P90X vs Insanity — Which Workout Should You Use?

Way back in 2003, when LeBron James was decided to enter the NBA draft, history was changed forever. Not because the NBA would be blessed with The King who would be called things like “ring chaser,” “choke artist,” “you’ll-never-be-as-good-as-Kobe-or-Michael,” and others. Oh no, histroy was changed in 2003 because a completely unknown dude who failed as a stand-up comedian launched his at home workout infomercial. What was known as P90X.

P90X was a blessing that rained down from the heavens upon millions of men who, for some reason, didn’t want to go to the gym to stare at women in spandex.

Tony Horton told corny jokes and talked about confusing our muscles. It sounded so fucking good. Every workout was roughly 90 minutes, 7 days a week. With a mix of weights, martial arts, yoga, and stretching. It didn’t take long for P90X to catch fire.

As a classic example of American efficiency, we decided we needed something better than 90 minutes. Or actually, Shaun T decided we needed something better than 90 minutes. He saved our lives. He gave us hope. He gave us Insanity. The 60 minute workout solution that was all bodyweight exercises that promised to be more hardcore than P90X.

Millions have tried these programs, and these programs are making millions. P90X alone was worth over $200 million in 2010. So when it comes time to get sexy by summer, which program are you gonna use? Luckily, the two jumped in the ring and I compared them.

I give to you the Ultimate At Home Workout Royal Rumble: P90X vs Insanity Smackdown

P90X:

Pros: Using weights, somewhat intelligent workout splits, emphasis on full body movements, good variety (yoga, martial arts, plyometrics), fast paced workouts blend strength training and cardio.

Cons: Tony Horton makes you want to rip your eye balls out with a dull prison shank, can be too much for some beginners, no sustainable nutrition plan (I’ll pass on buying shakeology shakes for the rest of my life thank-you-very-much).

P90X has some serious benefit to it for those out there who really don’t care to get in a gym, but still want a good workout. While nothing beats the effectiveness of getting a barbell in your hands and squatting or deadlifting, P90X is one of the best at home options there is.

With P90X you have dumbbells at your disposal, so you can make things heavier or lighter depending on your strength. This is by far and away the best way for people to build muscle, through continually using more resistance.

There’s also a premium on bodyweight exercises, martial arts movements, stretching, yoga, and abs. Uncle Tony gets our desire for abs. The program is fast moving, so while you’re strength training it’s obvious you’re still getting plenty of cardio in.

Along with all of that though, you have stupid shit like plyometrcis. Which is basically 60-90 minutes of jumping around. While that itself sounds ridiculous, when talking about obese people who are way overweight, it’s just downright stupid.

You’re also given a stock meal plan that obviously can’t into account individual factors like height, weight, body fat percentage, metabolism – and recommends plenty of shakeology shakes makes the nutrition component of P90X very shitty. What do we expect though, it is an infomercial product after all.

Insanity:

Pros: Fast moving, all bodyweight movements, strength training and cardio in one, only 60 minutes.

Cons: No way to increase resistance, fast moving and intense isn’t always better for everyone, Shaun T, Shaun T saying things like “let’s jack it out”.

Insanity burst on the scene to kick P90X square in the balls. They were competitors. Insanity was the new kid on the block. I actually thought Insanity would flop when I saw the first commercial. I laughed out loud at how hard they pushed the whole “It’s only 60 minutes” thing.

It was some crazy ass blend of plyometrics, bodyweight movements, and general suckage. All packaged into 60 minutes of hell. Sprinkled with Shaun T quotes about jacking it out, telling you to get a drink of Shaun T, channeling his inner Gwen Stefani and calling shit bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

In reality though Insanity does offer a decent way for most dudes out there to get in shape. There’s no weight involved, which is both a pro and a con. You definitely master your bodyweight, but you can’t progress past that. You also move at breakneck pace for what seems like the entire time.

Just like P90X though, it really isn’t the best option for someone who is obese and needs to gradually progress through a workout program. Or as we in the biz like to call it, doing things intelligently.

So which is best for the average dude out there who for some reason doesn’t want to go to the gym to stare at girls in spandex?

These two duked it out against each other for years until the company Beachbody got smart and just bought both of them. Now they both push shakeology and other bullshit products that promise to get you the results you need. Even though they don’t compete against each other anymore, you still have to decide which is right for you.

The Winner of the P90X vs Insanity Smackdown:

When it comes to P90X vs Insanity, P90X is hands down the best between the two. P90X offers the perfect mix of resistance training and cardio all in one corny joke wrapped package. Tony may be annoying, but P90X can get the job done. You lift weights, shed fat, do yoga, practice your ass kicking martial arts, and work on your abs. It might take a little bit more time, but over the course of the program the ability to use progressively heavier weights is unmatched. Not even by Shaun T’s insane good looks and dancing prowess.

Tanner is a fitness professional and writer based in the metro Atlanta area. His training focus is helping normal people drop absurd amounts of fat, become strong like bull, and get in the best shape of their life.