, it sounds a lot like the Insanity DVDs.
i haven’t tried it but have friends that have- the major differences is that insanity is shorter (40-60 minutes while p90x is 90 minutes) and insanity uses body weight for resistance
I am with you on the skydiving thing. Freaks me out just thinking about it. It is one of those bucket list items for me but I don’t know if I will ever get to it. Have to get over my fear of heights first I suppose.
Wow Tae Bo, haven’t heard of that in a while. I use to do those DVDs everyday. Then after 6 months, I was so sick of them. I recently found one of the DVDs and did it again and it is strange but it was easier now…haha.
i don’t needto know your actual measurements, but would you be willing to post the amount of inches lost/gained in the end? i am just curious how much of a difference it will make in an already-fit person? i’ve heard of crazy results but i’ve actually never seen anyone say an actual number lost from someone that wasn’t a little overweight.
sure, i’ll definitely do that 🙂
It may be time for some cardio variation. Pondering that. I can’t wait to read more about how it goes for you. You can be my guniea pig 🙂 It definitely sounds like a tough workout so far.
I truly believe I would barf a lung if I tried Insanity or P90X. Which, of course, makes me want to try them at least once.
I’ve been contemplating buying the Shred, too, but I know I’ll just stick with my three-days-a-week gym routine. Creature of habit, fa sho.
The Shred? Ohhhh, more details please!
I’ve always wanted to try insanity or P90X – but I’m not sure if I could do it! I’m fit cardio-wise, but I’m not exactly pumping out one handed push ups lol do you think I could give this a try or would I totally just die?
Thanks so much for posting this review! I’ve heard that Insanity is insane 🙂 and am too scared to try it for myself – but maybe some day! I have a guy friend that is trying to get in shape for his wedding and ordered the Insanity DVDs a couple of months ago (with his prior exercise consisting of walking to class, lol) and was unable to finish the workouts at first. He definitely said that the program requires at least a basic level of fitness… which he learned the hard way. LOL 🙂 but he stuck with it and is getting supa-fit!
thats probably the best packaging ever! ur definitely gonna keep the box right? too good to get rid of. <3
You are the BEST infomercial ever!!! 🙂 🙂
Thanks chica!!!
Thanks so much for the review!! You gave great details on pretty much everything I’d have questions about 🙂 One more, though – do you know what the difference between Insanity and P90X is? I’ve seen both infomercials, and they seem quite similar…
insanity is shorter (40-60 minutes) and uses body weight for resistance, p90x uses actual weights and equipment and is longer (90 minutes)
Hey Gina! So funny that you did this review because when Bobby came home from work today, he said he had taped an infomercial over the weekend about a new workout he wants to try. Guess what it’s called? 🙂
I’ve tried P90X in the past and loved it. I’m excited to follow you as you do this program because I love trying new workouts.
Love the smoothies!
i can’t find enough motivation to do a workout on dvd in my living room. its just not a the right environment. I would rather go to the gym, or go for a run or bike outside.
Insanity seems much more doable than PX90, which is cool. Are the DVDs super expensive? I saw someone else ask what your overall inches lost and stuff were, and I’m interested in your results, too. Not so much inches lost, but how you feel and look at the end to yourself. Stronger? More cut? More energy? Etc. Thanks for the review!
yeah i’ll definitely add that in when it’s all over 🙂
i want to say the dvds are around $150?
Hi Gina! Thanks for the Insanity review!! I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I finished P90X last week and I loved it! Like you said, it was great to change things up and my body looks and feels the best it has ever been!!
Just FYI, the only video in P90X that is 90 minutes long is Yoga which is done once a week (twice a week in recovery weeks). The other vidoes are right under an hour. BUT, on weight days, you also have to add in the Ab video which is 15 minutes. (Killer Ab video by the way!)
wow, good to know!
Awesome review! Thanks for this 🙂
xo
K
Great recap! Quick question, what kinds of exercises are there in the dvd? Or is it mostly cardio?
mostly cardio but toning moves too
Awesome!!! I might try this out after my half marathon in September (need to focus on running until then). PS. Your tweets make me want to join twitter. 😉
I have done both P90X and Insanity. I think Insanity is a lot harder than the X. I got good results from both, but they were different. The X made my arms look amazing and Insanity got me in the best cardiovascular shape ever! It made plyo seem easy. Insanity is not for someone that isn’t somewhat already fit. The main difference between them is that the X uses weights, Insanity uses your body weight. Insanity workouts are shorter – usually less than an hour and the P90X workouts are under 1 hour with the exception of yoga – 90 mins and on weight days you add in the ab ripper – 15 mins.
I like to use yoga DVDs at home and I remember way back when I did TAEBO! haha. Billy Blanks all the way baby, haha!
I definitely want to try Insanity.
Thanks for the info.
LC
Thanks for the review. We are always looking for new workouts…we will have to give it a try.
Oh and your lavender smoothie looks so good…I love lavender!!
I’m doing Insanity right now too, and love it so far. Like you, I can totally already see some celebrated changes. It looks like we are on the same schedule [I think we started the same day, haha!] so I think it will be cool to kind of see what you think as we go along and compare it to my own thoughts.
Lavender tastes wonderful with chocolate. My favorite is vegan cafe makes lavender chocolate chip cookies and I bought a crazy good wild blueberry lavender dark chocolate bar from Daegoba not too long ago.
Thanks for the review!! 🙂 Looking forward to the re-caps each week!
I’m glad you mentioned this program isn’t for beginners or people with weak joints. I was well into my third week of Insanity and getting ridiculous results…abs popping, cut shoulders, and feeling amazing! Now I am seeing the foot doctor on Wednesday for what I think may be a stress fracture in my ankle. I played basketball by whole life, run all the time (especially sprint work) so am no stranger to high impact. Who knows could have been my 6 month old shoes? I have never had an injury before.
Not sure why I just told you all that other than the fact that you are seriously making me miss the workouts! They are like a drug…I would get such a high afterwards!
I watched an Insanity infomercial and it looks awesome, but I have a hard time spending more than 15 bucks on a workout DVD. Also, if I don’t have a buddy to do it with, I know I just won’t do it because I find working out at home a real bore. Perhaps I can find a friend to go halvsies with me on cost and participation. 🙂
And skydiving is awesome. I’ve done it and it is such a rush–it doesn’t feel like falling, it feels like flying! Weee!
I have the P90X program, but am saving in for a time when I am in a rut.
i’ve been wanting to try insanity for a while now-i’m waiting to find someone to split the $$ with me! thanks for your reviews (i asked you about it on formspring too) and it makes me want to try it even more!
Whats the nutritional plan look like for Insanity?
it’s pretty bare bones but very feasible if you want to stick to it (hint: you can find the full plan online. google insanity nutrition plan pdf)
I just started the Insanity workout today and I love it! I definitely was super energized afterwards. I am wondering what do you do after the 60 days of Insanity, when you are insane shape? Do you just go back to your old routine? Does anyone know what Shaun T. recommends?
i’m not sure what he recommends. i know people who have integrated the dvd’s into their regular training when they’re done (3-4 days instead of 6) and people (who are CRAZY) who just repeat the program
I am in week 8 of P90X right now and I absolutely LOVE it. I am planning on doing INsanity when I finish! i have heard of people combining them too…ie doing insanity on the non-weights days of p90x. P90X seems to be way more weights-heavy and the goals are different. p90x = muscle gain, insanity = cardio benefits (weight loss, endurance, etc). But i haven’t done insanity. that’s just what I’ve heard.
Katie — so, you like p90x so far? I’ve been seriously contemplating getting it – I’m in such a rut!
Anyone else have success on p90x.
And now there’s INSanity which sounds amazing too!
Whats a girl to do? 😉
Hi Gina!
Hope you’re having a fantastic vacation.
For the Insanity program, would you recommend running on top of it? I’m training for a 10-miler, but also want to try the Insanity program too.
Thanks!
ehhh honestly, i’d wait til after the 10-miler. running would be a little too much (the program is HARDCORE cardio)– even teaching zumba on top of insanity has been a little tough for me. i’d hate for you to overtrain and injure yourself– just be smart <3
Can you do Insanity in your living room? It sounds like a lot of jumping around…I don’t want my downstairs neighbors to get too mad 🙂 How much space do you need?
yes you definitely can but it’s a lot of jumping- i’d do it when they’re not home
I just started insanity this week!! I did the fit test and the plyo circuit so far, I LOVE it. Its difficult, but i know i am getting a great workout. I’m excited to see the results. I am already in good shape but my body has gotten use to doing the same workouts so this will be a nice change of pace. Are you doing the insanity workouts on top of your normal workouts?
Hey Gina!
Quick question, do you need special shoes for insanity or is it feasible to do in running shoes or barefoot?
Also, do you think it could be done in a dorm room?
Thanks!
I really really REALLY wanna do Insanity, although I don’t know if I could exactly handle it. I do like, Jillian Michaels workout DVD’s and those probably don’t add up to an Insanity DVD..but I want to try it really bad. Should I spend the money and see, or do you have another suggestion that’s a little easier, but still pretty challenging? Thanks <3