Many people have been asking me to write a P90X vs Insanity review. Since I have completed both of them individually and a P90X / Insanity hybrid workout I decided to spend a couple minutes to give as best of a evaluation of both that I could. So here we go.
Build Muscle – P90X -You are using weights in 5 of the workouts including the pull up bar. There are no weights used with Insanity at all besides your body weight.
Intense Cardio – Insanity- Hands down winner here. All of the Insanity workouts involve cardio training while just half of the P90X workouts do.
Strength Training – P90X- This was a close one but I chose P90X because of the weight training along with the cardio. Workouts like P90X Legs & Back, P90X Chest & Back are similar to some of the Insanity workouts but the addition of weights help build more strength.
Flexibility – P90X – Yoga X, X Stretch, and the almost 10 minutes of stretching for each workout top the basic stretching with Insanity.
Abs – Insanity- It seems like almost 80% of each movement is geared toward the core area in the normal workouts not including the Cardio Ab workout. P90X has the killer Ab Ripper X workout but Insanity has more plank work and ab focused moves.
Weight Loss – Push – Both P90X and Insanity will help you lose weight if you really get at it.
Toning – Insanity – Very close here again as both workouts will tone you up but using your body weight for resistance will tone up any bulk that you have.
Cost – Insanity- If price is a issue then Insanity is the way to go as you only need the DVDs which are $119. For P90X you need dumbbells or resistance bands and a pull up bar. If you have those then you only need the P90X DVDs which are $119 also but you can get the P90X Deluxe set for $239 which includes bands, pull up bar, P90X, and the recovery drink. Of course you can get a 25% discount if you sign up to be a Beachbody Coach or a 10% discount with a Beachbody Club membership too.
Time – Insanity – Most of the workouts with Insanity are under 50 minutes long while P90X is about an hour plus Ab Ripper X three times a week. If time is an issue then go with Insanity.
Beginner – P90X – Tony Horton has three people in the background showing you how to modify each move from a beginner to advanced. The goal is to build up your strength to keep up with the person doing the advanced move.
Advanced – Insanity – Don’t start Insanity unless you are already in some kind of shape. I think of Insanity as two a day football practices wrapped up into 45 minutes. You’re basically trying to keep up with Shaun T, who is a college track star, doing power jumps, squats, and push ups at a ridiculous pace.
Variety – P90X- Yoga, Kenpo, and using a pull up bar are things not done in Insanity.
Value – P90X- Since it comes with 12 workouts to Insanity’s 9, you can switch them up to your liking after the 90 days. This means you can make the investment of the DVDs go a lot farther then the 90 days. Heck, I did P90X 3 times straight before doing Insanity. Try to spend $119 for a 9 month gym membership.
What Were The P90X vs Insanity Results?
Overall – P90X – The strength training, variety, and ability for people of any fitness level to be able to jump in and get great results over a 90 day period put it just a tad farther than Insanity
It was a close one: P90X 7 Insanity 6.
What Did You Think About The P90X vs Insanity Review?
All of these are my opinions from doing P90X 3 times, Insanity 1 time, and a P90X / Insanity hybrid workout. I’ve had great results with both of them individually and together. If you are confused on what one to do right now I usually tell people to pick one based on cost and time. If you don’t have the extra money to buy the dumbbells or pull up bar then go with Insanity and if you do have those then do P90X. If time is your issue then the 45 minute workouts with Insanity will be better for you instead of the 55 to 70 minute workouts with P90X. Either way you go each will help you reach your fitness goals because when your done with one just go and get the other one. If you are ready to start Insanity or P90X you can get them at the Beachbody Store. Check out the Beachbody Coach program to get discounts on them. I hope this P90X vs Insanity review helps you out in choosing a program.
Hi Brad, I so want to try Insanity and try to get my husband to do it. My husband is overweight 6 feet, maybe 230-245 lbs, but can do 50 mile + bike rides with no problem. I on the other hand am 5’1″ maybe 110 lbs. I’m little but not in shape. I want my husband to get rid of the “man boobs” and me to get my 6-pack abs back with killer legs. I want something that is exciting and will challenge me. I don’t want to do P90X because of the long workouts, but I feel like everything I read is pushing me towards P90X and even then maybe not towards either. I want to get my assed kicked. I won’t do P90X, so my question is should I do Insanity? Can I do Insanity? Can my husband? Can you even answer this question for me?
Insanity will kick your ass. Even the people who are in the DVD have to take breaks. You can do Insanity but you have to be patient. Go slow and focus on form. The speed will come. I’ve seen people like your husband who have some weight to lose and drop a lot of weight with Insanity. It might take longer than the 60 days but so what. What’s important is you are doing it.
What do you recommend for the following person:
5’2″
260 lbs
56 years old
Darlene
I would not recommend P90X or Insanity for you to start with. I would recommend you do the Beachbody Ultimate Reset instead.
Thanks for the info, For how long? Until I reach a certain weight?
First off, thanks for the article. I recieved the insanity workout today, but was looking to cleanse before using it. I really don’t have an extra 230 to drop on the beachbody reset, so do you think that maybe a 14 day cleanse and a multivitamin would have a similar effect? I also eat pretty well so that can’t hurt. I played hockey up through college and was looking to drop some weight for this summer. Thanks!
Tim
I don’t know about the 14 day cleanse with those things. The Ultimate Reset was very thorough with the foods and supplements. Go ahead and do Insanity over the summer and check out the Ultimate Reset in the fall.
I am 14. I’m a guy. Im about 5’9″. I wiegh about 145. I lift 3 times during the week. I do soccer times a week and I do track 5 times a week. All for about 30minutes to 2 hours. This is all during the school year. During the summer, I do soccer three times a week for 2 hours. I then go lift for 45 minutes and then have speed camp for 30 Mounties to a hour. I need to know what will get bigger and faster. Thanks
Sounds like you’re very busy with sports to begin with. In your case I think P90X will help you get bigger. Based on your schedule, P90X might be something you do instead of lifting and on the days you have off.
Brad:
I am desperate to loose weight, this time around, keep it off and for the first time, see how I will look if I stick to the program and go all trhe way. I have both, P90 & Insanity but Insanity looks like what it is! I want to try it because I’m so outta shape and over-weight that I think moving at that paste and getting my heart rate up even if I can’t keep up with Shaun and the others, will do miracles for me. I want to loose a good amount of weight by the summer which gives me two months. I have 60 pouds to loose according to a boot camp I use to attend but because of my culture and where I come from, I am not looking to be thin. I liked the way I looked at 169 because I had lost so many inches, I looked a lot smaller that whatI really was but for me at 5’3″ that’s still over weight. I am african american and I like butt and thickness but I know that I must be healthy at the same time. I feel desperate and a little overwhelmed rite now. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nikia
I hope you’re not trying to do too much too soon. You have to ask yourself how long it took you to put on the weight first and then recognize its going to take time to get it off. I think you should do the Ultimate Reset first and then P90X. This will help you get the weight off and you’ll feel better about attacking Insanity when its done.
Thanks Brad. I got both your messages and I totally agree with you. I do know it’s too much for me at the weight I am now. I had so much success with a boot-camp class a little while ago that I thought I could get even better and faster results with Insanity. I just hate that I ordered it and spent all that money and will not be using it. I went to a program that focused more on getting body fat off than weight and for the first time of “dieting”, I felt better and looked better and even looked smaller than what I was because I lost inches and fat vs when I would do all these programs, I would loose weight but you couldn’t tell unless I lost a whole lot and I would be tired and hungry all the time. I alos didn’t want to deal with that I had to work out at taht time so I was willing to do whatever to get rid of the fat without working out. Now, I shop at Whole Foods and the whoel family does it so I’m no longer cooking regular unhealthy food for them and trying to eat right myself. I would like to loose fat and atleast 30-40 pounds by June. I normally loose 5 pounds a week when I start working out at the boot-camp place and eating correctly. But thanks, I have a lot to take in and to decide what’s going to be the best way to get started and with what. I so appreciate your support and response because I have realized that I will need support and I am not going to be able to do this on my own. That’s why I always fall right back into my old ways. NO accountability and no support and no encouragement. Thanks Brad.
I understand where you’re coming from. You should join one of my challenge groups. The accountability and support are what helps people get through it.
hey brad im 14 in hs and have p90x. Also i am playing on my schools baseball team an a travel soccer league. And for me i found it hard to stick ti p90x. I weigh about 130. And about. 5’7. I was wondering what u think i should do to be able to build up muscle for baseball and speed for soccer thanks very much.
Do Insanity. You will get pound for pound stronger and faster for soccer and baseball.
Hey i am looking into getting one of these because i want to get a six pack and get ripped (for the chicks). I am 12 years old, 130 lb, 5’7 and trying to find a good workout system to get a ton of muscle built up. What workout system is best? I also do krav maga and i am just asking out of curiousity what muscle puts more power into your jabs and hooks?
Doing it for the ladies huh! There are jab and hook moves in both P90X and Insanity. If muscle is what you want then do P90X first.
Hi
I’m 32 years old. I have a 1 year old and I’m still trying to lose those last 10 lbs!! I’m 5’9 148lbs. I really want this to be the summer I have that long lean toned look. The bulk of my weight in my thighs like most women do. What do you recommend?? I want to stay motivated so I don’t get bored, but not too hard so I don’t quit!!
Hi Lisa
I would recommend doing the Beachbody Ultimate Reset. I lost 16 pounds in 21 days. Do this first and then P90X or Insanity. You’ll be able to drop the weight no problem.
I am a 33 y/o female with two small children. I currently weigh 160 pounds, the biggest I have been my whole life. I am looking for a way to lose my belly, butt and leg fat plus make these areas toned. I am not athletic, cannot do a full sit-up, have minor back issues and can devote about an hour a day. Which program would be best for me?
Lynda
I would recommend the Beachbody Ultimate reset before doing either of these workouts. You’ll have much more success in the long run if you focus 100% of your effort on what goes into your body.