Is Insanity insane?

karmaheart

How many of you have actually completed Insanity? I find it very difficult! I would appreciate any tips to help me get through it. I feel so weak and lazy. I've done JM Body Revolution and completed it. Should I just stick with that?

TavistockToad

I did, but it was brutal, particularly month 2!

mean_and_lean

I did it. I ended up screwing up one of my feet from all the jumping around.

Rathgar77

I'm currently doing insanity. It's the toughest thing I've ever done. Just keep going. Rest if you need to and don't try to go at the instructors speed. I read they all had to do a round of Insanity first to get in sufficient shape to perform for the video. I just put in the disc and do it as hard as I feel I'm able to.

Good luck!

ew_david

It was definitely insane, however there is not one person in those DVDs who does the entire workout end to end; they all take breaks at one point or another, even Shaun T. I only did about three weeks of it because that's about my threshold for DVD type workouts.

jdhcm2006

I did the entire thing, and I modified moves. I took out a lot of the jumps and would march in place with high knees b/c my knees can't take all of that jumping. Take breaks when you need to, and just get through it while paying attention to your body.

jimmmer

Insane, as in a badly devised program?

Yep.

That volume and frequency of plyometrics is stupid for a more advanced trainee who has built the tendon/ligament thickness to deal with it. For a beginner (which is what these programmes are usually done by) it's nothing short of ridiculous.

wheelsjad

I don't think I have ever thought of insanity as a beginner program...you should definitely have some level of fitness or athleticism if you truly want to be successful at it. Diet is key, and everything can modified if need be. IMO the training that your body gets from it translates really well into real world fitness applications as well...I am 6'2"

NEW_BEGINNINGS28

Im currently doing insanity. Im in my 3rd week its definantetly hard but i push through and take breaks when needed. What has helped me lately is drinking a recovery protein shake after the workouts. I use vega sport performance protein

playadelcarmen2

I am three weeks into month two, it is the hardest thing I have ever done. It doesn't get easier, but it is doable. You have to really want to complete the 60 days or you just wont.

jimmmer

wheelsjad wrote: »

I don't think I have ever thought of insanity as a beginner program...you should definitely have some level of fitness or athleticism if you truly want to be successful at it. Diet is key, and everything can modified if need be. IMO the training that your body gets from it translates really well into real world fitness applications as well...I am 6'2"

Some people get lucky with it. Some don't.

As a programme - it's badly designed however you split it. There's literally no break between sessions for adequate soft tissue adaptation. And that wouldn't be SO much of a problem if the volume was lower, but the sheer number of plyometric movements in one session is off the charts.

When I say beginner- I mean beginner to plyometric training. You then get this person who's likely done few plyometric movements (or if they have certainly not to this volume) and you ask them to perform untold numbers of sloppy plyometric reps in a given time. Then you ask them to come back the following day and repeat.

Nuts. It's certainly well named.

pandabear_

I am on week 1 of month 2 and considering giving up... I managed to do the work outs no problem. I just haven't seen any difference in my body and I've actually put on weight and inches. So not really seeing any benefit in busting myself to fit it in.

I might just go back to running and doing home strength exercises.. As I actually saw the weight coming off doing that. Insanity managed to get my running time and speed a lot better, but that wasn't what I was looking for.

Glossberg

I started doing Insanity last week. I've been having problems with my right foot and right knee for months running/biking so I was looking for an alternative. I actually have been alternating between one day of Insanity and one day of strength training (TRX/free weights) through the week.

The program is a nice challenge. I love it and my knee/foot are the best they have felt since October!

TavistockToad

pandabear_ wrote: »

I am on week 1 of month 2 and considering giving up... I managed to do the work outs no problem. I just haven't seen any difference in my body and I've actually put on weight and inches. So not really seeing any benefit in busting myself to fit it in.

I might just go back to running and doing home strength exercises.. As I actually saw the weight coming off doing that. Insanity managed to get my running time and speed a lot better, but that wasn't what I was looking for.

i put on weight but lost inches.

if you're not seeing any difference in your body its because you're not in a deficit.

pandabear_

TavistockToad wrote: »

pandabear_ wrote: »

I am on week 1 of month 2 and considering giving up... I managed to do the work outs no problem. I just haven't seen any difference in my body and I've actually put on weight and inches. So not really seeing any benefit in busting myself to fit it in.

I might just go back to running and doing home strength exercises.. As I actually saw the weight coming off doing that. Insanity managed to get my running time and speed a lot better, but that wasn't what I was looking for.

i put on weight but lost inches.

if you're not seeing any difference in your body its because you're not in a deficit.

When did you start to notice that you had lost the inches?

And how many calories a day were you eating?

TavistockToad

pandabear_ wrote: »

TavistockToad wrote: »

pandabear_ wrote: »

I am on week 1 of month 2 and considering giving up... I managed to do the work outs no problem. I just haven't seen any difference in my body and I've actually put on weight and inches. So not really seeing any benefit in busting myself to fit it in.

I might just go back to running and doing home strength exercises.. As I actually saw the weight coming off doing that. Insanity managed to get my running time and speed a lot better, but that wasn't what I was looking for.

i put on weight but lost inches.

if you're not seeing any difference in your body its because you're not in a deficit.

When did you start to notice that you had lost the inches?

And how many calories a day were you eating?

after the first month. i put on 2lbs that never shifted.

I'll check my food diary - but to be honest what i ate doesn't matter - unless we happen to be exactly the same height/weight/activity level - you need to work out your own cals and get into a deficit?

ETA i was netting 2000 cals when i did insanity!

Soundwave79

It's my go to for when I want to do some intense cardio but I've never actually completed the program straight through. Mostly because there just isn't enough resistance training to it. It has quite a bit of bodyweight circuits and there is an upper body weights video but aside from that it's really alot of plyo cardio stuff. Which is great but for me I only want that 2-3 times a week not everyday. Insanity Pure Cardio is my go to vid when I feel like I need to get a good old sweat going.

TavistockToad

Soundwave79 wrote: »

It's my go to for when I want to do some intense cardio but I've never actually completed the program straight through. Mostly because there just isn't enough resistance training to it. It has quite a bit of bodyweight circuits and there is an upper body weights video but aside from that it's really alot of plyo cardio stuff. Which is great but for me I only want that 2-3 times a week not everyday. Insanity Pure Cardio is my go to vid when I feel like I need to get a good old sweat going.

pure cardio is my favourite too!

torrielewis1991

I finished insanity a month go I lost about 15 pounds and gain muscle. It was worth I just joined a gym this weekend and I don't sweat as much as I did with insanity good luck and stick with it!

karmaheart

After several attempts to do Insanity I have decided to give up. It's just too much for a person my size ( 5'4" 120 pound). I started doing body revolution combined with a 3 mile run. Good luck to everyone that's planning to complete it!

Rachel0778

I have never done the prescribed program because I'd be bored out of my mind doing a DVD day in and day out, but I do throw their DVD workouts into my exercise mix. I love having it around, especially when the weather is bad outside or I don't feel like going to the gym.

I do agree it helps a lot to have experience doing plyometric movements before attempting the disks. At the high speed they are completing the reps there is decent potential for accidental injury if your body isn't adapted and you dive into it too quickly.

rainbowbow

jimmmer wrote: »

wheelsjad wrote: »

I don't think I have ever thought of insanity as a beginner program...you should definitely have some level of fitness or athleticism if you truly want to be successful at it. Diet is key, and everything can modified if need be. IMO the training that your body gets from it translates really well into real world fitness applications as well...I am 6'2"

Some people get lucky with it. Some don't.

As a programme - it's badly designed however you split it. There's literally no break between sessions for adequate soft tissue adaptation. And that wouldn't be SO much of a problem if the volume was lower, but the sheer number of plyometric movements in one session is off the charts.

When I say beginner- I mean beginner to plyometric training. You then get this person who's likely done few plyometric movements (or if they have certainly not to this volume) and you ask them to perform untold numbers of sloppy plyometric reps in a given time. Then you ask them to come back the following day and repeat.

Nuts. It's certainly well named.

Okay, i think i understand your post: This is not a good program for those not well versed in plyometric training/form as the volume is incredibly high and there is more focus on doing as much as possible with/without good form....

However, for someone (like myself) who can perform these movements safely, would it be a viable option if adequate rest days were set between workouts? Or is the volume of training still too high?

As far as i'm familiar with plyometric training it is great at burning a bunch of calories, increasing power, and designed to help you exert maximum force in short intervals of time. But it's generally only done for short periods of time (<30 minutes), right? No?

halp plz

TavistockToad

karmaheart wrote: »

After several attempts to do Insanity I have decided to give up. It's just too much for a person my size ( 5'4" 120 pound). I started doing body revolution combined with a 3 mile run. Good luck to everyone that's planning to complete it!

Can I ask what your size has to do with it?

karmaheart

Can I ask what your size has to do with it? [/quote]

Not much really. I don't have much to shed and it's just not worth me hurting myself. I'm happy with body revolution. It's the same program at a slower pace

lindsayh87

I've completed it 3 times and am working on a 4th, I'm in week 1 of month 2. It's hard. You won't keep up, but neither do the people in the video. But if you eat at a deficit you will see results. I didn't see huge numbers moving on the scale until month two - which from what I hear is kind of normal. Don't give up. I was fairly out of shape when I started, I couldn't even come close to making it through the warm ups. The results and bragging rights are worth it though. The only place I did modification was occasionally I would have to do push ups on my knees but other wise slow down, take it at your pace. I have never been a runner because I didn't have the cardio endurance for it but the first time I went out to run a mile after completing insanity I ran a 5k because I felt so good! Just keep pushing, the only thing stopping you is your fear!

lindsayh87

This was the results from my very first 60 day round. I only did insanity.

tessie4841

I've completed it but then got bored but it's the best workout. I always tell people to do the most they can. If they do 20 reps and u do 10 it's fine. It will still define ur body. You'll see changes till second month for sure. I'm doing it again now

laraaragon

Insane to me! My plantar fasciitis flared horribly a few days into the program. Not for me!

karmaheart

lindsayh87 wrote: »

This was the results from my very first 60 day round. I only did insanity.

Awesome results!

karmaheart

tessie4841 wrote: »

I've completed it but then got bored but it's the best workout. I always tell people to do the most they can. If they do 20 reps and u do 10 it's fine. It will still define ur body. You'll see changes till second month for sure. I'm doing it again now

Going to try again tomorrow and only do half the reps. Thanks for the great advice!