P90X Vs Insanity - Which Do You Choose?

Completing the first 30 days of Insanity pushed me with my cardio but the 2nd phase of the Insanity program was a beast. I completed it without missing a workout and feeling good about my results. I didn't see a great reduction in my weight, like I did when I completed P90X, but I can tell that my body fat percentage decreased and I do look leaner. Numbers aside that's the bottom line about doing this anyway right? Looking better and feeling better after a program like this is achievement enough for me! There is another reason for that too but I'll discuss that further down. I don't disregard the numbers by the way, I'll provide those in a minute.

What I Liked About Insanity

I was coming off an injury to my distal bicep, so the idea of a program that uses no weights and equipment, really appealed to me. Well, I used a heart rate monitor, but I'm not sure if you can call that equipment. I also liked the fact that the Insanity program was only 60 days, as opposed to the 90 days of P90X. Once you do Insanity, it's easy to see why it doesn't continue on for another 30 days. It's just not needed. Some may be concerned about losing any gains from P90X, but I would have to say that I don't think that's the case. You still do a bit of upper body and shoulder work just not to the extent of P90X. Push-up and floor exercises that work the chest and shoulders are added to the cardio mix and I was getting a good burn from those. The last point which was a nice change was that the first month of exercises in Insanity were only about 40 minutes including warm-up and cool down. That gets extended in the second month, but a least you build up to it!

What I Struggled With

If you had thought Plyometrics was tough in P90X, just wait till you get to do Max Interval Plyo! That doesn't happen until the second month in Insanity but I find it funny that a word that I hardly used prior to P90X has become a 4 letter word in my mind..."PLYO!"

What Could Be Better?

Shaun T was a nice change from Tony Horton, but for such an Insane workout I thought that there should have been a light warm up and stretch before getting right into it. The warm up was more like a pre-cardio workout to the cardio workout. The stretching is done post warm up which is fine, but its a pretty intense warm up. Also,

the Cardio Abs routines really didn't do anything for me. I thought the P90X Ab Ripper routines were much more intense. Even though I was burnt out after an Insanity workout, when having to do Cardio Abs right after, I still walked away thinking, "Okay, was that it?"

So what were my results?

I started Insanity at the 79.2kg (around the 175 pound mark) and ended up at 78.5kg (173 pounds). One thing I noticed that with the Insanity program is that due to the calorie burn in each workout, I felt that my appetite shot up quite a bit. I found myself eating more during this program than I ever did with P90X. Not eating bad stuff, but just needing more food intake to feel satisfied.

Closing Thoughts

Shaun T and the Insanity program provided me with a great way to continue on with working out since I hurt my distal bicep. I really didn't want to stop since I was feeling really good completing P90X. This program really pushes cardio and I found myself burning calories like crazy. I read somewhere in the forums that the Insanity workouts burn anywhere from 300 to 1000 calories per workout. The product home page says up 1,000 per workout but of course that depends on each person and how intense they worked out that day.

I would recommend Insanity to someone who:

-Needs a change from P90X

-Wants to lose weight very quickly

-Would like shorter workouts without weights or equipment

-Doesn't mind cardio...(maybe "loves cardio" would be a better way to say it)

Overall, I'm glad I did it. It gave me ideas about incorporating some of the routines into P90x in some way when I do another round of it. For example, as fun as it is, I wasn't too keen on Kenpo as an intense workout. The P90X Plyometrics was good, but after Insanity, I think any of those Cardio routines are a bit more intense.

Robert Hickey completed P90X and Insanity can tell you more about his P90x vs insanity experience on his blog. Robert lost close to 30 pounds with P90X and his is just one of many P90X Success Stories on how this program can change your life.

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Three Most Common Cardio Machines - Which One Works The Best For You?

In this modern day there are numerous cardiovascular machines that are on the market. You will find there are many options. Newcomers may have a difficult time in picking the one that will work the best for them.

3 Most Common Cardio Machines:

1. Stationary Bicycle

This really is looked at as being the simplest piece of equipment to start out by having a low impact on the entire body; this is an awesome bike suitable for the beginner. In fact this machine emulates a real mountain bike. There are certain applications that allow for anyone to recreate the actual landscape of real life bike paths. For instance, when you would like to have a ride through Sacramento then the particular application will emulate the landscape of that distinct trek.

2. Elliptical

The elliptical trainer is in fact deemed as one of the newer cardio machines on the market today. A great low-impact workout routine combined with quite a few created for that total body workout, this particular equipment gives a dose of both. In doing so it's appropriate for all physical fitness levels, a number of beginners could possibly see this machine as difficult to use, however they will quickly become accustomed to it.

3. Treadmill Machine

Any kind of Treadmill is super user friendly. It has much less harmful effect on your body comparedthan that of jogging or even going for walks outdoors. Another option to increase your exercise routine will be the pre designed physical exercises or custom made workouts from a personal instructor. Almost all of these kinds of options are available along with a treadmill machine. Any person that will use any of these pieces of equipments for the first time must remember to always keep their very own heartbeat elevated as well as stay within the preferred heartbeat (THR) zone. Roughly this specific heart zone is 70% of the individual's maximum pulse rate (220bpm-age).

You can also add selection to your workout sessions by merely adjusting the resistance to your foot pedal and by also changing the main incline. To top it all, just about every of the following cardio machines will help obtain one's physical fitness objectives, along with concentration during workouts as well as keep the actual target pulse rate level.Pick a cardio machine that supplies an absolute challenge, maintains motivation as well as doesn't aggravate existing knee, joint or lower back problems.

Faye Thomas is an expert in fitness. She has been running a fitness club for the past ten years, and enjoys sharing her knowledge with you. When not working out or managing the club she enjoys spending time at the beach and with her golden retrievers. Cardio machines can be a tricky part of working out and finding the right one may be a challenge. Let Faye share her expertise with you and help you choose the best cardio for weight loss

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Which Comes First in a Workout: Cardio or Weight Training?

Both cardio and weight training exercise are vital to building a sculpted physique, but when you are crunched for time and need to fit both into your allotted workout time at the gym, which should you perform first?

Here is the number one rule: ALWAYS DO WEIGHT TRAINING FIRST. The majority of gym-goers tend to break this rule and perform cardio exercise first, followed by weight lifting. This is not the most efficient way to train the body and will hinder your muscle growth and fat loss efforts. Here are a few reasons why.

Weight training requires the highest amount of physical energy and stamina. Therefore it is a no-brainer that you want to do the most labor-intensive task first when your energy is highest and you have the most strength.

Weight lifting relies heavily on your glycogen stores, or stored energy in the muscle tissue. You will not be able to lift as heavy of a weight or perform as many repetitions if you do cardio first because it will deplete some of your stored energy and you will be too tired to perform your best at lifting weights. And if you are not putting forth the most energy towards lifting weights, your muscle growth will be reduced.

Most people go to the gym and perform exercise to lose weight. Doing weight training first is also a great way to increase fat burning. When you do weight training first, you are burning up the stored energy in your muscles, your glycogen. After a weight training session, your glycogen is depleted at this time and the body has very little energy stored in reserve. Then you hop on the cardio machines and start increasing your heart rate. Your body needs energy to keep going and if there is no more glycogen in storage, the body will start to break down the fatty tissue reserves and use it for energy.

If you are still not convinced, try this challenge: Pick a day you normally go to the gym and do cardio first then do weight training. Now pick another day to go to the gym and do weight training first followed by cardio. Make sure you are doing the same exercises and for the same duration for both days. You should notice more energy for your weight training program when done first, and since cardio requires much less energy, you will still be able to get through your cardio session without much decrease in performance.

Try it for yourself!

Melody Loo is an active figure competitor and personal trainer. She has been exercising for over 10 years and has studied exercise science, nutrition and kinesology. Learn about her Figure Competition Diet and what it takes to become a figure competitor.

Read more about weight lifting and bodybuilding at Competition Diet.

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