I started Insanity the other day and the first step was to take the Insanity Workout Fit Test. This was my first time taking a fit test with a Beachbody program. I did not take the P90X Fit Test when I bought it and instead went right into the workouts. After reading through the Insanity workout program and the calendar I noticed how you keep track of your results. It’s a little different than P90X as you are not using weights or a pull up bar with Insanity. With it being a intense cardio workout you track your progress by taking the fit test 5 times during the 60 days. Seems simple enough. How the Fit Test works is you do 8 different exercises for a minute each doing as many reps as you can.
My First Insanity Workout Fit Test Results
Switch Kicks 125
Power Jacks 45
Power Knees 84
Globe Jumps 8
Suicide Jumps 13
Push Up Jacks 25
Low Plank Oblique 50
Here is the video I took of myself doing the Insanity Workout Fit Test. I was jumping so hard at one time that a pan fell in the kitchen. You can probably hear it along with how squeaky my wood floors are.
This was a lot tougher than what I expected. I was dripping sweat after doing the warm ups. I had to stop a couple times with each workout. After taking a look at my results I have decided that I want to increase each number by 20%. This is what I am pushing for.
My Insanity Workout Fit Test Goals Are:
Switch Kicks 150
Power Jacks 54
Power Knees 100
Power Jumps 37
Globe Jumps 10
Suicide Jumps 16
Push Up Jacks 30
Low Plank Oblique 60
The Insanity workout is looking like it is going to be a very challenging workout for the next 60 days. Hopefully all the P90X I have been doing over the past year will help me power through it.
Check out my second Insanity Workout Fit Test Results and Insanity Day 30 Results.
Does this stuff really work, i mean i work out 4-5 times a week as is, and i know its hard to get a body like that, that quick i’ve been trying and feel like im getting no where.
@ Joe
I use to workout 4-5 days a week on my own thinking I was getting in shape. After doing P90X and Insanity I realized that I did not know what I was doing before. There is a science behind these workouts and its why millions of people are getting great results.
Dude you are doing your switch kicks WRONG! Bring you legs higher and don’t just bring them up like you are a part of an Irish dance group. You have to act like you are kicking. So, bring up and push outwards.
Also, go back into the squat position when you are doing your high jumps. “jump from the bottom” as Shaun T says.
Anyway, if this is your first time your mistakes are understandable (as were mine).
@ Lou
What if I like to do a Irish jig once in awhile? It was my first time so form always struggles. The form was a little better with my second Insanity Fit Test.
Hey am doing the insanty workout and am uploading pics daily to track my results and see the changes day by day. check out my blog Insanenase.blogspot.com
@ Ahmed
Awesome. Keep it up.
Hi,
I’m a 19 year old student and out of shape. I’m about 5’1 and weigh 130 lbs. I haven’t worked out in a while but I’m ready to change that and be in the best shape that I can possibly achieve. Do you think the Insanity program will be too hard to stick with?
@ Joyce
Sticking with it means showing up every day. If you can commit to doing it every day you will be able to do it. It might take you a little longer than people who are already in shape but who cares. Do the Insanity workout as best as you can and don’t get frustrated if you can’t keep up at first.
Hi Brad,
I’ve recently purchased the Insanity Program and can say this is by far the most intense workout i’ve ever done period. I’m close to finishing up my first month, and was wondering if it is normal to have shin pain. For example, when i’m doing power jumps or hurdle jumps, i feel a sharp pain in both of my shins. I’ve tried icing it but nothing seems to work. What do you think i should do? I really don’t want to stop this workout because of this slight pain, so far i’ve been having good results.
Thanks Casely!
@ Casely
I did not have shin pains doing the Insanity workout. It might be because you have not used the muscle around those areas before. I would check the http://www.TeamBeachbody.com message boards to see what other people are doing to take care of the pain.
I am really overweight and out of shape..I am ashamed to say..but I am committed to get things back the way it was…I am worried I am too out of shape to start the Insanity program..does it have a “beginner” kind of mode to ease back in to a fit way of life?
The workout looks very intense and I am not afraid of the work just biting off too much too soon.
Thanks!
Annie
@ Annie
Don’t be ashamed. You have recognized that you need to make changes and thats the first step. Unfortunately, Insanity has no beginner modes. Its all advanced moves. The pace is what makes the workout ridiculous. I would recommend doing one of two workouts first before doing Insanity. P90X and ChaLean Extreme. P90X is still advanced but it shows you beginner moves. The workouts with ChaLean Extreme are not as long as P90X so its easier to start with this program. My girlfriend dropped 10% body fat with it and really enjoyed it.
Hi Brad:
I’m thinking of buying the insanty program. I love the fact that it uses my own body weight for resistance. But, I’m no spring chicken (on the south side of 50). I am in good shape for my age. Unfortunately at this age, I find myself prone to injury and having ankle, knee and hip problems from years of running. What have you learned from other users about this plan and any effect on old injuries?
Meg
@ Meg
I’ve had a nagging knee injury from snowboarding a couple years ago and did not feel any pain while doing Insanity. If you don’t do the Insanity workouts right then you will put a lot of stress on your joints. If you do it with good form then you’ll be working your muscles. I did not do any running during the 60 days of Insanity and when I finished I did a 8 mile run 2 minutes faster than my previous time. I think its cause I worked on all of those supporting muscles in my legs.
Great to see a lot of independent reviews on this, but I have a question for anyone else out there using this video. I started using this last week, and thought I had decent cardio ability. Boy was I wrong. I’m 5’9 215 lbs, hardly fit and trim but I play hockey regularly and feel rather healthy, again boy was I wrong. With that said I’m finding myself unable to get through the first actual workout video in its entirety. I get to the point of sheer exhaustion and have to stop. I came up with the idea of doing the same video daily until I can get through it and move on. Would anyone object to this thought? I know I shouldnt over work the same areas but I really don’t want to move on until I can complete one segment. What say you all?
@ TynanT19
I know exactly how you feel. Insanity takes it to another level. I just started doing the Insanity Deluxe workouts today which included the Insanity Sports Training DVD and Insane Abs. I thought I would be ready for this as I just got back from 7 days of skiing and snowboarding in Park City Utah. My legs felt great and I actually lost a pant size doing it.
However I found myself barely able to get through half of the moves. There was a point when I was doing Insane abs where my legs hurt so much that the emotion to cry started building up with the pain. I felt like one of the contestants on “The Biggest Loser.” I stopped and regained my composure.
Insanity is the real deal. I still can’t finish an entire workout without taking a break but I have been able to still get great results. I just show up, yell at Shaun T, and keep on pushing myself. There is no way I would of been able to ski or snowboard for all 7 days without getting in shape first with Insanity.
I was thinking about purchasing insanity workout is this a good product or not? How is it compared to p90x?
@ Sunshinegirl0007
The Insanity workout is a great product. It uses your body weight for resistance so you get stronger on a “pound for pound” basis. You can check out my P90X vs Insanity post to see how they compare.
Site has lots of great information. I just finished P90X and started Insanity this week. I’ll be comparing our numbers! :) Great stuff!
@ Jamie
Good luck with Insanity. Its tough.
I purchased Insanity a few days ago and since then I’ve read several reviews on it. It appears that most people believe if you haven’t been working out regularly, this program isn’t an appropriate one. I will be the first to admit I haven’t worked out in a long while. However, I have a class reunion in May and am determined to be in shape by then. I am probably wrong, but I see this as a “mind over matter” situation meaning that if I am determined and have the will power to stick to it, I should be successful. I have about 20 lbs to lose and would love to just be more fit, active, and feel better about myself. So, with the aforementioned information, do you think I will be able to complete this program with some decent results?
@ Christa
If you are willing to push yourself then you will get the results you want. It might take you a little longer then people who are already in shape but so be it. Do Insanity twice if you need to. Stick with it and you’ll lose those 20lbs in time for your high school reunion in May.
Hey brad…well I am tryn to get back into shape after having A Baby..4yrs agO I had A c-section and develop A pregnacy pouch…I am 28 I have 1 child…and I used to be very active and in shape played all sports up until I was 23…and I am tryn to find A program that will help me get back right and tight…thank u
@ Phrezhp
Insanity will help you lose the pregnancy pouch for sure.
Is the Insanity workout recommended for women who want to lose 20-30 lbs? It looks like the women on the infomercial are already in pretty good shape, and that they are more toned after. I really want to lose weight then tone. What do you recommend?
@ Therese
Insanity is a advanced program. If you are not already working out I would not recommend starting with Insanity. Instead you should look into doing ChaLean Extreme. My girlfriend did is and dropped 10% body fat in 90 days. After finishing ChaLean then look at doing Insanity. You’ll be better prepared.
A group of friends and I are taking on INSANITY starting next week Monday. A few questions came about as we planned for this 60 day journey. Just to make sure we’re doing this program correctly, have there been any serious injuries reported from doing this program? Also, our school is in New Orleans, and its traditional way of cooking revolves around high sodium seasoning and saturated cooking oils. How would you go about arranging a nutritional meal plan around this?
@ Derek
I have not heard of any injuries with Insanity. Lay off the sodium. I use to work with a guy who was very obese. His Dr. made him go on a low sodium diet. In less then a month he dropped 30 pounds without working out. Follow the meal plan that comes with Insanity. Its easy and the meals are simple.
Congrats on the Super Bowl win.
Hi Brad, I’ve got a question. I started insanity today. Did the fit test. No comment :) But, my question is about the calorie requirements, and the nutrition. My calculation came out to be about 2,009 calories needed per day. But that seems extreme to me. I’m sure I’m already eating that much since I’m overweight, but when I am tracking what I eat I tend to stick to about 1,200 to 1,500 calories a day. Did I use the formula in the Elite nutrition guide correctly? Could it really be 2,009 calories a day? It just seems like a lot, especially when I’m trying to lose weight. Would appreciate your feedback. I’m 5’6, 178lbs, 31 yrs old. Thanks!
@ Antonia
Fit Test was brutal huh? The meal plan said I had to take in 3,000. I was shocked too. It does seem like a lot. To be honest, I don’t count calories. Instead, I follow what meals they say to eat on what days. If you feel exhausted after working out then you need to increase the food you eat. Keep up the good work. You will start seeing results by the second week.
I wanted to get insanity, but after reading some of the comments i may think it could be too hard. I am 23 and weight 370 pounds so is there something else i can do that can help me get to the point the i can try insanity?
@ Miguel
I would advise against trying Insanity at your current weight. I would instead advise starting with Power 90. It will help you build up your strength and start losing weight. After finishing Power 90 Insanity might still be one more workout away. You might want to do P90X second and then Insanity. You can do it and I would like to see you succeed with the program. There are lots of stories out there of people in your situation who did Power 90 and dropped lots of weight. Feel free to ask me more questions.
Hey Brad. I am 45 years old. I went through P90X twice, with awesome results. I am on week 8 of Insanity, and I love it! I do it everyday at 4:30 am before I go to work , and on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons I do the P90X uppers (arms, shoulder, chest and back) so I don’t lose the gains I made. I also do cardio abs at least 4 times a week as well. When I finish Insanity next week, should I start it over again from the start, or just stick with the max workouts? Thanks.
@ Shep
You should add in P90X Plus or the Insanity Deluxe workouts. I recently started both workouts and like them as their only 45 minutes and move at a faster pace then the normal P90X workouts. You should think about becoming a Beachbody Coach too since you’re addicted to the workouts like I am.
Hey brad, I started doing Insanity today, I have been out of fitness for about a year, and hardcore fitness for about 3 years. I had to take quite a few breaks during the fit test. Would you reccommend that I continue through the workouts doing as much as I can and then going back through them after 60 days or doing the same few workouts in a weekly rotation until I master and them and then moving on to other workouts in the Insanity program?
@ Jonathan Smith
Do as much as you can. If you have to take breaks then do it. Even Shaun T takes breaks. I did Insanity all the way through one time and then did it again while mixing in P90X. I’d recommend following the Insanity workout plan both times.
OK.. been out of exercise for a long time…so your saying someone like me can’t do the Insantity workout? If I give 110% of what I got into the workout wouldn’t that be something? maybe I wouldn’t get the results as advanced ones but I would get some results..right?
@ Bren
If you give it all you’ve got, then yes, you will see results. You might be spending the first 60 days getting in shape to actually be able to do Insanity the next time. This has happened to a lot of people including myself.
Hi Brad. You have such great info on here. I am a new mom ( 7 month old baby boy) and did a lot of reqular exercise prior to his birth. I have always done a mix of workouts, including some other beachbody stuff. Since his birth, I have returned to working out but on a much lesser scale. I would really like to develop a routine and get great results. My question is should I wait a while longer and continue to build up my strength or go ahead and start this workout. My baby has recently started sleeping about 11 hrs a night!! I feel like I would be able to give an hour of my day to exercise. Currently I am working out for about an hour 2 to 3 times a week. My thoughts are that having a “program” will get me back on track.
@ Kedren
Since you worked out before having your baby (congrats) you should be able to do Insanity. There will be a learning curve with it as it is a advanced program. It is under an hour so it would fit into your schedule. The other workout I would suggest is ChaLean Extreme. The workouts are about 40 minutes long and its a lot of strength training. My girlfriend lost 10% body fat doing it. Many women have chosen to do that one and then do Insanity so they are better prepared. Since you are familiar with Beachbody you should look at becoming a Beachbody Coach.