Insanity: The Ultimate Cardio Workout and Fitness DVD Program

Insanity is an intense in-home workout series developed by Shaun T. I've been on it for a month and can see/feel a big difference. The main reason I got it was because I travel a lot with my job and it's hard to keep a solid work out routine with different gym hours and equipment in different places. Carrying the DVDs and a DVD player with me allows me to keep up consistent work outs anywhere I go. You do not need much space or any specialized equipment (e.g. pull up bars, weights, etc.). It is hard at first ... even the warm ups kicked my butt, but if you stay with it you will continue to improve. It is hard on the joints (knees and shoulders) especially if you don't keep your form correct on several of the moves, so don't try this if you have problems with either. Ultimately, it is an intense, effective work out that goes where you go ... definitely worth the investment!

This is such a great workout. It's fun, challenging, and gives your body great results. I greatly recommend to anyone.

My wife and I are only through the 1st month, and the program is wearing us out! I guess I'll deduct a couple of stars if they kill me in month 2.

I have been using these DVDs for 2 weeks now, and although the calendar claims you should work out 6 days out of 7, I find that hard. The first week my calves hurt so hard that I could barely walk. People were stopping me at work, and giving me their condolences because they recognized the "insanity" walk! (note that the people who noticed this were all in killer shape). The videos are the most intense I've ever used, and I've stopped going to the gym at all since buying this program. It is much easier to drag myself out of bed at 4am and turn on the TV than it is to get dressed and drive to the gym, so I am more inclined to work out when there's less effort involved in getting there. This is fortunate, since you will need every stitch of extra effort just to complete the exercises. However, at least the first half of the program is short, and once the warmup is done (yes, you will be dripping sweat just from that), and the stretch is done, there's really only 15-20 minutes of really intense exercise to endure. Like others have said, you should be in decent shape when you start this program. There is a lot of jumping, a lot of push-ups, and you bend a whole lot to touch the ground at breakneck speed. Shaun T is extremely influential, and the wide array of tight abs and buns on display by the workout crew is inspiring enough to keep me going. The fact that Shaun T's workout crew also has to stop for breaks, just like I do, makes me feel less like a lazy, slovenly alien than I did with other, over-produced videos. Make sure you wear a heart-rate monitor every time, and pay attention to it. Your body will tell you when you should just be jogging in place for a minute, and when to get back in the race with the crew. Because I am building so much muscle, I have not lost a single pound yet, but I have lost about 3 inches off my hips and an inch off of my waist. As a horse owner, my horseback riding--which depends on core and thigh strength--has improved tenfold, so I know that it's working. I actually look forward to working out now, because the results are worth the quick spurt of energy I expend every morning.

I bought this program and Shawn T is amazing, it is a real challenge, and harder than PX90 in my opinion. Word of caution...this is a true challenege, if you have knee problems, skip this, it isn't for you...

Okay, I admit it: my main reason for buying this was that I wanted to lose that extra fat around my mid section (and in some other areas, too). And guess what? I did lose quite a lot of it! A great side effect is of course that your fitness level increases dramatically! Make no mistake, in order for this to happen you really have to work out HARD. The workouts themselves are really advanced and I would not recommend them to someone who isn't at least moderately fit. Now, I thought that I was pretty fit when I started out but I still found it really hard to keep up, especially during the first two weeks. Some of the exercises I had to do more slowly; others, like the power push-ups in the Max workouts I still can do only three or so and then I have to do regular push-ups because I just don't have enough strength. However, tomorrow is my last Max Insanity workout day and I think I will start over again and the next time around I might just conquer those power push-ups, too! The nutrition guide is of course very helpful, however, I was already eating healthy foods to begin with and I already follow most of those guidelines anyway. They are totally right, however, when they say you must eat healthy and wholesome foods if you want to be able to get the full effects of these workouts. You can't do them by eating junk food. In my opinion Insanity is great for people who are willing to work out hard and who want to improve their general fitness level. I know I will keep doing Insanity in months (and hopefully years) to come, no longer six days a week, but 2-3 times per week and mixed up with my running and other workouts at the gym.

Two of the discs in this package do not work and it was advertised as "new" and the user said they had never used it. I wish people would not sell items that do not work.

The exercises are intense. It's all that jumping around that really makes you feel the burn. It's not a special routine or anything, and your results depend on how hard you push yourself. You get what you work for. If you are in really poor shape, this is NOT the workout for you. I have a history of knee issues, my joint slips out. But I still do intense exercises and just rest for a few days if it starts to flare up (my top orthopedic surgeon from Hopkins recommended it). I've been able to strengthen the joint that way. The first day I did this workout, I felt a pain in my knee. I stopped for a few minutes, then SLOWLY resumed. I realized that as long as I maintained PROPER FORM my knee was fine. It's easy to get wrapped up in trying to keep up with the group. But Shaun says several times in the video "do not sacrifice proper form" for speed. It helps to work out in front a mirror. I'm not saying anyone else with bad joints should try. Please don't! Save your joints for old age. If you do decide to try it, consult your physician. And remember.. keep proper form!! I started the program less than 2 weeks ago, so I can't give any final results. I am combining this with a diet packed with fruits and vegetables. I have noticed that my clothes are starting to loosen up. I feel stronger, and have more energy. It will definitely whip you into shape.

This workout is beyond INSANE. The rest periods are short and the work periods are long. It really is great cardio, but I would not recommend going 100% effort on these work bouts. Being degreed in Exercise Science and Certified Performance Coach you have to understand a little science behind this training theory. Going 100% will help you gain more power output than fat loss. 75% effort should be your goal if you want more fat loss. If you are a cardio junky then go for it...balls to the wall! Overall, this video has great bodyweight circuits that you should just try to work on technique on your own. I don't recommend this video for anyone extremely over weight (needing to lose 50+ lbs) or with hip and knee issues. My favorite video is the upper body weight training. Awesome!

This is not your typical workout. It really is the most difficult workout I have ever done. I am in my last two weeks of insanity, and am literally in the best shape of my life! The hardest part of the workout is sticking with it. If you commit, you WILL be in the best shape of your life. Please note that it is tough on your body, especially your knees, so I highly recommend wearing knee braces from the start, even if you don't have knee problems. Since I started insanity I have lost inches and have toned all over. It really is Insane!