wham

Insanity  Max Interval Circuit

This is one of the hardest if not the hardest workout I have done in the whole Insanity series. Think slightly harder than an “average” P90X workout….yeah that good! This is Insanity Max Interval Circuit.

The workout is almost an hour long; by the 35 minute mark I’ve already blown a gasket. To me, this is the mark of a really good workout.

My pet peeve:

As a fitness trainer, one of the most annoying things about people working out is they don’t really *go-for-it* and most of the time it’s the people who need it most (read: FAT PEOPLE). It’s like they are more concerned about trying to look cute than really doing what they need to do (BUST THEIR ASS).

To further emphasize this point, here is Julie, my editor and F.I.I.T.Camp instructor extraordinaire, explaining what she sees during her training.

“I think the biggest thing I have to keep reminding people of is what INTENSITY really means. First of all, most people (new people that is) come into my F.I.I.T (Focused, Intentional, Intensity, Training) camps thinking that it can’t be that hard.  I mean, they workout already, they lift weights, they do the elliptical, they cycle, do Pilates, whatever.  How hard can this be?  Wham!!  Hard, just like this DVD.  This is when I find out who is serious about working out and who just thought they were coming for another easy group training.  The ones that are serious, they love to hate me and they come back.  The ones who only came to say “I work out everyday, I’m cute, I’m in shape,“. . . well, I never see them again.  Once the serious people come back, then it’s all about getting them to push themselves an understanding intensity.  Charles is right, this isn’t for everyone . . . only the serious people!  J”

The beautiful thing about this Insanity or any of the Beachbody workout DVD’s is you don’t have to worry about looking like an ass in the gym if you are that self-conscience. I know that even though both Julie and I just explained what “other people” do, that does not apply to you, and you only have “a few extra pounds” to lose, and the “I don’t have time” crowd. These workouts are even a better deal for you because you don’t have to watch other people waddle their fat ass around the gym trying to look cute.

Insanity Max Interval Circuit

More success stories:

Insanity Max Interval Circuit

Like every other workout in this series, the structure is Warm-up, Stretch, Workout, and Stretch.

I still don’t like the fact that you do an intense warm-up to get your heart rate and core temperature high, then immediately go into static stretches. I believe that if you HAVE to do it this way, then at the very least do some ballistic stretches just to keep moving.

Warm-up

OK, no deviation from the norm here, the warm-up is the same as all the other videos thus far.

Round #1

• Jog – For the first round, don’t go crazy
• Straight-Arm Jacks
• 123-123
• Jump rope – No you are not using an actual jump rope
• High Knees  with your Arms out
• Switch Kicks – Try and get both feet off the ground for at least a split second
• Hit the Floor
• Side-to-Side (S/S) Floor Hops – I don’t think we have ever done these in a warm-up or workout…I may be wrong though. Get in a plank position with both feet and knees together and off to your right side, now jump over to your left side (while still in the plank position) try and get your legs up as high as possible, like you are going on the outside parameter of a rainbow with your feet.

Round #2 – Be sure to keep your core tight throughout the warm-up

• Jog
• Straight Arm Jacks
• 123-123 – Be sure to suck you stomach in and keep your core tight for this exercise
• Jump rope
• High Knees / Arms out-Use your core to lift your knees
• Switch Kicks
• Hit the Floor
• S/S Floor Hops

Round #3 – This is where you go full-out! Don’t compromise form

• Jog- Not really a jog, more of a sprint
• Straight Arm Jacks – go for speed without compromising form.
• Jump rope
• High Knees / Arms out
• Switch Kicks
• Hit the Floor
• S/S Floor Hops

Warm-up Done! Time to stretch.

This is still the worse part of the DVD, and yes I have said it in every single Insanity workout we have done thus far. In no class of mine would you ever go full bore then stop instantaneously to do stretches. It is the equivalent of doing the Polar Bear dive after you just sat in the sauna for 30 minutes…just not a good idea.

Stretch

This is comprised of various full body stretches to get your joints ready to roll – very important and necessary. If you are on the fence about getting any of these DVD’s, have a look around my site for all the reviews (including p90x)…and no, they are not all good. It’s an honest review.

I am now a Beachbody coach so when you are ready to buy go here. Also you can go and checkout the Shakology program for a nutritious meal.

 

This was a good workout, and is one of the longer workouts of the whole series. It’s hard if you really go for it, which should be every workout you do. Don’t half ass any workout. Half-ass workout = Half-ass results. Etch it in your brain.

Water Break

Insanity Max Interval Circuit

First thing to remember is these are long circuits, take a break when you need to and watch your form/technique.

Pedal/Power Lunges

You run in place (Pedal) for a few seconds then immediately going into Power Lunges. Power Lunges are done with both hands straight up in the air then jump into a lung with you right leg forward, then jumping into another lunge with your left leg forward.

Ski Abs/Push-up Jacks/In-out abs/Oblique push-ups

• Yes this is one exercise; we have done these exercises individually in the past but not as a set.
• Ski Abs – Get into a plank position, then step both feet out to your right (this is your start position)  Now hop back into a plank position, next hop out to your left. (Buy the DVD to know how many you are supposed to do).
• Push-up Jacks – We also have done these in other Insanity videos- Get in a plank position. When you go down to do a push-up hop your legs apart, then come back up.
• In-out abs – From the plank position use your core to hop inwards (knees to chest)
• Oblique push-ups – Also from the plank position, bring your left knee to your left arm, and then bring your right knee to your right arm.

Power Strike

This is a striking exercise and requires a touch of coordination and concentration. First, start off by shifting your weight to your left leg, next step-out with your right leg, third use your left fist to punch toward the ground toward your right leg. Repeat 2X then switch to your right leg. This is a difficult exercise to write in words, which is another reason you need to buy the DVD’s from my shop.

Frog Jumps

• Get into a frog position with just your fingertips touching the floor. Next jump up with your hands in the air. Get back into the frog position. Lastly jump backwards with your hands in the air. Repeat for the allotted time.

Water Break – 30 Seconds

Repeat the circuit for Round #2

• Pedal/Power Lunges
• Ski Abs/ Power Jacks/In-Outs Abs/Oblique Push-ups
• Power Strikes
• Frog Jumps

Water Break – 30 Seconds

Repeat the circuit for Round#3 – Here is where it sucks and is very hard if you are putting forth 100%. Remember half-ass workout=half-ass results.

**Remember not to compromise form…EVER**

If you feel like your form is off (you will) then take a break. There is no shame in it.

• Pedal/Power Lunges
• Ski Abs/ Power Jacks/In-Out Abs/Oblique Push-ups
• Power Strikes
• Frog Jumps

NO Water Break – we immediately go into the next exercise!

Football Runs/ Cross Jacks

1. Football runs – are simply you do a complete circle with your body, using steps and not spinning on one foot, then clapping, then going in reverse
2. Cross Jacks – Are simply jumping jacks that you do with one arm and your other arm will be on your abs, and then repeat with on the other arm.

Water Break – 30 Seconds

Jump Hooks

This is another multipart exercise that should be called Hookjumps but it’s not, so learn to live with it.

1. First start out with 4 high hooks with your left hand.
2. Then get down in a low squat position and give me 4 low hooks with your left hand.
3. Finally jump up and give me 2 double rope jumps – meaning jump high enough so your imaginary rope will come underneath your legs 2x.
4. Repeat with your right arm

High Knee w/Twist

• These are the same as your normal high knees but you are only adding a twist every time your knee comes up.

High – Low Jab w/Squat

There is a similar exercise in the P90X series. Starting out in a squat position facing forward, use your left arm to punch toward the left bottom edge of the room, next jump up and punch toward the right edge of the room. Do this for the allotted time period. Be sure to land softly from your jumps

Floor Switch Kicks

Get into a “M” position. The “M” position is a reverse plank or table top with your butt down (but not on the floor). Now do you remember the switch kicks you do in the warm-ups? Good now you are going to do those, but on the ground. Don’t think for 1 second that this is an easy exercise. Strive to get both feet off the ground for a split second.

Water Break – 30 seconds

Set #2 – Round #2

• Jump Hooks – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• High Knees W/Twist – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• High – Low Jab w/Squat – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• Floor Switch Kicks – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.

Water Break – 30 seconds

Set #2 – Round #3

• Jump Hooks – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• High Knees W/Twist – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• High – Low Jab w/Squat – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• Floor Switch Kicks – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.

1-2-3 Jab Across – Just like the exercise states, you are doing the same 1-2-3 exercise that you do in your warm-up but at the end of that exercise you add a “Jab across” with the opposing arm. For example: If you are going to your right, jab with your left.

Water Break – 30 seconds

Set #3 – Round #1

Side Suicide Jumps

• Starting in a standing position, you are going to go into a left offset push-up position. An offset push-up position is just like a normal push-up but everything from your shoulders back to your feet is in an “offset” position, meaning you are going to torque your body as far to your left as you can in the plank position. Next you are going to jump up with your hands straight in the air then repeat to your right side.

Squat Hooks

This is less of a complicated exercise, just as the name states you are combining a squat with a hook. So as you are going down for your squat throw your hook with your left arm, repeat with your other arm.

Full Body Drill

This exercise is a combination of 3 different exercises joined together.

1. Start in a standing position arms up.
2. Jump down and do 8 mountain climbers.
3. Next do a set of 4 moving push-ups to your left.
4. Lastly do a set of 8 wide leg mountain climbers.
5. Now repeat this same sequence to your right.

Plank Punches

In a plank position, use one arm to straight out above your forehead. Alternate between your left and right arms.

Water Break – 30 seconds

Set # 3 – Round #2

• Side Suicide Jumps – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• Squat Hooks – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• Full Body Drill – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• Plank punches – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.

Water Break – 30 seconds

Set # 3 – Round # 3 – Yeah this is where it sucks, because you are already silly tired. Don’t compromise form. Take a break when you need to. WORK! WORK! WORK!

• Side Suicide Jumps – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• Squat Hooks – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• Full Body Drill – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.
• Plank punches – Watch your form and stop if/when you need to.

DONE!

This was a very hard workout. I mean really hard. The only part I didn’t like was the warm-up/stretch sequence.

The results are real, if you apply yourself. I will almost say guaranteed as long as you follow the guide and do the nutrition plan.

Now that you read the review, go buy the DVD from my store. Also don’t forget to get the best shake on the planet in Shakeology.

This gets a 4.5 out of 5 Charles faces.

This has been a Insanity Max Interval Circuit – Review, thanks for looking.