INSANITY has exploded into the fitness world. Everybody is trying it out, trying to get ripped, trying to make it through those sixty days. Nobody can make 15 minute’s worth of exercise as excruciating and painful and amazingly awesome as Shaun T, and the number of people trying INSANITY can attest to that. But what about the man himself? Does Shaun T really motivate people to get moving, or is he just a guy with some fancy moves and an annoying attitude? If you’re going to be spending an hour a day with him, it helps if he doesn’t drive you crazy. So–in this post we’ll take a look at Shaun T, and ask–does he have the goods?
Ok, I’m not going to be able to pretend to be objective for the duration of this post and pretend that the jury is really out on Shaun T. I’ve done some INSANITY workouts myself, and the man can make you move. There have been times when I’ve been kneeling on the floor, lungs heaving like a bellows sweat stinging my eyes, legs like jelly and swearing I can’t move, and then I’ll hear Shaun yell from the TV, “Dig. Deeper!” And man if I don’t force myself back up. He keeps up a constant string of encouragement, demanding your best while allowing you to take breaks. Always repeating that you should watch your form, never compromise your form, and that you should stop if you’re starting to slip. It’s that balance, that acknowledgment that he’s pushing you beyond your limits, but not asking you to hurt yourself that makes him awesome.
If you follow the INSANITY workouts, you’ll come to know his mannerisms. You’ll come to expect that warcry of his when things get tough, when he notices his crew beginning to falter, when he just lets loose with a bellow, yelling for everybody to get up, to get going, and you’ll see how his crew responds, how they just seem to jerk right back up and get moving, energized by his cry. Or how he’ll tell you to dig deeper, to push it, to push through. He’ll tell you he’s there with you, he’ll tell you that he’s with you all the way, and when he’s staring out of that TV screen right at you, sweat running down his face and conviction burning in his eyes, you can’t help but believe it.
So yes. INSANITY works because not only are the moves ridiculous and brilliant, but Shaun just makes you move. You can’t help it. Does Shaun T have the goods? Hell. Yes.
Hang in there, Bert! It only gets more intense from here on out, but somewhere along the way you’re going to discover a love for that burn…!
Just started INSANITY this week and let me tell you it’s really INSANE. It’s tuff, fun, and very exhausting.
I agree!! I find myself in the same positions.. laying on the floor, in pain and out of breath then Shaun yells and I jump back up and give it my all. After the first 3 days I had muscles sore that I didn’t even know I had. I am on day 8 and already feel the difference. I’m recovering much faster and feel better all over! I can already tell I’m getting stronger. One tip.. Make sure you eat and follow the nutrition program. I can really tell when I’ve strayed from the plan the next day. You need to eat for a reason! You can’t live on celery and carrots!! INSANITY is INSANE but fun and totally worth it!!!!!! Thanks Shaun T!!!
Keep it up, Kt! And way to highlight the nutrition–absolutely essential in getting through these 60 days!
Shaun T is awesome. Couldn’t get through the work outs without if motivation, attitude and real love for people. I laugh as much as I work out and he makes me dig deeper.
I totally agree, Jill! His catch phrases are awesome: “Focus, and go!” or “Dig. Deeper.” The guy really knows how to keep me pushing my limits while making sure I don’t hurt myself!
Great review. I loved Insanity. I am going through Brazil Butt Lift now. Great for the problem zones that we ladies like to work on.
Good luck with BBL–let us know how it goes!
I am loving the program so far, right now I am on the recovery week between Month 1 and Month 2. A little nervous as to what is coming, but looking forward to it at the same time!
CONGRATS, Alina! Finishing INSANITY is a mind blowing achievement. Way to go! Seriously, that is an incredible accomplishment. One reason you may not have lost weight is due to body recomposition–you may have swapped fat for muscle. The best way to measure success is in energy levels and how you look, not how much you weigh. Take a look in the mirror–all the change that’s taken place will be visible there, if not on the scale 😉
Congrats again, and let us know what you decide to do next (check out this blog post of ours if you want some ideas on Life After Insanity)!
would you recommend this program for someone who is just now trying to get back in shape and needs to loose about 30 pounds?
Hi Daniel–If by ‘this program’ you mean INSANITY or P90X, unfortunately no, I would not recommend it for somebody who’s trying to get back into shape. Not a question of mental toughness, but whether your body could handle that sudden stress! Go for a more intermediate program first like Power 90 or RevAbs, and then when you’re in better condition, give one of these extreme programs a shot!
I have a closet full of all the workout videos I have purchased through the years but I have to say, none like INSANITY. Insanity is the toughest workout I’ve ever done. Shaun T’s motivation is what gets me through these workouts….I love him!
He’s not only tough but also caring and does not want you to compromise form and get hurt …but he does not want you to give up….it’s because of him that I now know what all the fuss is about when it comes to INSANITY.
Hi I am a 23 year old female that has gotten totally out of shape ( previous soccer player in school) now I am 25 pounds over weight with horrible knees! im really nervous about the Insanity workout! the problem I have had with all workout is the fact that I am heavy chested and it just plain hurts!
Hi Nique,
If your knees are in bad shape, be sure to get excellent cross trainers, workout on a yoga mat, and take some sort of joint support formula. Perhaps you should start your journey to fitness with an easier program? Take a look at Slim in 6, for example; there’s no need to throw yourself into the deep end if you’re in pain!
Hey, Phil.
I’ve completed P90X, and decided to move on to Insanity. I lost around 5 pounds on P90X, but gained a ton of definition, and definitely changed my body. I’ve finished the first month of Insanity, and I’ve already lost around 5 pounds (down to around 210, and I’m 6′ tall). Still, I’m kind of surprised at the relatively slow weight loss. I’m trying to be pretty careful with what I eat. According to the Insanity calorie calculator, I should be eating around 3000 calories a day to LOSE weight. I’m not eating anywhere near that, but I’m still not losing a ton of weight. Should I actually be eating more? It seems pretty counterintuitive, but I know that the P90X diet plan mentions that some people need to eat more than they thought in order to lose weight.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Hi David,
First off, congrats on finishing P90X. That is an awesome accomplishment, so kudos.
Second, can you give me an idea as to what your body composition is? Do you know what your body fat is? Once you give me that (and your age), I’ll have a better idea as to what to tell you.
Thanks!
Hi, Phil.
Thanks for the quick response. I’m 31 years old, and my body fat percentage, based on the Navy formula, is around 25%. That’s based on 37″ at the narrowest area at my waist, 39.5″ at the navel, 44″ at the hips, and 15.5″ at the neck using a weight of 209lbs. As for composition, I’m a lower-body strength person. Before P90X, I could spell “pull-up”, but that’s as far as I got to actually doing any. Now I’m actually able to do a bunch, but I’m still working on them.
Anyway, sorry for the flood of information. Thanks again! Enjoy the long weekend!
David
Hi David!
Ok, so, you should have little difficulty losing weight with the right combination of exercise and diet. What I always advise on the nutrition side of things is that you a) ensure that you are eating whole foods, nothing processed, no soda, no fast food, lots of veggies and fruits, lots of fish and chicken, etc. b) cut your diet by 100 calories every few days until you start losing weight but also have energy to do your workouts. You simply need to set a caloric deficit, and this is done by eat less, but ensuring what you DO eat is of the highest quality. Don’t overdo it, or you’ll just be dead tired all the time, but rather just incrementally and gradually lower it till you see the numbers changing on your scale.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated.
I have been a Personal Trainer for 15 years and have done hundreds of DVD’s. Shaun T impressed the heck out of me. What a great motivator with the most unique exercises to keep you from suffering mass bordum that most DVD’s do. I actually look forward to getting up and doing Insanity every morning at 6am. You rock Shaun T!
Hey! I was on week three 2 days away from week 4 when i woke up one morning and i felt this awful pain in my ankles and wrists! I’m a woman and I figure I have dainty wrists and ankles! But I did everything with good form (My knees don’t hurt) I have good enough shose and use a mat! Now I’m down two days i felt like it hurts to jump! The pain has gone down a bit, So i think I will try to do the days I missed. But my question is does this happen to people? Should I stop this kind of workout? Or just push though the ankle and wrist pain? 9I have freinds who are doing it that said I should just push through It) I don’t have any medical problems and i started taking Glucosamine to start building my cartilage! P.s The pain doesn’t fel like that good pain of the workout in the begining! Thanks!
I’ve finished my second round of Insanity this week, yes 120 days. I am in the best shape of my life. I can keep up with Athletes that swear they are the best of the best. In fact, some of my friends think Insanity is not tough. I tell them to take the challenge and most beg for forgiveness the couple of days.
Can the insanity workout be used to replace weight training? i would really like to gain about 15-20 pounds of muscle to get to 170. i am in moderate shape, and i have a very low fat percentage already (<10%) is this possible with the insanity workouts?
Thanks
I am 49 years old and I just completed my first month of Insanity. I’m on the recovery week which is exhausting too. I feel like I have become so much stronger and my muscles are much tighter. The first week I seriously could not walk, I was in so much pain. It was well worth it though.
If I can do it anyone can.
Jessica,
Push through it. I was in so much pain in every part of my body. I though I would never recover, just ease up a little but don’t stop or you will suffer all over again.
Hey there…I have been running for a few months now, gearing up for insanity. I just started it a few days ago, but am having trouble with it. I feel like I take too many “time outs” and then when I am finished with the workout….(I always stick there until the end) I don’t feel that since of accomplishment. While I am doing the workout I feel sweaty and like I am giving it my all, I just know I am stopping too often. Do you think this workout still may be too difficult for me?