Is Insanity overkill ??

morgs

morgs

Cathlete
I've got the system already and am set to start this Friday.
I know Friday is a strange start day, but I had to make sure that my rest day fell on Thursday.
I watched a few of the DVD's over the weekend, and even did the fit test, to view & feel what I am in store for. Does anyone else here think that Insanity little bit Overkill ? I mean, I AM going to do the system, it would be a waste at this point not to, but good lord,,,why would a person want to PUSH that hard while working out ? I'm afraid I'm going to pop a vein in my forehead pushing that hard ! I think we push hard enough doing Cathe's work outs and think that is about as hard as it should get. I know I have a hard time with the plyos in IMAX 3 and push to get through those, but Insanity is just that . Insane ! I do believe that a person should push as hard as they can while working out, BUT I don't think that you should push so hard that you're falling down exhausted and can barely breathe ( like in Insanity ) . That can't be safe ! I went from being all "I'm going to really kick ass with this system" and really looking forward to some good ole cardio to: "Ok,,I'll do what I can, muster through it,,and really look forward to doing Cathe's DVD's again"
I know there are people who have done it and love it to death, but really,,,,I just think it's too over the top and feel I'll be stressing my body out more than doing it any good. Anyone else feel this way ? :confused:
Morgs
 
I have Insanity, and have only previewed so far (plan to use it over winter). When I do use it, I'm not planning on following their rotation, which does seem like overkill (at least at my age and proclivity to want to continue walking in the future!). I think 1-3 Insanity workouts per week (depending on the individual), on non-consecutive days would work, doing it at a level that is challenging, but not to the point of overdoing. That's different for each person.
 
Yah,, I agree with you ! I am at the point where I don't need to loose any more weight and just plan to maintain, with a little challenge here and there and with hopes to tone a tad bit more in the mid-section. ( I'll sneak in a Cathe here and there too,, just can't quit Cathe for two months,,,,,not happenin ! )

Morgan
 
I have Insanity, but I too think it is overkill. I think Kathryn is right on the money when she said to use it on one to three non-consecutive days per week.

Here is my real problem with Insanity. It is intended to have you working in the anaerobic glycolysis system. But the anaerobic glycolysis system pretty much only works from 10 seconds to 2 minutes, of course there is room for inter-individual variabilities. But trying to work in that system for 3 minutes just because you want to doesn't mean it is going to happen. I want to be able to put tap water in my gas tank to make it run, but just because I really want it doesn't mean it is going to happen. And trying to push your body to do this leaves you open for injuries. In fact many people who have tried this system have ended up injured.

With that being said I do believe that adding these workouts into your rotation will most certainly improve your fitness level. If you have a good fitness base and incorporate them intelligently I think they can rock.

Shayne
 
I have done the full rotation and I don't think I will ever do it again, however, I like having the option to add them into my rotations. They are overkill, I am lucky I didn't injure myself while doing the workouts day in and day out. I bet if they took a poll, they would find out that a lot of people hurt themselves in some way. I had fun doing the rotation, but was tired of it by the end. It became a little redundant. I love strength workouts, and this will not improve strength, it will help you with cardio endurance and speed.

The workouts are great, but doing them everyday is not so great. These workouts did help me improve with my running, but I did not lose weight nor did my body really change. I love that I have though, because I use them especially when I want something hardcore!
 
Hey Morgan,

I completely agree with you. The 1st time I did Insanity I injured my knee from the constant plyo work and ended up in physical therapy for 6 weeks. I made it through the complete program a second time but by the 7th week mark there was such a dread factor for me. Truth be told for me the best part about the program was being able to say I did it (my ego lol). It was fun at 1st to me but it just became a bit much and the fun factor wasnt there by the end. I also did not see any physical changes until I severly restricted my calorie intake, which then ended up leaving me with a lack of energy. All in all I use it about 2 days a week based on the rotation I'm doing just to make sure I don't lose the cardio capacity it helped me build up, but then again thinking about it I feel I exert the same energy with Cathe work outs such as High/Low Interval from her Hardcore Extreme Series....just my two cents :)
 
I loved Insanity. I'm 49 years old and have a history of problems with my left knee (including ACL reconstruction surgery). However, I was able to do the entire program, as written. I did additional stretching to reduce any chance of injury, and promised myself that I would quit the program if any issues developed (but they didn't). I found that the recovery days and days off gave me enough time to recoup & get ready to go hard again.

It is an extreme program, but the changes I saw were extreme also. I ate very clean during the program, so this probably helped in terms of my appearance and energy level. I looked great at the end and got all kinds of compliments for the next 2 months! My non-appearance related changes, such as my cardio capacity, upper body strength from all the pushups, and abdominal strength, were simply phenomenal.

I'm not sure I could do the whole program again, psychologically speaking -- at least not right now! But I loved the results, I still do a couple of Insanity workouts each week, and I find that I set my bar higher than I used to with all my workouts now.

Stebby
 
morgs said:
I know there are people who have done it and love it to death, but really,,,,I just think it's too over the top and feel I'll be stressing my body out more than doing it any good. Anyone else feel this way ? :confused:
Morgs
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Hey Morgs, thanks for asking this question. I can't tell you how many times I've almost purchased Insanity but have been held back by my fear of it being overkill. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who feels this way, since it seems like so many people really really enjoy the Insanity program (which is fine . . . we're all different, so do what works for you). I can -- and do -- incorporate Cathe's HiiTs and Imaxes into my workout and can successfully get through them. But I just can't imagine doing that kind of intensity every single day. I think it would take its toll on both my mind and my body.

That said, I think I'm still going to buy it but will do a modified program as Kathryn and others recommended. Shaun T seems like a really entertaining fitness personality (and he's cute too!).
 
kathryn said:
I have Insanity, and have only previewed so far (plan to use it over winter). When I do use it, I'm not planning on following their rotation, which does seem like overkill (at least at my age and proclivity to want to continue walking in the future!). I think 1-3 Insanity workouts per week (depending on the individual), on non-consecutive days would work, doing it at a level that is challenging, but not to the point of overdoing. That's different for each person.
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Not trying to hijack the original thread . . . but Kathryn, what is your weight training plan for your customized Insanity rotation? I'm debating between an STS-style split and a full body strength approach (maybe 2 full body weight routines + yoga each week). It looks like Insanity has a lot of push ups and leg work (squat jumps, etc), so that might affect the weight training plan.
 
I had started the rotation, quite a while back, I was in pretty good shape at the time for me, I only stuck with the rotation for about 2-3 weeks, but I swear I started seeing a difference in my shoulders within that time, I was noticing striations that were not there before, I remember it distinctly because it was kind of crazy. Anyway, I really wanted to continue, but was having a problem with doing essentially the same workout everyday, and just stopped.

However, everyone is different, and some people just love this and can't get enough.

Good luck with the rotation, but if you start getting bored, instead of dropping it, I would do what others said and do them 3 times a week combined with other workouts.
 
I agree with the other posters on this one. I did the program all the way though, mostly b/c if I'm going to buy a program, then I'm gonna do it! But, as with P90X and CLX, I will never do the entire Insanity program as written again. I really didn't notice that many changes to my body but I was sore almost the entire time of the program. The high impact was tough on my joints. I also had a HUGE dread factor. In fact, I think I have only done the workouts a couple of times since doing the program originally.

It's a great program to have, but putting it in a rotation here and there will be the only way I use it again. I just don't think that pushing myself that hard for that long was very beneficial for me.
 
lisa_la_machina said:
Not trying to hijack the original thread . . . but Kathryn, what is your weight training plan for your customized Insanity rotation? I'm debating between an STS-style split and a full body strength approach (maybe 2 full body weight routines + yoga each week). It looks like Insanity has a lot of push ups and leg work (squat jumps, etc), so that might affect the weight training plan.
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I haven't gotten that far yet, but I can see doing a two-day split with these. Maybe 2 days of Insanity and one day each of upper and lower, with a day for core focus and stretch. I'll kind of play it by ear when I get to it.
 
I did Insanity all the way through and got great results. I even added a day each week for a run and a f/b weight work out. I lost weight and body fat. I was THRILLED with my results and never got injured or felt it was dangerous. Super tough? YES but not dangerous.

I have been trying to get myself to repeat the rotation but I am having a hard time getting my brain wrapped around it.I admittedly stink at sticking to a rotation for anything more then a month though so I think this is why I haven't been able to do it (YET). I have done P90X and CLX rotations as well and did them each one time through also and that is it. I didn't see any great results with CLX but I saw great results with the X and still haven't been able to do it again. *sigh*

All of this being said, it's NOT a program for everyone. It's VERY INTENSE and not everyone likes that, wants that, needs that, can do that...It's a personal choice. I say try the rotation and see how it goes. You can always back it down if it's not to your liking. HTH!:)
 
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I have often thought the same thing about Insanity....and I have gotten to the point where I just don't want to work that hard. I can't see spending the money on it.
 
Thanks everyone. I knew there were others out there who felt the same way,
( and cudos to those who have done the whole program !)
I AM going to have to modify. I know for a fact that I cannot do 6 days a week. I really struggle with that. 4-5 days a week is perfect. Kathryn, I LOVE your idea with the 2-day split between Insanity and then upper/lower body work.
Last night I was thinking about a rotation like this:

Two days Insanity, then Legs & Glutes, then one more Insanity with BodyMax2-weight work and abs. ( I LOVE the weight work in Bodymax2 !! ) That to me would be the perfect cardio and weight combo. We'll see, only way to find out is to dig in and try it right ? Thanks all for the feedback !

Morgan
 
Are you going to do that 4 day split style rotation with the insanity for two sequential days or more like one insanity day, L&G, insanity, BodyMax 2 weights?

I've thought about insanity but I haven't exhausted (pun on words sorry;)) the Imaxes yet.
 
Hey RapidBreath

I know what you mean on the Imaxs. It's hard to NOT at least do them once a week. Since I am a cardio freak, I am looking at doing something like this.

Mon: Insanity of choice ( doesn't matter which one , they're all crazy )
Tues: Insanity of choice
Wed: Legs & Glutes, OR Low Max ( good lower bod work out with that one )
Thurs : Off
Friday: Insanity of choice
Saturday: Upper body something. Either BodyMax2-Weights, or C&W weights only.
(4 day split all upper premix would be good here too )
Sunday: Insanity-Cardio Recovery or Insanity Core Cardio & Balance.

So yah, you're right. Two Insanity, one weight, one Insanity one weight
I usually don't do more than two days of weight training a week. Just hate stealing the thunder away from my cardio ;)
 
I did Insanity as written for about 3 weeks. It started getting repetitive so I did another week of it using the month two dvd's to get a feel for them. Since then I do one of the month two dvd's every week. I love the challenge of going hard as long as I can once a week to shock my body. If I have the energy, I sometimes do two a week. Gains from Insanity are core strength and increased pushup capability. I started STS again yesterday and the push-ups were much more doable since incorporating insanity.
 
i can't seem to get to the second month. after the first month i got planter facsiitus. the next time i got a torn labrum after the first month. i might have never had these problems if i didn't work sales floor at Target and also do a lot of freight.i should have been more careful doing insanity plus my job.

laura
 
I LOVE - LOVE - LOVE the Insanity Program!! I got great results. BUT, totally agree that it is not for everyone. It is a very tough program and extremely intense. I didn't have much trouble doing the rotation, as is, the first time, but now that I'm thinking about doing it again (and know what it will be like) I'm struggling with that intense commitment. We are heading to Cancun in February so I want to improve on my results from the first time around.

Good luck to you all and however you use it or not.
Marcia.
 
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