subject: P90x vs. Insanity: Which Beachbody program is right for me? [print this page] P90x vs. Insanity: Which Beachbody program is right for me?
You've seen the infomercials time and again. You've seen the before and after stories and photos and thought, "I want that body". But how does someone know which program is right for them? It is not a question of which program is "better". Each will reap extreme benefits to a committed person. The question is, "What are your goals?".
Let's begin with P90x by Tony Horton. This is a 90-day program requiring a small amount of extra equipment: chin up bar, chair, resistance bands or hand weights and your body. The program is about 75% weight training and 25% cardio. (This is my personal estimate, of course. I have never found a way to truly measure this). The workouts range from about 60-90 minutes each. You will get slower results initially because building muscle takes some time. Once your muscle begins to build, you will naturally begin to burn more fat. By the end of the 90 days, if you combine your hardest efforts, the provided nutrition plan and other imperative Beachbody products, you will find yourself in the best shape of your life.
Insanity by Shaun T. differs in the fact that the focus is more on cardio and less on strength training. The only equipment required when using the Insanity program is your own body. Resistance is provided by your own body weight and gravity. The program is only 60 days and the extreme cardio will help you drop weight faster than any other program I have tried. Each workout is about 40-60 minutes. Can it be done by just anyone? Yes. Is it the hardest workout ever put on DVD? Yes. As long as a beginner is truly committed to pushing play each and every day, Insanity will provide extreme results. You will tone the body but you will not get the same muscular results that you will with P90x. By the end of the 60 days, if you combine your hard work, follow the nutrition plan provided and use the recommended Beachbody products, you will find yourself in amazing shape.
There are some similarities in the programs. Each program does offer an exclusively abs DVD. Each program does use plyometrics- jump training designed to provide powerful muscle use in the lower half of the body. Each program also has a week of rest and recovery using stretching, yoga and other restorative moves. Each program also recommends using Beachbody products in conjunction with the program for maximum results, including: Shakeology; P90x Peak Nutrition bars and an enclosed FREE nutrition guide.
The bottom line is this: are you more interested in starting your transformation with a lot of weight loss and some toning? Or are you more interested in starting your transformation with a lot of toning and some weight loss? In either case, you will end up in better shape than you started and a lot of friends will want to know what you've been doing to look SO GOOD.
