Which do you prefer and why? Insanity or ChaLEAN Extreme?

i love chalean extreme!! she makes weight lifting so fun! but i also love how intense insanity is and how much it helped my cardio out

How much of a time commitment do these programs require? Is it an every day thing? Or just a few days a week? And how long are the workouts?

I remember everyone pushing P90X for a while there, but it's an hour a day committment, and I just can't do that. I've been considering trying Chalean, but I would have to have some flexibility in how/when I do the workouts. I can't do a structured program that doesn't have that flexibility.

Most Chalean Extreme workouts are around 35 minutes....I think the longest is 45 minutes, but I could be wrong. It does give you a structured workout plan, but I just tried to go in order, even if I missed a day.

ETA: Also, CLX can be done fairly easily in a small space. I have never done Insanity, but I would think things like burpees would require more space.

I LOVE Chalean Extreme! I've built lean muscle, my body is redefined and I can now do Tony Horton pushups thanks to Chalean. My husband JUST started Insanity and honestly SUICIDAL is a more appropriate title (said in a GOOD way). Were it not for my joint (knee and ankle issues), I'd be right down there getting my MEGA cardio burn on with him but yes, they are apples and oranges. Depends on what you need.

How much of a time commitment do these programs require? Is it an every day thing? Or just a few days a week? And how long are the workouts?

I remember everyone pushing P90X for a while there, but it's an hour a day committment, and I just can't do that. I've been considering trying Chalean, but I would have to have some flexibility in how/when I do the workouts. I can't do a structured program that doesn't have that flexibility.

I will admit that I haven't done the Insanity program. So take my opinion for what it is worth. I LOVE the Chalean program. If you follow the program you work out 5 days a week. 3 strength training and 2 cardio. Yes the program is 90 days but it changes up every 30 days the workouts are between 20-50minutes the Circuits (weight days) are an average of 45 minutes. I am about to do my 30 day measurements and pics today and am so excited I know I have lost several inches around my waist and my hubby is amazed at the definition I have gained in my back, arms and legs. Just my opinion. If you want more info feel free to message me.

Thanks! 35-45 minutes is great for weekdays, and 45-60 minutes (or more) I can manage on weekends. Sounds like I might be able to work these into my routine, but probably not follow a set schedule.

How are they on knees? I can't do Jillian because she HATES knees!!

And what kind of equipment do you need?

I have RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) and I haven't had much issues at all doing the program. I have more the first week or so than now. She is very careful to instruct you on the proper form of each move so that you are not harming your joints. I use dumbbells but you can also use resistance bands. So the only equipment you need is weights or bands. I am up to 15lbs but will prob. need to get 20 and 25lbs for the next phase.

I have not tried Insanity but I've done quite a few Jillian workouts and I just started Chalean Extreme last week. Jillian's workouts were hard on my knees too.

If you follow the schedule in the guidebook, Chalean Extreme has you do 3 days of weights and 2 days of cardio per week and 2 days of rest. Theres also an extra workout for your abs and a flexibility/yoga workout, those are done in addition to the cardio if you use their schedule. I love it. It's VERY different than the Jillian style. She has you use larger weights and has you go VERY slow in your lifting - she instructs you to choose a weight that you can lift with good form for at least 10 reps but that you will feel fatigue/failure by 12 reps and you're supposed to adjust your weights continuously based on that guideline. So if you felt like after 12 you could have done several more with good form, you're supposed to go heavier next time. It's very awkward between sets sometimes b/c with Jillian you're used to her rushing you into the next movement with no rest, but Chalene takes a moment to let you write down your info (how much weight, how many reps, whether you want to try a different weight next time) and takes a moment to explain what you're about to do. It's not crazy rushed like Jillian (note: I liked Jillian's style while I was doing it b/c I got awesome calorie burns from it LOL). Chalene is different b/c your days with the weights are ONLY with the weights. Your cardio days do incorporate some lighter weights but it's very different than the slow and heavy style you use on the weightlifting days.

Chalene also has a 'beginner' person using smaller weights and an amazing looking 60 year old woman doing the exercises with the resistance bands instead of weights, and both doing some modified exercises for less impact so you can see how to modify if you need to. Then she has her 2 advanced people in the back row using larger weights.

I'm still very early in the program, but I really like it. Some days I do some extra cardio to earn more snack calories LOL since the weightlifting sessions don't burn as many calories as the Jillian style with cardio mixed in. ;-)

I have not tried Insanity but I've done quite a few Jillian workouts and I just started Chalean Extreme last week. Jillian's workouts were hard on my knees too.

If you follow the schedule in the guidebook, Chalean Extreme has you do 3 days of weights and 2 days of cardio per week and 2 days of rest. Theres also an extra workout for your abs and a flexibility/yoga workout, those are done in addition to the cardio if you use their schedule. I love it. It's VERY different than the Jillian style. She has you use larger weights and has you go VERY slow in your lifting - she instructs you to choose a weight that you can lift with good form for at least 10 reps but that you will feel fatigue/failure by 12 reps and you're supposed to adjust your weights continuously based on that guideline. So if you felt like after 12 you could have done several more with good form, you're supposed to go heavier next time. It's very awkward between sets sometimes b/c with Jillian you're used to her rushing you into the next movement with no rest, but Chalene takes a moment to let you write down your info (how much weight, how many reps, whether you want to try a different weight next time) and takes a moment to explain what you're about to do. It's not crazy rushed like Jillian (note: I liked Jillian's style while I was doing it b/c I got awesome calorie burns from it LOL). Chalene is different b/c your days with the weights are ONLY with the weights. Your cardio days do incorporate some lighter weights but it's very different than the slow and heavy style you use on the weightlifting days.

Chalene also has a 'beginner' person using smaller weights and an amazing looking 60 year old woman doing the exercises with the resistance bands instead of weights, and both doing some modified exercises for less impact so you can see how to modify if you need to. Then she has her 2 advanced people in the back row using larger weights.

I'm still very early in the program, but I really like it. Some days I do some extra cardio to earn more snack calories LOL since the weightlifting sessions don't burn as many calories as the Jillian style with cardio mixed in. ;-)

GREAT info!! Thanks so much!

I love that she focuses more on strength. I have a membership to the YMCA, and I go during my lunch and use the elliptical and/or treadmill for cardio. So I really want something to build a strength routine around. I used to use the FIRM dvd's, and those worked really well. That's a mixture of cardio and strength, and I could definitely see a huge difference when I was building muscle. But, honestly, I'm getting tired of the same workouts over and over, plus the FIRM workouts require lots of space, and I'm not sure I have the room to do them anymore.

Also, forgot to mention, in 1 week of following the schedule you do not repeat the same workout twice. There are 3 different weightlifting workouts, 2 different cardio workouts, plus the Ab workout and e flexibility workout. They are all different. I'm liking the variety after months of doing Jillian workouts 7-10 times in a row. :-). And after 1 month you switch to a new set of workouts. So yeah it's definitely different and nice to have things being changed up all e time as opposed to having your workout memorized from doing it so many times in a row. I used to talk right along with Jillian, my 4 year old thought it was hilarious.

Most Chalean Extreme workouts are around 35 minutes....I think the longest is 45 minutes, but I could be wrong. It does give you a structured workout plan, but I just tried to go in order, even if I missed a day.

ETA: Also, CLX can be done fairly easily in a small space. I have never done Insanity, but I would think things like burpees would require more space.

Chalene does burpees, too. LOL

Not a lot, I hope. Burpees suck. LOL

I did my first Chalean burpee yesterday in the second cardio workout of the week (my week is off b/c I started on I think a Wednesday LOL). A little different than the standard - to explain it in Jillian terms LOL you start off doing a regular burpee but when you get to the plank part you do a plank-jack before you come back up. But she does offer a beginner/modified version too. :-)

Chalean does burpees in Turbo Fire, not in Chalean Extreme!

And to a previous question, I did JM 30 DS for a while and I hated it. There's just something about Chalean's perky personality that makes you want to keep going and try your best (versus punching Jillian in the face lol)

I've often thought I'd like to punch Jillian in the face. So that's good to know.

Some people just prefer a different kind of motivation. Personally I like both. But I would not classify other workouts as taking the 'easy route' just b/c the person isn't yelling at you. LOL

I like how people get mad at Jillian. To me, that means she is doing her job. If your workout is too easy or doesn't get you pissed off, then is it really worth your time? It's good to try them all, just don't cheat yourself by taking the easy route. I have trouble with one of my knees, but I just worked through it with 30DS and now it's better than it has been in a long time. So I thank Jillian for that.

Actually...no. Not liking Jillian Michaels has nothing to do with taking the easy way out. Her 3-2-1 system is too fractured for my taste. For those with knee issues, it's not wise to knowingly push yourself to an injury. There are other ways to get in a great workout without hurting yourself just to say you're "JM tough."

I'm thinking about getting ChaLEAN Extreme.

I have a quick question for those who have done ChaLean X.
I am doing Insainty now and really like it, but want to do more weight lifting, that is why I am starting CHaLean next. However I dont think I could just do weights for a day. Would it be bad to add cardio on top of that?