Nov 2 2009

Insanity Max Cardio Conditioning Workout Review

The Insanity Max Cardio Conditioning workout is 47 minutes of pure endurance training. Endurance training is a type of exercise that increases your stamina and endurance. Performing these type of exercises strengthens and elongates the muscles for preparation of extended periods of use.

Insanity Max Cardio Conditioning workout is one of 10 DVDs included with Insanity 60-day workout program. If you are an athlete, max cardio with Shaun T. can help you train train for endurance to compete in running and biking races. If you are not a competitive athlete, you can train to burn calories and fat.

insanity max cardio conditioning DVD

Shaun T. starts you out with a 10 minute warmup that includes the usual faire of running in place, jumping jacks, side-to-side jump rope, high knees, and more. In true Shaun T Insanity style, you do circuits through the warm up, performing the exercises a little more intense and fast with each circuit. The warmup is followed by a few minutes of a much needed stretching session. The warmup is so intense you may think it is the actual workout but it’s not!

You will get pushed to your limit with this extreme Insanity cardio workout as all the exercises are performed at an advanced level. You use the Insanity Max Cardio DVD in the second 30 days. You will need the base conditioning achieved in the first 30 days in order to do these exercises.

The endurance workout is 32 minutes long. You may not think that is much time, but when you do this workout, well it’s so intense that you may not make it through the 32 minutes. You will be doing nonstop jumping high low exercises, football runs with drops to the floor, high jumps with low moving squats, floor jack pushups, and much more!

Shaun is awesome at constantly pushing you through the workout – you will need it! He stresses good form at all times, there is no room to get sloppy on these exercises if you want to get results. Shaun also stresses staying in control at all times. The Max Cardio conditioning Insanity workout will have you working harder than most of the other workout DVDs included with the 60 day program.

If you want to get in great shape and do the hardest workout you may ever experience on DVD, then get Insanity. It is tough but when you see your body changing, your heart rate lowered, your endurance and ability improved, you will see why it was all worth it!

By ordering Beachbody products through Team Beachbody, you save BIG on shipping and handling – and who wants to pay more for that?

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Oct 19 2009

Insanity Max Interval Circuit DVD Review

Max Interval Circuit is one of 10 DVDs included in Shaun T. Insanity fitness base kit or one of 13 DVDs in the Insanity Deluxe kit. Insanity is a 60-day fitness program and you do the Max Interval Circuit workout in month 2 of the fitness program. Max Interval Circuit will kick your butt!

The 60 minute interval circuit is more intense than anything you’ve ever done before and will push you past your limits with non-stop intervals.

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You start your 60 minute workout with a 10 minutes warmup consisting of a set of intense exercises (you thought this was just a stretching warmup did you?) When the first circuit is complete, you get to do it 2 more times! You do the first set of Insanity Max Interval Circuit warmup exercises at an easy pace. The next set you go faster, and the final set is even faster! After the warmup, you will be tired and sweating, so be sure to pace yourself or you will never make it through the real workout!

In the warmup, you get to do exercises like jogging, straight arm jumping jacks, side to side floor hops, and jumping air rope side to side. Shaun reminds you that he is “here to train you and kick your butt today – I am not playing!”

INSANITY max interval circuit

When you finish the warm up, you can get some water (you’ll need it) and a nice stretch for 5 minutes! Take advantage of this time folks and be prepared for what is to come next! When the Insanity Max Interval Circuit stretch is complete, the real fun starts!

Shaun takes you through a series of exercises performed in a circuit. You do each set of exercises and repeat the set 3 times total. The last set is ALWAYS fast and furious! You’ll be doing Shaun T. style exercises like sprinting with lunges, oblique pushups (knees to elbows), power strikes, frog jumps, and floor switch kicks.

The exercises in Max Interval Circuit are intense and near the end of the 60 minute workout, you will be feeling it! Think you can keep up? Think again. It may take you a few tries to keep up with Insanity Max Interval Circuit!

Shaun takes the intensity down a few notches with 3.5 minute much needed stretch that you will be thankful for! Insanity is NOT for a beginner. If you have what it takes to bring your fitness to a whole new level, take the Shaun T. Insanity challenge. It will challenge you!

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Sep 27 2009

Best Shoes to Wear for Shaun T. Insanity Workouts

When you do a fitness program like Shaun T’s Insanity, you need a good pair of exercise shoes! A good pair of shoes will help prevent injury and enable you to perform better during exercises. Insanity is an intense 60-day program, where you will be doing exercise moves like plyometrics, jumping, and fast jogging in place. Plyometrics is a form of training designed to improve both power and strength. It usually involves some level of jumping. Whether you are jogging in place or doing plyometrics, your feet are continually hitting the ground. You need shoes that will support your joints and give you a soft landing!

Adidas Supernova Sequence shoes

I set out to purchase my fitness shoes for the Insanity at-home 60-day program. I am a long-time Nike gal so my first stop was Nike. I ended up bringing a pair home but they didn’t work out so I returned them. With most shoe purchases from any store, you can return the shoes as long as you don’t wear them outdoors.

Overall, I ended up purchasing a total of 7 pairs of shoes, ranging from Nike to New Balance and Reebok. I returned 6 and kept 1 pair. The pair I kept and use for my Insanity workouts are the Adidas Supernova Sequence 2. I would never have selected these on my own but got a recommendation by someone who was an avid runner.

The best advice is to go to a good running store. Like a real running store that specializes in fitting serious runners (and other activities) for shoes! The people that work at these specialty running stores know what they are talking about and can analyze your foot strike to help you determine the type of athletic shoe that is best for you!

These shoes were the best for me! The Adidas Supernova are sold in specialty running stores and are designed for serious runners. I purchased my Adidas Supernova Sequence 2 shoes online from Zappos. These shoes are wonderful for my Insanity workouts. They are designed for runners at every level. The inside cushioning is devine and feels great on my feet! Here are some other features that make the Adidas Supernova Sequence 2 shoes a winner to do for any activity, including Shaun T. Insanity workouts:

  • FORMOTION™ adapts to the ground to ensure the smoothest, most comfortable run possible
  • Synthetic upper for durability; MicroSuede for smooth forefoot fit and support for the natural flex zones of the foot; LightStrike 55 lasting for added comfort and stability
  • Non-slip lining for comfort and performance; Dual-layer adiLite/respoEVA sockliner for great step-in and motion comfort
  • adiPRENE®+ in the forefoot maintains propulsion and efficiency; TORSION® SYSTEM for midfoot integrity
  • GEOFIT™ construction for anatomical fit and comfort; Pro-moderator medial support device prevents overpronation
  • adiWEAR® outsole offers the ultimate in high-wear durability; Blown rubber outsole for lightweight grip and cushion

The Adidas shoes work so well for me that I got a second pair, which I only wear indoors for at-home fitness programs. The other pair I use for outdoor only – that way I don’t get all that dirt in the house.

You can purchase the Adida shoes at most stores that carry Adidas, but I like shopping at Zappos. They have free shipping and easy returns if the shoes don’t fit right.

These shoes may or may not work best for you! Everyone is different. I love them! Send yourself to a specialty running store that knows what they are talking about and get some  shoes that are right for you. What shoes do you wear for intense workouts?


Learn more about Mens Adidas Supernova Sequence shoes


Learn more about Womens Adidas Supernova Sequence shoes

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Sep 14 2009

Insanity Cardio Abs versus Insane Abs

To get well defined abs takes work. For the best results, you need a combination of good nutrition, cardiovascular conditioning, and an awesome abdominal workout! You can accomplish tight, toned abs with Insanity, the newest 60-day fitness program with Shaun T.

Many of the exercises in Insanity work your abdominal muscles, but there  two DVDs devoted to working your abs! These are Cardio Abs and Insane Abs. Cardio Abs is included with Shaun T’s Insanity 10 DVD base kit and 13 DVD kit. Insane Abs is only included with Insanity 13 DVD Deluxe package (or Deluxe Recovery).

insanity cardio abs

So which Insanity Abs program should you do to get great looking abs? Both Cardio Abs and Insane Abs are intense workouts!

Let’s take a look at the difference between Insanity Cardio Abs and Insane Abs.

Insanity Cardio Abs – 10 DVD Kit and 13 DVD Kit

Insanity Cardio Abs is 16 1/2 minutes of intense abdominal exercises where you NEVER do one sit-up or crunch! Usually, you do Cardio Abs after Pure Cardio, an exercise DVD that is part of the Insanity fitness program. Shaun T. gets you started with a 2 minute warm up that includes exercises like jogging, high knees, and tuck jumps with an elbow to the knee. Shaun reminds you to “keep that core tight!”

After the warm up, Shaun takes you through a series of ab exercises that are all launched from the C-Sit position, from the hips to shoulders.

You do exercises like twists to the knee, a-frame ab twists, a-frame with knee lift, and single leg raises. Performing these ab exercises from the C-Sit position is nothing short of a miracle! Yes, you will feel your abs working and may even want to stop – but if you want those nice, toned abs, you will keep going. And NO compromising your form!

You also do a last series of exercises from plank position like high plank with alternate knees to the sides and then you do it again, just faster!

The 16 minutes goes fast. Shaun T. explains each Insane exercise and is easy to follow.

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Insanity Insane Abs – 13 DVD Kit

INSANITY Insane Abs is only sold with Insanity Deluxe and is 33 minutes of the most intense ab workout you will ever do! Insane Abs is NOT on the workout calendar that comes with Insanity. Insane Abs is NOT for beginners!

You can substitute Insane Abs for Cardio Abs if you want to. Shaun T. starts Insane Abs with a standing warm up that will let you see what you are made of! This 5-minute cardio warm up will having you doing plyometric moves, running in place with high knees with upper body twists and much more. Even though you will be tired out, Shaun also gets you performing exercises like Tuck Jumps and T-Kicks.

Next, there is no laying down for the floor exercises. These are all performed from the C-Sit position, which is balancing on your buttocks with legs raised out in front and upper body at an angle (chest and head up). Insane Ab exercises are not traditional at all. In Power Abs, you get to balance on your buttocks with legs bent and wide, upper body off the floor at a high angle. Now, bring your knees towards your chest and use perfect form!

Insane Abs core exercises will do you in. And it does not end there. Shaun completes the routine with Oblique Rotations and Low Plank Hops from plank position.

BUY INSANITY DELUXE 13 DVD KIT – $164.70 – Pay less for shipping!
(includes free access to online fitness tools and community support)

Insane Abs is much harder to do than Cardio Abs. If you are not ready for a super intense ab workout, then do Cardio Abs and work your way up to Insane Abs. It is fun and the results are amazing! Great abs.

Note: if links are not working correctly, just click the link a second time.Thank you :)

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Sep 6 2009

Shaun T. Insanity Upper Body Weight Training DVD

Insanity, with fitness trainer Shaun T, is a 60-day body conditioning program that will challenge you both mentally and physically. With Insanity, you do not use weights or resistance bands! You do explosive combination of cardio and plyometric drills, strength, power, and resistance using only your body for resistance. The base Insanity kit includes 10 DVDs.

The Insanity Upper Body Weight Training DVD is part of the Insanity Deluxe 13 DVD or Insanity Deluxe Recovery 13 DVD 60-day Fitness program. Upper Body Weight Training is a 45 minute workout.

insanity upper body weight training

The Insanity Upper Body Weight Training DVD is for you if you like to lift weights sometimes in addition to the cardio intervals that comprise the main Insanity workouts.  Shaun T. recommends that you do the upper body weight training 2 to 3 times per week. In this special workout, you will lift weights one-on-one with Shaun T., from his New York City gym.

There is nothing typical about this workout! You will work your entire upper body – chest, back, biceps, and triceps. Shaun also gets you doing crazy cardio intervals.

You will need some fitness equipment for the Insanity upper body weight training program: dumbbells in varying sizes and a weight training bench. You can also use anything similar to a weight training bench. I use my ottoman table and it works just fine. You do not use resistance bands for these exercises!

Insanity Upper Body Weight Training starts you out with a six minute warmup that includes moves like: speed jogging, jump rope moves, jumping jacks, side-to-side heisman and power hooks. Then you do it all again,  just faster! That’s when the real fun starts!

Next, Shaun T. takes you through upper body weight exercises such as 360 shoulder presses, pulse bicep curls, and in and out abs with triceps pushups.  Shaun T.  groups certain exercises together into a circuit. You start each exercise circuit doing 12 reps, the next circuit is 10 reps with a heavier weight, and the final circuit is 8 reps with an even heavier weight. Make sure you have dumbbells to accommodate the varying weights you will need to perform the strength exercises.

These are not your typical, traditional weight bearing exercises. You will be doing Shaun T. style exercises like 180 Lateral Raises, power jumps, elevated triceps dips and more! With Shaun T, you don’t just do chest presses! You do chest presses with leg raises at the same time, and your head and shoulders never touch the bench – these stay elevated during the exercise to give your abs an awesome workout too! Shaun mixes in cardio like Ski Abs to get your heart rate going and work those abs at the same time.

It’s an exhausting and challenging workout without much rest time. You will be pushed to the maximum. Be sure to have a towel or two on hand – you will need them. I like that Shaun puts his own spin on the exercises to make them challenging and fun. He is motivating and will keep you focused on pushing through each Insanity exercise.

Insanity Upper Body Weight Training is ONLY sold with Insanity Deluxe or Insanity Deluxe Recovery!

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