The first month of Insanity is easy. The 2nd month however, IS insanity. I saw improvements in my fit test, but I gave up with 2 weeks left to finish the program.

Crappy thing about buying Insanity on ebay? It was missing the fit test and 2 recovery DVDs. Dang.

What are the recovery workouts like?

The recovery dvds are a lot of stretching and exercises that focuses on your form.

The first month of Insanity is easy. The 2nd month however, IS insanity. I saw improvements in my fit test, but I gave up with 2 weeks left to finish the program.

Speaking of a fit test, is there a test you should try to pass before starting Insanity?

If you are really, really out of shape, then you might check with your doctor. The fit test is just you performing certain exercises in a minute to see how many you can do. And some of those aren't easy. After two weeks I'm sure I still can't do a push-up-jack.

That said, I'm not in the best of shape but I am healthy, so I just jumped on in and I've been fine. Sweaty, but fine.

Even though I didn't do the complete first 30 days of the Insanity, I decided to skip ahead to the Extreme Insanity 60 minute workouts.

Totally awesome, and a great challenge. Couldn't do the entire thing straight through though, had to take a couple breaks. I had to do all my push-ups/plank moves on a towel because I was sweating so badly my hands were slipping.

I really like these workouts - best workout DVD I've ever done.

One thing I wish though - there's a countdown timer on the bottom of the screen for the entire circuit, but I wish there was a countdown timer for a specific move. He tells you you're going to do this certain move for 45 seconds, but when you're on your hands and knees you aren't always able to keep track of the time. It'd be nice to know how much longer you have to go on a specific move so you can know how to moderate your efforts.

I would much rather go to the gym then workout in front of a TV.

There is a lot of information and help online that will help you come up with a workout routine that works.

I much prefer working out with the people on TV, because unlike at a gym the people on TV can't look at you and judge you. If I had abs and a well built body, then I could feel at home at a gym, which must be pretty easy for someone to do with the screen name of ExtremistPullup.

Honestly? I'm the same way with regards to going to the gym. I generally prefer being at the gym, because typically workout videos are sucky and there is a better workout available at the gym. Also, I like the social aspect of the gym as opposed to standing alone in my basement.

But this is an awesome video and I feel like I've just had my butt kicked after it's over. It's worth it.

Honestly? I'm the same way with regards to going to the gym. I generally prefer being at the gym, because typically workout videos are sucky and there is a better workout available at the gym. Also, I like the social aspect of the gym as opposed to standing alone in my basement.

But this is an awesome video and I feel like I've just had my butt kicked after it's over. It's worth it.

Might have to try this out. My friend back home in Minnesota just did it and lost 20 lbs.

Might have to try this out. My friend back home in Minnesota just did it and lost 20 lbs.

My wife lost 20 lbs in the last 45 days eating 1000 cal a day and doing an elliptical / swimming / weights for an hour 5-6 days a week.

My wife lost 20 lbs in the last 45 days eating 1000 cal a day and doing an elliptical / swimming / weights for an hour 5-6 days a week.

As much as people don't want to admit it, that is the key to getting in shape and losing weight. I went to the Y for 3, 1 hour cardio classes a week (1.5 hours on Saturday) and couldn't drop below 215 (though I had been higher). As soon as the doctor told me to monitor my calories strictly (I use the LoseIt app) and stay under 1,200 - 1,300 calories then the weight came off in conjunction with the exercise. It took awhile to realize what I could and couldn't eat and still be full at the end of the day but I'm at 175 now and bought some 31" jeans just this past weekend at the mall!

I like the P90X and even do the Jullian 30-day shred video when we can't make it to the gym. But personally, as long as you limit your calories and find some exercise that works for you, then you'll be successful.

Eating 1000 calories/day is the key to losing weight? Perhaps for short term loss, but that's not healthy or sustainable.

She's eating below her Basal Metabolic Rate (the amount of calories needed to simply keep you alive) and that's dangerous to do long term.

I agree that cutting calories IS the key to losing weight (80% diet, 20% exercise) but not cutting them that drastically.

I did that once and my period stopped and my hair started falling out.

Casey - Depends on the individual person. My wife is only 5' 2" and 97lbs. The doctor told her to maintain her weight and not gain she required not more than 1,000 - 1,200 calories per day. I was trying to lose weight quickly (6' 230+ pounds originally) and was told to basically only consume as much as she does (I got an extra 100 calories yippie!). I was then told once I hit my target weight I could consume as much as 2,000 calories a day but would need to find that magic number through trial and error.

Is anyone doing Insanity too?

I'm still doing it, albeit modified from the 60 day program that Shaun T has set out. I jumped ahead to the Max 60-minute videos, and have been alternating those along with the recovery videos.

I can't say enough how much I LOVE this workout series, and my legs already seem to have more definition, and that's after only 3 weeks.

My BF is working on P90x right now - we both saw results as soon as 3 weeks...that was because he was dedicated to it, of course. I find it really intense, and I know a few people who bought it to try, only to find out that they couldn't work out each and every routine, so they gave up!

If you're going to invest in P90x, make sure you stick to the video, so that you won't waste $ like the people I know. =)

Done P90X, and I just ripped the Insanity videos to my iPad. We've only done the workout a couple of times now, but I really like it. Had a friend from the Y do the whole regimen. He's a workout fanatic (40-years old and looks like a teenage body builder). He said he noticed a little bit of difference but mostly liked the challenge of completing it. We only plan on doing it 3 days a week (Sun, Wed, Fr) as the other days we already do 1.2hrs of cardio classes.

I think both P90X and Insanity are good workouts if you're not doing it for all the hype. The main difference I found was that P90X requires equipment and Insanity really doesn't (at least not in the first DVD). The thing I didn't like about Insanity was their reliance on speed while working out. They want you to go very fast, which can get dangerous as you get more tired. I've read several studies also that say speed doesn't offer much benefit when doing these types of workouts and can lead to injury and promotes bad form that can lead to worn joints and pulled and twisted muscles.

The Y's are going to start offering Body Pump in October. I'm kind of excited about that. We did a 'practice class' that the Y held to get feedback. I like that its basically an hour long weightlifting class as opposed to just cardio. The problem though is the class looks to only be as good as the instructors and I have my doubts about some of the instructors getting certified to teach the class. But, the wife and I are going to try it out for a month and see what we think.

My BF is working on P90x right now - we both saw results as soon as 3 weeks...that was because he was dedicated to it, of course. I find it really intense, and I know a few people who bought it to try, only to find out that they couldn't work out each and every routine, so they gave up!

If you're going to invest in P90x, make sure you stick to the video, so that you won't waste $ like the people I know. =)
So I wonder how many people do the P90X fitness test before they buy it to get an idea what they're in for? I don't think think that test is brought up when P90X is being hawked on TV. I bet a lot of people contemplating P90X, who are out of shape, can't do so much as one of the required 3 pull ups or do jumping jacks for two minutes. In that case, I think they should drop down to the program that came before--Power 90.

I love Body Pump. There are several great certified instructors in the OKC area. Maybe the Y can hire them. Body Pump and Group Power are basically the same thing. The company split causing the two different names. The
routines trademarked by Les Mills and the instructors have to learn them so no matter what gym you go to the routines are the same. But the instructor can still make a difference. It is a good workout.

I concur Bunty. People should try Power 90 1st and then move on up to P90x once they feel they're ready.

I have used P90x and it does work, but you have to use a recovery drink like a protein shake at least if you are looking at getting ripped fast. I never did their meal plan, just do the DVD's EXACTLY they way they say to do them. I stopped doing it though becuase I would rather be in a gym personally.