Max Interval Plyo Review | Insanity Workout Review

February 22, 2011 By Beachbody Coach Rob Humphrey

If you thought the Max Interval Circuit was torturous, wait until you tryout Max Interval Plyo! Don’t think month two of Insanity gets any easier – it gets even more intense and insane, but the result will be a stronger, leaner you. Are you ready?

With the Max Interval Plyo workout, expect to get longer, harder workouts requiring you to go at higher intensity levels from beginning to end. This workout will definitely test your mental drive and determination to succeed. In 55 minutes, you’ll see whether you have what it takes to complete Insanity!

Max Interval Plyo starts out with a 10-minute warm up with three sets of the same eight exercises. These range from jumping jacks to high knees and jump rope the Shaun T way! As you probably expected, the first two sets last for four minutes each, while the last set goes on for two minutes, which means you have to pick up the pace significantly to complete the eight exercises. Once you’re done, you’ll get a water break before going into a good, long stretching routine.

Now on to the main event! There are three different sets of exercises in the main workout. Sets 1 and two will each have three rounds of reps and a 30-second water break in between. In set one, the rounds will consist of squat push-ups, switch jumps, power jumps and 45 seconds of Wide In & Out Abs. That adds up to about 12 minutes of intensity, followed by a short water break.

The second set is just about 12 minutes as well, but the exercises increase in intensity compared to the first set. Power push ups, globe twists, planks and power lunges only form a part of the bone-crushing second set! But, of course, you deserve a 30-second water break once you’ve completed it – plus, the final set is like nothing you’ve ever seen before, so you better get all the rest you can!

The six-minute third set is half as long as the other two, but twice as intense. Side push ups, power knees and diamond jumps all need to be completed quickly and accurately for best results. And once you’ve made it through this last step, you can look forward to a four-minute cool down.

You’ll appreciate the stretches and yoga poses in the cool down segment – your body is definitely going to need it after you’ve pushed through Max Interval Plyo.

Return to the Insanity Workout Review Page.

Max Interval Circuit Review | Insanity Workout Review

February 22, 2011 By Beachbody Coach Rob Humphrey

Now that you’ve gotten to the second month of the Insanity workout, you’ll be encountering Max Interval Circuit, the first Max workout for the month. This circuit comes in right after Recovery Week, so it is expected that your body will be well-rested and ready to take on what’s in store for this 60-minute Insanity workout!

This Max Interval Circuit will start out with a 10-minute warm up, consisting of three identical sets. As is customary, the second set is of greater intensity than the first, and the third set will really force you to push it. You’re required to complete the same routines in less time, so be prepared for a really intense warm up! The jogs, jumping jacks, switch kicks and floor hops will leave you breathless. Take a 30-second water break, do some stretches then jump right into the main workout.

The main workout is just under 40 minutes long, and is broken down into three rounds. Expect each round to be more difficult than the first, just like in the warm up. You’ll start off with three identical sets of exercises in Round 1, including power lunges, ski abs, power strikes and oblique workouts, among others. Each set is performed at a higher intensity than the previous one, but don’t worry – you’ll have plenty water breaks in between.

Rounds 2 and 3 are structured pretty similarly to the first round, with the exercises broken up into three sets. Round 2 includes high knees, hook jumps and floor switch kicks, while Round 2 includes suicide jumps and plank punches. The distinguishing factor for Rounds 1 and 2 is that the have an additional exercise at the end of the three sets, while Round 3 does not have an additional exercise. But don’t think that makes it any easier – it’s actually the most monstrous round of the three!

If you’ve made it through to the end, you’ll have the opportunity to take a water break and do some cool down stretches for a few minutes. Then you can just lay there and feel totally proud of yourself for reaching to a level of Insanity that very few people get to see!

Return to the Insanity Workout Review Page.

Filed Under: Review of The Insanity Workouts Tagged With: insanity workout review, max interval circuit review

Max Cardio Conditioning Review | Insanity Workout Review

February 22, 2011 By Beachbody Coach Rob Humphrey

Drum roll, please! You’re finally here – at the last workout in the 60-day Insanity challenge. Max Cardio Conditioning is the name of this last chapter, and it will undoubtedly remind you what makes Insanity the most revered, respected workout program the industry has seen in a while!

Max Cardio Conditioning is a 48-minute, intense cardio workout with absolutely no water breaks during the main workout – in fact, no breaks at all. Of course, you can break if you absolutely have to, but you can also look out for the section in the middle when Shaun T lowers the intensity just a bit so you can recover.

Your Max Cardio Conditioning warm up will last about 9 minutes, consisting of a total of three sets. The first two are four minutes each, and the last set is just over a minute, so imagine how hard you need to go to complete the exercises in set three! You’ll have the usual jogs, jumping jacks, switch kicks, sprints and Heisman moves throughout the sets, with the first two sets having identical routines and the third having a slight variation. When you’re done, take your 30-second water break, because it’s the last one you’ll be seeing in a while!

Expect to go nonstop during the main workout of Max Cardio Conditioning. For 30 minutes, you’ll literally feel the burn in every move you do – you’ll wonder the heck you’re putting yourself through so much torture! But it will be worth it in the end. The jabs, squats, football runs, kicks, planks and push up jacks will all pay off when you finally get to the end of the Insanity road.

What you can look forward to right in the middle of the main workout are the ‘recovery exercises.’ These are performed at a slightly lower pace, allowing you to recover a bit before hitting the home stretch with higher intensity.

If you’ve made it this far, you may as well finish. Your last water break in Max Cardio Conditioning will be followed by a full stretching routine that lasts for 4 minutes. Make sure you do those stretches to the fullest, because they’ll make the difference between sore useless muscles in a couple of days, and muscles that will actually have some use to you after!

Return to the Insanity Workout Review Page.

Filed Under: Review of The Insanity Workouts Tagged With: insanity workout review, max cardio conditioning review

Core Cardio and Balance Review | Insanity Workout Review

February 21, 2011 By Beachbody Coach Rob Humphrey

For people who have never done the more intense portions of Insanity, Core Cardio and Balance would definitely be a challenge! This workout that comes right in Recovery Week may be a little easier for people with Insanity experience to handle, but it is definitely for the faint of heart!

After completing a couple weeks of intense, muscle-draining workouts, Core Cardio and Balance will provide a change of pace and allow you to truly recover and get prepared for the intense routines to come in the weeks that follow.

The Core Cardio and Balance is a 37 minute workout that starts with a warm up. The warm up is usually quite manageable, as it consists of six, one-minute exercises done at a constant pace. Because this is in Recovery Week, the exercises in the warm up don’t get increasingly harder. They are all done at the same pace.

Right after the warm up is a stretching session that last under 4 minutes. The focus is on the core muscles, making use of parts like the pelvis, hips and hamstrings. Once again, the stretches aren’t as intense as with other Insanity workouts. Instead, they are constant and allow you to ease right through, leading up to the main workout.

The main workout consists of 10, one-minute exercises that range from ski hops to Heisman moves and switch kicks, among others. Shaun T uses the opportunity during the main workout to emphasize the importance of doing each movement with perfect form. He is also sure to point out that the motive with the exercises is not to burn out, but instead to get the most out of each move.

For a few minutes after the main workout, you will do a series of exercises, including hip flexor burners, oblique work and shoulder burners. The same concept will apply with these core-related exercises – full, deep movement for maximum effect.

To close of the Core Cardio and Balance routine, there is a short two- to three-minute stretching segment involving your shoulders, back and hamstrings. Once you’re done, you would have wrapped up this part of the Insanity workout and hopefully achieved all it promised to help you achieve!

Return to the Insanity Workout Review Page.

Filed Under: Review of The Insanity Workouts Tagged With: core cardio and balance review, insanity workout review

Cardio Recovery Review | Insanity Workout Review

February 21, 2011 By Beachbody Coach Rob Humphrey

Shaun T’s Insanity Workout promises to be one of the most intense workout programs you will ever encounter! And because of its intensity, Shaun has made sure to include a “cool down” program called Cardio Recovery to help your muscles recover from the rigor encountered throughout the rest of the program.

Cardio Recovery is part of the Insanity program and is performed once a week. It gives you the opportunity to recover from the intense cardio workout the other parts of Insanity program exposes you to. Cardio Recovery has no cardio whatsoever. None of the jumping, lunging or running you do throughout the rest of the program will be included in this program.

Instead, stretching, yoga and deep muscle work will comprise the thirty-three minute workout known as Cardio Recovery. Shaun T will help you to revive and rejuvenate your muscles so you’re ready to take on the rigor of the other parts of the program.

What you will notice about Cardio Recovery is that breathing is a big focus throughout the entire routine. It starts out with a three minute warm up, which is where you will hear Shaun T making the most reference to the importance of breathing. The warm up will include hamstring stretches, arm extensions and deep lunges, but you’ll move from one position to the other quickly for a good burn in the short 3 minutes.

Deep muscle work, further stretching and yoga are the key focal points of the rest of the Cardio Recovery workout. Shaun T will emphasize the importance of slow and controlled movement for maximum effect.

At the end of the Cardio Recovery program, you will have very relaxed, recovered muscles that are ready to take on the challenge of the rest of the Insanity program for the upcoming week. This key part of Insanity is vital to ensuring you don’t allow your muscles to become too worn down to continue with the program until the end.

Return to the Insanity Workout Review Page.

Filed Under: Review of The Insanity Workouts Tagged With: cardio recovery review, insanity review, insanity workout review

Cardio Abs Review | Insanity Workout Review

February 21, 2011 By Beachbody Coach Rob Humphrey

Shaun T will usually recommend that by the beginning of the second week, the Cardio Abs workout should be done right at the end of the Pure Cardio workout. The Cardio Abs workout is only 17 minutes long, so it is quite possible to get it done after you have completed an intense Pure Cardio program.

While the Cardio Abs program isn’t the most intense Insanity program, it is still quite effective. Throughout the 17 minutes, you will have a Warm Up session, the Main Workout, and close off with a Cool Down session.

The Warm Up

Even though you may already be warm from the Pure Cardio program, it’s still a good idea to go through the two and a half minute warm up that’s part of Cardio Abs. This part of Cardio Abs will involve a sequence of jogging, high knee lifts, jump rope and tuck jumps. Once the sequence is completed, there is a 30 second water break, after which you’ll head straight into the Main Workout.

The Main Workout

In the Main Workout, there are two sections; the C-Sits and the High/Low planks.

The C-Sit is a specialty workout designed by Shaun T, where you are seated with your back straight and your hands under your knees. You then exhale and lean back until your arms straighten. Thereafter, you would exhale and lift your hips, rocking onto your bottom so you end up in a ‘C’ position. From that position, you would drift off into reps of ab twists and leg raises.

Between the C-Sit routine and the High/Low planks, there is a short 30 second water break.

The High/Low plank workout involves the typical plank position, with the added exercise of bringing the knees up to your ribs alternately. Each rep also involves being tucked into Child’s Pose.

The Cool Down

The Cool Down phase will last for just a couple minutes to stretch the muscles worked. It will include hamstring stretches, yoga poses and other casual stretches.

Cardio Abs is a complete and effective workout program for the abdominal muscles, and forms an important part of the Insanity workout. Working on strengthening the core muscles is a sure way to equip yourself to manage the more intense portions of Insanity.

Return to the Insanity Workout Review Page.

Filed Under: Review of The Insanity Workouts Tagged With: cardio abs review, insanity review

Cardio Power And Resistance Review | Insanity Workout Review

September 7, 2010 By Beachbody Coach Rob Humphrey Leave a Comment

Cardio Power and Resistance is one of the harder of the Insanity workouts for me. The warm-up is very similar to the previous Cardio workout warm-up we just did. These Insanity warmups are the best in the business and if you don’t already have a heart rate monitor, I recommend you getting one. You should be hitting 85% of your MHR (max heart rate) in the warm-up. One of the things I do like is there really isn’t that many moves once you get in the workout, but trust me they are intense moves and it does seem to go by fast and you will burn a lot of calories. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Review of The Insanity Workouts Tagged With: insanity cardio power and resistance, insanity review

Pure Cardio Review | Insanity Workouts Review

August 18, 2010 By Beachbody Coach Rob Humphrey 1 Comment

Pure Cardio is considered by many as one of the hardest month one workouts. I can agree but at the same time I think this is the funnest workout of month one. What I really like about this workout is there are no repeat moves. You begin with your usual Insanity warmup of 10 minutes (3 sets) and followed by the stretch portion of the routine.

As we are stretching Shuan T makes a statement that I have to say worried me the first time I heard him say it. He says “…I have to be totally honest that I am really nervous about this workout…” Seriously, this is day 3, day one and two kicked my butt already and NOW your nervous, great what am I in for I say to myself. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Review of The Insanity Workouts Tagged With: insanity pure cardio, insanity workout review