Connect with us

FITNESS ZONE

ULTIMATE REVIEW: INSANITY MAX 30 – Part 2 of 2

Published

on

Month Two of Insanity: Max 30 is upon us.  Rather hard to believe that Month One was designed to break us in considering how it borders on impossible levels of difficulty.  But gosh darn it, I’m going to sacrifice my body to give you a decent non-coach review if it’s the last thing I do.  And it just might be given what lies ahead.

Max Out Cardio

Well, the good news is that you get 30 second breaks.  The bad news is that you might spend that time throwing up.  The format is 3 moves for 30 seconds each, then a break to gather up your pieces.

Let me pause to mention one thing: heart-rate monitors. Very few things in life that don’t involve mortal danger will get you spiking like this program.  During this program I was hitting the my max heart-rate almost constantly, so let that be a tip and warning if you need to watch that sort of thing.

tip_monitor

Max Out Power

Explosive plyometics, not fast.  Think pulse squats and plyo-pushups.  It’s 45 seconds on, 15 seconds off.  With this, your muscles will fail before your cardio does, especially the pushups where you’ll start on your feet but end on your knees.  For the record, X-Jump abs are the worst.

FoodGuideMax30

The provided food guide is colourful and well laid out.  It provides two portion options  – Plan A or plan B – depending on your weight.  Then it moves into your food directory giving lists of acceptable foods and the amounts that would be a serving. 

Next is the recipe section.  As usual, Shaun T’s recipe guide is in full colour and well laid out.  The recipes are simple and organized by Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Snack.  I especially like the seasoning mixes, salad dressings and the do it yourself section that has omelet, salad and dinner ideas.   These give the more creative chef and the completely clueless cook some great ideas to spice up their dinner ideas without spending hours combing recipe websites.

max30_foodguide

All in all, an easy to use and simple book to provide, what I see as, the most important part of your workout.  If your fuel is wrong, you just won’t get the results you are looking for.

Max Out Sweat

Something is very wrong in this universe when a workout makes Insanity look like a day off.  Indeed, I had to take the pants off for this one, because it was balls to the wall.

puppy_cure

Like any Shaun T style workout, plyo and muscle engagement is a key cardio component, making it all the more difficult.  Even Shaun knows this is harder than usual and seems to be trying to push you all the more to get through it alive.

When it’s all said and done, Shaun is on the ground admitting that’s the hardest workout he’s done.  I’ll agree with him with more exuberance once my heart kicks back in.

max_sweat

Max Out Strength

This is broken into 4 rounds: lower body, push-ups, core and more push-ups.  Each move is 45 seconds on and 15 seconds off before continuing.  The second round push-ups in this one are particularly savage.

shaunt_motivation

Friday Fight – Round 2

Unequivocally, unquestionably the most impossible cardio-circuit training you’ll do for thirty minutes.  I’m not sure if this or Max Out Sweat is the hardest of the pack but that’s like saying being mauled by a bear is preferable to being eaten by a tiger.  Either way you’re going down screaming.

Each move is 45 seconds and all moves are consecutive with no breaks.  You get two crummy water breaks…one at 15 minutes and the other at 26.  Have fun.

CONCLUSION

PROS

Need to develop Olympian levels of cardio?  Want to outrun the average Kryptonian or change a lightbulb in the Sistene Chapel by jumping to reach it?  My friends, Insanity: Max 30 will make you a superstar.  The attention to legs, plyometrics and cardio is simply unparalleled in any home fitness program to date, and that includes Insanity.

Then there’s the man himself, Shaun T.  He is probably the most motivating instructor out there as he’s constantly pushing you to go one second further.  Somehow he manages to maintain a funny demeanour, yet stay unwavering in his desire to push you to succeed.  I must admit that out of all dozens of programs I have collected over the years, Shaun T has become my personal favorite instructor.

I’m also a huge critic of production values and this one scores big.  Music is perfect…just perfect.  The set is easy to look at and the cast is getting their cans kicked.  Shaun works the set like a true pro, giving proper tips and inspiration at the right times.  It’s almost a work of art.

CONS

If you want to get leaned down then Max 30 is the way to go.  However, if you desire to add a little mass, you will have to supplement with another program.  I noticed that biceps in particular get fairly ignored.

Keep in mind, if you’ve spent a considerable time on the couch and now decide to start getting fit…do NOT begin with Insanity: Max 30.  This is not a beginner program in any way whatsoever and Shaun T goes out of his way to explain that.  Max 30 is designed for the experienced fitness enthusiast who wants to push to new levels.

To summarize, this is a program every P90X ( or similar package ) grad should have as it fill the huge, gaping cardio vacuum that programs like it have.  Nobody, and I freaking mean nobody does cardio-circuit training like Shaun T.  As a standalone program Insanity: Max 30 is sufficient to give you triathlete levels of endurance and explosive power as good or better than the original Insanity…only at a shorter timeframe of 30 minutes.  Another solid winner for Shaun T.  5 Feathers out of 5.

ULTIMATE REVIEW: INSANITY MAX 30
  • Trainer - 90%
    90%
  • Production Values - 95%
    95%
  • Strength - 80%
    80%
  • Cardio - 100%
    100%
  • Music - 90%
    90%
91%

Summary

While possible to modify, Insanity: Max 30 caters more to intermediate to advanced fitness enthusiasts.

Pros

MUCH easier on knees than Insanity.

Packs more variety than Insanity.

Cons

Complete beginners will get crushed.

John Paul Parrot ( aka. The Dysfunctional Parrot ) is a disgruntled Systems Analyst who wanders the Canadian wastelands saving small villages with the power of Kung Fu.  His chair is also a little too close to the twenty year old microwave.  As you can well imagine, this has had certain side effects.

201 Comments

201 Comments

  1. JB August 10, 2022
  2. JB August 8, 2022
    • John Paul Parrot August 8, 2022
  3. KD January 6, 2018
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 6, 2018
      • KD January 7, 2018
  4. Bonehead Cycler January 3, 2018
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 4, 2018
  5. Vegan Latina August 22, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot August 24, 2017
      • Vegan Latina August 25, 2017
        • Dysfunctional Parrot September 7, 2017
  6. Melissa Oliver June 14, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot June 16, 2017
  7. Marc Martineau May 25, 2017
  8. ctb May 20, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot May 23, 2017
  9. Matt May 15, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot May 15, 2017
  10. Ying May 2, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot May 3, 2017
      • Ying May 3, 2017
        • Dysfunctional Parrot May 4, 2017
          • Ying June 13, 2017
          • Dysfunctional Parrot June 13, 2017
  11. Simon March 20, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot March 20, 2017
  12. Brooke Forystek March 14, 2017
  13. Brian Blodgett February 22, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot February 22, 2017
      • Brian Blodgett February 22, 2017
  14. Camila Araya February 14, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot February 16, 2017
  15. Gabriel Kimelblat Gherman January 23, 2017
  16. Eric Andersen January 21, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 23, 2017
  17. Amy January 19, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 20, 2017
      • Amy January 20, 2017
  18. Tanwa January 8, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 9, 2017
  19. Eric Andersen January 5, 2017
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 6, 2017
  20. KW7 October 23, 2016
  21. KD October 15, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot October 15, 2016
  22. Farmer September 7, 2016
    • Elchupinazo September 13, 2016
      • Farmer September 13, 2016
        • Elchupinazo September 14, 2016
          • Farmer September 14, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot September 20, 2016
    • KD October 15, 2016
      • Farmer October 15, 2016
  23. Emily Porginski July 13, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot July 19, 2016
  24. Sony Voodoo July 7, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot July 7, 2016
      • Sony Voodoo July 7, 2016
      • Monica Bricker July 27, 2016
        • Dysfunctional Parrot July 27, 2016
  25. Andrew Coyle May 27, 2016
    • Andrew Coyle June 6, 2016
  26. Jess April 19, 2016
  27. Austrian_Dude_in_ca March 25, 2016
  28. Anurag March 10, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot March 10, 2016
  29. Ellie February 24, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot February 24, 2016
  30. Havas February 24, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot February 24, 2016
  31. Havas February 22, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot February 22, 2016
      • Havas February 23, 2016
  32. Mimi February 7, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot February 8, 2016
  33. Mona February 5, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot February 5, 2016
      • Mona February 8, 2016
  34. Cynthia January 25, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 25, 2016
  35. John January 15, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 16, 2016
      • Raj November 15, 2017
  36. EvilFin January 5, 2016
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 5, 2016
  37. Tasa December 30, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot December 31, 2015
      • Tasa January 1, 2016
  38. Johnny Boy November 15, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot November 17, 2015
      • Johnny Boy November 18, 2015
        • Dysfunctional Parrot November 20, 2015
          • Johnny Boy November 25, 2015
          • Dysfunctional Parrot November 26, 2015
  39. Kathryn October 27, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot October 27, 2015
      • Kathryn October 28, 2015
  40. E.Lim September 17, 2015
  41. Sasha August 30, 2015
  42. Kevin Malcom August 29, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot August 29, 2015
  43. Mike August 28, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot August 28, 2015
  44. Laurivette Garcia July 21, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot July 21, 2015
      • Laurivette Garcia July 23, 2015
  45. Vlm707 July 9, 2015
  46. Big Fan =) June 27, 2015
    • Steve MacKenzie July 18, 2015
  47. Michael Conover June 14, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot June 15, 2015
      • Michael Conover June 15, 2015
    • Andrew Coyle May 27, 2016
  48. Michael Conover June 14, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot June 15, 2015
  49. VK04 June 13, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot June 13, 2015
  50. RB10 May 30, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot May 31, 2015
      • RB10 May 31, 2015
  51. Angelica May 28, 2015
  52. Magdalena Kozicka May 13, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot May 13, 2015
  53. Charlie Cook May 12, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot May 12, 2015
      • Laurivette May 13, 2015
  54. Doctor Ang April 26, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot April 26, 2015
  55. Van April 24, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot April 24, 2015
  56. Sarah April 14, 2015
  57. molly April 13, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot April 13, 2015
  58. J April 12, 2015
  59. Becca April 3, 2015
  60. SomeBroYo March 28, 2015
  61. Edmund Pan March 25, 2015
  62. Ashley March 13, 2015
  63. Trina March 12, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot March 13, 2015
  64. Katie March 12, 2015
  65. Hawkman March 8, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot March 8, 2015
      • Hawkman March 8, 2015
  66. Gaurav February 24, 2015
    • James Tro March 9, 2015
  67. Melissa February 16, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot February 17, 2015
      • Melissa February 17, 2015
    • NinjaX February 20, 2015
      • JayBee February 24, 2015
  68. Tony February 14, 2015
  69. Ruth Hubert February 13, 2015
    • JayBee February 24, 2015
      • Andrew S. August 9, 2016
  70. James Tro February 6, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot February 7, 2015
  71. shauntaddict January 22, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 23, 2015
      • James Tro February 9, 2015
        • Dysfunctional Parrot February 9, 2015
  72. Jollem January 19, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 19, 2015
      • Jollem January 19, 2015
      • acchaladka February 7, 2015
        • Dysfunctional Parrot February 7, 2015
          • acchaladka February 8, 2015
          • acchaladka February 17, 2016
  73. Doug January 11, 2015
  74. Ryan January 11, 2015
    • Clarence Oliver January 12, 2015
      • Ryan January 12, 2015
  75. Ian January 7, 2015
    • Dysfunctional Parrot January 8, 2015
    • Niki January 9, 2015
    • Mike February 21, 2015
  76. holyguy7 January 2, 2015
    • John Paul Jones February 10, 2015
      • holyguy7 February 10, 2015
        • John Paul Jones February 10, 2015
          • holyguy7 February 10, 2015
          • John Paul Jones February 11, 2015
          • holyguy7 February 11, 2015
          • John Paul Jones February 13, 2015
  77. AB January 1, 2015
    • AB January 11, 2015
  78. ktern December 31, 2014
    • Dysfunctional Parrot December 31, 2014
      • ktern January 2, 2015
        • Dysfunctional Parrot January 4, 2015
          • ktern January 4, 2015
          • PaulC January 5, 2015
  79. Cody December 28, 2014
    • Dysfunctional Parrot December 28, 2014
  80. Wrynsky169 December 27, 2014
    • Dysfunctional Parrot December 28, 2014
      • Wrynsky169 December 28, 2014
        • Dysfunctional Parrot December 28, 2014

Leave a Reply

YouTube Channel

Copyright © 2022 Dysfunctional Parrot Productions