I'm actually a fan of P90X and the like (Insanity, etc.). Once you remove the fancy packaging and trendy terms ("muscle confusion"), the basic principle is "Punish the shiat out of your body and you'll see results in a few months," which is accurate.

/ got my P90X as a gift, so didn't have to pay a dime.
// beats month after month of gym fees

SanjiSasuke: P90X? Insanity? Crossfit? I am disappoint.

Deep squats, full range bench and of course deadlifts are the true kings of physique. Need cardio? Run, a lot (never after leg day).

The 80s called. They want their repetitive stress injuries back. We have this thing called interval training now.

buntz: MrJesus: That's real cute. A Crossfit gym showing anyone proper form.

I'm not sure where the venom is coming from, but I'm a 40 year old who never lifted a bar in his life. So for me to go to a gym and just start lifting weights, it just seems I wouldn't know what to do or the proper way to do it.

I feel like I'm being trained pretty well at CrossFit. I don't have any pride there. I freely admit A) I don't know what I'm doing and B) I want to be trained.

I'm not a "fitness snob" and certainly wouldn't belittle anyone for trying to better themselves.

There is no belittling towards anyone training in Crossfit for trying to better themselves.

There is plenty of belittling for 99% of Crossfit gym "owners" and "trainers" who continue to propagate a fitness program that relies on quantity over quality and apparently has no qualms with teaching terrible form and technique as a means to an end of meeting rep quotas. That doesn't even begin to get into the fact that there is no formal certification process and the forms that exist come from completely unqualified sources with no background in sports medicine, nutrition, or legitimate personal training whatsoever.

The rate of injury for Crossfit trainees is alarming and is due to a complete lack of oversight and care for the trainees.

Agent Smiths Laugh: titwrench: kregh99: I'm actually a fan of P90X and the like (Insanity, etc.). Once you remove the fancy packaging and trendy terms ("muscle confusion"), the basic principle is "Punish the shiat out of your body and you'll see results in a few months," which is accurate.

/ got my P90X as a gift, so didn't have to pay a dime.
// beats month after month of gym fees

My girlfriend went from a little doughy to rock solid in about 45 days and now she's built like a swimsuit model and still does Insanity every morning.

Pics or it didn't happen.

/this is Fark, you can't make statements like that here without proof to back it up

I'm not falling for that. I wasn't home schooled.

kregh99: I'm actually a fan of P90X and the like (Insanity, etc.). Once you remove the fancy packaging and trendy terms ("muscle confusion"), the basic principle is "Punish the shiat out of your body and you'll see results in a few months," which is accurate.

/ got my P90X as a gift, so didn't have to pay a dime.
// beats month after month of gym fees

While a punishing workout might show results for a while, you'll never be able to keep it up in the long run.

Fitness isn't a gimic, it's a life style. If you can't commit the next 40 years, you're really just wasting your time.
Get a gym membership. An unlimited membership at 24hr Fitness costs about $30 a month. Unless you're still working a paper route, that's farking nothing.
Don't bother with personal trainers. If you need a babysitter to watch you, you'll never keep it up.
Just listen to your body - it knows what it needs. Anything that is extremely painful or uncomfortable is not doing your body good in the long run. This include lifting overly heavy weights and long distance running (the average lifespan of a marathon runner is less than 60 years).
If what you're after is weight loss, diet is 75% of the battle. Other than that, hit the gym, observe and imitate - and above all, just keep moving (no one ever lost an ounce of fat sitting on a bench between sets).

I'm just spit-balling here, but maybe you could just do some situps, pushups, and run/jog/walk. I'm pretty sure that counts as healthy exercise and doesn't cost shipping and handling.

Workout equipment and programs are good for the following

1. They get you motivated-Buying into the promises or marketing can get you excited about working out, which is critical
2. The good ones offer a balance of activities-A good system or tool will help you exercize your entire body, not just one body part
3. They help improve form to improve effectiveness and reduce injury
4. They offer a guideline or template to structure your workout.

All of these goals can also be met with no-cost, body weight only exorcizes that require no equipment. But if a popular system or piece of equipment will get you motivated, it is entirely worth it.

Most people lose their momentum when they find out that no matter the system, no matter the equipment, exercise is still hard work if it is going to be effective.

kregh99: I'm actually a fan of P90X and the like (Insanity, etc.).

I liked Insanity, but hated P90X. I got a great workout with Insanity and felt I was accomplishing something but the P90X guy was such a douche I had a hard time watching the DVDs. At least on the Insanity DVDs you saw the people in the class collapsing and struggling just like you.
P90X were all douches, out flexing each other and challenging each other (You're gonna do 10 reps?? Well, then, I'm gonna do 12!!!)

I do CrossFit now and found Insanity (somewhat) prepared me for that type of workout

MrJesus: That's real cute. A Crossfit gym showing anyone proper form.

I'm not sure where the venom is coming from, but I'm a 40 year old who never lifted a bar in his life. So for me to go to a gym and just start lifting weights, it just seems I wouldn't know what to do or the proper way to do it.

I feel like I'm being trained pretty well at CrossFit. I don't have any pride there. I freely admit A) I don't know what I'm doing and B) I want to be trained.

I'm not a "fitness snob" and certainly wouldn't belittle anyone for trying to better themselves.

P90X? Insanity? Crossfit? I am disappoint.

Deep squats, full range bench and of course deadlifts are the true kings of physique. Need cardio? Run, a lot (never after leg day).

As long as we're making recommendations this book is pretty much all anyone needs to get in shape. No gym, no douchey trainer, and minimal equipment required.

/no, it isn't my book

This works. Kicks your ass, too, even if you are in shape to start out. Worked for me.

This is one that works as advertised.