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Insanity Workout Program

iodeac said:
I figured I would post this here, but I'm interested in developing some upper-body strength since I have basically none. I cancelled my membership at the Y, so lifting weights there won't be an option, and since I usually run about 5-6 miles a day, it probably won't be the focus of my fitness routine. I only have 2 10lb dumbbells, so I know I need to buy heavier ones, but what weight? I thought maybe I could do some curls with them, as well as pushups, planks, etc in my living room.
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Push Ups
Dips
Pull ups / Chin Ups
 
IO - see if you can snag the #1 and #3 P90X workouts. Then buy a pull-up bar and a $20 resistance band and that should get you on your way.
 
3 sets to failure, done 3 x week is a good start.

Once you got up to sets of 30-40 push ups, 15-20 dips, and 10-15 pull ups you could start doing weighted variations of each.

ETA: I know that's very general, but without knowing a lot of specifics about your situation it's hard to determine what the best plan for "adding upper body strength" is. You can build a lot of strength and endurance without weights, but you will eventually hit a ceiling that you can't punch through without diet and the ability to increase the load (ie., weight) during your exercise period.
 
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thanks...so just forego the dumbbells for now. I'll give it a try.
 
if you are going to be doing a lot of body weight activities to try and build strength, I highly recommend a weight vest eventually.
 
As for dumbbells, in order to save space (and some money), I have the Bowflex adjustable ones. Pretty sweet, and I got the bench to go with it. Beats the heck out of having a whole wall rack full of them.
 
iodeac said:
thanks...so just forego the dumbbells for now. I'll give it a try.
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I would, to get started at least. Dumbells can get expensive and you'll end up needing a bench to do presses.

Push Ups / Dips / Pull Ups are great IMO, but can be very repetitive. A few work out variations to help you:

Deck of cards - Push Ups equal the value of the card (Face Cards / Ace = 11). You can do push ups on black, sit ups on red or vice versa. You could also do a variation where diamonds are "diamond" push ups (close hand), spades are wide arm, clubs are normal, and hearts are sit ups, or something to that effect.

Pyramids - 1 rep, then 2 reps, then 3 reps, and so on to 10 and then back down. Works best if you are alternating push ups and sit ups if you want (1 push up, 1 sit up, 2 push ups, 2 situps etc etc etc).

Tabata Intervals: Max effort (push ups) for 20 seconds, then 10 second rest - 1 set. Do 8 sets.

Lastly, this program is specific to training for the Army Physical Fitness Test, but you could just do the push up work out for variation:

http://www.apft.net/maxyourapft.html
 
I realize those are all just ideas for push ups. When it comes to dips and pull ups, you pretty much just need to get out there and do it - not as much ability to vary IMO.
 
Johnny Utah said:
No, it looks like more cardio and less resistance than I am really looking for. But the real reason I'm posting on this thread is to ask whether you knew that Maren, the "German Potato Soup" girl from the first P90X disc did some hardcore porn? She gets plowed on a boat by two dudes and another girl. She is not hot, too bad it isn't the dentist girl.
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Link?

In the spirit of the Pack,

Bob
 
SkinsNDeacs said:
I think an Insanity P90X hybrid would be money.

I will probably do the same thing when I am done.
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On my P90X Facebook notifications yesterday it indicated that the new Insanity: The Asylum series has Insanity workouts interspersed with P90X workouts.
 
Johnny Utah said:
On my P90X Facebook notifications yesterday it indicated that the new Insanity: The Asylum series has Insanity workouts interspersed with P90X workouts.
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I saw that as well. I'm having a blast just doing P90X right now, but a hybrid later might be the way to go. I'm technically on my fourth week right now, but I repeated one of the first three weeks because I've had two jury trials out of town over that time, so my schedule got screwed up a little bit. Legs and back tonight, Kenpo X tomorrow, and X Stretch on Friday going into Recovery week. I hear Core Synergistics is tough...
 
I am four workouts into the "Max" stage...the last 30 days. HOLY SHIT! By far the hardest workouts I have ever done. I have actually had better results with Insanity than I did with P90X.
 
Are you adding more muscle, or just definition with that program? I'm in the second stage of my second round of P90X. The first time I did it I mostly lost weight and added definition. This time through I switched from the bands to the adjustable dumbbells, so I seem to be adding a lot more muscle size. I'm tempted to try Insanity when I'm done with this round of P90X, but I'm worried that I would lose the muscle that I am building up.
 
yo skins did you hear about insanity from your BOYS eb and cakes on the JUNKS
 
Johnny Utah said:
Are you adding more muscle, or just definition with that program? I'm in the second stage of my second round of P90X. The first time I did it I mostly lost weight and added definition. This time through I switched from the bands to the adjustable dumbbells, so I seem to be adding a lot more muscle size. I'm tempted to try Insanity when I'm done with this round of P90X, but I'm worried that I would lose the muscle that I am building up.
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I am not bulking up but I am not looking like a marathon runner either. It is giving me what I want...I did not want a Jersey Shore body. I am going more for the athletic look and that is what Insanity is delivering.

rjequalsmj said:
yo skins did you hear about insanity from your BOYS eb and cakes on the JUNKS
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No...I did not know they did it. I am only a part-time Junks listener. I am a die hard Howard Stern fan (as are some of the Junks BTW). Now that he is down to a 3 day week and a ton of vacation days I listen to the Junks a lot more than I use to.
 
Tomorrow I will complete my final Insanity workout! In the last 18 months I have completed a half-marathon, P90X and Insanity. Not too shabby.
 
Congrats. I'm about to wrap up my second full P90X cycle in the past year. I've seen a lot of talk about the upcoming release of P90X2, which was filmed in March. Supposedly it puts the first to shame. We'll see, I'll probably try to pre-order it if possible.
 
2&2 Slider To Leyritz said:
Congrats. I'm about to wrap up my second full P90X cycle in the past year. I've seen a lot of talk about the upcoming release of P90X2, which was filmed in March. Supposedly it puts the first to shame. We'll see, I'll probably try to pre-order it if possible.
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Thanks...right back at you.

That is the first I have heard of P90X2. What are the changes?
 
SkinsNDeacs said:
Thanks...right back at you.

That is the first I have heard of P90X2. What are the changes?
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14 new workouts. Different moves and combos, supposedly at a higher intensity. They had customers try out to be in the cast and took about 40 people to spread across the vids with Tony. Those who were cast were given a sample of their particular workout in advance, and then did the final version once as a rehearsal the day before their filming. Apparently a lot of the new moves are geared towards the science of Post Activation Potential, which combines high-load strength with plyo movements. All reports are that it is a major ass-kicking, and it is a more advanced Stage 2 of P90X as opposed to simply an alternate version.
 
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