Category: Contributors
So, after 2 weeks of Asylum, Shaun T brings us the Game Day Workout. An assortment of sports influenced moves using the agility ladder, free space moves and a pull-up bar. This 60 minute workout was pretty brutal, and next time I’ll have the moves down more…But…I didn’t feel it was as good as it could have been and I was not thrilled by the flow of the whole workout. (Again, it may have been my lack of familiarity with some of the moves)
Even with what I said above, I was dripping by the end. (it began with a 5 minute interval run, some stretching, then BAM, non stop moving from game to game)
If you would like to find more information on this or any Beach Body Product, please follow this link: http://www.beachbodycoach.com/FITLIFESFROB
For someone who is pretty damn fit, to be getting my ass handed to me as bad as I am, it is either my own delusion of how fit I am or the reality that this program is FRIGGEN BRUTAL. Today’s fun began with a 10 minute warm up, which, by the end of the warm up I was ready to call it a day. (And yes, I was out too late last night, and I did have a bit too much to drink, but hey, I am human) Thankfully, the warm up cleared my head, and had me in a flop sweat clearing my body of some of the crap I consumed last night. (I got out of bed at noon, and did this workout) This workout is not as “hop happy” as many of the original INSANITY series workouts, but Shaun kicks up the difficulty by using resistance bands, and very focused motion. Like the rest of the videos, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR MIND IN THE GAME, or you won’t even be able to do a number of the moves. So, be prepared to bring your “A” game.
This workout is jumptastic with long jumps, hops, squats, plyo pushups, jump rope work, and my new nemisis, the one legged power squat. ARRRRGGG! By the end of this video, I was again soaked to the bone with my own sweat. Here’s how good the workout was. I woke up weighed myself, had 2 glasses of water (I was dehydrated as hell), and did the workout. During the workout I drank 2 Pint glasses of water, and then at the end dranka 2 scoop recovery drink (in a pint glass topped with water). When I went and weighed myself before my shower, I WAS 2 POUNDS LIGHTER! AFTER ALL THE WATER AND THE RECOVERY DRINK. This workout is brutal. Have your water and your towel handy. You will need it.
Equipment: Jump Rope, 2 Power Bands, Agility Ladder, High Quality H2O and a very absorbantt towel.
Prepare yourself. This one will hurt you.
If you would like to find more information on this or any Beach Body Product, please follow this link: http://www.beachbodycoach.com/FITLIFESFROB
Well, I should have know something was up as soon as the video started. Shaun T made it quite clear that there was no need for weights in this routine, and the yoga mat on the ground almost had me ready for a bit of “Kindler, Gentler” workout. Wow, was I wrong. After a deceptively difficult warm up (I don’t want to give away the fun) you begin attacking your back and core for the next 35 minutes. Even the stupid green giant rubber band that comes with the Asylum kit had me cursing. (The thing has next to no resistance, and yet it beat my back into submission.) This video is full of very tough combination and isometric moves which will have you in a flop sweat in a matter of minutes. I was dripping again. INSANE!
Have your Yoga Mat ready, a towel, and the stupid green resistance band. Also, I did this workout barefoot and I felt I was in very good control the whole time. (I tend to not wear shoes when using a yoga mat)
Enjoy this one. It is a keeper.
If you would like to find more information on this or any Beach Body Product, please follow this link: http://www.beachbodycoach.com/FITLIFESFROB
I want to start this with the proper statement to describe this workout. OMFG!!! This workout is downright EVIL! It is very different from ANY of the INSANITY workouts I have ever done, as it isn’t cadiotastic. But, your heart rate will be elevated the entire workout, and you will hit muscle groups in ways P90X, P90X+, One on Ones or INSANITY has not. Sure there are some tried and true dumbbell workouts, but there are a number of progressions I had never put together which really crushed my stabilizers and several main muscle groups. (This workout hits the core, the shoulders, the back, the quads, and a bit of glute and hamstring)
For this workout you will need dumbbells (I used dumbbells and kettle-bells) or weight bands, and a pull-up bar (Optional). Yeah, and be sure to bring a towel. (I feel like I was hit by a hose by the end of this workout) Just a quick piece of advice. If you think you can do the workouts with 35LB dumbbells, grab the 30′s. And have set of 20′s handy for some of the last few excercises. (Though I could have gone to 40′s or 50′s for part the chest workout, but only part of it) Also, this is a very fast moving workout, you have very little recovery time between sets, so keep your workout area clear and your weights handy.
As with the Speed and Agility workout, Strength forces you to keep your mind engaged the entire workout. You HAVE to know what is going on with your body the entire time, you have to focus on your form. The better your form, the more brutal the workout. If you can keep your form, you will work to exhaustion on every move, and if you don’t YOU ARE A BEAST! This workout is not for the meak, and I noticed that Shaun T DIDN’T dare me to do it again. It was that rough.
Good luck. You are going to need it.
If you would like to find more information on this or any Beach Body Product, please follow this link: http://www.beachbodycoach.com/FITLIFESFROB
So, day 1 for me of Insanity: Asylum consisted of both the Fit Test and the Speed and Agility workout. ”Speed and Agility” is SO very different from what “Insanity” brought to the table. Sure it is a brutal cardio workout, but you are forced to be mentally engaged the entire time. Form and execution are just as important as powering through the workout, and this simple change makes the moves that much more effective and that much more brutal. I completely expect to master the moves in time, but even with mastery the workout won’t become any easier. (I just wont be fumbling around as much) 
It is about a 45 minute workout, with about a 10 minute warm-up (lots of jumping rope) and a 3.5 minute cool down. This left Shaun T more than enough time to kick my ass. (for the math challenged that is 31.5 minutes of ass kicking) This program is HEAVY on Agility Ladder work, so be prepared to use your brain and your body. At the very end, just to spite me, Shaun says, “Hey, if you are tough enough, why not do it one more time.” (or something to that effect) The sad part is, had I not done the Fitness Test earlier, my ego would have kicked in and I would have done it again. (And that may have just killed me)
So, I give Speed and Agility a double thumbs up.
Side Note: The Agility Ladder that comes with the program is pretty good. It is lighter than ones I have used in the past, so you HAVE TO HAVE GOOD FORM. (else it goes flying) Also, the Jump Rope that BeachBody provided is pretty shoddy. It will work, but I like a good weighted leather jump rope. I use a leather Nike weighted speed rope. NICE! (and hurts a lot if you miss while barefoot)
If you would like to find more information on this or any Beach Body Product, please follow this link: http://www.beachbodycoach.com/FITLIFESFROB
Ok. I just finished the fit test, and it was really tough. I expected to be a lot easier, but maybe I let myself fall too far out of shape since my last insanity cycle a month ago. It was a really good assessment of my core strength, my overall co-ordination, and my stamina. Wow. I hit myself in ways I typically don’t and it showed. See my results below. The numbers below (2nd box) are my current measurementsm which were all taken “unflexed.” The first box are my Day 1 Fit Test Results. (If you couldn’t tell) Well, so much for stalling. Time for the “Speed and Agility” workout. wish me luck.
Be sure to check out our “How to take Measurements” article:
http://www.fitlifesf.com/2011/01/how-to-take-body-measurements/
If you would like to find more information on this or any Beach Body Product, please follow this link: http://www.beachbodycoach.com/FITLIFESFROB
There is a woman who’s been at the gym on my last three visits who has abs that I claim I’d “die for.” But, I watch the workouts she does and then I go into the corner do my same-ol core workout that’s OK-not-great-but-all-I-have-the-energy-for-after-a-run.
In other words: Simple fact, I just don’t want it badly enough. (Or, I suppose, put in a more positive light, putting my energy towards running is more of a priority to me than putting that energy towards a 30-minute weighted coreball workout. The crap this woman does is INSANE!)
I get contacted every day by people who want to lose weight, “get toned”, etc. who, when presented with a clear plan to do so, have a million reasons why it doesn’t work with their schedule, lifestyle, food likes and dislikes, habits, etc. All point to one thing: You just don’t want it badly enough.
I am vowing here and now that, until I’m willing to do this woman’s core workouts, I am going to stop griping about my abs. There is something very freeing in saying “You know what? I know what I need to do to get there, and if it were really a priority to me, I’d make it happen.” I have the power, you have the power, we all have the power to accomplish whatever we set our minds (and actions) on.
Here’s my challenge to you: Do you have a thing in your life that you’re constantly saying you are ”trying to achieve?” Why aren’t you there yet? Do you really want it badly enough?
Ok people. It is ordered, and ready to go. Insanity: The Asylum is a 30 day elite training program and I will be posting my results and thoughts over the next 30 days or so. I am using this program to prepare for my SAMBO conditioning camp in June. What is that? True insanity. I am going to an olympic training center in Alushta, Ukaraine (for the 2nd time) and will spend 10 days with Igor Kurinnoy. Igor is a 3 time world SAMBO Champion, and 4 time SAMBO World Cup Winner, needless to say, he is very good. (And last time I lost 15 lbs in 2 weeks, and I was in pretty good shape)
This year I am going as prepared as I can be. (How best I can really prepare for 8hr training days while working a real job…)
Monday I will take my “before” the program pic, in 30 days the “After The Asylum” pic will hit, and then after the trip, one final pic. If I don’t get hurt, I should be in the best shape of my life by June 19th.
For the record, I will be using Shakeology every day, I will be using P90X recovery drink, AND I will be maintaining a proper diet. Interested in joining me? (Well, doing “The Alyum”)
If you want to order the Asylum or just check it out, follow this link: http://beachbodycoach.com/fitlifesfrob
-Rob
Ah, the post that sunk a thousand ships over on the Yahoo! blog! I’m restricted in how soon I can re-post content over here, so I’m able to post it in its entirety now, but if you want to follow the drama, you can read the the comment thread on Yahoo! here, and my response to the comments here.
I’ll let you in on a little secret: I think the free classes included in most gym memberships, used correctly, can whip most people into shape just as well as one-on-one training sessions. And, certainly, there’s nothing like a little peer pressure to make you push harder than you’d ever push training on your own. Knowing how to navigate your gym’s class schedule puts you in control and means that you can still get expert guidance and accountability, even during periods of tight budgets, unpredictable schedules or flagging motivation.
If you’ve spent much time perusing fitness websites or even just standing in line at the grocery store lately, you’ve no doubt seen plenty of advertisements for diets promising to help melt away belly bulge. Nearly every women’s fitness publication, from Self to Women’s Health to Prevention has some offering marketed as a “bellyfat”- or “flat belly”-specific eating plan.
So, if bellyfat is your biggest concern, do you need to be on a plan specifically identified as a bellyfat diet? Or, if you are already on an eating plan that has you dropping pounds, will you see more loss from your midsection if you switch to one?