We use cookies to enhance your website experience.
By continuing to use our website, we'll assume you are happy with it.
We use cookies to enhance your website experience. By continuing to use our website, we'll assume you are happy with it.
Press
'ENTER'
for a demo
Business

Insanity Workout Vs HIIT: What's better?

Bookee
Customer Success Team
Twitter Icon Share ButtonFacebook Icon Share ButtonLinkedin Icon Share Button

HIIT and Insanity workouts are changing the way we work out and redefining the workout modules. These insanity workouts promote a shift to a healthy and active lifestyle. Let’s dig deep into these two forms of workouts and see which one is the best for you.

People often use the words HIIT and Insanity interchangeably and assume they are equivalent. Is Insanity HIIT?

Well, it’s definitely not the case.

We would notice a number of similarities in both the training methods. Although they are built on similar grounds to bear similar results, there are some differences. We must understand the key differences between HIIT and Shaun T workouts before we can compare the two. Both forms of training appear to be very similar on the surface but we will walk you through the subtle differences between these two in this blog.

Skip ahead to :

What is Insanity?

Shaun T, a choreographer and celebrity fitness trainer, initially designed the Insanity workouts as a 60-day at-home video fitness program that promised to get people in the best shape of their life. Shaun T workout series is a part of the Beachbody Insanity On-Demand training program and for a variety of factors, the program became increasingly popular.

Users may do these brief yet intense insanity workouts (30-40 minutes each) in their own time and without any additional equipment; these workouts rely only on body weight. Shaun T insanity program also offers a money-back guarantee to anyone who completes the Beachbody insanity series and is unhappy with the results.

 Insanity Workout Poster

Insanity workout schedule

The logic behind the insanity workouts is to enhance your aerobic fitness while burning calories.  With only 30-second rest intervals between each 3-minute interval, you'll be huffing and panting. According to the creators of the insanity workout programs, this method can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour. There are ten Shaun T workouts included in the insanity workout schedule in total. Now, how long are the insanity workouts? Depending on the routine and your speed, each workout can last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. You'll be working out six days a week for two months, with only one day off.

What’s HIIT?

HIIT stands for high-intensity interval training, which consists of a short burst of intensive activity followed by a time of rest or low-intensity exercise. HIIT routines, or High-Intensity Interval Training, are a type of tactic for active recovery that varies between extremely high-energy and low-energy exercise. For example, an HIIT running workout may include sprinting for one minute, then walking for one minute, and so on until the session is finished.

The duration of vigorous activity might range from 45 seconds to several minutes. People then take a comparable amount of time to relax or conduct mild exercise before repeating the cycle. To get an idea of how a typical HIIT workouts looks like, checkout this blog here.

Woman performing a battle-rope exercise

Although an HIIT workout may be completed in as little as 15–20 minutes, it has several advantages. Because of its brief duration, it can be a highly practical and effective option for those who have trouble committing to longer sessions. HIIT program is built around the concept of heart rate manipulation and while doing these exercises, what goes inside your body is to some extent crazy.

How did insanity workouts gain popularity?

Over the previous several years, the idea of the Insanity workouts has survived the “fad” phase of successful fitness routines. 

What do you think is the secret behind its success? People say it’s effective but let us give some proof for its effectiveness.

After its introduction in 2009, the Shaun T Insanity workouts quickly gained popularity. It is popular among many fitness enthusiasts for several reasons, some of which are:

  • No gym equipment is required to carry out insanity cardio. This is one fundamental element that differentiates insanity workouts from HIIT. Although HIIT also doesn’t require any big tools or gym equipment, certain home gym equipment is necessary to bear desired results. The Shaun T Insanity training involves more intense cardio than any other general aerobic training. 
  • Insanity workouts have become an alternative to the P90X program, which required the use of a lot of equipment. This specific factor drove a lot of popularity amongst people who used to indulge in the P90X program. The launch of Insanity workouts sparked a fitness industry rivalry of P90X vs Insanity.
  • The challenging part of the insanity workout videos also appeals to a lot of fitness freaks as it is entirely made up of bodyweight exercises. The entire workout plan is embraced with tough and challenging Shaun T exercises that use just your body weight to torch calories.
Group of people performing insanity exercises

Now that we know what both the workouts are about, we are in a position to compare both the training methods in detail. 

HIIT vs Insanity workouts

There are plenty of factors to consider before choosing your workout program. Insanity workouts and HIIT have a lot in common yet we can differentiate between them in some ways. Here’s how:

01. Adaptability

We know that the body adapts to any training program with time, so we must find a strategy to raise the challenge in order to observe consistent improvements from a workout.


With Insanity, your only choice is to start anew and do more tougher training while trying to avoid injury. Working out in the same way again and again also  Due to the overwhelming number of high-impact workouts, the danger of damage eventually outweighs the possible benefit of results  Knee problems are frequent, and ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears are typical among Insanity workout users.

Meanwhile, HIIT allows for far safer progressions. You just restructure your recovery phases to fit your increased capacity when the time comes to make things harder. In the past, it could have taken three minutes to recover from a 30-second blast, but now it only takes two minutes. So the work isn't becoming any tougher, which protects you from getting hurt, but the recovery period is improving.

02. Cost 

The Insanity workout videos cost around $120 and do not require any equipment. Plus, you can do it anywhere you have access to a video player. You'll also need your body weight and a spot where you can enter beast mode without being distracted.

HIIT, on the other hand, maybe completely free! You may do your workout wherever you choose, at no expense, just using your body weight. Check with your gym to see if your membership includes HIIT courses. Checkout some CrossFit WODs here for beginners.

03. Arrangement 

Another factor to consider while choosing between Shaun T Insanity workout program and HIIT is the arrangement of the workout. You can't truly do Insanity cardio outside since you'll need to be in front of a TV or computer to follow the insanity workout videos’ instructions.

If you want to stay in your own house, Insanity cardio is the workout for you. HIIT, on the other hand, allows you to work out anywhere you choose! There’s no sort of setup required for an HIIT training program. You can perform HIIT anywhere: a field, a local stadium, a high school track loop, or anywhere you want. You only need some room and your own weight; no television is necessary.

04. Workout Complexity for Beginners

The Insanity workouts are quite demanding and intense. They're made for those who are in good shape and are willing to put in the effort to get even better. This regimen isn't a quick fix for you if you haven't been exercising. Many individuals who want to work hard and see immediate benefits from their workouts will enjoy the workout's intensity. It's very intense, so be prepared to give it your best when you sign up for it. Working out at such intensity means you'll see benefits in a fraction of the time. The benefits will include intense cardio, calorie-burning, and muscular shaping.

Beginners, on the other hand, might feel more at ease with an HIIT-based program. It will still be difficult, but participants will be able to work out at a level of intensity that is comfortable for them. A HIIT exercise is extremely adjustable for everyone participating, using the rate of perceived exertion and accomplishing what you can. HIIT is based on a shorter burst of activity whereas the Shaun T insanity program utilizes maximal interval training where you are moving for at least 3 minutes at a time.

So, which one should you choose?

Choosing between Insanity workouts and HIIT as a training regimen is entirely up to you. If you're a trained athlete, Insanity workouts can push you to the next level of your fitness. If you're new to HIIT, it's still a great method to spice up your workouts and keep your strength up. Although Insanity cardio burns more fat on average than HIIT exercises, the amount of intensity may prevent certain people from achieving their full potential. People often choose insanity for weight loss as well. The HIIT and Insanity workout results are both worthwhile. Regardless, both routines will push you to your limits and burn fat far more quickly than steady-state cardio.

Try both and see which works better for you if you're up for the task. However, like with any new activity, always put your body first and see what is appropriate for your fitness level.

Is a lengthy to-do list of business operations diverting your focus from your clients' growth. Manage your fitness business efficiently on Bookee and give your members their desired results.

Book a personal demo with Bookee
Instagram Icon Share ButtonLinkedIn Icon Share Button
Linkedin Icon Share ButtonFacebook Icon Share Button
Bookee

The new and better way to grow your studio

Learn how we can help you impress clients, increase revenue, and save time
14-day free trial · No credit card required 🎉