Is P90X or Insanity better? The great fitness program debate is once again put under the light. The topic: which one is better for weight loss? The program details of both P90X and Insanity, testimonies from workout enthusiasts and the science behind weight loss will be examined and compared to determine whether Bring it! or Dig deeper! is the best motto for fat burn.

Is P90X or Insanity Better For Weight Loss

P90X – Muscle Confusion

P90X is a 90 day program developed by celebrity trainer and fitness guru Tony Horton. P90X consists of 12 intense workout routines, and the program is collectively based on a technique called Muscle Confusion. Muscle Confusion is the regular introduction of new routines in an exercise regimen to expose the different muscles to constant stimulus. The technique, akin to circuit training, was developed to combat the plateau effect in exercise. P90X also comes with a nutrition plan, a workout calendar and online support from trainers and peers.

P90X was programmed to specifically give people a leaner and more ripped body. The exercises primarily focus on resistance training, which builds strength and anaerobic endurance. This includes exercises targeting the chest, back, shoulders, biceps, arms, legs. Ab and core routines include: Core Synergistics and Ab Ripper X. The program also has cardio in the form of Plyometrics, Kenpo X and Cardio X. Some exercises also target flexibility, which includes Yoga X and X Stretch. In addition to physical training, the intense exercises are also targeted to train mental endurance, giving you a full body workout.

Expect to spend about an hour per day, 6 days per week, with 1 rest day reserved for stretching. Equipment such as dumbbells, pull up bars (or a place to do pull ups) and yoga mat are needed. For even better results you can add P90X Supplements, but they are optional.

Insanity – MAX Interval Training

Fitness trainer and choreographer Shaun T developed Insanity, a 60 day program of 11 workout routines. Insanity is a cycle of routines which follow the concept of interval training. Interval training is a form of physical training which emphasizes discontinuous workouts that cycle through a series of high and low exercises. This counters the plateau effect people usually experienced when exercising. Aside from the workouts, Insanity also comes with a nutrition plan, a fitness guide, a calendar and online support from trainers and peers.

MAX Interval Training is a form of customized interval training, where maximum intensity exercises alternate with intervals of low intensity exercise and rest. The high intensity exercises are explosive physical activities almost reaching or hitting anaerobic exercise. This form of exercise stimulates the fast twitch muscle fibers, which release energy faster than other muscles. The benefit of activating fast twitch muscle fibers is that it is excellent in fat reduction, and will continue to burn them away even during low intensity exercises. The program itself consists of intense cardio training including:  plyometrics, abs training and circuit training. These are interspersed with recovery workouts of varying intensities.

Insanity was created to aid in muscle-building and fat burn. It doesn’t require the use of exercise equipment. For maximum results you can check out the Supplements recommended for Insanity, but again these are optional.The program is detailed to last 45-60 minutes a day for 6 days a week, with 1 day reserved for rest.

What Enthusiasts are Saying About P90X And Insanity

Opinions diverge when it comes to P90X and Insanity. However, the general observations by those who have already tried the workouts surprisingly give clear results.

P90X is longer and the use of exercise equipment gives the impression that it is more intense than Insanity. In addition, P90X gives people the freedom to choose whether they want to gain muscle, lose weight, bulk up or get more toned. Individuals also found the progression of the routines challenging and fun to do. However, since P90X requires longer workouts, the program itself is not so much suited for those who cannot commit that amount of time every day. Access to the required equipment may also be difficult.

The majority of workouts in P90X are clearly for muscle-building, and the emphasis on the different muscles of the body and the variety of the workouts ensure an all-around physical training.

Insanity on the other hand is more packed with cardio training. The zero equipment requirements also make the program more accessible to anyone, and the shorter workout period makes it easier to follow for people who have time constraints. The program itself progresses to more challenging, sweat-inducing cardio exercises focused on calorie burning. But unlike P90X, it does not come to par when increasing muscle size, but don’t worry, you won’t lose any muscle tone either.

Since the majority of the routines in Insanity focus on cardiovascular training, the regimen places emphasis on weight loss and complete body toning. Muscle endurance is also maximized by interval training.

What Science is Saying

Let’s put science to our little P90X versus Insanity debate. According to a study by exercise physiologists from Duke University, aerobic training is more recommended for weight loss compared to resistance training.

The study examined the results of training groups which underwent cardiovascular training and resistance training separately and a group with a combined cardio and resistance training regimen. The results have shown that the two groups which underwent cardio proved to lose more weight than the group which underwent resistance training only.

Regular energy exertion by burning calories stored in fats is the simplest way to cut down extra weight. Cardio training remains the most popular and effective method of burning calories because they are relatively low intensity activities. Because they are low intensity, muscles are not exhausted immediately, making long stretches of cardio exercise easier to accomplish. This results in more fats being burned at any one time.

It’s important to note that P90X is a complete fitness regimen. Including resistance training, cardio, yoga and ab workouts. Compared to Insanity which is mostly cardio (high intensity) and the resistance training in Insanity is done by using your own body weight.

The Results

P90X changed Melissa’s life. By the end of high school, she was barely 5 ft. tall, weighed 210 lbs and wore a size 20 jeans.  She went on the path to losing 81 lbs with P90X.

Shaun has an amazing transformation. He’s lost TWO HUNDRED pounds!! He attributes about 110 lbs of his weight loss to Team Beachbody products like P90X!

Bill S. was in pretty bad shape. He was overweight and had no energy. Fast forward 1 year… “In total, I’ve lost 125 lbs. and have been maintaining it happily. Beachbody makes it easy.”

Matt A. lost over 30 lbs with Insanity and P90X and he just furthered his health and nutrition by completing the Ultimate Reset and lost another 8 lbs!  However, his transformation would not have been the same without the help of the program specific nutrition guides and the amazing supplements Team Beachbody has to offer!

The Verdict Is In P90X versus Insanity

A lot of enthusiasts have praised P90X for giving them a ripped body and better muscle build, but Insanity is the clear winner in the race for the better weight loss regimen. Experience and science both back up this claim. However, when it comes to which is the more suitable exercise program, the choice still rests on you, and our Team is here to help you commit to a better lifestyle and maximize your results. Still can’t decide? Why not combine the two for an amazing Hybrid Workout!

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