Insanity

eroxy20

Hello,
I am on Day Three of Insanity but I have not done the video yet today. I am a beginner but decided that I wanted the challenge of the insanity program and would just work to my max. I do the best I can and modify when necessary. I have been able to work hard. This program seems pretty hard on my knees though. Anyone else experience knee pain on Day 3? I'm debating on taking today off (its Cardio Recovery day) and trying to give my knees a break but I feel really guilty even thinking about it. I don't want to injure myself and I don't really want to change programs because I do believe that insanity produces results and I have no problem working myself as hard as I can even though I am not able to do every single set of something. Has anyone taken a day off here or there? Does it slow/reduce your results overall? I am actually up one pound since starting the program a few days ago but I read that that is typical due to water retention/muscle recovery. I just want to be able to progress in a positive manner.

Suggestions? Would a neoprene knee brace help you think? Or just take a day off and try to double up (cardio recovery + pure cardio) tomorrow?

Thank you in advance.

Lyadeia

The first thing that stuck out was that you said "Insanity produces results." I just wanted to clarify to you that ANY exercise and nutrition regimen will produce results. It is NOT Insanity that does it, but rather, it is the calorie deficit you are eating and increasing through working out.

That being said, Insanity is VERY hard on the knees. Most people would never recommend plyometrics to beginners, and it's mainly because of the knee and hip issues that it can cause.

If you are hurting, you need to take it easy. If you keep going, even if you are wearing a brace, then you are opening yourself up for bigger and more painful injuries in the future.

I personally like the Insanity workouts ON OCCASION. I think they are great cardio, but you can incorporate them into your more balanced program with cardio + weight training with greater rest periods between weight training and/or plyo days (leading to better recovery and faster results) without doing the program as written out in the guide.

Just my .02 cents.

lyndabyh

Cardio recovery is mostly stretching to help "recover" from all the jumping. I'd try it but maybe not go as far into the stretches if it bothers your knees. My knees were'nt sore but I had sore feet and shins for the first few days. By the end of week one they were starting to feel better.

iluminadaonix

I did insanity twice. I recommend you buy a foam mat or exercise mat. I bought mine in Walmart. I also used proper form such as bending knees before jump as well. Once I did that my knees hurt less.