Insanity: 60 Day Total Body Conditioning Workout DVD Program

Bottom line

The high-intensity workout program Insanity is well suited for those who are looking to seriously up their fitness routines. The program is cardio-centric and difficult, but reviewers say that the challenge is addicting and delivers results.

Trainer

Excellent instruction, but can feel repetitive: Trainer Shaun T. has parlayed his love for dance and fitness into a booming series. Reviewers say that Shaun T. is very motivational, keeping the pace of the workouts moving quickly while providing ample instruction and tips and tricks on form. This DVD is set in a gym-like scene and Shaun T. interacts with the demonstrators on the video as well, which reviewers say is motivating. Cuing is excellent, but the program can feel repetitive at times.

Workout

Effective, but repetitive: The Insanity program is geared toward those who are looking to seriously increase the difficulty level of their fitness regiment. Each DVD is slightly different and varies in length. For the first four weeks of the program, instructor Shaun T. works participants through six cardio workouts -- from plyometrics to pure cardio and circuit training.

The workouts are typically around 30 to 40 minutes, though as the program progresses the DVDs increase in both length and difficulty. The second half of the program follows one basic structure (as do most of the DVDs) but vary in length and exercises. The format for these routines is as follows: three to five high-intensity exercises done for three minutes, followed by 30 seconds of recovery. Each is repeated a total of three times.

Reviewers say the program is very effective and, paired with the nutrition plan, delivers excellent results. The major drawback of this program is that it is very repetitive and can feel tedious, even with Shaun T.'s excellent motivational instruction. While there are warnings about the minimal level of fitness suggested prior to beginning this program, we found several reviews that say the program is very tough on the joints and back. Reviewers suggest that even those of a high fitness level who have joint or back problems consider an alternative program.

Materials

Included nutrition plan bumps up the program's effectiveness. In addition to the 10 DVDs included, the Insanity: 60 Day Total Body Conditioning Workout DVD Program also comes with a tracking calendar so participants can see their progress and a basic nutrition plan. The nutrition plan is the basic go-to of healthy meals like grilled salmon with asparagus in controlled portions. The first month sticks to five meals that are approximately 300 calories each (though that can be modified based on goals). The second month increases the caloric intake to support the program's intense workouts and the (supposedly) achieved metabolic increase due to a possible increase in muscle mass.