Insanity vs Cathe cardio

[babarnold3]

How does Insanity compare with Cathe's cardio? Is it as hard or harder as Tabatacise and To The Max? Is it worth investing in?

 

[StaceyV]

I did Insanity a few years ago and felt a huge dread factor the whole program. It was extremely high impact and I found that I didn't fully recover between workouts. I've been doing intense workouts for years (P90x, TurboFire, Cathe) and Insanity was my least favorite. However, I know there are plenty out there who love it.

 

[jengollf]

I really like Insanity; however I find it very different from any other type of cardio I've ever done. It's hard to explain exactly whether it's harder. It seems to be, but I find it so hard I can't make it through most of the workouts without having to take my own 5-10 second breaks--which become more frequent near the end of the workouts. I never have to do that with any of Cathe's workouts, including Tabatacise. However, in many ways I find Tabatacise and her other HIIT focused workouts just as hard, becasuse I am going, going, going and never stopping for a break unless Cathe gives me one. I cannot do that with Insanity. So near the end I often feel I am breaking more than I want to be--but I am so wiped out!

So, in a sense, I feel they are equally as intense, but very different. Other workouts I put at a similar level are Amy Dixon's HIIT/tabata workouts and Michelle Dozois Peak 10 workouts. With these workouts I don't have to take personal breaks either, like I do in Insanity, but they are very difficult in the same way that Cathe's are (just not as fun as Cathe's!)

I will say that of all of the ones I've listed, Cathe's are my favorite. Her workouts just have more of a fun factor than any of other trainer. And I will agree with StaceyV, when I did the Insanity program, there was a big dread factor to the workouts. I also felt more recovery was needed between such high impact workouts. But when I use the workouts on my own--inserting them once a week as one of my cardio workouts--I enjoy them much more.

 

[thaispice]

I find the longer Insanity workouts to be far more exhausting than Cathe's workouts. There are some breaks in Cathe's workouts, and really none in Insanity, aside from the stretch after the 3 rounds of "warmup" exercises, which are a workout on their own. Having said that, I'm not sure which is more effective, Insanity or Cathe -- I think that probably depends on your goals. If you are looking for more endurance, Insanity will no doubt get you there quickly. The impact level is very high though, and the program is not very balanced.

 

[babarnold3]

Thank you everybody. I did end up ordering it from eBay, but will probably intersperse the workouts with Cathe's.

 

[ReneePruitt]

I tried it and I can't say it is harder then Cathe, I honestly dreaded the workouts not just because they are hard but it wasn't really fun. I really think I'd have loved it if the music was better! I am one of those people who really has to have a great beat and some fun songs to get me pumping and keep going! I don't think it is harder then say Cathes tabata! Or crossfire I think crossfire is hard but fun .. I feel insanity is hard and boring! I think I'd do it if I can come up with a great rotation of Cathe and insanity and I vet you could get great results with both. I'd just need to insert some of LIS in there a couple times to give joints a rest yet intensity up. If love to do a rotation if someone can come up with one using insanity, LIS and X train! Sounds like fun there! Or even peak fits inserted ! Gish I have so many DVDs and not enough time! Lol
I'd love to hear back from you on a great rotation and your results!