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.
Hey brad,
I am a junior in high school, and i’ve done a good 55 days of straight P90X, followed by not-so-straight P90X, due to time constraints. I confess i haven’t been following the eating plan, yet i’ve been following healthier approaches to eating. I’ve defintley seen improvements with what i’ve done so far, but i’m looking to not so much get abs, but rather flatten my stomach out, as well as to lose fat around my buttocks/legs. Should I just continue with P90X, or start insanity?
@ Darryl
Finish P90X. The last 40 days of it is where it gets very challenging. You start mixing in all of the workouts which burns through the fat and builds strength.
Andrea,
So what workout would you recommend to a woman looking for a program and they ask should I do Chalene Extreme or Turbo Fire and why?
Hi Tracy :) I’m not disagreeing with Brad that Insanity would be a bad choice…however if you’re anything like me (31, 112lb) you might like something a little more fun, like Turbo Fire. It’s a lot like Insanity, just not AS crazy and the workouts are shorter and very intense. Turbo Fire is 90% High Intensity Interval Training…a lot like Insanity…but has WAY better music, lol! I like it because it makes the workouts more fun and not seem as long.
Just a suggestion :) Good luck on whatever program you pick.
Andrea
Hi!!! Like everyone else I would like to know which program is right for me. I am 27, I have had two babies in the last 3 years. I have lost all of the weight ( I am back down to 115) I just need to tone up. I have a nasty spare tire hanging around my tummy :( I am not in shape AT ALL! I know it is going to be tough but I am motivated. Initially the insanity sounds good because of time, but do you think I can handle it being that I am not is shape at all right now?
Thank you!!!
@ Tracy
You can do Insanity as long as you go into it with the mindset that you’ll probably struggle a little more than someone who is in shape. Its no big deal though as everybody needs to take that first step. I say go for it. I bet that spare tire starts going away pretty fast. Just stick with it.
I am in week 3 of the Power 90 DVDs and once I finish those was looking to go to either P90X or Insanity. I do not want to look like a body builder (I’m female, 130 5’5″), I just want a tight body, but I am definately not sure if Power 90 will prepare me for Insanity or if I should go for P90X next.?
@ Jessica
Finish up Power 90 and tell me what your results were. Power 90 will prepare you for both workouts for sure.
I have started Insanity and its INSANE! never sweat so much in my life! done my first week and i feel good feel i look thinner already thanks Brad hope to be ripped after insanity is P90X!
As far as price range, I like P90X they allow you to use installment plan payments. You also get a longer guarantee. I do not like Shaun T’s egotistical attitude in his informmercial in regards, if you can not do it 110% that you need to go home. Tony is different he is willing to work with you, no matter what level you are at. You can have an illness or have a disability and he does not give off this superiority complex. Tony is a better sales man–business man than Shaun T. He knows how to reach other demographics.
Hi Brad,
I am 39, 5′ 4″ and 158 lbs. I have lost 40 lbs in the past year and a half just by changing my diet and walking. I turn 40 on October 19th and have set a goal to be 140 by the time i am 40. This means I need to lose another 18 pounds. I also have had three children, although not recently, and have the stomach to show for it. I would like to lose those last 18 pounds and get rid of my flabby stomach, butt, thighs, and arms, but I do not want to be bulky. Which would you recommend?
@ Dawn
Congrats on losing the weight so far. It’s crazy how little things like watching what you eat and just a little bit of movement can result in big changes. Both programs will help you get there but I will say that Insanity is advanced while P90X can be modified. I’d recommend something like ChaLean Extreme or Turbo Fire for the next 3 months to get your body use to those workouts and then do P90X or Insanity. You can check them out inside the Beachbody Store.
Hey Brad,
I cant decide which workout program is right for me. I’m 19 years old, 5’2″ and between 130-140 Ibs. I was on track in High School but not very good at it and I am currently in the Navy. I am unhappy with the way I look, mostly in my arms, thighs, and deffinetly my stomach. I dont wanna look like a body builder chick but I deff. want to see results in those “problem areas.” Which videos do you think would be better for me?
@ Shelby
Based on what you are trying to do I would recommend you start with Insanity and then do P90X. Reason being is that it uses your body weight for resistance so you’ll get that lean toned look.
Thanks Brad – That’s the route I’ll take.
thanks will sure doi and let u know results will order soon!
hey need help… i was once into sports but have no time since i work now am 23 and about 200lbs
i want to be FIT and ripped bu find it hard to choose between P90X and Insanity. i really want hard core abs and sport star in shortest time possible. i hear everyone talking bout doing either two or three rounds but which can give me most results in one round???
@ Kayne
Based on what you want you should do Insanity first. You’ll drop the weight faster and get cut up. When you are done with Insanity then go onto P90X.
I am 51 years old, in decent shape. I jog 3 – 4 miles twice a week, work out twice a week on Bowflex (about 45 min. – 1 hr) and add a couple of Turbo Jam aerobic workouts in the mix each week. I hit a plateau a while back with the Bowflex and Turbo Jam and have been frustrated at trying what to try next. My main goal is to fine tune/tone my body and lose about 15 – 20 lbs. I’ve been looking at the reviews for P90X and Insanity. I figure both will kick my butt to start off with.
So what do you recommend for a 51 year old trying to tone/lose weight? And take it a step further, what would you recommend to be my next step after finishing your original recommendation.
@ Scott
I would recommend P90X first. Reason is because you do a lot of cardio already. Tony Horton told me that when people age they need to do more resistance training. I think he knows what he’s talking about since he’s 52. The resistance training with P90X will burn off the 15- 20 pounds you want to lose while toning you up. When you are done with P90X then go onto Insanity. Its like Turbo Jam times 2.
Thanks for the help I just have two more questions 1) will you bulk up on P90X I don’t want to be a body builder type chick and 2) what if in ALL your life you’ve never been able to do a pull up is there an alternative to the pull ups? Well Brad thank you so much so far I great appreciate you and your time!!!!!
Hey hi I really need help!! I don’t know which one to chose? I’m super over weight carrying around 230lbs it’s the worst. I want muscle( i know muscle burns fat) but i want the fat to melt off the quickest. I’m not concerned with price of extra stuff(weights, pull-up bar ect.) or time of the work outs. I was also wondering when your done with the 60 or 90 days then what? Which work out is best for that???
@ Jinger
You should do P90X. There are so many different workouts that you will be doing that will help you burn through the fat. When you are done with the first 90 days you can either go and do another round (I did P90X 3 times before doing Insanity), mix in P90X Plus, or start doing Insanity.
hey Brad,
I am a sophomore in High School in Brownsville Texas. 15 years old, about 5 feet 7 inches and 175 lbs. I’m in the marching band and have no idea how I survived last year. We started band practice this week and I play the marching baritone. I need to carry a 10-15 lb. instrument in front of me and hold it steady for an 8-9 minute marching show. I want to show that I can keep up with the guys in my section (I’m the only girl). which would you recommend?
@ Olivia
Either program will work. I would start with Insanity because its going to get you “pound for pound” strong first as you use your body weight.
@Jeremiah I’d definitely go with Insanity. I used to wrestle in high school and Insanity is very close to the stuff you’d be doing for conditioning those first couple weeks of the season before the regular meet schedule kicked in. If you’re really wanting to go nuts, try the deluxe stuff in month 2. Good luck!
Hey Brad,
I am a high school wrestler who is going to be a senior and I want to do either p-90X or Insanity over the summer. Which one do you think i should do? I’m 5 foot 11 and i weigh about 170. I also did cross country and Track to keep my weight down. I’m sort of leaning towards insanity since it can get me leaner and not as bulky. what do you think?
@ Jeremiah
If lean is what you are looking for then go with Insanity. It uses your body weight for the resistance.
Hi Brad,
Thanks for the detailed comparison.I am a 29 year old female, 5.4” and 120lb. I’m not looking to lose weight but would like to add muscle definition to my arms and legs. Get a flat stomach, lift my butt and get rid of the flab, without becoming bulky .
Right now I do 3 days of kick boxing practise(1.5 hours) and workout 2 days at home. But I’m not getting the tight body I want.
I was thinking of purchasing the insanity or P90x program. Which one do you think will work for me? And can I still go to my kick boxing classes as well?
Thanks alot
Azi
@ Azi
Start with Insanity. It uses your body weight for resistance which will help you define your arms and legs. Every thing else will come with it. You can of course still do your kick boxing but you might want to do 3 days of Insanity and 2 days of kick boxing. This way you start seeing the results from Insanity faster.
Hi Brad,
I read your article. You’ve definitely done your homework on these work outs. I myself have done P90X a couple of times and Insanity. I agree with majority of the statements and have noticed a difference in my bodies appearance with alternating with the work outs. My stomach is a lot more defined and harder with Insanity, but my arms were smaller during the Insanity work outs apposed to P90X. I have noticed the P90X seems to focus more on glory muscles such as chest , arm muscles (bi’s, tri’s, shoulders) back and of course the stomach. Where as Insanity focuses more on the legs overall strength and endurance and overall core strength as well. I think the two are based upon two entirely different looks. Insanity being that “insane” toned I can go for ever look (and results) where as P90X gives you that Bulkier (even if you went for the leaner look) can you tell I work out look? I honestly agree with you on every statement. But I think P90X is a better choice for those starting out apposed to Insanity. P90X’s muscle endurance training and flexibility really preps you and breaks you in for what Insanity does to you. I dropped dead a lot more from Insanity than I did for P90X and Couldn’t have imagined if I did Insanity first. Honestly a very tough debate that can only be settled one way……do both :)
@ Daniel
You and I had similar experiences doing Insanity and P90X. I agree with doing P90X first. It shows you how to modify moves where the Insanity workout is trying to keep up with a college track star.