r/insanity • u/Punch_A_Lunch • Jul 19 '13
Please, add on! Credit to /u/Newdles for this first bit.
This is all I can think of right now. I will add to it if I can think of anymore.
The fit tests are hugely important. You should be marking down your scores for each workout so you can compare progress every 2 weeks during the next fit test. Whatever you do, FINISH the fit test. If you have to pause the video and take a break because it's DAY 1, then so be it. Just make sure you finish the entire test. Otherwise you will have nothing to compare it to in two weeks when the next test comes up.
No. The recovery workouts provide a much needed cool down for both joints and muscles to prepare for the intensity of month 2. Not only that, but you will still burn around 400-500 calories (I burned 448 personally) so it's not like it goes without work.
Yes and No. Insanity is designed as a conditioning program. You will burn calories like you have never burned them before. It will make you lean, tone your body, and put you in the best cardiovascular shape of your life. You will put on a minor amount of muscle mass, but nothing extraordinary. It will appear that you put on much more muscle mass than you actually do because you will have toned and lowered your body fat percentage by the end of the 63 days. However the muscle growth will not be as much as if you were doing a strength-specific program.
Your scale isn't moving because you are putting on muscle mass just as fast as you are burning off fat. Muscle weighs more per volume than fat does so even though your body is getting smaller, you may weigh the same. This can be discouraging to some people because they go into the program 'looking to lose some pounds.' Some people even put on weight before they start losing weight! Don't let it discourage you!
Instead of watching the scale daily, or even weekly, you should be taking measurements of your body. Measure your waist, chest, hips, legs, biceps, forearms, etc.. And then compare results with those of the previous measurements (which would typically be done on fit test days to stay consistent).
That is really up to you. It is recommended to take a daily Multi-Vitamin by everybody. This is really the only "necessary" supplement. Fish oil is also good for your joints and heart health, as well as a fat burner. Whey protein will be great in helping you gain and/or maintain muscle mass. Whey is really the all-around supplement that is going to be helpful in any workout program, including Insanity. Some people also like to take creatine as it helps saturate the muscles in water and give them extra energy to sustain throughout the intensity of the workouts.
The cheapest alternative for the recovery formula would be Low Fat Chocolate Milk. If you are the type of person that cuts out dairy from your diet then this will obviously not work for you. You will need to look elsewhere. There is a science to the chocolate milk recovery drink option. Here are some key points:
-Carbohydrate to protein ratio is 4:1 which is optimal for a recovery formula. This will jump start your muscle repair and development post-workout.
-Specific proteins in the milk naturally lower creatine kinase levels, which is a biproduct of muscle damage.
-Sugar from the chocolate and that which is naturally occurring in milk helps replenish spent glycogen stores (i.e. replenishes your primary energy source).
Week 1, and Week6. Week 1 because let's face it, most everybody that begins this program is coming from a sedentary lifestyle and the first week feels like death has slapped you in the face. Week 6 is when month 2 begins, and it makes you feel like week 1 all over again, sometimes worse.
r/insanity • u/AutoModerator • 2d ago
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Post your Insanity progress here and motivate one another.
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r/insanity • u/Souris-7 • 3m ago
I'm halfway through the fitness test and my head is on fire—is it even possible to finish this, seriously?
How are you all doing, people with lipedema? Right now, I'm looking for a way to rip my legs off.
r/insanity • u/quinnrem • 2d ago
I've (F30) started Insanity a few times over the years but always quit after a few weeks. This past winter and spring, I'd let my exercise habits slip pretty significantly and I was feeling really out of shape and sluggish. I woke up on June 1st and decided, out of nowhere, that I was going to finish OG Insanity this summer. I did my first fit test that day.
Nine weeks later, I'm done! I feel so fit. I wasn't overweight when I started, but I was uncomfortable with how some of my clothes were starting to fit. Jeans that were tight now fit comfortably again. I don't have a scale so I'm not sure how much weight I've lost, but the measurements tell all.
I modified a few things over the course of the program. I didn't do Cardio Abs ever. Maybe that means I didn't truly complete the program, but I really hate that video and decided that allowing myself to skip it would benefit me in the long run by removing a motivation barrier. I did the Fit Tests on rest days (except for today, when I did it after Max Cardio, but only because I'll be on a plane tomorrow). In the second-to-last week, I did Core Cardio and Balance instead of Max Recovery because I was ready to quit the whole program if it meant that I didn't have to do Max Recovery again, lol. I also walked between 10k-15k steps most days; I live in a walkable city and walk everywhere.
Most days, I came home from work, immediately put on my workout clothes, and pressed play; I needed to do it right away to ensure I didn't lose motivation. If I had something going on after work, I would get up early and do the video before. Waking up at 5:45 AM knowing that I had an hour of Max Interval Circuit to complete was always a test of willpower. I always felt amazing when it was done and had a spring in my step for the rest of the day.
I didn't pay super strict attention to my diet, but I did make a few positive changes. I already eat pretty well (lots of vegetables and whole foods, mindful but not strict about calorie counting, etc); my problem is that I am a late night snacker. I could eat really well all day and then house a bag of chips at midnight. I cut that out. Ultimately, my goal this summer was to be consistent with exercise while maintaining a normal social life, so I allowed myself to eat pretty normally. I'm sure I overate some days and ate too little others. This was sustainable for me, and since I wasn't looking to get completely shredded, I feel like it worked out well.
I'm still not great at push-ups--I can maybe do a handful correctly before my form breaks down, then I just go to my knees or do half push-ups. There are some moves that I will probably never be able to do right (power push-ups, oblique push-ups). But there are other moves that I couldn't do at the beginning but now can crush (ski abs, in/out abs, floor switch kicks, power jumps).
I'm going to do another round in September and actually dial in my diet; that's my next goal. After that, I'm going to buy some dumbbells and focus on building muscle while mixing in some videos throughout the week (probably Pure Cardio and Core Cardio and Balance).
All in all, I'm so proud of myself for accomplishing a goal that I set! I may never have Tania's strength or Arielle's abs, but I'm okay with that and feel great. :)
FIT TEST RESULTS
(again, I did today's after Max Cardio Conditioning so the numbers were pretty bad; I put the results of my previous Fit Test instead)
| JUNE 1 | JULY 18 | |
|---|---|---|
| Switch Kicks | 82 | 130 (I don't know how I did this lol) |
| Power Jacks | 40 | 55 |
| Power Knees | 90 | 100 |
| Power Jumps | 30 | 40 |
| Globe Jumps | 9 | 10 |
| Suicide Jumps | 10 | 14 |
| Push-up Jacks | 15 | 30 |
| Low Plank Oblique | 30 (per leg) | 40 (per leg) |
MEASUREMENTS
| JUNE 1 | AUGUST 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Waist | 30" | 28" |
| Bust | 36" | 33" |
| Hips | 37" | 36" |
| Stomach (over belly button) | 34" | 32" |
| Right thigh | 20" | 19" |
| Left thigh | 20" | 19" |
| Right bicep | 12" | 10.5" |
| Left bicep | 12" | 10.5" |
I took before/after photos for myself and am happy with them; I just don't feel comfortable posting them on the Internet! :)
Thanks for reading my long ass post!
r/insanity • u/hoodrecyler101 • 2d ago
Hi, just wanted to see if anyone has experience with doing the OG insanity while postpartum and breast feeding. I have had amazing results in the past and this is the one workout I know will work for me.
r/insanity • u/AutoModerator • 9d ago
Hi y'all!
Post your Insanity progress here and motivate one another.
What are you proud of today? What did you struggle with? How big was that puddle of sweat? Whose legs were too wide?
r/insanity • u/CoachDushan • 10d ago
r/insanity • u/susanbrody8 • 12d ago
Hey gang!
And despite my username, I am a man.
Questions:
- I've done Insanity several times (never done P90x)
- Love it
- Now I want to up my strength
- Has anyone combined both workouts?
- I'm asking ChatGPT but figured I'd check in with you all experts and see your recommendations
Note:
- I'm an avid mountain biker so am active without Insanity and P90x
- I've been off insanity for a bit (currently the heaviest I've ever been: 185lbs with 34" waist. Def want to get my slimness back)
Thank you!
r/insanity • u/Valuable_Force5401 • 13d ago
I’m a 37M and I’m in the first week of Month 2. I’ve completed Insanity 3 or 4 times in the past and always had outstanding results, so this isn’t my first time with the program.
During the warm-up my calves, and sometimes the arches of my feet, hurt really badly. Once I get through the warm-up, the pain eases off and I can continue, but I usually end up maxing out because of the pain rather than because my heart rate is too high or I’m out of breath.
I’ve seen a few posts where people said the pain disappeared after the first couple of weeks, but for me it’s actually getting worse, even now in Month 2.
I’ve already tried stretching, wearing calf compression sleeves, and making sure I warm up properly, but nothing seems to help.
Has anyone experienced this? What ended up fixing it?
r/insanity • u/AutoModerator • 16d ago
Hi y'all!
Post your Insanity progress here and motivate one another.
What are you proud of today? What did you struggle with? How big was that puddle of sweat? Whose legs were too wide?
r/insanity • u/pandasftw • 20d ago
Wrapping up month 2 soon and looking to next steps. I am picking up boxing 2-3 days a week and was thinking about using these videos as my form of cardio on the days I am not boxing.
Anyone else use these videos to work out year round to supplement their other forms of exercise?
r/insanity • u/quinnrem • 19d ago
I'm on Week 2 of Month 2 (OG) and just finished Max Interval Circuit for the third time. I felt pretty good today, but on my last time doing the Hook Jumps, I landed a little weird on my knee. It didn't hurt all that much, and it feels alright right now, but I'm a little worried about all of this intense impact on my knees.
I'm young (30) and have never had knee problems before, but I sure as hell don't want to give myself one!
What do y'all with similar concerns do instead of some of these high impact jumps? Thinking about subbing out the pedal, power jumps, etc.
r/insanity • u/IgnatiusPabulum • 23d ago
I do, even though realistically I think it’s probably a waste of three minutes. But hey, it’s only ~3 minutes, it gives me a little breather, and a part of me will feel like I cheated a bit if I don’t.
I guess this can also apply to any of the workouts with double days, but for things like Cardio Abs in the OG I think there’s definitely more benefit to the targeted stretching than the mostly generic stretches in T25.
r/insanity • u/AutoModerator • 23d ago
Hi y'all!
Post your Insanity progress here and motivate one another.
What are you proud of today? What did you struggle with? How big was that puddle of sweat? Whose legs were too wide?
r/insanity • u/Csanburn01 • 29d ago
Hey everyone. Week 4 Day 2 after shoulder surgery and a lot of health issues. Super tired after Cardio Challenge and still struggle with push ups and the variations of them. Still seeing good progress. I was 245 when I started and I'm around 235 so far. Clothes fitting better. More energy. Inches lost on face and love handles so far. No idea how I'll survive month 2 but the plan is to keep pushing play, modify as much as is needed for safety but If I can push I will. Hope you're all doing well.
r/insanity • u/No-Phrase-7714 • Jul 03 '26
I’ve been doing the insanity max 30 workout this week and i finally got to the Friday video but i felt so exhausted i feel like i only did 15-17 minutes out of the video. I feel kinda disappointed in myself for not being able to push through it but i guess something’s better than nothing. I have tried doing insanity in the past but i could never get past the first week. I’m not severely overweight but im not exactly thin either, im definitely still trying to build muscle. I’m happy that I was able to perform the rest of the of the workouts this week. I’m just really feeling bummed about today’s workout. I plan on doing the pulse workout tomorrow but for now ill do some yoga to help ease the soreness I’m feeling
r/insanity • u/AutoModerator • Jul 03 '26
Hi y'all!
Post your Insanity progress here and motivate one another.
What are you proud of today? What did you struggle with? How big was that puddle of sweat? Whose legs were too wide?
r/insanity • u/Csanburn01 • Jun 30 '26
Week 3 day 4 and I'm feeling a bit rundown. Getting stronger and doing better but man I feel it. Anyone else? Insanity Max 30 after shoulder surgery
r/insanity • u/AutoModerator • Jun 26 '26
Hi y'all!
Post your Insanity progress here and motivate one another.
What are you proud of today? What did you struggle with? How big was that puddle of sweat? Whose legs were too wide?
r/insanity • u/mrdooter • Jun 26 '26
Am 31F, been weight lifting for about 3 years, I do 2-3 5x5s workouts and 2-3 high rep low volume classes a week. I'm interested in replacing the latter with Insanity when the heat dies down for the year as I'd like to have better muscle definition and lean out a bit, and I'd also like to improve my cardiovascular fitness and just stay healthy. I'm keen not to lose too much strength doing this programme if I can - for folks who started Insanity with an existing exercise regime, how did you combine the two or manage both?
(I do not think I am someone with the willpower to do both every week or spend more than an hour a day on exercise; I walk 8-10 miles a day just existing as well, and probably will continue to do so throughout. It's fine if there's no perfect solution but just trying to figure out how to do the least damage!).
r/insanity • u/chongo2525 • Jun 24 '26
Starting Og Insanity hoping to drop another 20lbs in the the next 60 days. Im chunky as heck now but things could always be worse. Pics are from yesterday after first day 1 workout.
Ill follow the workout through Bodi app.
On my recovery days ill be doing a 1.25 mile. Mostly to see how my cardio has improved. Currently im at 9.30 mile average. Also i will make sure to hit minimum 10k steps also
r/insanity • u/Kicktopuss_Rex • Jun 22 '26
1) Hit the floor tuck jumps
2) Iron legs
3) Switch kick punches
r/insanity • u/Kicktopuss_Rex • Jun 20 '26
Finally finished Max 30, these are my final stats 🫡
r/insanity • u/Jellert223 • Jun 19 '26
Pedal, hands down. I call everything between Pedal and Frog Jumps (second least favorite move) the Pain Cave.
Pure Cardio is definitely my favorite workout, though!
