P90X2 Reviews... Coming Soon!

Well we all knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. A new "version 2.0" of the ultra-popular P90X home workout program is due to be released soon. Beachbody's new P90X2 program is already getting talked about online like it's the next great fitness product and, not surprisingly, we're already getting emails from people asking for P90X2 reviews!

Unfortunately, as was the case with Insanity Asylum a few months back, it's damn near impossible to review a product before it's actually been released. And no, we haven't had the good fortune of being sent a "preview" copy of any of the P90X2 workout videos. In fact, as far as we know, the product isn't even compeltely finished yet. Truly helpful, in-depth reviews from real users won't be available until at least a couple of weeks after P90X2 has been released. Rumors are that the release date will be sometime in late summer or early fall.

What we do know is that this program, like its big brother, was created by Tony Horton and with the help of a relatively well-known sports science expert named Dr. Marcus Elliott. It promises to help you burn even more fat, get even more ripped, and build even more strength than the original. (We wonder if Beachbody will continue to sell the original P90X if the new one is so much better!)

One of the main focuses with the new program, at least according to the Beachbody people, appears to be on increased intensity and improved efficiency. In other words, better (or at least equally-as-good) fat-burning, muscle-building results in less time. P90X2 involves only 5 workouts per week instead of P90X's 6 weekly workouts.

According to the P90X2 website, the new program will feature improved "muscle confusion" with more exercise combinations/complexes and a "less is more" strategy that focuses more on exercise intensity over exercise volume. It involves 3 phases:

• Foundation
• Strength
• Performance 

Dr. Elliott's input -- which is said to be based on the "latest research in applied science" --  supposedly results in a program that can help everyone, from long-distance runners to professional athletes.

As is always the case with Beachbody products, the marketing hype is laid on pretty thick. So it's tough to tell right now just how good or how unique this new product really is. But we think it will probably be better than P90X and its grueling 6-days-per-week workout schedule. Of course, until a significant amount of reviews begin rolling in, we won't know for sure.

One thing is for sure, however: there will be a BIG push to make sure P90X2 sales match the blockbuster success of the original... so get ready for lots more of those slick late-night infomercials!

Here's a look at the new commercials...

Insanity Asylum Reviews (LMFAO)

So apparently there's a new Beachbody product coming out soon called Insanity Asylum from exercise guru Shaun T and infomercial masters Beachbody. We guess it's something like the original Insanity workout... but even more insane!!!

:)

The workout -- which may very well be incredibly effective -- is based around the kind of high-intensity, bodyweight training many athletes do. It promises to help improve your speed, agility, power, and coordination... all while burning off your ugly belly fat and giving the lean, fit, sexy body we all want.

Even though this product has yet to even be released (no, we don't know the release date or the price) people are already asking for reviews. Since it's extremely difficult to review a product that isn't actually available to purchase yet, we can't help in that area yet. Sorry!

But here's the question that bugs me personally: why are people so incredibly geeked-up about Insanity Asylum?? Yes, I know Beachbody does an amazing job of marketing their products, but come on! We know that, no matter what, this is basically another high-intensity, bodyweight-calisthenics-based workout. Much like almost every other Beachbody program out there. We are fans of bodyweight-based workouts -- because they provide maximum fat-burning/muscle-building benefit with little risk -- but what makes so many people think the Asylum program is so unique and special?

If you think Insanity Asylum is going to magically give you 6% body fat, humongous pectoral muscles, a V-shaped torso, a perfect butt, a 4.7-second 40-yard dash time, and a fitness model's body you're in for a big disappointment. Those things only come with a LOT of serious focus, dedication, and (tons of) hard work... no matter what type of exercise routine you're following!

Some of the messages and review requests we've received for Insanity Asylum sound truly insane. Some people, apparently, are absolutely depending on it to get them into shape for summer 2011. As in, they're not going to begin doing "real" exercise until they can get their hands on the new Insanity DVD set. Here's one  email we recently received:

"Hey I heard about the new workout from the Beach Body people called Insanity Asylum and I want to know more about it. I need to lose about 25 pounds before summer and I want to know if I should buy this product. I've been holding off joining a gym or working out alot because I want to give the new Insanity program a try. I want to be fresh and give it 100% effort. I really think it might be the best workout of them all. Please give me your reviews and opinions of the product. Thanks!" -- Raj K

Wow. That sounds incredibly dumb silly!


Please... if you want to lose weight, build muscle, and get into shape fast DON'T wait around for some "miracle" product -- whether it's a home workout system, a new piece of exercise equipment, or one of the "magic" diet pills currently on the market. No workout video, exercise machine, or fat loss pill is going to give you what you want all by itself. It starts with dedicating yourself and just getting to work.

And, believe it or not, you don't need to spend lots of money to get into great shape -- despite what the marketers would have you believe. Just put on some old sweats and sneakers and head to the local park. Do a few rounds of pushups, squats, pullups, and windsprints. Keep the rest periods short and focus on your form and intensity levels. Eat a clean diet based around quality proteins, good carbs, and healthy fats.

I promise you'll get at least 90% of the benefits of the Asylum workout, P90X, Brazil Butt Lift, Zumba, or any other "hot" exercise program on the market. And you won't have to wait (or spend any money) at all!

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Do you have a review, question, or comment about Insanity Asylum? Please leave your feedback below!

Here's a quick video review:

The Rack Workout Review

The Rack is a home exercise device that's been getting a lot of attention lately. So I figured I'd write up a quick review and also ask our readers for their own helpful reviews! The Rack workout device is marketed as an "all-in-one" workout station and it's designed for bodyweight-based high-intensity circuit training. It's light but strong, relatively compact, and currently costs about $160, although the company also offers a 30-day trial for $14.99.

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UPDATE: The Rack has become hard to find/buy. The good news is that we've discovered 2 similar products that are both MUCH better overall, both in terms of functionality and value. The first is the TRX Suspension Training Pro Pack, a great portable "suspension" training system. Click here to learn more. The second is the Ultimate Body Press, which is very similar to The Rack but, overall, is much more versatile. Click here to learn more. Both of these popular products allow you to perform all of the same exercises that The Rack does as well as many more that can't be done on The Rack!

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This unique product looks a little strange but it's definitely intriguing, especially since it's designed to enable the user to do some of the most effective bodyweight exercises (like dips and plyometric push-ups) without a bunch of heavy and/or expensive equipment. I love dips and have spent many hours over the years trying to figure out different ways to do them at home without a true "dip station". I have found very few good options but with this product we may have a new one to add to the list.

The Rack workout device definitely appears to be targeted towards men. It's a chest and triceps machine more than anything so it's a great option to work those "t-shirt" muscles at home. That being said, there's no reason a woman with some decent upper-body strength couldn't use the thing.

The Rack only weighs 30 lbs, which is good and bad. It's great in terms of being very portable and easily storable. The light weight and attached wheels also allows it to move easily on the floor, turning it into an effective abdominal exercise machine. But being so nimble isn't such a good thing when it comes to the non-chest-building movements they show in the infomercial. 30 lbs of resistance isn't very much when it comes to doing lifts like squats, lunges, shrugs, rows, bicep curls, etc. A typical person will quickly outgrow that small amount of resistance, strength-wise. You can buy special weight plates to attach to it but personally I think your money would be better spent by investing in some simple dumbbells or even a set of kettlebells.

The biggest problem I see with The Rack workout device is that it really doesn't offer much in terms of back exercise options. You can do a type of inverted row with it but with a very limited range of motion, which isn't good. But, paired with a pull-up bar, you'd be able to do nearly all the most-effective upper-body exercises out there: mainly dips, depth push-ups, pull-ups, and all of their many variations.

The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a versatile, light, and highly portable home workout option you may want to give The Rack a try. Just realize that it does have some limitations. Consider matching it with a simple pull-up bar and possibly even some adjustable dumbbells to give yourself everything you need to do the best exercises in the comfort of your home!

Here's a quick review submitted by a reader:

I ordered my "Rack" machine in early February and just recently got it after several weeks of waiting. I don't know if it was a supply problem or a delivery issue but I'm glad I waited. The first thing I did was watch the workout DVDs that came with it. Then I assembled it, did a quick warmup on my treadmill, and got to work. What I noticed right off that bat is that the product is surprisingly strong and sturdy yet very lightweight. I was a little nervous at first but it had no problem holding my weight (currently an overweight 230 lbs) as I performed dips (3 sets of 6 reps).

So far I've done all the DVD workouts and I can honestly say that I'm happy with my purchase. I like the circuit training style because it actually makes it fun to exercise at home. The Rack allows you to do lots of unique movements that you wouldn't really be able to do at home without it, or something very similar. The DVD's are great, with good instruction, music, production, and energy. They remind me a lot of the P90X and Insanity DVD's. They are definitely challenging but they are very do-able and enjoyable even for a flabby out-of-shape guy like me!

One thing I will say is that the Rack isn't made for back and biceps workouts. Don't get me wrong, you can do curls with it but it's so light that you have to do a lot of reps and sets to really feel anything. It's great for chest, pecs, triceps, and abs. If you want to really build back, biceps, and leg muscles you're gonna have to get more equipment.

Overall I'm very happy with the Rack workout system. Compared to other options like a regular dip station it's cheaper, lighter, and much more portable. It can even be folded completely flat and stored under a bed. It also gives you some nice variety and will make any home workout more challenging and more fun. I recommend it to people looking for a way to really increase the intensity and effectiveness of their at-home exercise!

- Jason T, Bellevue, WA

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Have you used TheRack Workout station yourself? Want to share your own reviews, questions, or comments? Please leave your feedback below. Thanks!

Click here for Rack Workout reviews on Amazon

Billy Blanks PT 24/7 Reviews

It was only a matter of time until lots of P90X "copycat" workout programs started popping up. The insane popularity of that home exercise program is creating a whole new market segment for extreme, "boot camp"-style home workout systems that combine full-body strength training and interval-style cardio exercise. One of the new products that's getting a lot of attention is the new Billy Blanks PT 24/7 program. Early reviews are overall very positive and it looks like the Tae Bo King may have created another knockout product here!

The PT 24/7 program is based around a set of 6 workout DVDs and a set of rubber "cardio bands" that are attached to MMA-style workout gloves. At first the site of rubber resistance bands made me cringe. I have literally never found bands that I actually enjoyed using, mainly because I hate having to hold them in my hands while I workout. But apparently Billy Blanks has figured out a nice solution to this problem: resistance bands that are attached to a pair of comfortable gloves, allowing you to use them without having to actually hold onto them during the exercises.

I gotta say, that's pretty damn cool. :)

One thing you can say about Mr. Blanks is that the guy makes some really effective workout programs and sells them for pretty cheap prices. Millions of people around the world have used Tae Bo workouts to lose weight, improve their bodies, and get fitter and healthier. And after all, Tae Bo was popular long before P90X was even invented. It really paved the way for P90X, Insanity, and all the other high-intensity home workout programs that are currently so popular. It's only fitting that Blanks gets a piece of the action with his own P90X alternative that just happens to cost about 60 bucks!

I plan to post PT 24/7 reviews and opinions here as they come in. Also, please be sure to leave your own reviews, testimonials, comments, etc. in the area below. Below is one quick review we were able to get our hands on a few days ago...

I ordered Billy Blanks's PT 24/7 package in January and have been using it for almost a month. I can tell you it's an awesome workout that I highly recommend to anyone who wants to burn fat fast and sculpt lean muscle. These are not easy workouts by any stretch of the imagination but Billy keeps things fun and enjoyable. The workouts are short and you end up burning a ton of calories in about 30 minutes.

The cardio bands are attached to the gloves and are easy and simple to use. But I like to change up my workouts and sometime I'll use very light hand weights instead of the bands, or no weights at all if I'm still a little sore. This is the 4th or 5th Billy Blanks home exercise program I've bought and it seems like every one is better than the last. I'm very satisfied with the PT 24/7 program, especially since it didn't cost very much at all. I know that I'll be able to lose the 15 pounds I gained at the end of last year quickly, hopefully by the end of March!

- Regina Yost

Got a PT 24/7 review of your own? Want to leave a question or comment? Just leave your feedback below. Thanks!

(Click here to try Billy Blanks PT 24/7 for yourself!)

Mari Winsor Slimming Pilates System (WinsorSlim) Reviews

We've gotten a few requests for reviews of the new Mari Winsor "Slimming Pilates" system, aka "WinsorSlim". So let's give it a go and see if we can't come up with a few right here. For those who don't remember, Mari's first major product "Winsor Pilates" came out in 2002 and was a HUGE success for her. In fact it was one of the best-selling fitness infomercial products of all time. And for good reason: Mari is a true Pilates expert and her program actually worked really well for most customers!

Because of the Winsor Pilates home workout program many people (probably millions) were introduced to Pilates method exercise. Some fell in love with it and it remains a very popular form of workout in Europe and North America. It helps that Mari has a very unique teaching style that makes it easy to actually enjoy intense workouts. Overall, user reviews of Winsor Pilates were overwhelmingly positive and I know for a fact that people still use the tapes and DVDs today. People such as my aunt, a cousin, and 2 of my fitness clients... :)

Mari's new product -- the Slimming Pilates System, or "WinsorSlim" -- is very interesting. It's basically an updated version of the old Winsor Pilates program that's more focused on fat burning and body slimming, instead of just overall muscle toning and strengthening. It also features a unique piece of equipment that allows you to do several different Pilates moves in your own home without spending the thousands of dollars that are required for traditional Pilates machines.

The WinsorSlim package includes 4 DVDs, a "Rapid Results" weight loss guide, an "On-the-Go" dieting guide, a wall chart with instructions for each move, and the Accelerator, which is basically an adjustable weighted bar with an elastic resistance band and clip-on handles. 30 days of free "VIP Access" to Mari Winsor's special membership website is also included in your purchase. So right off the bat we can see that you get a lot of stuff for about $60 dollars. That's approximately equal to the cost of just one or two private Pilates instruction sessions!

This program, like most home workout programs, is mainly designed for beginners and intermediate users. So the level of difficulty and the intensity of the workouts is not ultra high. It's ideal for people who want to lose weight while toning, stretching, strengthening, and "lengthening" their body and muscles at the same time.

The addition of the Accelerator bar makes this program especially interesting. Mainly because it allows Mari to improve and enhance some traditional Pilates movements while also inventing some news ones that work the muscles in different ways and at different angles. It also makes the exercise routines more efficient because you can boost the intensity easily and do more in less time (always good in our book!).

So there you have it: a quick and hopefully useful review of the Mari Winsor Slimming Pilates -- or WinsorSlim -- system. We hope that more people will leave their own reviews, ratings, testimonials, questions, and all other feedback in the "comments" section below. Thanks!

(Click here try try the new Winsor Slimming Pilates program for yourself!)

REAL Brazil Butt Lift Workout Reviews

OK so Brazil Butt Lift is the new "hot" fitness product from Beachbody. And like the popular Insanity workout (and pretty much all of their products) it's tough to find real, unbiased reviews from people who aren't just trying to sell to you. Yes, Amazon has a handful of reviews (4/2011 Update: Amazon now has many reviews!) but many of them don't seem exactly "authentic". We have gotten several inquiries regarding the product but have yet to try it ourselves. If you or someone you know has tried the Brazil Butt Lift workout program please leave your own reviews, testimonials, opinions, etc. in the "comments" section at the bottom of this page. Thanks!

The idea behind this new at-home workout program is to help women get the kind of perfect butts that so many Brazilian models have. And, having spent some time in Brazil, believe me when I say that the women down their have some of the best-looking, sexiest, and fittest rear ends in the world. So right off the bat I love the concept. But the question remains: does the Brazil Butt Lift workout program actually work?

Leandro Carvalho (aka the "Brazilian Butt Master") is a well-known personal trainer in South America and he's the one who put this new program together. He claims to know the best proven way to "reduce, shape, and lift your behind". Several well-known lingerie and bikini models have used Carvalho's services so we assume that he knows something about what he's talking about. In case you don't know, bikini modeling is a HUGE industry in Brazil and the models absolutely have to look "perfect" by the Brazilian standard. So lots of intense exercise -- and, in most cases, a very good amount of plastic surgery -- is a must for these ladies.

The Brazil Butt Lift DVD program promises to get your booty into "runway shape" so that you too can have the same kind of sexy derriere that looks incredible in a bathing suit, tight shorts, or even just a well-fitting pair of jeans. According to Carvalho the secret is his "TriAngle Training" method that efficiently exercises all the muscles of the buttocks from several different angles. He promises that it's a super-effective way to lift and shape your butt while trimming and tightening you hips and thighs... and even melting away stubborn thigh and belly fat.

The program is based around Brazilian dancing (samba anyone?), special types of cardio training, and a few lower-body "sculpting" exercises. Beach Body claims that it will work for any butt type... but that's extremely hard to believe since the shape of your butt (like the rest of your body) is very dependent on your personal genetics. That's where the plastic surgery mentioned above comes in and it's why you should keep in mind that even the sexiest Brazilian bodies have often been enhanced with more than just natural exercise and diet!

We hope to get some good customer reviews in the near future and possibly even an "expert evaluation" from one or two of our contributors. And please remember to leave your own opinions, questions, comments, etc. below!



(By the way, just to clear up any confusion, a real Brazilian "butt lift" is a buttock "enhancement" procedure that involves transferring fat cells from one part of your body -- such as the stomach or hips -- and injecting them into your buttocks. Liposuction is often used to improve the contouring around the butt area. Many plastic surgeons consider this to be the best "natural" way to improve the appearance of your rear end... along with exercise of course!)

Beachbody Insanity Workout Program Reviews

Looking for reviews of the Beachbody Insanity home workout program? Then you're in the right place! We are big fans of total-body, bodyweight-only, circuit-training workouts. Why? Because they simply work better than just about anything else out there for burning fat while toning/building lean muscle and developing real-world strength in a relatively safe way... all at the same time! With that in mind, we figured we'd do a quick review of the very popular 60-day home fitness program based around intense bodyweight circuit training. Insanity is brought to us from the folks at Beachbody, the same company that developed the ever-popular -- and very similar -- P90X program as well as the Brazil Butt-Lift workout program (among others).

As with all Beachbody products, the majority of the Insanity reviews you'll find online are very positive -- maybe too much so. It's difficult to know which ones are real and which ones were written by one of the thousands of "Team Beachbody" members -- or "coaches" as they're called -- who make money selling the products. In fact, the last time we checked, only about 10% of the Insanity workout reviews online contained any negatives/cons at all.

Fortunately for you, Fast Easy Fit is an independent website that provides independent, BS-free info. The goal here is to provide a real, non-biased, and useful review of the Insanity workout program that highlights both the "good" and the "bad" about this interesting new fitness product. If you've used Insanity yourself please help us out by leaving your own customer reviews, ratings, and comments in the area at the bottom of the page... thanks!

The Good

If you can stick with it, the Insanity workout system will almost definitely help you lose fat while toning all the muscles in your body at the same time. And it'll do it fast. That's because it's a super-intense exercise program based around total-body interval training. It combines both effective bodyweight strength training moves with various forms of high-intensity cardiovascular exercise (including HIIT). This provides you with the best of both worlds, in terms of burning fat and building and toning sexy lean muscle tissue. Plus, as with nearly all bodyweight exercise-focused programs, Insanity can help you develop a ton of useful "functional" strength and fitness, which can improve your overall health, make you a better athlete, protect you from injury, and simply help you move and feel a lot better!

The Bad

In our opinion -- and from what we've heard from a few people who've tried the program -- many people who buy Insanity aren't going to stick with it for more than a couple of weeks. That's because a large percentage of the people who buy "infomercial" products are looking for a quick and easy solution to a problem. Insanity is certainly not "easy" by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it's probably too difficult for the average totally-out-of-shape person looking to lose 20+ pounds while getting into shape at the same time. The only thing the typical person likes less than pain is LOTS of pain.

One common theme we've seen in many of the Insanity reviews is that it seems to work best for people who already exercise on a regular basis. These are people who already have a base of cardiovascular conditioning and won't be totally overwhelmed by the high intensity levels of the Insanity workouts. They are looking to kick things up a notch and burn off the rest of their stubborn belly fat while getting those lean, sexy, strong "fitness model" muscles (including six-pack abs!).

The other problem we see is the same for many home workout programs: most people simply do not have the discipline to do a hard, painful workout by themselves inside their homes on a nearly daily basis. It takes a good amount of self-discipline and self-motivation to get yourself to workout at all day in and day out for weeks and months on end. It takes a HUGE amount to do it totally by yourself... in your living room or bedroom... in front of your TV... with your kids, pets, spouse, cell phone, etc. distracting you!

One more thing: Insanity's price seems to be a little high for what it is. There are other really good home workout programs -- based around high-intensity calisthenics, aerobics, latin dance, kettlebells, etc. -- that are quite a bit cheaper and just as effective. And although "Shaun T" -- the hip hop dancer who leads you through the workouts -- seems like a good instructor, we don't know if he's that good! For nearly $150 you could buy several sessions with a one-on-one personal trainer in many cities.


Conclusion

The Beachbody Insanity workout program is based on solid fitness and exercise fundamentals that we know work very, very well for both fat-burning and muscle-toning. It's basically a bodyweight calisthenics workout based around different forms of high-intensity interval training. It combines some very effective exercises, including basic plyometric movements, with a proven form of fat-burning HIIT-based cardio (similar to the Tabata method).

The main problem with Insanity is that it's probably too intense for many of the people who order it looking for a "quick fix" to their weight loss problems. If you haven't worked out in years and are completely out of shape look somewhere else. Insanity is only going to leave you sore, frustrated, and hating exercise (never a good way to feel!).

We give the Insanity program 3 and a half stars out of 5. If you disagree or have your own reviews, testimonials, opinions, comments, etc. please leave them below!

Any P90X Reviews?

I first started hearing about the P90X "extreme" home workout program way back in 2006. I pretty much ignored it because I figured it was just another weight loss scam product sold on a late-night infomercial. I was especially wary because it's made by Beachbody, a company that is known for making pretty good products but has a lot of controversy surrounding its marketing techniques.

Well, turns out I may have been wrong. In fact, apparently P90X is very similar to the kinds of simple but effective, low-equipment, full-body, strength training/cardio exercise "combo" workouts that I'm a big proponent of. I know for a fact that these types of workouts burn fat fast because I've used them myself to lose weight quickly while preserving or even increasing my lean muscle mass. I've also seen other people use them with great success.

As you can see from the Google Trends graph below, P90X has exploded in popularity in the past few months:



But the question still remains: does P90X really work?

If you have ever used the P90X program please leave a review below. Also, feel free to leave any questions or comments as well. Thanks a lot!