People are always seeking new and improved ways of staying in shape. There are various reasons as to why one would decide to hit the gym or set out on a workout regimen. Some people do it in a bid to lose weight while some do it to bulk up and add more muscle. There are various ways that one can do this including the use of diets, aerobics, jogging and lifting weights in the gym. When it comes to going to the gym, one needs to come up with a workout schedule or routine designed to help them reap maximum benefits. There are two routines that can be used to yield very good results. These two plans are P90x and insanity workout routines. There are several points that one can look at when comparing Insanity vs. P90x.
P90X
P90X is basically a 90 day workout routine that is based around a muscle confusion principle. Most people operate by sticking to a fixed routine over a period of time. The muscles get comfortable and adapt to the routine and after a while the results achieved are not as good as they were when one started. P90X routine operates by mixing and changing the schedules and this challenges the muscles to adapt thus obtaining maximum results. It pushes the limits and helps one realize maximum results faster.
Insanity
Insanity workout is a 60 day workout routine that is based on the Max interval training concept. This mode of training involves performing bursts of high intensity training followed by short periods of rest. The high intensity bursts can be between a few seconds to a minute and they are alternated with either short rest periods or sessions of doing light weights. This is quick way to burn fats faster than other approaches and helps one to acquire lean muscles fast especially in the core and abdominal muscle area.
Differences
These routines are accomplished using different methods. Insanity training starts with a fitness test and the results are recorded for the basis of comparisons as one embarks on the routine. One then proceeds to cardio training and fast paced workouts which focus on upper and lower body. One then gets some short rest before proceeding to more cardio working out where it focuses on abdominal muscles with equipment like core cardio. This routine can be maintained for a month before moving on to Max Interval Circuit which is more intense and it targets the legs and the core muscles in the abdominal region. One revisits workout moves and tries to perform them faster and so regardless of the repeating there is always room for improvement.
P90X on the other hand takes a completely different route. It begins by focusing on the chest and back area. This is done using a series of resistance training exercises that focus on the upper body including the shoulders. One then moves to plyometrics in a bid to push their cardio limits. The next step is focusing on the arms and shoulders doing a series of presses, fly moves and curls designed to yield well defined biceps and triceps. Since this routine operates on mixing things up, the next step involves exercises that help relax the muscles that were subjected to intense routines in the previous step. This involves the use of yoga to stretch the muscles. This is then followed up by working the legs and back area combined with a series of kick-boxing style moves that help in breaking a sweat. The next step involves a series of stretching and core synergistics done through some cardio exercises coupled with stretching and resisting. Intensity then switches to the upper body with exercises geared towards gaining muscles on the chest, shoulders, back, biceps and triceps areas. One then goes a notch higher with Ab ripper X and cardio X and these are intense schedules that are designed to bring out the best out of the body by pushing it to a whole new level.
If you are into using equipment such as dumbbells, barbells or chin up bars then PX90 is the routine for you. Intensity training will only require a training workout mat with a good pair of cross-trainers.
As far as the intensity is concerned insanity training is going to push your limits with the cardio training while PX90 focuses more on muscle building.
These are just few of the tips you need to know about insanity vs. P90x schedules to help you pick the one that works for you.
(Matt Wingerd is the author of this post and is an avid fitness and nutritional specialist who writes online reviews of various health products.)
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