Question about Healthywage $1000 challenge and Insanity workout

[Anonemous]

So my BMI is slightly above 30 and I am getting ready for the cutting phase after lifting for 2 months now (3-4 times/week).

I see that Healthywage has contests which can pay you if you can get your BMI (>30) down to <25 within a year. (Note: on slickdeals some have said they are sketchy with their 'sour grapes' clause while others have said they got paid but it took alot of work and effort) Has anyone done this challenge here and want to chime in?

http://www.healthywage.com/weight-loss-contest

My original goal was to just to lose weight but now there's an incentive for it. I'm beginning my cardio routine and saw the Insanity workout. It looks like a fun, quick workout, that's like a mix of dance moves, pilates, yoga, and crossfit (without the weights) that could be done anywhere. I saw a preview of it on TV while at the gym and the moves are doable. So has anyone completed this program? If so, was the program worth it or could you get the same results with 8 weeks of cardio classes at the gym?

[Nebor]

I don't think I've ever heard anyone describe Insanity as "fun." Most people will tell you it sucks, but it gets great results. brb doing level 1 drills until I die.

[tedrodai]

No idea about healthywage.

My experience with Insanity though, is I'd rather do a strength training routine + other forms of cardio, like running. It can be fun I suppose, but "It gets great results" is dependent on what your goals are. It's tons of cardio and plyo, but very meager on strength work. It can burn a lot of calories if you can go strong the entire time.

So for losing weight, perhaps, it can be great. My personal goals are focused on strength gains, so Insanity would kindof interfere with that.

[apac]

I'm guessing this was meant for the H&F forum.

Edit: odd, this shows up in L&R for me. Must be a tapatalk bug. So nvm .

[Kelvrick]

Originally Posted by tedrodai

No idea about healthywage.

My experience with Insanity though, is I'd rather do a strength training routine + other forms of cardio, like running. It can be fun I suppose, but "It gets great results" is dependent on what your goals are. It's tons of cardio and plyo, but very meager on strength work. It can burn a lot of calories if you can go strong the entire time.

So for losing weight, perhaps, it can be great. My personal goals are focused on strength gains, so Insanity would kindof interfere with that.

My experience with insanity is similar. I found that after the warmup and other various routines, once we reached the strength exercises, I was so tired, I couldn't effectively work my muscles (pushups, etc). The one time I gave my arms/shoulders a good workout was when I hurt my calf and so took it easy on the first half of the workout.

I personally found insanity to work in combination with other things. It was a great cardio and "overall body" workout, but I prefered it mixed in with other things like a good consistant cardio and strength workout. IE
Monday - Insanity
Tuesday - Strength
Wednesday - Run
Thursday - Insanity
Friday - Strength
Saturday - Run

EDIT: If you need something to get you into shape fast though, it is hard to beat. It definitely kicked my butt when I was short on free time and needed to get into cardio shape for a hard hike/climb. I've also never taken gym classes, so I can't compare. My wife does though and she says insanity is harder unless you consistently get an instructor that pushes you hard.

[Corporate Thug]

Insanity is effective but its VERY VERY hard on the joints since there is a lot of high intensity jumping.

[Anonemous]

Originally Posted by Kelvrick

I personally found insanity to work in combination with other things. It was a great cardio and "overall body" workout, but I prefered it mixed in with other things like a good consistant cardio and strength workout. IE
Monday - Insanity
Tuesday - Strength
Wednesday - Run
Thursday - Insanity
Friday - Strength
Saturday - Run

So in your example would you run like:

Monday: Insanity regimen day 1
Tuesday: Strength
Wed: Cardio
Thurs: Insanity workout regimen day 2?
etc...

[Anonemous]

Originally Posted by Corporate Thug

Insanity is effective but its VERY VERY hard on the joints since there is a lot of high intensity jumping.

Yea, I try not to do it as fast they do it since Shaun T keeps emphasizing maintaining form over quantity.

[Nebor]

Originally Posted by Anonemous

So in your example would you run like:

Monday: Insanity regimen day 1
Tuesday: Strength
Wed: Cardio
Thurs: Insanity workout regimen day 2?
etc...

I usually do:
6am: Cardio (running outdoors or on a treadmill)
11am: Strength (lifting weights by muscle group according to day of the week)
6pm: Insanity

[QueBert]

OP nobody I've spoken to who did Insanity enjoyed it, they almost all loved the results, but weren't big on doing it. I did GSP Rushfit, which did have a few of the plyometric elements of Insanity here and there. But it was much more varied and a lot less hard on my knees. The workouts were shorter too which is a plus. I lost a good amount of weight while on it. If you're a fan of MMA Tapout XT something that people are saying they actually are have some fun doing, and it's a very intense workout.

[Anonemous]

Looks like you guys were right, it seems I mixed up Insanity with Shaun T's other workout: Hip Hop Abs. It looks like a lighter cardio workout which I can do on the cardio/rest days. I did try Insanity and it did kick my butt but I liked how it made me sweat. I'll try his HHA program and build up my cardio for Insanity.

[rhcornell]

I just wanted to quickly reply to the questions about HealthyWage and the discussion on SlickDeals. We are a legitimate organization that has helped many people get healthier with our weight loss programs and challenges. In fact, we were favorably profiled in recent issues of Consumer Reports, on The Today Show, NBCNews and by Weight Watchers.

In regards to the "Sour Grapes Clause" clause mentioned. It was exclusively designed for teams that get disqualified due to breaking the rules of the competition, which rarely happens. Thousands of people have participated in the program, successfully lost weight and are now leading healthier lives. We hope people focus on the positive aspects of the program and not on those that break the rules and take advantage of the program by cheating.

I'm also happy to answer any specific questions of the program that you have. Thanks for checking out the program!