Customer Reviews

INSANITY: 60-Day Total Body Conditioning Workout DVD Program

5 star:		(495)
4 star:		(115)
3 star:		(46)
2 star:		(28)
1 star:		(30)

 

 

I'm a former P90X junkie. That program literally changed my life and got me into the best shape of my life, even at 40 years old. However, this is not P90X. That is not a criticism at all, just don't expect more of the same.

This is all floor exercises using your body weight with lots of plyometric and isometic exercises, cardio and core exercise that will work you - hard. The exercises come fast and furious with a good mix of cardio and strength building (e.g. squat type exercises and push-up type exercises). But its primary focus is the CORE. If you didn't know what that meant before Insanity, you will definitely understand it once you begin.

It's broken into two four week segments with a "recovery" (I use that term loosely..) week in between. The warm-up itself is a workout. The first four weeks are two rounds of three sets of a series of exercises equaling about 40 minutes per session. In the second four weeks you'll find some of the warm-up exercises were exercises from the actual program from the first four weeks. And the program itself moves to three rounds of three different sets of exercises equaling about an hour. You'll actually be begging to go back to the first four weeks. If you like crazy, you'll love it...

Shaun T is a good motivator and provides good tips about proper form and techniques. The music adds to the program as well; as each routine picks up intensity, the music is well designed to keep you going.

It is tough on the body, though, so be forewarned. If you aren't in some semblance of shape, you may want to rethink this one. I pulled a neck muscle during the first week because I didn't breathe properly. It will tax your joints, your knees, your feet, your back. If you are injury prone, be extremely careful. Modify if you need to or pass on it altogether.

It requires serious focus. Breathing is key. Drink lots of water. And move at your own pace. Even the participants in the DVD (including Shaun T) have to quit and take breaks. It's that intense.

The caveat is really only this: you may lose some of the "glamour" muscles. This doesn't mean you will get less strong but there are no no exercises for the biceps or the lats (no pull-ups here). However, the muscles you do have (especially the legs) will be stronger and more defined. If you want to maintain weight, you will need to increase your food intake big time, especially as the program progresses.

Your body will change and your core (including the abs) will be stronger than you ever thought possible and you will be in incredible shape, even if you only do the program at half the intensity.

I give it a definite thumbs up but know what you want to get out of the program and understand what it is about before investing your time and money in it.

UPDATE: The first time around I was surprised and frustrated with the loss of size (due to lack of adequate calorie intake) but a second round with more focus is producing positive results. The body fat reduction happened from the top down. I am seeing more definition in the shoulders and the chest and seeing muscles in and around the abs, especially the obliques. Things just feel tighter all the way around. The "spare tire" thing is not completely gone though I feel quite ok in a t-shirt that fits rather than a larger size to hide behind. Results: maintained my body weight and dropped from 20 to 16% body fat which means I actually built muscle.

Final reflections: Using the CORE (which is much more than just your abs) makes all the difference. Keep it tight, no shortcuts and you'll feel your power increasing. The true test of this is during the high knee run in the warm-up and in the high jumps on the cardio power and resistance disc. If you use anything other than your core, you will never get the speed and power and you risk injuring your back.

If I could emphasize one other thing it is to continually push through. One more rep, one more second, just a little further than you think you can. Don't be foolish, recognize your limitations, but don't confuse your body's need for rest with your mind's tendency to quit too soon.

And, just as a reminder, drink lots and lots of water before, during and after.

Heads up: Shaun T has a new program just out called Insanity: The Asylum Deluxe. It's a 30 day program using sports training techniques that looks brutal. And that's a good thing...

This is a nuts set of workout DVD's. I am overweight and just shy of 40, but I have dreams of getting back into my pre-marriage body. I decided to seize the day and go for it, and I am not sorry. My muscles are currently screaming, every bit of me hurts. Every day, I both love and dread pushing play on this dvd, because I know what will happen when I do. I will spend 45 minutes gasping, lurching around, heart pounding, sweat running off me like a monsoon, desparately trying to keep up with a workout designed by fitness demigods. Afterwards, when I can catch my breath and pull myself up of the ground, I feel so good it is not even funny. Yesterday when I finished my workout and was talking to my wife, I said "You know what I feel like? I feel like I'm on vacation!". You know, that feeling you get on day 1 of vacation when you have the whole thing stretching before you, when there is a cool drink in your hands and not a care in the world? That's how I feel when my blood is pumping, when my body is sore and I am so proud of myself.

I can't even begin to keep up with this video, but that is ok. I keep my heart rate up, I have a great time, and I try to get a little better every day. I'm not done with the program yet, I hope I have the stamina to keep it up, but for now, this is fantastic.

The DVD's themselves are good, the music is fine, the instructor is incredible and never demeaning. I feel like he is speaking directly to me and he is very encouraging. I am also encouraged when the folks exercising with him can't keep up, because I know that if these very in shape people can't do it, then I am in good company. The rest of the package is fine. I'm on weight watchers, so I'm not using their eating plan. I'm not changing diets midstream. Anyway, the workout calendar is nice, I keep it up to date and it is a good motivational tool for me. The DVD case is compact and sturdy. It's a little pricey, but I think that it is worth it so far. It is giving me back my self respect.

----**UPDATE**
I've done the program now for 21 days. I have gone down 2 pant sizes, lost 11 pounds, am losing my love handles, have had to take my belt in 2 notches (almost 3!) and am getting my neck back! The workouts are very active. They are very intense, and the more I do them, the more intense they can get. When I first started, I could not do the exercises with anything approaching good form. 3 weeks on, my form has improved, but now the workouts are tougher because I'm pushing myself harder to complete them. Shaun T. is inspirational,and I have a love hate relationship with him on the DVDs! I yell at the screen as I exercise. Get yourself a good pair of shoes, it made a huge difference to me, and make sure you do all the warm ups. If you are chunky like me when you start, don't be discouraged, just keep at it, do your best, and so far the results have made me a believer. It has been a very hard 3 weeks, but I love the way I feel, I'm happy to be in clothes I thought I would never wear again, and my wife and co-workers all notice the difference. This set has made a big difference in my attitude towards exercise, and I think I'm going to do P90x when Insanity is done!

--**Update**
Day 31 of insanity here, down 14.1 pounds, ran 5k yesterday, pushing harder. The workouts don't get easier, but there is a huge sense of accomplishment every day as I fill in the workout calendar. Someone told me today that I look thinner, and I was very excited. I'm still thick, don't get me wrong, but I'm getting there. Insanity has made me excited to get physical.

--**Update**
5 weeks of insanity done, 17 pounds down, preparing for a 4.5 mile run this weekend, really nervous about starting week 6--it supposedly gets even insaner (?). My wife has joined me for some of the workouts and my kids are now doing it with me (as much as they are able, and they have a great time!)--the whole family has gotten into it. Can't say enough about how good I feel--it is a crime to feel this good, I swear.

--**Update**
I must admit that I look forward to these little updates, as I use them for encouragement. Anyway, day 45 of insanity is today. From a discipline standpoint, this is a daily decision--these workouts are hard. I feel great, but every day, I look in the mirror and think a)this is great and b)long way to go. On the up side, my belt is too big, have to use it on its tightest setting. I'm down 18.5 pounds since I began. I can see my neck--and it is not just a solid column of blubber. I have abs popping out (!) (although they are still buried under some belly fat--let's face it, I started this waaaay overweight). My wife has now joined the culture of fitness in our family, and is working out regularly. The second month of insanity, which starts 6 weeks in, is significantly more insane than the first month (which I didn't think was humanly possible). Shaun T goes completely nuts, and the workouts are tougher, more intense, longer, and still lots of fun. I could never have dreamed 45 days ago of keeping up this level of activity. Back on day 1, the first warm up blew me away and I wanted to lay down and cry. Now, the warm up still kicks my rear end, but I know it is because I am trying HARDER working STRONGER doing Better. My flexibility is so much increased! I walk around and I feel stronger in everything that I do. Listen folks, this is a great program. If you have the determination, it will change you, mentally, physically, cardiovascularly. It is so hard, but soooooo good.

--**Update**
Today is day 59 of Insanity. Wow. I can't believe I have almost made it through the first round. I weighed myself today, and I am down 21.8 pounds. My old pants are falling off me--literally. I put them on yesterday just to walk around the house because they were in the top of the "clean" pile, and they fell right off. I had to change clothes! I'm using a smaller belt I never thought I would use again. My size 36 jeans are now my jeans of choice (down from busting out of size 40's to the point that I wouldn't even wear jeans because they were not comfortable). I'm planning on doing Insanity: The Asylum when this round is done, which will turn the Insanity journey into a 90 day (actually, 93) day trip. Then, on to p90x!

--**Update**
This will likely be my final update. I finished Insanity 2 days ago. Wow. Wow. It was a bear. The last week was so intense, I struggled just to keep up (two Max Plyo workouts? Two Max Interval workouts? And Cardio Abs twice??). I'm 22+ pounds down, happy as a clam, sore as can be, and chomping at the bit to keep going. I did my final fit test, and more than doubled many of my exercises--I would NEVER have believed it possible. I was still sucking wind by the end of the fit test, because I was pushing as hard as I could to better my last scores. I started the sequel to this video set (Insanity: The Asylum) yesterday, and it is equally intense, but different. I'll probably review it as well when I have done more of the workouts. Anyway, I could never have survived even 5 minutes of the Asylum if I hadn't done Insanity first.

In the end, this set worked for me because I needed someone to push me. Or I thought I did--I really ended up pushing myself, but the videos gave me the structure and the tools to get it done. I promised myself I would do it every day, even if I had to workout at midnight. It was just me, a pair of shoes, and my DVD player, kicking some butt. Some reservations here--it is not easy on your joints. I'm 40, and overweight. Some exercises were just too hard on my knees, and I modified them. I kept my heart rate up. Shaun always says "exercise at your own level", but what I told myself was "exercise just a little past your level". So I did, and it worked for me. Take their warnings seriously--don't do this if you aren't willing to push, and if you have health concerns, then for heaven's sake, choose something else. But if you are willing to get your goose cooked on a daily basis and come back and ask for seconds (!), then this is a great choice. Cheers to everyone in the Insane Posse of Fitness Gazelles, and I hope that these updates have helped. Be smart, work hard, and whatever method you are using to lose weight, Insanity or something else, keep it up. I'll be doing the same!

--**Update**
I know that I said that the last update would be my last update. But I wanted to give a status report 1 year on--I'm now just shy of 50 lbs down since I began one year ago. I did the following things--I did Insanity x 1 round, Insanity Asylum x 1 round, P90x+Insanity hybrid x 1 round (P90x + insanity cardio), P90x straight up x 1 round, and I'm now in the midst of a p90x2 + Insanity hybrid with 3 weeks to go before completion. I also run 1-2x per week for 45min to 60 min on the elliptical because I enjoy it. I do insanity with a 20 lb weight vest on now sometimes, and I run on the elliptical with a weight vest. I have gone from being able to do 1 (count it, 1!) pull up to 10 sets of 8 pullups. They aren't the prettiest pull ups around, but I get up, all on my own. I can do push ups until the cows come home. I'm still about 20 lbs overweight from what I'd like to be, but I'm not complaining. At 50 lbs in a year, you can see that weight has been slow but steadily coming off. No loose skin, lots and lots of muscle coming on. I'm still a big dude--but I now RUN up and down the stairs at work. And I'm out of breath--but I love it. I'm not yet back in my wedding suit, but I've pulled out clothes I haven't worn in YEARS. Yesterday, I had to take off a sweater because it swallowed me whole. Then I put on another sweater--and it was too big also.

All of this is to say that I haven't done anything that crazy, not really. About an hour a day, sometimes more because I really enjoy it now, sometimes less when I'm tired. I do it 6 days a week when I'm on insanity only, 5 days now on p90x2 because that is the program. I still do weight watchers, and it has changed my relationship with food. I still love to eat (believe me!) but now I eat to enjoy and not to make myself stuffed. I still have a burger and a beer on Friday nights and I don't worry about it. I eat a lot of healthy things, and have discovered that I enjoy them. That's a shock.

I'm just a dude. I have a job, I work 60+ hours a week. I have 3 kids. I have a wife. I have pets. I have a yard. But I decided that no amount of pain during exercise was as painful as not being able to wrestle with my boys. No amount of pain in a workout is as bad as sitting on a couch and feeling gross in my own skin. So I got going. I have to keep struggling every day--some days I just want to sit down and not get up--but then I think of how things were only a year ago, and I think that, yea, I can get off my duff and exercise. The insanity/p90x programs work for me because I respond to structure (I need someone telling me what to do!) and I can't afford a trainer. Shaun and Tony are my trainers now.

You can do it. You really can. I've been super careful--done all the stretches, listened to my body, MODIFY MODIFY MODIFY when I knew that the movements weren't possible for me, and I've by and large avoided major injury. Lots of sore muscles. Shin splints. A few things like that. But just use your good sense--protect your body, give it all your love, and it will love you for it.

You can do it. I'm still doing it. See you 20 lbs down, ok?

Okay, I'm 54 and have run regularly, lifted weights but couldn't get the reduction in inches and bodyfat that I wanted. I did P90X in the summer and a month of P90X+. Great programs that got me into the consistent routine of early morning (5 AM) workouts and built overall strength, coordination, and flexibility. With a 2 pound weight loss, but, I admit I was not very careful with the nutrition plan.

Enter Insanity. I cut out white[flour]bakery products, sweets, sweetened drinks, all sodas, and desserts except for once a week. Then I started the craziness. There's no need to tell what's in the package, others have done that. Let me say I lost 12 pounds and an inch and a half off my waistline in 60 days. This on a frame my family and friends said had nothing to lose.

This program works if you follow it. Don't worry about keeping up with the folks on the video because NONE of them do all of the routines to completion on any of the DVDs. You do your best at YOUR pace but it has to be your BEST. It never gets easier because as you get more conditioned, you do more repetitions. You must do the Fit Test because you WILL see improvements and the test won't lie and it will keep you motivated.

It's not easy but it works. Nothing worthwhile is easy so why should this be different? You have to be in decent, not great, shape, and follow the warnings about injuries and other potential health problems because it is a serious workout. But if you get the green light and you stick with it, you won't regret it. There's nothing to it but to do it.

PROGRAM UPDATE: I have completed another four cycles since this first review. I have added some variations such as some running and weight workouts. STILL, I cannot do ANY Insanity routine all the way through without taking a break a couple of times. It's not the agony of when I first started but it's still hard and remains a challenge to keep doing. However, I feel better than I ever have in terms of conditioning and stamina and so does my wife who has started and continued this program after I finished my first cycle.

Give it YOUR best!

Seriously, I am not an infomercial girl, but here I am, reviewing an infomercial product. And this isn't my first go-round. I've done P90X. It was awful. Okay, not awful, it just became apparent that it isn't really a workout designed with both genders in mind. Very dude-centric. I had about 15 lbs. (5'7", 140 lbs.) to lose overall when I started, and ended up 5 lbs. heavier when the program ended. Yes, I know I was building muscle, blah, blah, but I was just building muscle under layers of fat that the workout wasn't doing jack to eliminate. I'm also REALLY uninterested in bulking up my "glamor muscles." I don't spend my free time flexing in front of the mirror.

So then there was Insanity. Sure, it's difficult; I expected that (thus, the name). The results I'm experiencing are beyond what I expected, however. That stubborn blubber that P90X left behind is dropping off nicely, thank you. Some pointers for those of us who are fitness dummies:

-Joint problems? No? You'll have them after this crap. Invest in push-up bars if you have small wrists or are prone to wrist problems. I cannot emphasize this enough. It is awkward at first, but you'll get the hang of using them. Please don't spend 4 months as I did in a full thumb spica recovering from de Quervain's tenosynovitis (basically "I can't move my thumb without searing, gut-wrenching pain"-itis). Invest in knee/ankle/elbow/wrist braces the minute you start feeling a twinge in any joint. No reasonable, mortal human can do this workout without the assistance of a brace or two. The people in the video are robots (I'm convinced), so just because they aren't in a full neoprene jacket doesn't mean you shouldn't be.

-Don't be afraid to modify the workout. I just can't do the high-low planks in the Max Interval Circuit video. There's too much risk of re-injuring my wrist. So, instead, I do low plank punches as a substitute. Same muscle targets, just much less impact on my pansy-ass, fragile wrists. There are always lower impact alternatives to some of the more intense moves. Sometimes they provide those alternatives in the video, but other times you just have to figure it out for yourself.

-Have free time? Forget it. Your kids will have to do their own homework, the dog will have to walk himself. The first month was fine. Especially after the P90X time commitment, I was all, "This is great! I have free time!". Then I started the second half. Kiss your post-work gin and tonics goodbye, dummies. I'm on the eighth week, and still need at least two hours to fully recover from an hour-long workout. Plan your schedule accordingly. This is not a workout to be done on one's lunch break.

-Eating? Do more of it. I cannot eat enough. The caloric intake formula they use is actually scientifically valid (really), and said I should be eating 1,900 calories/day for weight loss. I cannot feasibly keep up with that number. I am hungry every 2 hours. If you are on a strict food budget...good luck. I probably stick to the healthiest diet on earth (vegetables! lean protein! absolutely no fun!), and it cannot compete with this damn workout. I'm hungry. A lot.

Despite all of the above bellyaching, I'm very satisfied with this program. I'm a horrific, sweaty, beet-red monstrosity after each workout, but I really feel as if I've accomplished something as a result.

I got this for Xmas and was very excited - spent the first four days doing this according to plan. I should add that I am in my 30's and teach fitness classes at my gym and am in pretty decent shape. I exercise regularly. However, I have a history of issues with my knees. I can avoid flare ups if I avoid lunges, etc. This DVD set makes it literally impossible for people with joint issues - especially knees - to participate in this without seriously injuring themselves. This is stated on the warning at the beginning of the program - however, nowhere did I read that before dropping $150 to order. Shaun T is awesome - the program is challenging and if you are looking for something to use at home, get this. It is addicting and intense. However, if you have even the slightest issue with your knees, DO NOT BUY THIS!

I'm on day 36 of the workout which is the first day of month two. I have been so happy we bought this. Since I saw this on an infomercial, I was kinda expecting it to be (bluntly) cheap crap. I was just hoping for a workout to do on days that I don't run or punch the bag. I also wanted a video workout that wasn't feminine in nature with a bunch of girly moves ie. 'sashay left, sashay right.' I don't sashay.

From the time you open the package you can tell that they put a lot of effort into making this a serious workout program. The packaging and accompanying literature alone give you an indication that this isn't going to be cheap crap.

Once I started with the first DVD I was hooked. The production quality is very good. The music (which you can choose to turn off) adds to the overall effect of the intensity. I soon decided to stop every other workout I was doing and give this program the two months to see if it works as well as advertised. As of day 36, I'm pretty sure it does.

As everyone has clearly explained - THIS IS NOT EASY!! Keeping up with the pace of the workout is difficult although there really aren't that many hard exercises. You just do the exercises with enough intensity and for long enough to get results. Staying motivated to continue hasn't been nearly as hard as I thought it would be. In fact, I've been super-motivated to make time every day in order to not miss any days. So far I'm on track. The motivation comes from the fact that you can see and feel results. After only the first few days I felt like my core had been coated in steel. On days when you can't see your progress, you can usually feel progress. I feel stronger everywhere.

Another thing that keeps you motivated is the variation. There are various exercises on each workout DVD and variations of workouts throughout the program. You may repeat the same workout a few times in one month, but the order of the workouts is mixed up so it is never monotonous.

Somebody with a lot of experience and knowledge of physical fitness - presumably Shaun T - put a lot of thought into this program. I'm usually sweating by the end of the warm-ups at the beginning of each workout. After the warm-ups comes the stretching. Then you get to the exercises and finally more stretching at the end. There is a lot of intensity in the workouts but I haven't had any injuries yet. The program pushes you to your limits but the rest days and recovery workouts seem to be inserted at just the right time to make it possible for your body to continue.

I also like the format - a group of about 12-15 people, led by Shaun T, inside a gymnasium. Everyone looks very athletic but that doesn't mean they can keep up. It's inspiring to see so many apparently fit people suffering and sweating as much as you are. I like that they didn't try to hide that.

Oh yeah - I like that running clock at the bottom of the screen which tells you how long you have left in each exercise set and how long you have in the entire workout.

FYI I'm a guy. I turn 40 this year and am in pretty good shape. I'm a casual runner but ran my first marathon a few months ago. The Insanity workout is difficult regardless of what physical condition you are in or what sports you currently participate in. There are so many exercises targeting so many parts of the body - with overall emphasis on the core - that you are literally transforming your body into an overall stronger, faster, more finely tuned machine. I think I'll be a better runner after I finish this program.

Don't get frustrated if you can't keep up. This workout program wouldn't be as effective if it were easily mastered. You'll see improvements as long as you keep trying.

I'd recommend this for ANYONE who doesn't have physical impediments or injuries keeping them from completing the moves.

The Insanity workout is a roadmap to transforming your entire body into a higher performing machine.

DAY 57 UPDATE

I did the first workout of week 8 today and am still alive. Entering the home stretch. I still haven't missed a workout. I know from running that if you take too much time off from an intense workout, little de-motivating aches and pains start to show up that try to convince you to take another day off and another. I don't want to go down that road. I also still haven't had any injuries although my hands are the latest part of my body to be sore. I think its from all of the push-ups and push-up-like moves. As advertised, they really step it up for month 2. The workouts are all longer and more intense. The longest one is 59 minutes. During month 1 I would get up early and work out before work. I can't do that for month 2 - partly because the workouts are too long and partly because I'd be worn out for the rest of the day. I've switched to working out in the afternoon. It's a great way to work off stress. It also gets you worn out just in time for bed.

One thing I wish I had figured out earlier was to have some kind of recovery formula for rebuilding your muscles more quickly. Mr. T (my name for him) says to drink your 'Results and Recovery' formula, but I'm still paranoid about getting ripped off so I didn't buy their formula. Instead, I went to Sam's Club and bought a case of Myoplex Lite. At 170 calories with 20 grams of protein this is working well for me. It helps me recover faster.

Still absolutely no regrets about doing this. I can see my ab muscles but still have some fat that probably won't be gone by the end of the program. That's ok because I plan to keep going with the month 2 workouts beyond the end of the program while incorporating other activities.

I can see using these DVDs for a very long time - hopefully til I'm 92.

I decided after reading reviews and doing tons of research on workout videos to select this workout. I am a 24-year-old female, with about 15 pounds I can afford to lose. I had previously tried out Shaun T's Hip-Hop Abs, but didn't find it a challenge. I saw this and thought I'd give it a try, even though many females haven't reviewed it.

First of all, here are a few things you should know before you buy this workout:

1. It is not a workout to do on carpet. I had to purchase a wrestling mat in order to get all the workouts done properly.
2. For women: this is a great workout! I have a ton of fun learning the football drills. I do about 1/2 the pushups though because I am not about having a super-toned upper body. Just not my thing (however I do have great arms now, they have thinned out nicely).
3. This workout is not for people who have bad arms(wrists) OR knees. I've injured both during this workout, even though I was working out almost every day prior to this. INSANITY definitely requires a body that is robust and ready for a little post-workout pain.
4. Athletic training sneakers are a MUST. Cross-trainers and running shoes didn't provide my feet with the amount of support I needed. I had to go to the Nike outlet and get something that supported the ENTIRE base of my foot.
5. The diet plan isn't hard! It's a great bonus to have cheap, easy, and fast meals included.
6. I know the really popular review states something about approx. 30 minutes per workout. It's more like 40-45, including a warm-up, and stretching before&after.
7. If you don't have the time to do this 6 days a week, I wouldn't bother. It's definitely something that requires dedication and a passion to be fit and healthy.

I'm halfway through the program--- getting ready for month 2/my recovery week. I am 5 lbs lighter, and my body is just getting more and more toned and gorgeous. I love the feeling of being able to throw on a bikini. Ladies, you might be scared to do this because it definitely looks like a guys' workout--- it's not! I am a girly girl and I love this! I feel so incredible and ready to skimp around a beach. It's worth every penny.

Length:: 7:02 Mins

Please watch my video review for full details. If you like it, please give me a positive rating.

In my video I discuss the concept of interval training and the different phases of this program. I also discuss the nutrtion plan (notice I say "plan" and not a "diet") and who should do the program and who should not do this program.

They say it's the hardest workout every put on video and they might just be right. It's fun, but demanding. Shaun T is awesome, motivating and in insane shape.

If you have questions visit my blog, getfitwithchad . com to contact me and find out how to get free coaching for any Beachbody fitness program. Thanks for watching.

I have just completed week 1 on Insanity and wanted to provide a review from the prospective of the average guy. I am 33 years old and have been an avid weightlifter since high school. While I am muscular, I have little to no cardiovascular fitness and as I have gotten older and focused on a career, I have begun to hold more weight around my stomach. I have finally hit the point where I am tired of seeing the scale and my waist line increase and have committed to the 60 day program along with some lifestyle improvements.

A couple of my opinions on the program:

* First off the intensity is high, but it is also has a fair amount of rest breaks in between. I would highly recommend watching the DVD before you start the program. Do a couple of the moves at your own pace and focus on getting the correct form. I am a klutz when it comes to cardio moves so it helped me keep my intensity up instead of learning the moves as I go.

* I would start the program on a weekend especially if you plan on doing the workout before going to work during the week so that you get a feel for the recovery time needed after a workout. It takes me about 30-45 minutes post workout to get going again. I don't think I could do it before work. However, about an hour after the workout I feel great and have a tremendous amount of energy.

* Don't ignore the value of a good pair of shoes. You spend a lot of time on your toes and in jumping positions. Running shoes generally support the heel so you may be better off in cross-training or basketball shoes. A lot of the moves actually remind me of football and basketball warm-ups.

* If you are starting this program without much of a cardio base built up, I would strongly consider holding off a week and spend some time running, jumping, and doing squats on your own first. This will help you get through the soreness you are sure to face. It gets really easy to quit a program when you are super sore after the first day and start telling yourself I need a day off then I'll restart... I would say using the treadmill and other types of cardio machines at a gym aren't necessarily going to prepare you for the type of moves in this program. Those machines keep you in a liner path while Insanity will have you moving in different directions and exploding from a position. It definitely hits the muscles differently.

* I haven't made hardcore adjustments to my diet, but I have cut out the obvious junk foods and have focused on portion control. To be honest I feel real guilty eating junk now after knowing how much work I put into the program.

Week 1 done and moving on! Hope the review helps and good luck!

I've done and continue to use at home workout DVD's. I am a P90X advocate and still enjoy it. The "Insanity" workout is just that, INSANEly difficult. I consider myself in an advanced category (or very close) in cardio workouts, but it took me three weeks to finish any of the workouts for the duration. I found that after 30 minutes I just couldn't muster enough energy to complete the entire workout at the expected pace.

This is a really tough workout. It' the first time I've ever seen the actual participants take breaks during the routine. Unless your ready to workout out to exhaustion, don't buy this yet. Try P90X and P90X+ workouts. If you can finish those without any breaks or exhaustion then this might work for you!