P90X vs Insanity

[CoutseysCorner92]

Anybody tried either of these workouts? How did they go? I am thinking about trying one of these out in the offseason

 

[tbcwpg]

Tried both of them a little bit, not to completion, but Insanity was a lot more cardio focused and P90X was more muscle building. Depends on what you want to do, really. P90X I found to be a bit more multi-purpose.

 

[CarlWinslow]

Tried them both.

I prefer Insanity.

I actually HATE that Tony Horton guy who does P90X. He is so damn irritating, ruins the workout for me.

 

[Jarick]

Tried P90X but 90 minutes a day 7 days a week was too much commitment. Prefer regular weightlifting twice a week and had better results.

 

[neksys]

I've tried both. I did 1 and a half sessions of P90X (broke my middle finger part way through so I couldn't lift weights/do chin-ups). I am just started P90X2.

I quit Insanity. Its very cardio focused and very hard. I preferred the all-around approach of P90X.

I lost a lot of fat and put on a lot of muscle, but keep in mind that there is no "secret" to P90X - its just pushing and pulling weights and getting your heart rate up. There's no reason you can't build your own program and get the same results.

That said, if you're like me and need some structure in your life, I highly recommend P90X. Its only 12 weeks. You can do anything for 12 weeks. You will be in much better shape at the end.

 

[neksys]

Tried P90X but 90 minutes a day 7 days a week was too much commitment. Prefer regular weightlifting twice a week and had better results.

To be fair, there is only 1 90 minute video (the Yoga video). The rest are around 60 minutes and some days you have a 12 minute ab workout as well. You exercise 6 days a week with a rest day on the 7th.

The sequel, P90X2 is even more focused. Its 5 days a week and each DVD is less than 60 minutes.

Anyways, P90X is designed to be okay at all aspects of fitness but not excel in any one area - it tries to increase strength, flexibility, cardio and endurance. You're not gonna get jacked and you're not gonna become a long-distance runner, but you will be in better all-round shape.

 

[5Jack0]

I liked Insanity much better. Lost 20 lbs in the two months and my conditioning is now where I once thought It could never be. If you can complete insanity, the 2nd month especially, a 45 second hockey shift will seem like nothing.

 

[noobman]

If you're looking to get in better overall shape then you can't go wrong either way. Both yield great results when coupled with a healthy diet.

If you are already in very good shape and are looking for a program to make you a better hockey player, I can't necessarily recommend P90X or Insanity. While you may see some improvement doing them based on your current fitness level, you could probably spend that time with a more carefully structured sport-specific hockey training program that will yield better results.

What people buying into the P90X and Insanity workouts often fail to realize is that everybody is unique and will see different results with different programs. P90X and Insanity are a "one size fits all" type of workout program. If you're like me and your fitness level is atrocious or you just want to be generally fitter or look better and don't have any specific performance requirements, then either of those programs will yield fantastic results.

It's similar to the argument I have with Crossfit... Crossfit is great (though somewhat dangerous given the things they do) and will get you in better shape, but really only makes you better at Crossfit. It's a relatively unstructured "one size fits all" type of workout program. In fact, I'd go as far to say that Crossfit is its own sport/social competitive activity in and of itself, as opposed to a real workout regiment.

 

[Stories]

P90X was a great gateway for me to exercising 5-6 days a week. I was previously on a 3 day a week regimen, and I'm thankful that I now find time for multiple times a week. I'm much better off for it, my hockey endurance is much better, too.

If you don't exercise much, it's a great way to structure your life around fitness.

But agreed, Insanity is just too much cardio for my tastes. I like the weights segments of P90X a lot. One thing you should supplement P90X with, though, are some heavy barbell squats, dead lifts, and things of that sort. P90X doesn't do this very strenuous exercises that are REALLY good for your body.

 

[RJ8812*]

the one that GSP endorses (Rushfit) is pretty good as well

 

[Steelhead16]

The thing I liked about Insanity was that there was so much leg work and it was very focused on quick burst exercises. It mixes in exercise that focus on all body parts but the main focus of non contact hockey is cardio, leg strength and quickness which is what Insanity focuses on. I thought I was in pretty good shape from running but my quads were wrecked after 2 days of Insanity. I had to keep going through the next few very painful days to get past it but after that it was fine.
Second month changed to more upper body strength and core and just maintaining on the legs.
I liked the results as they related to hockey. But as others have said your diet still plays a major roll. You need to feed the muscles that you are working.

 

[newfr4u]

both of these programs are equally inferior to simple beginner squats/deadlifts program.

 

[rinkrat22]

both of these programs are equally inferior to simple beginner squats/deadlifts program.

but they work for people that don't have the "gym mindset" I can get in the weight room and pound out a good workout even when I don't want to. because its part of my lifestyle. many people don't have that need. programs like these help people excercise because it has clearly defined goals. they know that in an hour or 45min or whatever that they are gonna be done and have gotten in a decient workout. so I think at the least its good if it helps more people get fit in their daily lives.

 

[CoutseysCorner92]

my problem is that I am at college and my school's weight room is closed for the rest of the year (bad time to close it, I know). I normally workout 4-5 times a week (now that hockey season is over and I'm not on the ice 4-5 times a week) so this is a problem. I just need something to last me until I get home for the summer in May and can start going to the gym again.

I don't want to lose much muscle and I wanna keep my core strong (has always been my strength).

Any of you guys that have tried both, what would be a better fit for me?

 

[neksys]

both of these programs are equally inferior to simple beginner squats/deadlifts program.

This is pretty poor advice.

Squats and deadlifts are excellent exercises, especially if power, strength and mass are your primary goals while sacrificing endurance.

P90X is different. It attempts to balance endurance, strength and power by sacrificing mass.

P90X is not inferior - just like a squat and deadlift program is not inferior. They merely emphasize different goals.

In my view, for hockey, P90X is actually a more balanced program with far more varied exercises that mimic many of the movements required in a game.

 

[neksys]

my problem is that I am at college and my school's weight room is closed for the rest of the year (bad time to close it, I know). I normally workout 4-5 times a week (now that hockey season is over and I'm not on the ice 4-5 times a week) so this is a problem. I just need something to last me until I get home for the summer in May and can start going to the gym again.

I don't want to lose much muscle and I wanna keep my core strong (has always been my strength).

Any of you guys that have tried both, what would be a better fit for me?

You will almost certainly lose muscle mass with Insanity. It is a high intensity cardio program.

P90X is clearly the better option for you given your goals, though you do need some equipment for it.

 

[newfr4u]

but they work for people that don't have the "gym mindset" I can get in the weight room and pound out a good workout even when I don't want to. because its part of my lifestyle. many people don't have that need. programs like these help people excercise because it has clearly defined goals. they know that in an hour or 45min or whatever that they are gonna be done and have gotten in a decient workout. so I think at the least its good if it helps more people get fit in their daily lives.

no they don't work. and they don't have clearly defined goals. the program is a little bit of everything, hitting muscles that you know the names of multiple times with insufficient stimulus, and exercises done with absolutely no standards. compliance to something as simple as progressive load is next to impossible with the program. you could end up putting in the same effort into the program and never get a significant enough training effect.

out of a hundred people who start p90x, 99+ don't finish it. same with insanity. i really don't think it "helps more people get fit".

 

[noobman]

out of a hundred people who start p90x, 99+ don't finish it. same with insanity. i really don't think it "helps more people get fit".

That's more of a philosophical debate.

Many people view getting fit as a short, temporary undertaking to improve your health. It's really a lifestyle change that requires you to make time and put in the effort to get results.

Many people think to themselves "Oh, I'll go do P90X for 90 days and when I'm done I'll look like the commercials". Then they realize that P90X is a pretty high-intensity workout, and soon find themselves unmotivated to stick with it.

 

[neksys]

no they don't work. and they don't have clearly defined goals. the program is a little bit of everything, hitting muscles that you know the names of multiple times with insufficient stimulus, and exercises done with absolutely no standards. compliance to something as simple as progressive load is next to impossible with the program. you could end up putting in the same effort into the program and never get a significant enough training effect.

out of a hundred people who start p90x, 99+ don't finish it. same with insanity. i really don't think it "helps more people get fit".

Whatever - I went from 20% body fat to 12% with P90X and increased my strength, endurance and power across every measure I can think of.

Since then I've tried all sorts of other programs and plans, including a deadlift/squat/bench program. There is plenty of reason to criticize P90X (like, for example that you can build the same workout on your own for free) but it is, plain and simple, a well-rounded exercise program that will get you in better shape.

Are there better programs out there? Sure. Can you get in better shape with them? Sure. Do some people need a) the structure of P90X and b) new and different exercises every day to keep them engaged? Absolutely.

Not everyone has the patience to spend an hour doing the same progressive loads in a power rack every day.

 

[newfr4u]

This is pretty poor advice.

Squats and deadlifts are excellent exercises, especially if power, strength and mass are your primary goals while sacrificing endurance.

P90X is different. It attempts to balance endurance, strength and power by sacrificing mass.

P90X is not inferior - just like a squat and deadlift program is not inferior. They merely emphasize different goals.

In my view, for hockey, P90X is actually a more balanced program with far more varied exercises that mimic many of the movements required in a game.

it is a myth that you always need balance between different types of training. unless you have sport-specific goals and already are at ELITE (or at least advanced) levels of strength, training for strength gives you better power and endurance. training for endurance does NOT give you better strength. that's why p90x is inferior and always will be.

mass is a function of how much you eat after meeting your caloric expenditures, nothing else. you could do p90x three times a day and as long as you eat enough, you will be adding weight. so no, it doesn't achieve balance while sacrificing mass.

 

[newfr4u]

That's more of a philosophical debate.

Many people view getting fit as a short, temporary undertaking to improve your health. It's really a lifestyle change that requires you to make time and put in the effort to get results.

Many people think to themselves "Oh, I'll go do P90X for 90 days and when I'm done I'll look like the commercials". Then they realize that P90X is a pretty high-intensity workout, and soon find themselves unmotivated to stick with it.

so you agree that p90x is too hard for normal people. i just don't understand why you would recommend this program to anyone, while knowing this fact.

 

[newfr4u]

Whatever - I went from 20% body fat to 12% with P90X and increased my strength, endurance and power across every measure I can think of.

Since then I've tried all sorts of other programs and plans, including a deadlift/squat/bench program. There is plenty of reason to criticize P90X (like, for example that you can build the same workout on your own for free) but it is, plain and simple, a well-rounded exercise program that will get you in better shape.

Are there better programs out there? Sure. Can you get in better shape with them? Sure. Do some people need a) the structure of P90X and b) new and different exercises every day to keep them engaged? Absolutely.

Not everyone has the patience to spend an hour doing the same progressive loads in a power rack every day.

so, this hypothetical synthetic cohort "everyone" doesn't have the patience to do 3 sets of 3 exercises 3 times a week, yet somehow have the determination to work through 90 minutes of random exercises 6 days a week? gmafb.

every program has a dropout rate. the fact that p90x has sold millions of copies, yet i hardly see anyone on the street who looks like they might be hiding a p90x body under their clothes, pretty much means the dropout rate of p90x is extraordinarily high. i would blame it on the fact that it has TOO MANY redundant exercises that prevents the participants to focus and properly load a since exercise like the squat. but in general the program is ALSO simply too hard to adhere to.

 

[chaosrevolver]

Completed Insanity last year and dropped 37 lbs. The second half is the key but the first half is a challenge as well.

Loved it.

 

[13 Black]

I did P90X. It's OK and it does work if you follow it to the letter , and yes that include the nutrition as well since it's one of the most important aspect of the program.

It wasn't that hard for me but i was already in shape before starting it. Not in GSPesque shape but still decent and my cardio was top notch and it helped. And yeah it was more about commitment than difficulty in my case but someone who hasn't done **** in years and is mostly a couch person is going to have a rough time at first but should see improvements every week if he is dedicated. That's the whole point of the program.

As for Insanity i haven't tried it but one of my buddy did and he didn;t like it. He told me he prefered P90X since it's more of a "jack of all trade" program than Insanity.

Now i may try the Rushfit next. Will let you guys know if i do

 

[neksys]

it is a myth that you always need balance between different types of training. unless you have sport-specific goals and already are at ELITE (or at least advanced) levels of strength, training for strength gives you better power and endurance. training for endurance does NOT give you better strength. that's why p90x is inferior and always will be.

mass is a function of how much you eat after meeting your caloric expenditures, nothing else. you could do p90x three times a day and as long as you eat enough, you will be adding weight. so no, it doesn't achieve balance while sacrificing strength.

This is not consistent with any of the research on this. The American College of Sports Medicine disagrees with you, anyways.

You're right that strength training is great for deconditioned people since they will see improvements across all four goals (strength, hypertrophy, muscular power and muscular endurance).

Its a good thing, then, that P90X spends about 70% of the time focusing on strength exercises, 20% on cardio and the rest a mix of flexibility and balance.

Anyways, you have your opinion - that deadlifts and squats are superior to a more balanced program for the average person. I think you're wrong and I don't believe that your reasons are supported by the clinical evidence, but you are totally missing the point:

Some people need the structure and motivation a program like P90X provides. Anything that gets people lifting weights and pumping their heart every day for 3 months will get them in better shape - period. To that end, P90X is a great program, even if you are right and the results aren't as good at the end.