In this on-going review of Insanity blog series, the truth behind the Insanity 60-day weight loss program is revealed with a play-by-play description of what the program is really like – and more importantly – if Insanity really works!
The Max Recovery workout – much like the Cardio Recovery workout – is intended to give your cardiovascular system a much-needed and well-deserved break, while still making good use of your daily exercise time to support your weight loss efforts. The workout is 47 minutes long, and includes 5 separate exercise segments, as well as the standard warm up and cool down portions.
Workout #1
Insanity Max Recovery The first workout on the Max Recovery DVD is also the longest – taking about 14 minutes. There are several spine and hamstring exercises for strengthening and injury prevention, and after that, this workout picks up steam pretty quick.
There are 3 sets of “military style” push ups (arms close to body/elbows back), and all 3 sets are done on a slow 4-count on the way down and on the way up. The push up segment is a serious challenge, especially during the final set.
There is also a butt lift/lunge combination that works the legs pretty well, and that is followed by a torso twist exercise that seriously challenges and grows the muscular endurance of your legs.
Workout #2
The next segment is 7 minutes long and despite all of the push up work in the first segment, there are even more push ups in Workout #2! In addition to the push ups, there are several movements done from the high or low plank position, including an exercise for the obliques (side of the abdominal wall).
At first this part of the video doesn’t seem very challenging, but most of the exercises are done for at least 8 to 16 repetitions on each side, and that actually becomes quite the challenge by the end of the secgment.
Workout #3
This segment of the Max Recovery workout is – in a word – HARD! It is only one series of movements that last approximately 7 minutes, but you stay in roughly the same low plie squat position the entire time.
Once in the low plie squat, you do pulsing and twisting exercises to each side of your body, alternating with both feet on the ground, one heel off the ground, and both heels off the ground.
7 minutes is a LONG time to be in a squat position, and by the end of this segment, the word “relief” is not quite strong enough to cover how good it feels to be done!
Workout #4
This part of the workout gives your legs an almost total rest after the beating that they took in Workout #3, but now your arms and shoulders get hammered for the entire 6-minute segment.
During this segment, you alternate back and forth from low plank to high plank (low push up position to high push up position). Doing so does not sound that hard, and at first, it isn’t. However, all repetitions are started on one side for 16, 8, and then 4 repetitions, before repeating that sequence starting on the other side.
By the end of the 6 minutes, your shoulders are on fire, and your primary goal is to try not to face-plant on the floor if your arms give out before the segment finally ends!
Workout #5
This part of the video is simple by comparison to the rest of the Max Recovery workout, and it consists of only two abdominal exercises: Elbow-to-Knee and The Hammer, and it only lasts 3 minutes.
Elbow-to-Knee is just a side movement where you bring your knee up to your side to meet your elbow, working the side abdominal muscles. The Hammer is a movement where you start with your arms over your head and then bring them down on either side of your legs, which you kick up to hip level, alternating sides.
Cool down and Stretch
The cool down and stretch portion of this workout is 3 minutes long, and after the relatively easy 3-minutes during Workout #5, by the end of this video, you have cooled down for the most part, and your heart rate has dropped almost back to normal.
Overall, the Max Recovery workout does exactly what it is supposed to do, which is help you to recover from the intense cardiovascular workouts in the other videos. However, at the same time it helps you build your muscular strength and endurance, both of which are important to your overall weight loss and fitness efforts.
Related Posts
INSANITY!
Review of Insanity – The Fit Test
Review of Insanity – Plyometric Cardio Circuit
Review of Insanity – Cardio Power and Resistance
Review of Insanity – The Fit Test Week 2
Review of Insanity – Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs
Review of Insanity – The Fit Test Week 4
Review of Insanity – Cardio Recovery
Review of Insanity – Core Cardio and Balance
© 
Aaron Potts - visit Fitness Destinations for more great information about weight loss, health, and overall fitness!
Fitness Destinations is proudly sponsored by the incredible products and services provided by Team Beachbody!
In this on-going review of Insanity blog series, the truth behind the Insanity 60-day weight loss program is revealed with a play-by-play description of what the program is really like – and more importantly – if Insanity really works!
The Max Recovery workout – much like the Cardio Recovery workout – is intended to give your cardiovascular system a much-needed and well-deserved break, while still making good use of your daily exercise time to support your weight loss efforts. The workout is 47 minutes long, and includes 5 separate exercise segments, as well as the standard warm up and cool down portions.
Workout #1
Insanity Max Recovery The first workout on the Max Recovery DVD is also the longest – taking about 14 minutes. There are several spine and hamstring exercises for strengthening and injury prevention, and after that, this workout picks up steam pretty quick.
There are 3 sets of “military style” push ups (arms close to body/elbows back), and all 3 sets are done on a slow 4-count on the way down and on the way up. The push up segment is a serious challenge, especially during the final set.
There is also a butt lift/lunge combination that works the legs pretty well, and that is followed by a torso twist exercise that seriously challenges and grows the muscular endurance of your legs.
Workout #2
The next segment is 7 minutes long and despite all of the push up work in the first segment, there are even more push ups in Workout #2! In addition to the push ups, there are several movements done from the high or low plank position, including an exercise for the obliques (side of the abdominal wall).
At first this part of the video doesn’t seem very challenging, but most of the exercises are done for at least 8 to 16 repetitions on each side, and that actually becomes quite the challenge by the end of the secgment.
Workout #3
This segment of the Max Recovery workout is – in a word – HARD! It is only one series of movements that last approximately 7 minutes, but you stay in roughly the same low plie squat position the entire time.
Once in the low plie squat, you do pulsing and twisting exercises to each side of your body, alternating with both feet on the ground, one heel off the ground, and both heels off the ground.
7 minutes is a LONG time to be in a squat position, and by the end of this segment, the word “relief” is not quite strong enough to cover how good it feels to be done!
Workout #4
This part of the workout gives your legs an almost total rest after the beating that they took in Workout #3, but now your arms and shoulders get hammered for the entire 6-minute segment.
During this segment, you alternate back and forth from low plank to high plank (low push up position to high push up position). Doing so does not sound that hard, and at first, it isn’t. However, all repetitions are started on one side for 16, 8, and then 4 repetitions, before repeating that sequence starting on the other side.
By the end of the 6 minutes, your shoulders are on fire, and your primary goal is to try not to face-plant on the floor if your arms give out before the segment finally ends!
Workout #5
This part of the video is simple by comparison to the rest of the Max Recovery workout, and it consists of only two abdominal exercises: Elbow-to-Knee and The Hammer, and it only lasts 3 minutes.
Elbow-to-Knee is just a side movement where you bring your knee up to your side to meet your elbow, working the side abdominal muscles. The Hammer is a movement where you start with your arms over your head and then bring them down on either side of your legs, which you kick up to hip level, alternating sides.
Cool down and Stretch
The cool down and stretch portion of this workout is 3 minutes long, and after the relatively easy 3-minutes during Workout #5, by the end of this video, you have cooled down for the most part, and your heart rate has dropped almost back to normal.
Overall, the Max Recovery workout does exactly what it is supposed to do, which is help you to recover from the intense cardiovascular workouts in the other videos. However, at the same time it helps you build your muscular strength and endurance, both of which are important to your overall weight loss and fitness efforts.
Related Posts
INSANITY!
Review of Insanity – The Fit Test
Review of Insanity – Plyometric Cardio Circuit
Review of Insanity – Cardio Power and Resistance
Review of Insanity – The Fit Test Week 2
Review of Insanity – Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs
Review of Insanity – The Fit Test Week 4
Review of Insanity – Cardio Recovery
Review of Insanity – Core Cardio and Balance
©
Aaron Potts - visit Fitness Destinations for more great information about weight loss, health, and overall fitness!
Fitness Destinations is proudly sponsored by the incredible products and services provided by Team Beachbody!