Shaun T, of Beachbody, came up with the Insanity workout sometime in the 2000s, and released it through Beachbody in 2009. It was dubbed “the hardest workout put on DVD”, and people all over the country were itching to go insane.

The idea behind this DVD series is simple enough: pure workouts. No weights, no equipment, no gym time. “Your body is your equipment,” Shaun says, and he means it. According to Shaun, in the 60 days which it takes to complete a round of Insanity, you get a year’s worth of results. I personally don’t know what a year’s worth of results looks like, so I can’t say if this is true or not. All I can say is that it really is the most physically demanding workout series I have encountered. I am not a pro or a bodybuilder. I am just a guy who likes staying fit and exercising. Just rest assured, I’ve got you covered here in our EduMuch Insanity Workout Programs Review.

Insanity Workout Schedule and Calendars Breakdown

First off, consult with your physician before you begin this program, or any other Beachbody program. Understand that you are about to put your mind and body through a lot. You will need to keep your body fueled during the process, so make sure you stick with a diet plan. Not necessarily the one which is provided with the DVDs, but something which is approved by a dietitian or physician.

The Insanity workouts themselves break down separately during the two months of training. In the first month, the DVDs are between between 35 and 45 minutes long, and they act mainly as a build-up, a preparation, for the second month. But make no mistake, they are not at all easy. During that second month, the workouts are closer to an hour. The routines in both months consist of tons of non-stop motion, before cooling down for 30 seconds or so and then starting over.

The program is split into two four-week periods, with a recovery week situated between them. During that week, you will take it easy and let the body rest up, before throwing it back into Insanity. But don’t worry, you’ll be working out during recovery week, too.

• Insanity Plyometric Cardio Circuit Review

This workout is about 45 minutes long, and only 20 minutes of it is the actual workout. The rest of the is divided between the warm up (which in itself is insane) and stretches. The plyo workouts are lots of jogging, kicking, and jumping. It is all over the place, so don’t forget to drink (a sip, not too much).

• Insanity Pure Cardio Review

Pure cardio is exactly what it sounds like. This DVD is about 39 minutes long, and it is a killer. The workout itself is 15 minutes long, but it is non-stop. 15 of the longest minutes of your life, and you better have something on the floor beneath you, because you will be sweating like you have never sweat before.

• Insanity Cardio Power and Resistance Review

This workout is one which at least gives you a break between sets. And it has to, or else you’d drop dead right there in the comfort of your living room. Sounds nice in theory, but if you are looking to complete this challenge, you should probably stay alive.

• Insanity Core Cardio and Balance Review

This workout is done during recovery week, between months one and two. If you have made it this far into the program – pat yourself on the sore and aching back and give yourself some well-deserved congratulations. But don’t get too comfortable, because even though recovery week is an in-betweener, it is still challenging in its own merit. It is a very welcome change of pace, for sure, and it helps prep your mind and body for the punishment that is month 2.

• Insanity Max Interval Circuit Review

This workout is what starts off the second month of the Insanity workout program. Much like the rest of the Max DVD’s, it is longer than the first month’s routines. The actual workout part of it is nearly 40 minutes long, and – just to give you an idea of just how demanding this is – it is the kind of workout where you have to do a warm up before the actual warm up, in order for your body to refrain from throwing itself into panic mode and closing up like a tortoise. Yeesh.

P90x vs. Insanity

P90X was launched in 2003, and while it is often compared to Insanity, the two programs are just not that similar. In fact, people who have completed P90X will still have a tough time going through Insanity, and vice versa. Both are that difficult and distinguishable, even for those who are in shape. For this reason, there really is no point in comparing the two. Furthermore, P90X requires equipment and is 90 days long, while Insanity requires no equipment and is 60 days long. Even Shaun himself has said it is nothing like Insanity, and not nearly as overwhelming – yet some people still insist on comparing the two. P90X also features a number of successors and spin-offs, including P90X Plus, P90X2, and P90X3.

Focus T25 vs. Insanity

Shaun T also came up with the workout titled Focus T25. It is essentially a 25-minutes-per-day workout series, and it was released in 2013. It is comprised of two cycles – Alpha and Beta – corresponding with two months of workouts. In that way, it is a lot like Insanity, but without a recovery week between the two months. Insanity is meant for those who want a real challenge. It is meant for those who are already in shape, and who want to really push themselves further. Focus T25, on the other hand, is for those who simply haven’t the time for anything longer, and who want to feel the workout, develop their muscle groups, and get results.

Insanity: Max 30 Review

Released in 2013, this is a take on Insanity where the workouts are only 30 minutes long. Shaun realized that not everyone has an hour or more in their day to invest in a workout routine. The Max 30 program is one which is easier time-wise, but not at all easier as far as the exercises are concerned. This isn’t just Insanity in 30 minutes, but rather a whole new workout with brand new moves, concocted by that master of pain and suffering, Shaun T. Like Insanity, it is a 60-day program with a 6-day workout week, but the point of this workout series is to literally get you to max out. Once you fall to the ground, mark your time, and get back to the work out. This isn’t just a fitness craze – it’s fitness Insanity. We review Shaun T’s wildly popular series here in our Insanity Workout Programs Review.”Fall down seven times, stand up eight.

The next day, try pushing yourself a little more, and then a little more the following day, and a little more, and so on, and so forth. By the end of the 60-day challenge, your body and – perhaps more importantly, your mind – will have accomplished what you thought to be impossible just a short time before that. Well, the truth is that it physically was impossible for you!

With Max 30, your objective is to lengthen your tap-out time over the course of the series, and dig a little deeper each day to find new strength. Take breaks when you must, but only when you absolutely must. And then, when you think you have no more give in you, you get up and keep going. More cardio, more power, more sweat, more strength. This program is about discipline and about commitment, and it whips mind and body into shape in a big way. Insanity workouts are very aptly named.

Insanity: The Asylum Review

The Asylum program was released in 2011, two years after the original Insanity series. It is inspired by the intensity of the Insanity workouts, but is sports-performance-oriented. It is a 30-day program, which aims to take those with average abilities, and transform them into true athletes. Shaun T uses professional sports training to increase speed, agility, strength, and endurance.

Insanity Before and After Transformation Results

Insanity doesn’t build as much muscle as, say, Body Beast or P90X. What it does do, more so than anything else, is redefine that which is already there. Remember: Insanity is not for everyone. It is for those who are already in good shape. In other words, it focuses less on gaining mass and bulking up, and more on defining the muscles which are already in your body. It melts away fat all over, so your body is a lot more chiseled and sculpted.

Michelle B. wanted to lose her pregnancy weight right away. She completed INSANITY and lost 21 pounds in 60 days! https://t.co/sC08NfDHhf pic.twitter.com/QPyImGwIhA

— Insanity (@Insanity) December 13, 2016

Conclusion

Just a note on all of these 30-day, 60-day, 90-day programs. Are they useful? Damn sure. Are they going to get you to look like the people in the ads or infomercials? Probably not. Even if you follow the nutrition plans to a tee, your results will probably vary to some degree. I can’t see how those people could have achieved what they achieved, without sticking to the workouts and meal plans religiously. If you do that, and if you push yourself like you have never pushed yourself before – then yes, I suppose it is possible to look like one of those people in the before/after shots.

If that it your goal – and it is an admirable one, to be sure – don’t think about the results just yet. Think about you, in the here and now. Get into shape, get moving, go insane. I’ll see you on the other side.

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