Insanity (Beachbody)

The Insanity workout program was created by fitness trainer Shaun T and released by the company Beachbody in 2009. Shaun T leads the high-intensity, sweat-inducing routines entirely on screen. The program was designed as a direct competitor to other extreme home fitness systems like P90X.

Max Interval Training is the core fitness mechanic of Insanity, where you perform long periods of intense, maximum-effort cardio followed by very short periods of rest. This is the inverse of traditional high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which uses short bursts of activity. It forces the body to work anaerobically for extended durations to burn calories rapidly.

The base Insanity program is scheduled to last exactly 60 days, requiring users to work out six days a week. The individual workout videos range from 40 to 60 minutes per session. It is explicitly marketed as an extreme, demanding fitness regimen.

No, you do not need any weights or fitness equipment to complete the Insanity program, as it is entirely bodyweight-based. All you need is a DVD player, a television, and a decent pair of cross-training shoes. A yoga mat is highly recommended for the core and stretching segments to protect your back on hard floors.