For the past few weeks, I have had a number of people email me and ask whether or not they should start out with P90X or Insanity. Both are excellent programs and will help you get into great shape, but what is the difference between the two? Is one more intense than the other? Will you build more mass with P90X? Will you lose muscle mass with Insanity? Let’s look at my P90X Review and Insanity Review below.
P90X is what I started out with, and one that I recommend to everyone because of how much I believe the program works! I got amazing P90X results, and if you haven’t seen my P90X before and after photos yet, click here. The one thing that I really like about P90X is that it involves a balance of resistance and cardio training. I ended up losing 25lbs and 10% body fat during my first round of the program. During the second round, I had a new goal to gain mass with P90X, and that’s exactly what I did. I ended up putting back on 15lbs of muscle without gaining body fat! Whether your goal is to gain mass or lose weight, P90X is an excellent program that will help you reach those goals! Make sure you check out my complete P90X Review.
What about Insanity? Whenever people get through one or two rounds of P90X, they look for a program that will spice up their workouts, and that’s exactly what Insanity does! Warning, Insanity is SUPER INTENSE! There are some workouts that you will burn over a 1,000 calories in an hour, so this isn’t for beginners! You have to already be in decent shape to start this program. Insanity has both cardio and resistance workouts, but the resistance workouts involve only body weight, so if you’re looking to gain mass only, then Insanity wouldn’t be for you. However, if you’re looking to get cut and ripped, Insanity will help you burn the fat and reach your goals! Also, if you have knee or back problems, then you probably need to stay away from Insanity because of all the jumping around that’s involved. I like doing the Insanity cardio workouts and P90X resistance workouts, just so I have a balance of heavy resistance training and high intensity cardio training. Check out my complete Insanity Review.
So, which is it? P90X or Insanity?
Are you ready to get ripped like I did with P90X?
Are you ready to get CRAZY with Insanity?
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Hey Josh,
I’m 5′ 9″ 158lbs have finished p90x I have become more ripped and athletic. When I play baseball now I feel stronger and I’ve gained some speed. How ever I want two things I want a six pack and my veins to be more visible. I have 9% BF how can I get there?
Jonathan
@Jonathan. Getting a 6 pack is all about the diet bro! You’ve got to commit yourself to the P90X Nutrition Guide. Also, am I your coach? If not, make sure you make me your coach so I can help you out with advice. It’s free, and here’s the link: https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free/47458
@Jason. Yeah man, go for it, just as long as you feel you’re ready. Do you already have the Insanity program?
Ok, so i am currently pregnant with my second child (8 1/2 months). I still have no stretch marks and have barely gained weight.. i know im blessed for this and want to make my body better than ever after healing from birth. Im normally 145-150lbs anx 5’6″, some love handles, thicker thighs and bottom, but fairly small stomach. I am motive to become a health and fitness nut, i really really want to order ‘insanity’ but ive never done intense wormouts or anything close. If i have my mind set, do you think i can do this?
To add to my last comment, i want results quick even if its pain that i feel, itll be motivation to continue. Im also 21 years old, i want to change my lifestyle completely
@Leah. YES! However, did you used to work out often in the past? And if so, have you done extreme programs? Let me know ASAP!
Hi I’m 16 years old, 6’0 and140 lbs. Im pretty skinny but I do have some fat on my stomach. I want to gain muscle and also get in better shape when it comes to endurance. I don’t have a ton of money so I can’t afford both. Which do you recommend.? Also would it be good for me to take protein shakes? If so, what brand(domt have lots of $)? Thanks
@Carter. I would go with P90X since you want to gain some muscle. When it comes to protein, you don’t want to sacrifice quality for price, and unfortunately, the lower the price, the lower the quality. I use Isopure.
Hi, I have read a have read a lot about the two programs but I still can’t decide which one to get. I am 15, 120lbs 5’9″. I am in good shape. I have a nice six pack and am pushing 130 on the bench and can do 16 chin ups. I would like to get bigger and faster. I am doing track and love gymnastics so I thought Insanity but I’m not sure because I would like to bulk up more. Plz help
@Jacob. What about a P90X/Insanity hybrid?
Hey I’ve been reading up on blogs and such and was wondering what’s my best approach here. I’m 180 5 10 and went through 70 days of p90x before I was called out of the country for emergency work for 2 months (nov 15-jan 15). Getting settled and got insanity over the holidays. What would you do? I did some light cardio while I could overseas but want to get that 6 pack and muscle tone. Thanks for your help.
@Kevin. Hey bro! Before I get to your questions, have you made me your coach yet? If not, here’s the link to get signed up. If you already have a Team Beachbody account, let me know and I can tell you how to get me as your coach if that’s what you want to do. https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free/47458
Hey I’m about to have my first baby any day now and Ive always been athletic and in good shape, I haven’t gained that much weight and I also worked out during my pregnancy. I want my body back ASAP. I want to get it back as soon as I can. What would be your best option P90X or Insanity?
@Jessica. Do you like to do all cardio or have a balance between cardio and resistance?
I just would like to Bulk up, and get as much upper body strength as possible. I weigh 110 and almost 17 years old.
@Jason. Am I your coach? If not, make sure you make me your coach by going to this link: https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free/47458
Hey, my little brother ordered insanity ( 6″ and 145) to try and get more cut. I have every intention on doing it with him everyday for the next 60days only issue is im age 20 5.6″ 118 pounds ectomorph body type with a 4 pack visably showing and pretty tone upper body ( work out reguarly and worked at fed ex ground for 2 years loading trucks with 50+ pound boxes each day)I take muscle tec protein shakes everyday (650 calories 48g of protein)and am on a high protein just to keep my weight from falling below 115 ( i burn 2000+ calories a night). Do you think insanity is going to make me loose weight or help me gain more muscle mass? Im about 6% body fat and my lower abs still arnt visable after 60days will they get tone enough to show?
@Dominic. Hey bro! Before I get to your questions, have you made me your coach yet? If not, here’s the link to do so: https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free/47458
Once you get that taken care of, email me your questions to coachspence8@yahoo.com.
Hi I am 13 and I need to get in shape for my upcoming girls basketball year I need to burn fat and get muscle too which workout is better p90x or insanity?
@Charity. It all depends on what you enjoy doing. P90X has a balance of cardio and resistance, while Insanity is mostly intense cardio. Both are very good!
I currently just started P90X. I’m now on day 3. Doing classic, do you recommend classic for building muscle? I’m 18 , 6′, 126 Ib. Not looking to losing weight. Just want some abs, legs and thicker, muscular arms. What food do you recommend I eat? Or what is best to do to reach my goals.
@Ray. Yeah, Classic is the best for muscle building. However, if you’re really looking to put on some weight and mass, you’re going to want to change the program slightly. Check out the “Gaining Mass” section under the “Workouts” tab, and you will find all the info you need. Also, have you made me your coach yet? If not, make sure you do so that I can be here to help you through the program. Here’s the link: https://teambeachbody.com/signup/-/signup/free/47458
I am 6 foot and weigh 160 and I am wondering how do you gain muscle mass and gain weight at the same time?
@Cameron. What you need to do is head over to the “gaining mass” section! Also, have you made me your coach yet? If not, make sure you do!
Hey I’m a wrestler and Im trying to lose fat and not gain a lot of muscle weight I want to get stronger and faster and have more endurance but idk which program to get. Help please.
P.s I’m in pretty good shape just have a little extra fat that I need to get rid of and I want to get really lean and strong. Thanks
@Pedro. What about a P90X/Insanity hybrid? That would be the way to go!
What does hybrid mean??
@Pedro. It means you combine the 2 programs, replacing the cardio workouts with Insanity workouts and doing the P90X resistance.
Hi,
I am 27, 5ft11″ weighing (73kg / 160lbs). I already lift weights monday and Wednesday and my body fat is around 15%.
I want to get it down so my abs come out, as well as other muscle groups.
I started some high intensity training on days when not weight training on my own (10 circuits of maybe 5 exercises with small rests).
I am stuck as whether to buy p90x or insanity asylum. I want to get ripped, but also stay lean.
I was worried a little as I notice trousers becoming looser on me. I already have a 32″ waist and dont want to waste away to nothing!
Can ytou advise which program would be better?
Getting ripped is my ultimate goal. I enjoy lifting the weights on Mondays and Wednesdays. Could I tie this in with asylum, or what do you advise?
I have noticed
@Tim. What about a P90X/Asylum hybrid, doing the Asylum workouts on the P90X Cardio days and then doing the P90X resistance?
Josh,
Does that mean buying both? I already have a fairly good weight training program for Monday and Wednesday, it covers most muscle groups.
If I kept my weight training on monday and wednesday and did the insanity workouts on the other days would that work well?
Ok im 5″7 andcurrently weight 142 pounds. Im 15 years old and i have a little of fat on my stomach, also i cant get rid of those love handles. Please help
Hi! Great results!
So I’m 14 and I have a little muffin top and I’d like to get rid of that along with a flat stomach, And skinner legs, what do u suggest?
@Tim. That might work.
@Pedrox. Both programs would be good. However, being 15 make sure you check with your doctor.
@Cynthia. Both programs would work out well and give you results, just as long as you follow them properly. It all depends on what kind of training you like as well. Do you like cardio? Resistance? Both?
Hey Josh,
I’m 15 years old, 5’7” and 115 lbs. I’m pretty skinny, but I am in pretty good shape, meaning I do have some muscles because I’m actually a competitive swimmer, so I have some pretty good biceps, triceps, quads, shoulder muscles, and abs when I flex them. But I’ve always had a really high metabolism, so even though I eat as much or more than my friends (trust me, I eat a lot all the time, probably at least 3000 calories and more each day), I can never really look as good as them when it comes to having a healthy looking upper-body, because of the fact that even though I have some muscles and no fat, I kind of just end up looking under weight, although not like anorexic (I kinda just look bony in the chest and collar bone areas). So I’ve been thinking that since gaining significant weight just doesn’t work for me (I’ve tried before), I should take on an intensive workout system (that doesn’t require going to the gym) that could help me gain a pretty good amount of muscle mass (mainly in the chest, arms, shoulder, abs, and also leg areas) so that I can start looking less skinny and more healthy. So could you give me your take on my solution to my problem and tell me whether you think the P90X or Insanity program would be better for my situation? Also, I would really appreciate if you could answer me back via the email address I’ve provided with this entry, because I may not remember to come back to this website (since I found it randomly by googling the programs).
Thanks a lot!
@Jonathan. Don’t ever say you can’t do something. I have seen even the skinniest guys work hard to get big chests! Unfortunately, with you being so young, I’m not sure whether or not you should take the mass gainers and creatine that I recommend. That will be something you talk to your doctor and/or parents about.
Hey Josh,
Next time I see my doctor, I’ll talk to her about muscle gain, creatine, protein shakes, and whatever else. Also, my parents are already fine with the idea of me doing some intensive training. But for now, do you think I should just try to gain some more weight before I start a training program? Because I’ve always wondered that perhaps you can’t even get a lot more muscle mass while training if you don’t have the weight/fat to build on first (I don’t even know if that makes sense). If so, could you please tell me if there is a product I could use (not too expensive, hopefully sold in stores) that could help me gain some weight? I’ve been wondering recently whether there could be a product that could help me gain some weight, since it’s like impossible for me to do (I literally only gain about 5-10 pounds per year recently, supposedly in my growth period!). I don’t have any concerns about getting fat during such a process, since I already do a lot of physically demanding exercise anyway.
Thanks for that!
@Jonathan. You will build muscle with the training. The mass gainer that I recommend is Serious Mass, but again, I don’t know if you should take it at your age. You would have to talk to a professional. Also, you’re going to have to increase your calories quite a bit to gain some weight!
What kind of snacks/meals would you recommend that contain a lot of calories but aren’t too unhealthy. I’m assuming that eating a bunch of burgers and chicken with a load of chips would be bad.
Also, could I use a protein shake like Serious Mass as a snack in between meals simply to gain weight or would it have to be used along side a workout. How often should I use it, every day? And what flavor do you find tastes the most decent.
@Jonathan. Under the “Healthy Eating Tips” tab pin the “Nutrition” section, you will find a few posts about healthy snacks. Before I get to any more of your questions, you made me your coach right?
@Jonathan. Just follow the directions on the bottle. Chocolate it good from what I hear. My buddy used it.
So I have back problems from deep squatting in football and have had osgood schlatters since 7th grade (I just finished my sophomore year in college). I have gained some weight and want to get rid of it and get a six pack. I was going to do insanity, but after reading, I am more on the fence. Any pointers?
Thanks
@Jim. Personally, I like P90X better because of the balance of cardio and resistance training. Plus, with your back, you’re not going to want to do Insanity because it’s a very high impact program. Also, have you made me your coach yet?