P90x

[worth]

You can get them at Costco and Fitness Depot. They are like $350+ though.

I'm pretty sure Costco is cheaper than Fitness Depot.

[Mayer]

Originally Posted by Azure

Insanity is insane.

But the challenge is worth it. No way I could finish workout 1 though.

I am in my final 2 weeks of insanity. That's how I felt at the start. I am amazed how much longer I can do cardio now and how much stronger my core is. I keep destroying my previous numbers in the fit test.

It's a great program. The name is definitely appropriate.

[worth]

So for you insanity guys a couple questions:

No freeweights, no pullup bars? All body weight?
Requires a lot of jumping around, like Plyo in p90x? (I live in an apartment)
What was your fitness level before hand? Did you gain muscle definition? Did you lose weight? (I don't need to lose weight, opposite in fact, so i'm thinking a full cardio workout might not be the best option.)

I'm interested in trying something different from p90x though.

[Azure]

I'm just going through everything in P90X and Insanity to create my own workout program and from what I see, Insanity has no weight work. No equipment at all needed actually.

You do a lot of moving around basically. Its insane. The people on the video couldn't finish some of the routines on the plyo/circuit training.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by Azure

I'm just going through everything in P90X and Insanity to create my own workout program and from what I see, Insanity has no weight work. No equipment at all needed actually.

You do a lot of moving around basically. Its insane. The people on the video couldn't finish some of the routines on the plyo/circuit training.

How is it on the joints?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by red sky

How is it on the joints?

Its not low-impact thats for sure.

Not as bad as running, but you're still doing a lot of jumping around, getting up and down stuff like that.

[burning_acid1]

Maybe I'll try insanity after i am done p90x

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by worth

So for you insanity guys a couple questions:

No freeweights, no pullup bars? All body weight?
Requires a lot of jumping around, like Plyo in p90x? (I live in an apartment)
What was your fitness level before hand? Did you gain muscle definition? Did you lose weight? (I don't need to lose weight, opposite in fact, so i'm thinking a full cardio workout might not be the best option.)

I'm interested in trying something different from p90x though.

hey worth

i'm in week 6 of insanity

you got it - no weights, pullups - just you moving around a lot!
there is a ton of jumping in every routine - even more than the p90x plyo routine
my fitness before insanity was ok... i had gone thru p90x twice then had to stop for a few months thanks to a nasty high ankle sprain
you definitely get muscle definition (especially the legs)
i've dropped weight too - i'd guess around 10lbs

i found the first bit of insanity tough, but not brutal... well, i almost puked the first time i did the workout, so i now ALWAYS do the workouts on an empty stomach first thing in the a.m.

last week was the recovery week - so this week is my first week with the 'max interval' routines.... oh sweet mother - they are tough. your warm ups are good chunks of the routines from the first phase! ha! ha!

i still really enjoy it - but it is tough. i expect as i go thru the next few weeks it will get 'easier'. i've noticed huge improvements when i did my most recent fit test - so that's encouraging!

[awildermode]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

hey worth

i'm in week 6 of insanity

you got it - no weights, pullups - just you moving around a lot!

then, how does one build/maintain the 'pull muscles' (back, biceps)?

[worth]

i'm guessing lots of pushups

[Azure]

I don't think the idea is to build muscle. Insanity is to burn a ton of calories, lose fat and get into incredible shape cardio wise.

[Mayer]

Originally Posted by worth

i'm guessing lots of pushups

Yes, there are many different types of high resistance pushups in almost all of the workouts.

It's not a program to build muscle though. If that's what you're looking for then P90X is probably a better option.

[burning_acid1]

Originally Posted by awildermode

then, how does one build/maintain the 'pull muscles' (back, biceps)?

I don't think it's really possible to work your back with your own body weight unless you have a pull-up bar of some sort. Anything that allows for a pulling-motion will work your back.

Push-ups will only work your back/rear stabilizer muscles. It won't be able to work the traps.

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by Azure

I don't think the idea is to build muscle. Insanity is to burn a ton of calories, lose fat and get into incredible shape cardio wise.

exactly... insanity is crazy cardio and core work

if you want more of a muscle building program then p90x is geared to that

[schteve_d]

Well, I took the plunge today or should I say more accurately that I bought the stuff to take the plunge today.

I bought the program, a yoga mat, some new shoes, and a multi-function chin-up bar similar to the beach body one. I'd of bought that one but couldn't find it anywhere up here so I went with an Everlast that I found.

I couldn't seem to find a reasonable heart rate monitor. Our shopping is somewhat limited up here so I may have to order online or wait 'till I visit civilization in a couple of weeks.

Could those of you using one with P90X recommend a good heart rate monitor?

I'll likely do the fit test tomorrow, maybe read up on the nutrition guide and do a little grocery shopping and get ready to get going for Thursday.

[DrJ]

Started insanity today and I prefer it much more to P90x simply b/c you can do it anywhere and don't need extra workout paraphernalia! You just need the vids and your running shoes. I love working out at home and with P90x, I felt that I could get by with just pushup bars, a pull up bar and a few crappy resistance bands but you definitely need weights or better resistance bands (which I didn't purchase and P90x came to an abrupt end after 2 weeks).

The most important thing, as mentioned before is to really improve your nutrition and couple this with your workouts if you want to see the results.

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

Could those of you using one with P90X recommend a good heart rate monitor?

i tried a heart rate monitor once when doing p90x and came to this conclusion... when i can "hear" the blood throbbing thru my head i've hit the sweet spot... 150 - 160 bpm



seriously... there's all different kinds, i got a "sportline" one for $40 or $50 at walmart - it looks just like a digital watch and it has a button on the face of the watch - push it in for a couple seconds and it tells you your heart rate. personally, i wouldn't waste your money.

[worth]

I have a polar heart rate monitor. It is great. I recommend having one.

[Azure]

A good HR monitor is worth it.

Costco usually has at least one in their watch section for $80. I think its a Timex.

[burning_acid1]

Just took some post-phase 1 pictures and compared them to day 0. I definitely see gains already.