Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I'm a former P90X junkie. That program literally changed my life and got me into the best shape of my life, even at 40 years old. However, this is not P90X. That is not a criticism at all, just don't expect more of the same. This is all floor exercises using your body weight with lots of plyometric and isometic exercises, cardio and core exercise that will work you - hard. The exercises come fast and furious with a good mix of cardio and strength building (e.g. squat type exercises and push-up type exercises). But its primary focus is the CORE. If you didn't know what that meant before Insanity, you will definitely understand it once you begin. It's broken into two four week segments with a "recovery" (I use that term loosely..) week in between. The warm-up itself is a workout. The first four weeks are two rounds of three sets of a series of exercises equaling about 40 minutes per session. In the second four weeks you'll find some of the warm-up exercises were exercises from the actual program from the first four weeks. And the program itself moves to three rounds of three different sets of exercises equaling about an hour. You'll actually be begging to go back to the first four weeks. If you like crazy, you'll love it... Shaun T is a good motivator and provides good tips about proper form and techniques. The music adds to the program as well; as each routine picks up intensity, the music is well designed to keep you going. It is tough on the body, though, so be forewarned. If you aren't in some semblance of shape, you may want to rethink this one. I pulled a neck muscle during the first week because I didn't breathe properly. It will tax your joints, your knees, your feet, your back. If you are injury prone, be extremely careful. Modify if you need to or pass on it altogether. It requires serious focus. Breathing is key. Drink lots of water. And move at your own pace. Even the participants in the DVD (including Shaun T) have to quit and take breaks. It's that intense. The caveat is really only this: you may lose some of the "glamour" muscles. This doesn't mean you will get less strong but there are no no exercises for the biceps or the lats (no pull-ups here). However, the muscles you do have (especially the legs) will be stronger and more defined. If you want to maintain weight, you will need to increase your food intake big time, especially as the program progresses. Your body will change and your core (including the abs) will be stronger than you ever thought possible and you will be in incredible shape, even if you only do the program at half the intensity. I give it a definite thumbs up but know what you want to get out of the program and understand what it is about before investing your time and money in it. UPDATE: The first time around I was surprised and frustrated with the loss of size (due to lack of adequate calorie intake) but a second round with more focus is producing positive results. The body fat reduction happened from the top down. I am seeing more definition in the shoulders and the chest and seeing muscles in and around the abs, especially the obliques. Things just feel tighter all the way around. The "spare tire" thing is not completely gone though I feel quite ok in a t-shirt that fits rather than a larger size to hide behind. Results: maintained my body weight and dropped from 20 to 16% body fat which means I actually built muscle. Final reflections: Using the CORE (which is much more than just your abs) makes all the difference. Keep it tight, no shortcuts and you'll feel your power increasing. The true test of this is during the high knee run in the warm-up and in the high jumps on the cardio power and resistance disc. If you use anything other than your core, you will never get the speed and power and you risk injuring your back. If I could emphasize one other thing it is to continually push through. One more rep, one more second, just a little further than you think you can. Don't be foolish, recognize your limitations, but don't confuse your body's need for rest with your mind's tendency to quit too soon. And, just as a reminder, drink lots and lots of water before, during and after. Heads up: Shaun T has a new program just out called Insanity: The Asylum Deluxe. It's a 30 day program using sports training techniques that looks brutal. And that's a good thing...