thePULSEBy Brittany Abraham, CPT, AHFS
If you’ve turned on the TV anytime after 11pm in the last few months, chances are you’ve run into Shawn T or Tony Horton ~ two now-famous advocates of the Beachbody Workouts that are all the rage right now in the fitness world. The Insanity and P90X workouts, both home fitness regimens, claim to be the biggest and best ways to “get ripped” while working out in your living room. But, are you really getting more bang for your buck?
As a certified fitness professional, I figured that the only was to really test the effectiveness of these programs was to try them out myself. Let my blood, sweat and tears guide you to the choice that’s right for you.
P90X uses the term “muscle confusion” to explain why it’s effective in getting its participants results. My take is that this program is long, extremely time consuming, and advanced ~ which is a better explanation as to why taxing the body to that extent might get you a visible ab muscle or two after 90 consecutive days. Once you purchase the program itself, bear in mind that you will need to purchase a pull-up bar, various dumbbell or band sets, and a mat to complete the exercises properly. In order to complete the program successfully and safely, you’ll need some sort of exercise background and base to work with. It’s tough ~ plan on utilizing two to three muscle groups only for each hour-plus long DVD (think lots of push-ups, pull-ups and squats). The benefits to this program: yes, you can complete the whole 90 days at home with limited equipment, and the DVDs really push you out of your comfort zone in order to see results. Tony Horton can be a little much sometimes, but overall it’s certainly cheaper and more effective than a gym membership you won’t use.
The Insanity Workout, while put out by the same Team Beachbody company, is definitely a different animal. The overall program is set up to be done in 60 days instead of 90, and you need zero equipment and much less time in order to reap the benefits of this program. Based almost solely on plyometrics and sports conditioning intervals, this program is full-on jumping, high impact, and bodyweight craziness. My suggestion is that you make sure you have a high ceiling and a floor with some give (concrete is NOT your friend during this program). The workout varies from month one to month two, increasing in time and intensity. Obviously, the shear intensity of the program and Shawn T’s motivational tactics will scare away most beginners and a good portion of intermediate exercisers;, however I should caution you, this program, even for the advanced, is beyond tough. If you’re ready to push yourself, and cry a little, this program will be perfect for you.
