Summary
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Insanity Workout Overview – A 60-day high-intensity bodyweight workout program designed to maximize fat burn and improve endurance.
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Workout Structure & Schedule – The program follows a 6-day per week schedule with structured workouts, progressing from foundational cardio and strength training in the first 30 days to advanced max interval training in the last 30 days.
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Who Should Do It? – Ideal for those already in shape looking to elevate their fitness level. Not recommended for beginners due to its high-impact nature.
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Key Benefits – Burns up to 1,000 calories per hour, improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens core and lower body, and builds endurance.
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Things to Keep in Mind – Recovery is essential between phases. Plan workouts strategically, wear comfortable gear, and be prepared for extreme intensity.
The Insanity workout is far from any workout you’ve ever tried. This 60-day program, loaded with 10 workouts, is not for the faint of heart nor beginners. This fitness routine requires strength, stamina, and will-power over anything else.
While it started in the early 2000s, it is still relevant today. People who have successfully finished the Insanity workout say it is definitely worth the sweat and tears.
If you’re looking for a program to get you in the best of shape and to build strength, then the Insanity workout may just be the thing for you – do you dare to try?
New to working out? Check out this beginner-friendly HIIT workout plan!
What Is Insanity Workout?
The Insanity workout is a total body fat burning workout that utilizes bodyweight. The logic is to increase your aerobic fitness while burning calories. Each 3-minute interval has you huffing and puffing with just 30-second rest intervals.

The creators of the Insanity workout claim that this method will have you burning up to 1,000 calories per hour.
However, it is important to note that each person’s body fat percentage, mass, weight, height, age, fitness level, and nutrition consumption is different. So, the calories you burn will depend on these factors.
Not up for high-intensity training? Build muscle with these 8 home workout routines instead!
Why Do People Love Insanity Workouts?
People absolutely adore Insanity workouts for several reasons:
- It is a great home workout as you don’t need any equipment
- It keeps you fit and active for 60 days, building your habit to workout
- It helps you unleash your maximum effort in a short period of time
- It gets you sweating and burning like most HIIT workouts
Stay fit and active with these no-equipment 5 exercises to do at home!
What Is Included in The Insanity Workout Plan?
This intense training ritual has:
- A total of 10 workouts
- Each workout takes between 30 to 60 minutes
- A total of 60-day following period
- A 6-day per week training requirement
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Insanity Workout Planning
Since this is a tough and challenging workout routine, it requires you to plan ahead of time. You won’t just jump into the workout – you’ll be preparing your body and easing into the workout first.
Here’s what you’ll do in the first 30 days:
- A Fit test
- Plyometric Cardio Circuit
- Cardio Power and Resistance Training
- Recovery
- Only Cardio
In the last 30 days, you’ll be working on:
- Max Interval circuit
- Max Interval Plyo
- Max Cardio Conditioning
- Max Recover
Relax and de-stress after your workouts with these 5 cool down exercises.
A 5-Day Insanity Workout Schedule
Although you’ll have to purchase the Insanity Workout Plan, you can always create your own routine based on the philosophy of this workout plan.
Here’s a 5-day Insanity workout schedule for you to follow:
Workout Name | Details | Benefits | Timing | Est. Calories Burned | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
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Plyometric Cardio Circuit | Focus on lower body and cardio | Cardiovascular & muscular endurance | 40 min | 500-600 | ✓ | - | - | - | ✓ |
Cardio Power & Resistance | Strength, power, resistance training | Strength & lean muscle building | 40 min | 500-600 | - | ✓ | - | - | - |
Cardio Recovery | Slow-paced recovery workout | Recovery & flexibility | 35 min | 200-300 | - | - | ✓ | - | - |
Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs | Non-stop cardio workout | Core strength & stamina | 55 min | 600-700 | - | - | - | ✓ | - |
Core Cardio & Balance | Mix of cardio and balance | Coordination & core strength | 40 min | 400-500 | - | - | - | - | ✓ |
Max Interval Circuit | High-intensity interval training | Max calorie burn & endurance | 60 min | 700-800 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - |
Max Interval Plyo | Plyometric-based interval training | Power & explosiveness | 55 min | 600-700 | ✓ | - | ✓ | - | - |
Max Cardio Conditioning | Extended intense cardio | Cardiovascular fitness | 50 min | 600-800 | - | - | - | - | ✓ |
Max Recovery | Focus on muscle recovery | Muscle repair & growth | 47 min | 300-400 | - | - | ✓ | - | - |
Insane Abs | Intense abdominal workout | Core strengthening | 33 min | 300-400 | - | ✓ | - | ✓ | - |
This is just a mix-and-match of the 10 exercises that are part of this workout routine. It is based on the primary idea of intense training and recovery.
Important things to remember when following the Insanity workout schedule:
- This is an estimated workout routine and you’re free to plan your own Insanity routine by combining different exercises from the 10 original Insanity workouts
- You need to rest for a week before transitioning from month 1 to month 2
- In the recovery week, you’re required to do core cardio and balanced workouts
- This is meant to prepare your body for the even more challenging workouts that’ll follow in the second stage
Muscle Groups Worked During the Insanity Workout
This challenging cardio program utilizes a lot of high-impact exercises. It has an essence of aerobics and focuses a great deal on building strength.
The Insanity workout builds your core muscles, so get ready for rock-hard abs. The plyometric exercises will help you build powerful legs and glutes.
You will also be working out your back and upper body. Do make sure that you're wearing comfortable gym shorts to ensure comfort and flexibility.
This regime greatly improves your cardiovascular fitness and helps you lose weight.
Who Should Do It?

- The Insanity workout demands a high level of energy and strength, making it daunting for beginners.
- It is ideal for those already in shape and looking to elevate their fitness level.
- The program costs $120, with no additional equipment expenses, so it's great for those serious about investing in their fitness.
- You can perform the workouts anywhere with video playback capability, so it's good for people looking for no-gym workouts.
- The only requirement is your bodyweight and a distraction-free space to exercise intensely.
- And, it’s good for anyone who wants to notch up their fitness and go from beginner to pro.
Make sure you're wearing the right kind of workout clothes during your Insanity workout routine!
Key Takeaways
This program is definitely not for newbies. Regardless of your newfound passion to get into shape, high-impact and intensity workouts come with a greater risk of injury. There are numerous workouts you can do to stay fit such as calisthenics or dance steps that are more beginner-friendly.
FAQs
Is Insanity a good way to lose weight?
Yes, the Insanity workout is highly effective for weight loss as it involves high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which burns a significant amount of calories in a short time. It also improves cardiovascular fitness, builds lean muscle, and increases metabolism, helping with fat loss. However, results depend on consistency and a proper diet.
Is the Insanity workout too hard for beginners?
Insanity is a challenging workout designed for those with a decent fitness level. It involves intense cardio, plyometrics, and strength exercises, making it difficult for beginners. If you're new to fitness, start with a lower-intensity workout and build endurance before attempting Insanity.
Is Insanity or P90X better?
Both Insanity and P90X are excellent home workout programs, but they serve different goals. Insanity focuses on high-intensity cardio for fat loss and endurance, while P90X combines strength training, cardio, and flexibility for overall fitness. If you want fast fat loss, go for Insanity. If you prefer a well-rounded program, P90X is a better choice.
What is the 5 4 3 2 1 cardio workout?
The 5 4 3 2 1 cardio workout is a fast-paced interval training routine where you perform five different exercises for descending time durations: 5 minutes, 4 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, and 1 minute. Each phase includes high-intensity movements like burpees, jumping jacks, and sprints, making it great for burning calories and improving stamina.