Day 36 – Max Interval Circuit
Here we go, bring it on Month 2! I am ready to conquer you and make you whimper! . . . . NOT
Today was the first day of Month 2 of Insanity. It starts out by thrusting you into the Max Interval Circuit. I was excited to start today, but rightfully nervous as well. It wasn’t a good start to the day that I had been up since around 4:00am due to thunderstorms and kids overtaking our bed. Then top that off with the fact that it was Monday. So, I entered into the workout tired and with a headache, hardly the way to start off!
I do have to say, I don’t think there is any way I could have done the Fit Test the same day and still survived. The disadvantage though of doing it the way I did is that I did not get a rest day this past week. My muscles were also very sore today, probably from pushing it hard in the Fit Test combined with no rest.
Anyways, I did get through the workout, but man it was hard. It is a full 60 minutes of exercise. I think the body is in a bit of shock after having a leisurely week of recovery. I have mixed feelings now about having that full recovery week. Maybe 3 days or something would be appropriate, but that would probably throw off the schedule of 60 days.
The workout starts out with the warm up. The nice thing is that the warm up is different (in fact, most of the entire workout is new exercises which is a nice change). It is still an intense warm up and gets the blood flowing for sure. There are harder exercises in here like switch kicks and high knees while holding out your arms straight to the side. But our bodies are ready for these by now
Then of course the stretches.
Then you enter the heart (no pun intended) of the workout. At this point there is about 45 minutes on the clock. There are 3 main circuits in this workout, just like other workouts, only they are longer in each.
The first circuit is intense (they all are) and consists of some new exercises. One of these is real tough. It is done in the plank position. It is a combo of ski abs, in and out abs, push up jacks, and oblique knees to elbows. There are also some punching exercises which is nice as you can scream at Shaun T and pretend to punch him while still working out!
The second circuit incorporates more punching exercises. The punching is sort of fun in a way and you can time them up with curse words . . .”@#$%@#$” . . … “you” during your repetitions
. This second circuit incorporates Floor Switch Kicks which is basically reverse plank with your belly and jumping switch kicks from the floor. I think I initially had my arms too far back and my triceps tightened up fiercely.
The third circuit has a total of 4 exercises in them. Some of them are burners (of course). There are Side Suicide Jumps (instead of straight back you go off to the side), Squat Hooks (burn your legs), Full Body Drill (just know these suck!), and Plank Punches. (will have your core on fire).
And then that’s it! Doesn’t that sound easy?
I got through it all and didn’t feel too terrible. It did remind me though of the first week where your body is screaming back at you “what the hell are you doing?”. It took me a good 30 minutes to stop sweating and get back to normal. Then after dinner it hit me hard. I was exhausted. I ended up going to bed at 8:00pm! I couldn’t stay awake if I wanted to and desperately needed some recovery. So yeah, it kicked my ass.
Day 35 – Fit Test #3 (No Rest Day!)
Filed under: Workouts
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Plank punches?! It’ll be interesting to see how this week progresses for you… I know the one you’re doing today (Max Interval Plyo) is supposed to be “the hard one.” Be sure to post how your eating habits/recovery drink consumption change, too. I feel like I’m just getting a handle on all that and now it’s about to change on me!
I’m going to shorten recovery week next week and put the fit test into it. Do you feel like all the hip flexor burners made this one at all more doable, or do you feel like recovery week was pretty much a wash?
Well, congratulations are in order … I think.
yeah, it was INSANE! It feels like I am starting over, but that’s ok. As far as last week, I do think you need a rest, but I am too much ‘by the book’ to modify anything. I think the lack of a rest day has contributed to some soreness today, but I know I would not have been able to do the fit test and this workout.
One thing about the fit test, I do believe the work done in the recovery week will help your fit test, so I don’t know how it will change your performance if you do it mid-week.
Goodness! I am now scared LOL Plank exercises are hard for me (maybe that will change by month two)! I can’t believe they want us to do both the fit test AND this in the same day!
I think recovery week is a good thing. Your muscles need that time to grow and your body needs time to adjust a moment for the changes it has had to make. That week gives your body just enough time to adjust (re-set its thermostat) and then BAM! You hit it hard again
Great job!!!
I will admit…I’m already getting bored of Month 1 exercises.(specifically the warmup) It’s week 3 for me so I still have another week awhile to do them. I know Month 2 is going to SUCK! It’s nice to see you giving us all a preview of what to expect! Agh!
Good luck! You are kicking butt.
Yeah, it can get a bit boring when you do the same exercises over and over. For me, I set mini goals like completing one circuit. Believe me though, there are TONS of new exercises in Month 2!
I like your idea of not doing the fit test the same day as beginning month 2’s more intense workouts, and after reading this I’m even more convinced. I think what I’m going to end up doing is do the fit test on the last day of the recovery week, thus still allowing a full rest day before tackling month 2…which sounds rough
That’s a really good idea, I would do it that way if I could do it again. On the last recovery day also do the fit test and then allow yourself that recovery day.
Wish I would have read this before I did Day 1 of Month 2. I did the Fit Test and the workout and it kicked my butt! Do the Fit Test the day before!!! You’ll be thankful!
Hmm..How about schedule the Fit Test in the morning and then the Max Int Circuit about 12 hours later in the eve…??? That could help. I know my back enjoyed this when I did P90X and P90X+ with the Ab Workouts. Just my $00.02 … I kind of enjoyed that with the Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs as well … and when you think about it… It should help in gains because you are technically speeding up your metabolism early in the day and then once again in the evening.
Ah, man I decided to go ahead and do both the fit test and the Max Interval workout on the same day today. I knew it was going to be especially tough since I also had to go to work in the morning before starting my exorcises. I work as a stoker at a Petsmart. Anyways, got through the fit test no problem and felt good about my results
. I of course waited a few hours between the two. Well needless to say it really mopped the floor with me! I kind of felt like the fit test was nice in a way cause it kind of let my body know “hey…your going to have to work hard today!” Anyways, I really enjoy reading your blog!