It seems that everywhere I look at the moment, I keep coming across the Insanity workout. Whether it is being hailed as the next best thing on someone’s Facebook status update, or someone I train with is telling me they are getting great results from it. I am probably one of the only people who haven’t seen the official advertisements for it as in my research on the subject I am told these are hard to miss. I guess I am too busy working out to spot the working out advertisements.

So just what exactly is Insanity, how does it work and why is it different from other workouts? Well, when I have researched this on the internet it has been pretty hard to come across anything that wasn’t advertorial in nature, selling the product rather than really reviewing it. The telltale signs were all there, telling the reader where to get the product, making sure readers avoid the pitfall of buying fake copies. One of the few reviews that seemed to critique the workout was pushing another cheaper alternative. I haven’t experienced the Insanity workout so I am not going to pretend to be an expert but this is what I found out.

What is ‘Insanity’?

Insanity is an extreme home workout programme that uses bodyweight only – no equipment, no weights,; just a DVD set and associated written information on diet and related subjects. It was put together by Sean T, famous for the Beachbody fitness program used by celebrities and professionals.

What is special about it?

Many intensive programmes work on short intervals of maximum intensity training mixed with rest periods and longer periods of medium or light intensity training. Insanity works the other way round. It is composed of longer intervals of maximum intensity training and very short rest periods. Subscribers get through many different exercises over a short time – averaging 40 minutes per session. The exercises are designed to work every muscle. They are explosive, dynamic, full body exercises that will make most people sweat very quickly, and to be fair, if you do what is asked on the tin for the 60 day duration of the programme, you will see changes in your body shape.  The Insanity programme incorporates Yoga, Plyometrics, cardio, resistance training, working on the core and the whole body, and also includes dietary advice.

What are people saying about it?

Whether or not you end up with the ripped body you only see on Hollywood films or not, you will see major improvements in your shape and fitness level, and many who have tried the programme have reported seriously significant weight loss. Even those who have not completed the programme have spoken about the benefits. It appears it is well worth the £100 or so that is costs to buy.

Are there any downsides?

People with bad knees or bad backs are advised not to do it, or to discuss with their doctor first. Likewise, people with existing injuries or who have not done any exercise for a long time, or have generally low levels of fitness should think carefully about starting an intense programme like Insanity.

The main thing is this: if you do any intensive routine you will see results in 60 days. If people are going to take fitness training seriously they will get results. The real issue is that many people don’t have the mental strength or discipline to do the hard work either in the gym or at home to get the results. The Insanity programme can prove too much for some people and they skip days in the routine or don’t take any notice of the dietary advice for example. Others quit altogether.

At around £100 for the package, some may say Insanity is too expensive but if you follow the program and get the results it’s worth it. If you enjoy giving it a shot, then it is worth it.

Life after Insanity

For me and many like me, exercise isn’t something I begrudgingly do a few weeks before hitting the beach to gain a beach body. It is not something I consider because I have put on a few pounds and want to trim down. It is not something I see as a quick fix that I can put down once I get the results I want. Exercise is an essential part of my life, like sleep, food, drink and breathing. It is a part of me. If I can’t make time to train I start climbing the walls; I am hungry for it.

For those who do not have this mentality, who are embarking on Insanity to get quick results, and even manage to follow the programme from start to finish, the question is: what will they do when they have finished the programme? Will they set new goals? Go and buy the next DVD? Or will they slip back into their former lifestyle and watch their health return back to absolutely average or worse?

Summary

Insanity appears to be a great workout and I haven’t come across a single person who has had anything bad to say about it. It will work if you follow the programme to the letter. For many who haven’t got the right mindset in the first place, they will find it difficult to complete. For those who have the right mindset, they arguably already have what it takes inside them so perhaps they should look inside themselves to see what long term lifestyle changes they can implement to get good health and maintain it. Anybody committing to the 60 day routine needs to know where they are going to go from there, once they have completed Insanity.

If you have completed, dropped out of or are currently in the middle of the programme feel free to comment.

The Chan School Of Nunchaku is no substitute for professional fitness advice, and would always advise students to seek expert advice before embarking on any fitness programme.

 

 

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