Insanity Reviews: Max Interval Plyo
If you have been keeping up with my Insanity Reviews, you may have noticed that my last review was for the Max Interval Circuit on the 9th of September. The Max Interval Circuit review was my first Max workout. Since then 9 days have past. Why so long between Insanity Reviews you may ask? Well…. my first week of the Max workouts, I’ve been sore. Real S-O-R-E. lol. This week, is much better. I pushed through the first week of the Max workouts. Even though I was tired and sore, I knew that I could push through, and I did. It’s actually quite amazing. Let me tell you why. 
First a recap. You start Insanity, and work out for 4 weeks. Now these 4 weeks are not easy by any means. Still some very challenging cardio. At least that’s what I thought during those 4 weeks. Then you take a recovery week, where you are not doing hard cardio, but still working out fairly hard. Then the Max workouts start and continue for 4 more weeks. Now the first 4 weeks of Insanity seemed, not easy, but definitely EASIER than the Max workouts. The Max workouts are crazy hard. You’ll be challenged mentally and physically. My first week of Max workouts… I was sore, walking sore, moving sore, trying to sit down sore. (If you have done some Max workouts, you know what I mean). So that brings me back to the amazing part. Once I got past the first week of the Max workouts, the soreness has not left, but its that good sore feeling. Like you just accomplished something great feeling. The workouts are still crazy hard though.
As a Beachbody fitness coach, I have been asked quite a bit lately whether or not a person could start with Insanity. At first I thought, MAYBE. With the right mindset, and will power, a person could push through Insanity, and make it work. I felt like a person may have to take more breaks, but felt like it was possible. Now after doing the Max workouts, I have decided that NO, a person should not start with Insanity. Insanity is being promoted as an extreme workout, and it’s extreme, and should be left for those that have completed at very least a beginner-to intermediate program, an advanced program is probably best. This is only my opinion however.
Insanity Review: Max Interval Plyo
The entire workout is 55 minutes. Since I went a little longer than normal above, I’m going to be fairly brief on the workout overview.
The warm up lasts approximately 10 minutes. The warm up consists of 3 rounds. The first two rounds are about 4 minutes each, and the last round is approximately 2 minutes. The last round has the same exercises as the first two, you just perform a faster/shorter duration. The last round is as fast as you can go. The exercises are:
- Jog
- Jumping Jacks – Arms Up
- 123 Heisman
- Jump Rope S-S
- High Knees – Arms Out
- Switch Kicks
- Hit the Floor
- S-S Floor Hops
At the end of the warm up you get a 30 second water break. The water break is followed by a good stretch, which lasts just under 5 minutes. This is followed by another 30 second water break, and then the interval workout starts.
The main part of the workout is approximately 39 minutes in length.
The first set of exercises consists of 3 rounds. Each round has 4 different exercises. Each exercise lasts about 45 seconds. Between each round you get a 30 second water break.
- Switch Jumps
- Squat Push Ups
- Wide In – Out Abs
- Power Jumps
You’ll repeat this sequence 3 times. At the end of the 3rd round is a challenge move. One-Legged V Push Ups. Approximately 1 minute. Take a 30 second water break.
A quick note on water breaks. As a general rule, I consume my P90X Recovery drink after my workout. But I have since started mixing 1/2 a serving of the P90X Recovery Formula with about 16 ounces of water, for my water breaks, during the workout. Then I take the last half at the end as a recovery drink. I think this helps me stay hydrated during the hour long workouts.
The second set of exercises is completed in the same manner as the first set, however, the exercises are different. They are:
- Pogo
- Power Push Ups
- Globe Twists
- Level 3 Drills
Again, this is repeated 3 times, a break between each, and after the third set, you have a challenge move called Power Lunges/Hop Squats. Then another break.
If you made it this far, you can make it all the way! Only 12 more minutes to go, and you have 4 more exercises. Go go go. Grab that last bit of strength, get your last bit of energy. Do these 4 and you’re done!
- Side Push Ups
- Kickstand Touch the Floor
- 8 Power Knees/4 Diamond Jumps
- Balance Push Ups
Congrats, take a 4 minute cool down and stretch, pat your self on the back for accomplishing something spectacular. Not just anybody can get through these Max workouts, you are among the few. At least in my opinion.
If you are reading this review, I WANT to hear from YOU. Email me at robert@extremely-fit.com. Tell me your thoughts, your reviews, how you feel. Click that email link, and tell me you’re doing Insanity. Or tell me your thinking of Insanity, or just bought Insanity. Remember I said a few can do Insanity, so if you are one of the few, email me! Talk to you soon!!
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October 15th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
I did this one again last night. (I’m in my second week of the second month.) It’s one of the tougher insanity workouts, in my opinion, mainly because of the jumping (that third set of power jumps really makes you work) and the arm/shoulder work. And every time, I finish the second set of 3 rounds of 4 exercises, I think, “Wow, I still have 3 rounds of 4 more exercises. I hope I make it!” And then after the balance pushups, when it’s time to stretch, it’s a real relief. Thanks for the reviews.
October 15th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Park, I agree it is a tough one! Keep up the hard work! And keep me posted.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I have started with Insanity from no workout program. It has been tough but it is doable. I am just about done with my recovery week and look forward to the Max portions. I expect it to kick my butt, but I know deep down ill be able to push through. Ill keep you posted next week once thats starts.
October 30th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Hey Josh, please do keep me posted! The MAX workouts are TOUGH. Normally I don’t recommend Insanity for beginners, but there is an exception, those that are determined, have their mind right, and are a little bit crazy.
You can do it!
December 5th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
I started Insanity without a previous program, as well. The MAX workouts are tough, but not so much I feel like I can’t do them or that I struggle. Boredom is a bigger issue with me (and I’m only just done with month2 week2) as the workouts use similar moves. The plyo is a bit tough on my knees, but as I’m almost done with Insanity it won’t slow me down. Granted I wasn’t in terrible shape before Insanity, but I was (and still am) 20 lbs overweight and only 5′4″.
It seems to me a lot of people are trying to talk other people out of doing Insanity, claiming it’s ‘too hard’ and ‘not for beginners’. I’m not saying that everyone should or can do insanity, but it isn’t as elite a program as it’s being billed as.
December 6th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Sounds like we have another exception.
As I was telling Josh above, I still wouldn’t recommend it for beginners. But I am getting reports from beginner’s tackling Insanity and doing well. Which I think is awesome. 
Cindy, on the weight, have you lost any weight? You mentioned being 20 lbs overweight. How is your overall nutrition? Are you at a calorie deficit to help lose some lbs? Keep up the good work!
December 6th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Well to update everyone. I just finished Insanity Earlier this week. I couldnt be happier with the results. I lost 30lbs and several inches across my body and 2 pants sizes. I havent been in this kind of shape since I highschool and that was 15 years ago. I still have another 15 pounds to reach my goal weight so I am redoing the last month before starting P90x. My goal was to lose 45 lbs and to be 2/3 there in 2 months is outstanding seeing that I got stronger along the way! As stated above I started from no workout regiment at all. It was a shock to my system to say the least. Breaking my eating habits though was the hardest part. Once you get into the habit of eating better the results will take care of themselves. I started seeing a difference in the mirror in the first few weeks which just made me buckle down and push even harder and it really paid off. Like any other program you get out of it what you put in to it. If you slack off or dont eat right dont expect a miracle because its will not happen. But if you eat right and follow the workouts pushing yourself to the Max everyday you will have no choice but to get into the best shape of your life. Robert thanks for the support along the way I will definitely stay in touch as I make my way through P90x starting around New Years.
December 6th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Congrats!! Well done Josh.
December 13th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
I haven’t lost much, maybe 5 lbs (OK, I don’t look like I weigh 150..so loosing 20 lbs is just a benchmark but I carry most all of my excess weight in my thighs), but have leaned out my legs a lot dropping a jeans size and have lost most of my gut. I had a 3 week recovery week (terrible cold) and have 1 week left in month 2. But I have a hopefully minor case of jumper’s knee and am taking a few days off to ice it and such. So I haven’t been doing the program in the ideal manner. My first month was pretty clean eating wise, then I was sick and lost a lot of strength due to lack of appetite. Month 2 has been harder on the eating front (damn you holidays!) but am avoiding the big temptations so far