Insanity: I Met My Match

The Trainer Momma 

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In an attempt to support the Doc in his weight loss endeavors (40 lbs and counting!) and to be utterly romantic, I purchased the home workout program "Insanity" from www.beachbody.com (the same company that gave us P90X). 






Insanity boasts to be the hardest workout on DVD.  I knew Insanity would be challenging, and would give it the high five it deserves for definitely being the toughest workout out on DVD that I've personally done.

Here's my run down of the strengths and weaknesses of Insanity:

Strengths:

-  Plyometrics galore.

-  Interval training galore.

-  Sent my heart rate racing -- nothing is better.

-  It is like the hardest stinkin' class you've ever been to at the gym.  Times 10.

-  The entire workout does engage the core BIG TIME.

-  I loved all the stretching.

 -  Loved the nutrition info it sent as well as the booklet of simple recipes all around 300 calories.  I wished there were even more recipe ideas.

-  You are put through a Fit Test at the beginning, middle, and end to mark your progress.  Great idea.

Weaknesses:

-  LACK OF VARIETY. The. Same. Every. Day.
-  Not well balanced.  The program boasted that weights aren't needed, using your body weights does the trick.  Insanity has a bajillion push ups and does touch on the shoulders -- but the poor back, triceps and biceps are completely neglected. 

-  No weight training.  This was a huge leap for me to set my weights aside for 9 weeks.  However, full disclosure here:  I did lift once a week to work on my totally neglected biceps, triceps, and back. 

Results:

-  I have dropped 6 lbs while using Insanity.  However, I've watched my nutrition like a hawk, so don't really feel Insanity is the reason for the weight loss, but it definitely did support my efforts.

-  My body fat % stayed the same.  This was a relief since there were no weights lifted regularly for 2 months.  

-  I can do push ups in my sleep thanks to the never ending sets of them day after day.

-  I feel like my cardiovascular endurance has improved.  That is exciting.

-  I went back to the gym today and all the weights I lifted had to be increased.  I was surprised -- yippee!

-  I feel like my core and abs were noticeably strengthened.

This is insane me at the conclusion of one of my Insanity workouts, insanely exhausted.

So, in the end I was glad to see this program end.  I determined that the name "Insanity" is not really from the crazy hard workouts (although they are that) but from doing the same freakin' workout day after day for 9 long weeks.  The Doc would ask me, "What DVD do we have today?" to which I'd respond, "Does it matter?"  Yes, it does come with 10 different CD's, but they truly are all pretty much the same.  Tons of jumping and tons of pushups.  And Shaun T and the rest of his Insanites showing us their abs at every opportunity.

I would suggest Insanity to the intermediate or advanced athlete; this is NOT for beginners.  Also, commit to doing the program one time through, it's worth it.  However, don't throw it in the fireplace afterward (I nearly did), but hang onto it.  This is a fantastic resource for home.  It would be a great workout to throw in once or twice a week for your cardio.   However, it is definitely not a long term workout solution.  It is very hard on the body and terribly monotonous.

I drove to back to the gym to resume my normal workouts this morning.  I must say, despite it being 5:30 AM, it felt fantastic to be home :) Thanks, Insanity and Shaun T -- I'll see you around every now and then, but for now I'm glad to be back to my beloved weights and plethora of cardio choices.  YUM.

Again, I am in no way being compensated for writing this post for Insanity or www.beachbody.com. I just write about my experiences what I believe works and what doesn't.

Hey, Fit Mommas!  Have any of you out there done or thought of doing Insanity?  What are your thoughts about this?