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:

Fastest Way to Lose Belly Fat, Love Handles, and Stomach Flab

Many of the questions we get are about losing abdominal fat. People are always looking for the fastest way to lose belly fat and "love handles" and stomach flab and tummy rolls... etc, etc. While it has many different names, abdominal adipose tissue is a nemesis known by millions of people all around the world. Getting rid of it can be a difficult task but the tips below, when used in combination, will allow you to get the fastest fat loss results possible...

1. Eat a Low-Carb Diet

No diet will give you faster results, in terms of reducing belly fat, than a low-carb diet. There are many reasons for this but the main reason is that low-carb diets dramatically lower insulin levels in the bloodstream. They also improve your body's overall hormone balance in a way that causes it to shed stored abdominal fat very quickly. Once you've lost the tummy flab though you should cycle off of the diet and start eating healthy carbs again. A good carb-rotation diet is a great way to continue losing weight and to avoid gaining back belly fat.

2. Do Strength Training-Based HIIT Workouts

Cardio-only exercise regimens aren't the best for burning belly fat. In order to lose your ugly, stubborn stomach fat in the fastest way possible you should focus on doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts that combine strength training and short bouts of cardio. Focus on simple compound strength movements that work lots of muscles at once, like push-ups, dips, pull-ups, squats, lunges, inverted rows, etc. Finish with about 10-20 minutes of HIIT style cardio. This type of exercise not only burns lots of calories and fat during, but also for hours after the workout!

That's basically it: the fastest way to lose your belly fat, love handles, stomach flab, "beer belly", and whatever else you want to name that ugly layer of fat surrounding your abdomen. Just follow a simple low-carb diet for a few weeks and combine it with about 4 intense workouts per week. Focus on fat-burning, muscle-building strength training and ultra-efficient HIIT cardio. Make sure you get enough sleep, rest, and water and you'll be on your way to a leaner, fitter, sexier body fast!

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

Ab Rocket Twister Reviews?

Apparently the Ab Rocket Twister is one of the hot new fitness products on the market. We've already gotten a dozen requests for reviews of this new "infomercial" abdominal exercise machine. After spending about an hour searching for real customer reviews online it's easy to see why: there appears to be very little authentic user feedback regarding the Ab Rocket Twister! So let's see if we can change that situation...

Here's one message that we received last week:

"Hi. I'm thinking about buying the new Ab Rocket Twister and would like to know if you think it really works? Is it really as effective as they claim on the commercial? Have you used it yet? I'm kind of desperate to burn off the roll of belly fat I've added this winter, especially since I'm going on vacation (Miami Beach) in May! I had six pack abs just a couple of years ago and I really want them back. Please help me decide whether or not I should purchase the Ab Rocket with a review or suggestion. If you think it's a rip-off please let me know so I don't waste my money. Thank you so much for your help!"

- Monica R.

Well, first things first: no ab exercise machine is going to burn off all your stomach fat and/or give you six pack abs by itself. All infomercial fitness and weight loss products claim to provide "easy" weight loss results but we have yet to find one that actually does so. Remember that weight loss, and especially fast weight loss, is about 75% diet. If you're not eating a proper, clean diet you're not gonna lose fat and shed pounds... no matter how many "Ab Rocket Twists" you do. Even the commercial states that you must use the included diet plan in order to lose the pounds and inches promised in the marketing hype!

That being said, a machine or device that helps you do more effective exercises, abdominal or other, can certainly be useful. I used the original Ab Rocket on several occasions and was actually very surprised that I liked it. Let's face it: sit-ups, crunches, and just about all other unassisted ab exercises are difficult, especially if you're very out-of-shape, overweight, or have any back problems. The original Ab Rocket provides a type of assistance that reduces much of the discomfort associated with typical abdominal/core exercise movements. It appears the new Ab Rocket Twister works on the same principle but adds a twisting motion capability to work the oblique muscles.

In the end I never did buy my own Ab Rocket because I tend to avoid things that make exercise easier. I know from many years of experience that harder, more difficult exercises provide much better overall fat burning, muscle building results.

The spring assistance provided by the Ab Rocket and new Ab Rocket Twister reduces the effectiveness of each individual repetition because it basically lowers resistance levels. Of course, it will probably allow you to do more crunches and sit-ups than you would normally do. That's a good thing in most cases and for some people, especially those who are currently very out-of-shape, the Ab Rocket Twister may be a decent investment. More "comfortable" home exercise options can make it more likely that you'll workout more frequently and get into shape faster.

The problem with many infomercial products is that they simply aren't made very well. Any comfort advantage they provide is overshadowed by the discomfort that comes from using a cheaply-made machine for long periods of time. The original Ab Circle Pro is a good example of that.

Personally I would hold off on buying the Ab Rocket Twister until more information is available online. Please leave your own reviews, testimonials, questions, and comments regarding this soon-to-be-very-popular new exercise machine below... thanks!

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!)

The Fastest Way to Lose 10 Pounds in a Month

This is definitely a "top 10" question we hear all the time: what's the fastest way to lose 10 pounds (or 15 pounds, or 20 pounds, etc.)? And the truth of the matter is that there probably is not a single "fastest" method for every single person in the world. There are, however, several rapid fat loss techniques that seem to work for most people most of the time. We may not all have the same genetics, body chemistry, living situation, etc. but there are a few "best of the best" ways to burn off body fat and lose a least 10 pounds within a month. (Actually, the majority of people could easily lose 20+ lbs in a month using the tips listed below!)

The Fastest Way to Lose 10-20 Pounds in 3 Simple Steps:

Step 1: Cut all refined sugars, grains, and "white" carbohydrates out of your diet.

This is the easiest and simplest way to cut down your calorie intake and get your blood sugar and insulin levels under control... all while stabilizing your energy levels (and making you feel great!). If you absolutely must eat grain foods then, at least, choose 100% whole grain options and keep them to one serving per day. Definitely avoid white breads, white pastas, white rice, and white potatoes for the time being.

Step 2: Eat a simple, clean diet based around lean protein, good fats, vegetables, beans, and fresh fruit.

Focus on eating mostly whole, natural, unprocessed foods. Try to eat a small, balanced, protein-based meal or snack about every 2-4 hours to avoid hunger/food cravings. Only eat enough at each sitting to feel slightly full. Avoid stuffing yourself. Go heavy on protein and fiber-rich veggies, beans, etc. Eat several servings per day of good fats in the form of nuts, seeds, oily fish, natural peanut butter, virgin olive oil, avocado, etc. Eat one or two servings of fresh, raw fruit every day as well.

Step 3: Do short, high-intensity workout often.

Try to do at least 20 minutes of higher-intensity exercise 4-6 days per week. Do both strength/muscle training and cardio training, in the same workout if possible. Keep the workouts short (under 30 minutes) and focus on quality/intensity over quantity/time.

There you have it: one of the best and fastest ways to burn fat and lose at least 10 pounds within the next month. Just cut out sugars and white "junk foods", eat a clean diet based around protein and good carbs, and do some fat-burning, high-intensity exercise several times per week. I guarantee your body will respond and you will burn calories, reduce fat, and lose 10+ pounds in 30 days... in one of the quickest (and safest) ways possible!

OxyElite Pro Results / Reviews?

Over the past couple of months we've gotten several requests for information about a new thermogenic fat-burner called OxyElite Pro which is made by USP Labs. People want to know if it provides real fat loss results or if it's just another rip-off/scam product. There are several reviews online and, for the most part (about 85%), they are favorable. There are however some very negative reviews out there, mostly related to unwanted side effects of taking a powerful stimulant. OxyElite Pro definitely appears to be a pretty unique product with some extremely powerful energy-boosting effects.

But the question is: does OxyElite Pro work for fast, safe fat loss?

The first thing that caught my eye regarding this diet supplement is its list of strange ingredients. It's rare to see a diet pill that's made with so many uncommon substances. 90% of legal fat loss supplements basically contain the same mix of caffeine, vitamins, amino acids, and herbal constituents. That's not the case here. OxyElite Pro contains things with weird-sounding names like: Bauhinia Purpea, Bacopa Monniera, Cirsium Oligoohylium, Rauwolscine, and 1,3-Dimethylamine.

1,3-Dimethylamine, or DMAA, I've heard of and is found in another popular USP Labs product called Jack3d. The other things appear to be plant extracts and herbal stimulants that may or me not provide real benefits.

OxyElite Pro is marketed as a "super thermogenic" that's been created by pharmacists to provide extremely fast fat loss results. The unique ingredient mix is designed to provide a "jolting" energy boost while ramping up the metabolism and eliminating appetite and food cravings. So you workout harder, burn more calories/fat, and eat less... definitely a formula for rapid weight loss.

As with all stimulant-based products, it's a good idea to drink lots of water when you're taking OxyElite Pro. You also should try to avoid it later in the day so it doesn't cause sleep problems. Start slow and slowly ramp up your intake as your body adjusts to the product's effects. For best results, you should probably avoid other caffeine products and stimulants while using OxyElite Pro.

Personally, I only like to take strong stimulants before my "heavy lifting" weight/resistance workouts. But I rarely take pills and mostly stick to strong energy drinks and "5 Hour Energy"-type supplements.

Please leave your own OxyElite Pro reviews, opinions, and feedback below. Thanks!

Click here for the best prices on OxyElite Pro as well as more good reviews!