If you’re starting a workout program that calls itself “Insanity,” you know it’s going to be over the top.
This is one of the most challenging fitness programs on the market today. Insanity is a total body workout that requires no gym or equipment. You exercise right at home, using your own body weight for resistance. The program is based on a fitness method called “max interval training”. In traditional interval training, you exercise at a very intense pace for a short period of time, and then rest for longer periods in between. The idea is to increase your aerobic fitness level while burning fat.
Max interval training has you work as hard as you can for 3-minute intervals, with 30-second periods of rest in between. According to the Insanity web site, exercising at this extreme intensity level will help you burn up to 1,000 calories an hour.
There are 10 workouts in the Insanity program. Each routine takes between 30-60 minutes to complete, and you do them for a grueling 6 days a week. Over the 60-day program, you change your workout schedule on a weekly basis.
The first month has five total body workouts:
- Fit Test
- Plyometric Cardio Circuit
- Cardio Power and Resistance
- Cardio Recovery
- Pure Cardio
Before starting the second month, you will do a week of recovery that includes a daily core cardio and balance routine. Although you will still sweat, this workout is less intense than those in the first four weeks. The idea is to prep your body for the even more extreme second month ahead.
That second month has four new workouts:
- Interval Circuit
- Max Interval Plyo
- Cardio Conditioning
- Recovery
This is an extreme fitness program that requires you to work out at a very high intensity level with little rest in between. If you are already in good shape, it still might be hard for you to keep up when you first get started.
The program is not for the fitness newbie. With high intensity comes greater risk of injury. To avoid injury you will have to know the correct form and technique for each move. You really need to know what you’re doing and listen to your body. It is very intense, so be ready to give it your all when you are ready to take the plunge.
Working out at this level means results in much less time. The rewards will be some serious cardio along with calorie burning and muscle sculpting. Are you ready to be in the best shape of your life? TRY INSANITY!
High-intensity interval training programs like this are not for everyone. If you have any medical problems or take any medications, talk to your doctor before starting this program.