(disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Beach Body AT ALL I am just a 40-something dude.)
I am mostly a writer, but lately been focusing a lot of time on working out and getting into shape. Here’s a quick post on that.
One quick note, while this article goes into a comparison of the two, if I you are looking at which workout to do FIRST, I would choose Les Mills Combat. It’s easier to start light and ramp yourself up. Insanity starts at full throttle and never lets up! But read on. There are many more observations.
Please note, I will be updating this post regularly as I have more observations on Les Mills Combat as it compares to Insanity.
Let me begin by stating that I am still about 50 40 37 28 20 lbs. overweight, even after completing the Insanity regime. If you’re reading this it’s probably because you want to know (like I did) if there are any other workouts out there that can rip you up like Insanity. And if Les Mills Combat (LMC) will give you enough of a workout, or be too easy. Read on.
Note: You can and should use some dumbells in LMC for certain videos.
I did 1.5 rounds of Insanity before looking into Les Mills Combat (LMC). After I started to grow bored with Insanity I was looking for another program that would be just as intense, but offer up some differences. I looked at the Turbo Fire, but I am a dude, and that looked like a lot of dancing and choreography to me. Not my style.
I got Les Mills Combat after getting an email from Beach Body telling me it was just as intense as Insanity. Okay, you hooked me with that. I originally got Insanity because I wanted to attack the hardest video over put on DVD. And LMC was just as intense? Let’s go! I was growing bored with Shaun T and really didn’t want to do the Asylum stuff since I don’t think my fitness level is quite up that high. So why waste the money?
I got the Les Mills (who is not the dude in the video, but the creator of the entire workout regime) Combat (LMC) set. I ordered the Ultimate Warrior kit, not because of the gloves (see more on why do you need gloves below) or the tape, but because it added so many more videos to the bunch. Let me tell you, after doing Insanity for a few months, you get tired of the same ones. And after a few months of Insanity, you’re in pretty damn good shape.
So let me breakdown what I think the Insanity videos levels are.
Insanity breaks the workout into 2 months.
The first month of Insanity workouts are the 30-40 minute videos. Once you move onto month two, you really won’t want to go back to month one. Especially when you get addicted to burning over 1000 calories in one hour, like I was in Insanity.
If I had to rank the Insanity videos from easiest to hardest (only for the 2nd month) I would say:
Max Recovery
Core Cardio and Balance
Max Cardio Conditioning
Max Interval Circuit
Max Interval Sports Training
Max Interval Plyo
This list is subjective of course. But I am a pretty big dude (6’2” 268 259 255 246 237 229 lbs) and propelling my big ass up was not easy. After I completed the Insanity workout, I decided to keep doing the second month’s workouts until I figured out what I was going to do next. So I would randomly pick one of the 4 harder workouts and do them during the week. I mixed in a few other videos I got off Amazon, and I found two that were great! I will mention them later.
I started the LMC. I figured I’d do the thing in the order they prescribed, even though I sincerely thought I would find the first week too easy.
The Les Mills order page from BeachBody is here (Please note, I get no money for this! This is a real review!)
UPDATE: I really like the Les Mills warms ups and cool downs better than Insanity. They are quicker, and they don’t do the SAME warm up and cool down every time.
I watched the basic instruction video first. It was fairly informational and while I thought I would be put off by the accents of the trainers (they are extremely British) I eventually didn’t hear the accent anymore and just listened to them talk. The next day I started the Combat 30 video.
Initially it was difficult only because I didn’t know what moves they were going to and from. But once I got it down, I was moving and grooving okay. I didn’t burn any where near my new personal goal of 1000 in an hour, but I anticipated that. I think I burned around 450-500. Not too bad.
The next day was a HIIT class, Inner Warrior. This was another 30 minute class, and I gave it my all. I was used to HIIT from Shaun T. and know how to pace myself.
Here’s the catch I’ve found on the “straight workout” DVDs (as opposed to the ones where you are mostly doing “combat” style activities) they start out in what seems too easy of a pattern, but by the time you get near the end, you’re getting your butt kicked violently. It was that way with this video. How do you know the straight from the combat? If they’re wearing gloves when the video starts, it’s combat. And even though I say they don’t have a variety enough, they do actually have enough videos to where you won’t grow tired of them. I still haven’t.
The next day was the Combat 30 again, with the Core Attack video. I was a little more used to the first one, and Core Attack video was all core work, which I am fine with, but don’t see the reason for someone who can’t even see his abs to do. But I digress. I did it.
The next day was the HIIT Plyo. While this video didn’t start as strong as Insanity, oh my GOD did it ramp up. Near the ¾ point, I was not sure I would make it. They would put Shaun T to shame in that video. But it was still only 30 minutes. I wanted the hour long BURN. However, the workout itself is as hard as anything Insanity has in it.
Then came the Combat 45 video (power kata), which truly was only about 37 minutes, but that’s cool. I liked it. There was a lot of punching and kicking, and I worked up a sweat, but never really felt too tired to continue. I was let down a skosh on this one, but maybe it will get harder when I learn the moves better. We will see. (update below)
Finally, day 6 I did the Lower Body Warrior 2 workout. In the beginning I was let down, it was so slow and I had to keep jogging between the workouts just to keep my heart rate up. But OMG when we got to the halfway point, I could barely make it. These fools tear it up!! I loved it and I have never had my average heart rate be as high was it was on the workout.
But it was only 30 minutes too!
2nd week.
The second week started out with Combat 60. To be honest, I was looking forward to this workout more than any other, if only because it was an hour. It is the longest video on the program, (not counting the 60 Combat Live) and I was hoping it would be more intense.
It wasn’t. I sort of coasted through it, not only because it wasn’t too hard, but because I was having trouble keeping up with their moves. But that wasn’t my biggest problem.
My biggest problem was that my heart rate never got up very high. I think my average was around 130, when I like to keep it at around 140. I never felt out of breath or that I pushed myself too hard, and really wanted to feel that way. If you’ve ever done the Insanity workouts, you know what I am talking about. If you push yourself as hard as you can, you have no choice but to take breaks and “grab water”. I never felt that way in this workout. But I’m going to try it again and see if by getting the moves down, I will burn more calories.
UPDATE–OMG, I did the Combat 60 workout again. Holy crap. I pushed myself as hard as I could, punching and hitting with power every time. My average heart rate at the end of the hour? 150. My new personal best record. It was tough, but FUN to do.
So far, entering into my second week, it seems like the non-combat videos are more rigorous. I will keep you up to date as I move forward.
*Now, about the gloves. I admit, I thought they were weighted, and when I found out they weren’t I really didn’t get why they added them into the program. But after using them a few times, I am starting to like them. You really can punch harder with them on, and make a better fist. It sounds odd, but it’s true. I have some weighted gloves I am going to start using once I have the moves down.
I will add more updates as I continue.
—UPDATE
Just did the 60 minute combat again. I almost threw up and had to stop. Yeah. Still didn’t burn enough calories (only around 850), but I think I will the next time I do it.
The key, you need to put EVERYTHING into every punch and kick you do. You have to do it like you’re pissed off. That’s the key to these combat videos, you must put your all into it. Don’t half ass your punches and your kicks!
—UPDATE
Man, the HIIT programs on Les Mills Combat are tough! They don’t mess around. Lots up breathing hard and jumping around, even after completing Shaun Ts Insanity. I am liking this program more and more, but even though I got the Ultimate Warrior’s kit, it still feels like there’s not enough variety of videos. But, I am not yet growing bored with any of the videos either, so that’s a bonus.
Also, I have started using weighted gloves during the Combat videos. It’s a great plus. My arms really feel the burn afterward, and I would recommend them to anyone doing Les Mills Combat.
—UPDATE
Still enjoying Les Mills. I am about half way through week 4. I’ve been religious in my sticking to their workout plan. My only complaint is the lack of variety of videos. I mean, I got 14 of them, but the schedule is pretty much static every week, with little variety. I guess that’s ok if you don’t want to think about it. You know that every Tuesday is a HIIT training day and every Monday is a Combat 60 day. Sure there are some varieties, but they are just mixing up the workouts you have already done.
Scratch that. I am not going to complain about the variety. They’re actually not that bad. It’s not HIIT every Tuesday, it’s HIIT or Upper Body.
See the pic I took of the work out calendar here:
Not sure if I am even allowed to post that pic. If Beach Body tells me to take it down, I will.
I am still not bored with the workouts. I feel like I am just now getting good at kicking. Also, one thing I noticed: with Insanity, the workout was for anyone in any shape. You just pushed yourself as hard as you could, whether you were a conditioned athlete or couch potato, it didn’t matter. You basically did every exercise to failure.
You can do the same with Les Mills Combat. It took me a few days to figure this out. How? You punch and kick as hard as you can. Literally, every punch and every kick. You’ll be surprised at just how quickly you are standing there going, ‘wtf?’ Wondering how you are having to take a break in the middle of the work out, when the first time you did it, you were able to complete the entire workout with barely breaking a sweat. I can’t emphasize this enough! That’s with the Combat videos. The HIIT videos will break you like a bitch.
UPDATE–I am really liking Dan and Rache. Of all the Beach Body videos I have watched (P90X, Insanity, TurboFire, Hip Hop Abs) they may be the most likeable (with Tony a close second).
UPDATE (2013)— Okay, I have done Les Mills Combat for the full 60 days. It’s a good workout. So, I decided to go try out one of my old Insanity DVDs, it was Max Cardio Conditioning. Ok, not to be a weak ass, but the DVD kicked my butt. Why? Because it was all legs and jumping. The Les Mills Combat DVDs aren’t. So I wasn’t in it as hard as I could be. So I started thinking, which one actually gave me a better workout? If I put in a 60 minute Insanity DVD or a 60 minute LMC DVD?
Tough to answer. A lot of it has to do with what you’ve been doing. BUT I would say, I seem to get a lot more out of the Les Mills DVDs because I can get my heart rate up and KEEP it up. With Insanity, you get your heart rate up so damn high, you can’t keep it up. (Even the people on the DVD are taking breaks) But with LMC I can get my heart rate up and keep it there, where I want it. Not sure what that means, but I do enjoy both for what they bring. I am going to do another round of Insanity to see. Updates to come.
UPDATE — I’ve since gone back to Insanity after doing LMC for three months. It’s damn hard. I noticed that Insanity uses LOTS of jumps and squats to get your heart rate up. Fair enough, but it’s hard to keep that intensity up for along time. LMC on the other hand, only does those on the HIIT days. The other days, you’re getting an entire workout for your body. To be honest, I think I am liking the LMC better because it isn’t all about the legs, I can sweat, keep my heart rate up, and stabilize myself without having to take so many breaks like insanity.
UPDATE — I have started The Asylum. omg.
If you’re interested in my methods and thoughts on how I lost 80 90 100 lbs, check out my other site: Fat Man Lessons
No, Not selling anything, but that is where I write about my fitness more than here!!
You should probably start with Lesson 0 !!!
~Jason
MAYHEM! 
GeeOne
01/23/2013
Great review! I’ve just started LMC after completing Insanity and I’m liking it more and more. I have a martial arts background, so I’m used to the punching and kicking. I started out doing the “basic” LMC workout, but since I have all the videos I think I’ll jump up to the Ultimate Warrior Workout.
Good luck in your quest to get ripped!
jasonamyers
01/23/2013
Thank you and you too! I too have done martial arts (many years ago!) but lost my punching and kicking ability. That Ultimate Warrior is tough, but manageable.
One more thing I’ve noticed I really like about the program, after working out with these guys over the course of a month, I really like Dan and Rache. They don’t get on my nerves (like some other beach body trainers!) and I truly feel like they care about us “future” people who bought the DVD many months after they actually made it. In other words, they seem honest.
Anonymous
02/24/2013
Great review i also completed insanity and wondering wth why am i not burning enough calories with combat just got it burned on 400.in an hour i guess I’m not punching hard enough i am nicely sore though and sweating a lot i thi
nk the warm up s aren’t hard Core enough like insanity that’s wh at were used to getting out heart rate up so high ya know
soccerpeach
03/29/2013
I enjoyed reading this! I haven’t done Insanity nor LMC but I am doing research as I would like to order SOMETHING (p90x, Insanity, or LMC) and I didn’t have much knowledge about LMC and your article really helped!
Anonymous
08/04/2013
I would order the LMC before Insanity if you have not done any of them but that is me. I don’t enjoy all of the jumping that is involved in Insanity, too jarring for me. Good luck! (:
jasonamyers
03/31/2013
Thank you! Glad to help!
rose
04/01/2013
Stumbled across your blog today. love the comparison. i’m currently completing insanity. I was thinking of purchasing LMC. I love MMA type of workouts. Great to read the differences. You just sealed it for me. i will purchase it and complete it next! Then I can alternate between programs.Thanks for posting and continuing to update!
jasonamyers
04/02/2013
Hey Rose, that’s great! You know I didn’t really realize how much I like MMA style stuff until the Insanity workouts where he incorporated punches and things of that nature. While doing it was like, “man! This is fun!” Good luck on your LMC venture!
Muncheez
04/01/2013
Hi Jason, thanks for the in depth review! I noticed that you mentioned before you moved onto Les Mills Combat, each day you just randomly picked a hard workout from INSANITY month 2. I wonder could you still get your heart beat like crazy that way? I found my body adapting and getting used to the workouts so fast that I barely see any further improvement in my shape… Really frustrating… Do you have any advice?
jasonamyers
04/02/2013
Hey Muncheez. You know, I still got my heart rate up, and probably one of the few reasons I did was I am still big (240, 6’2) and moving that much weight around takes effort! I noticed that a lot of insanity was leg based and “move until failure” so my recommendation would be to look at who on the screen is moving the fastest, and BEAT them if you can. I never could! Heh. I was always the dude who pushed myself too much in one set, and then would crash to the floor on the next! But man, if you’re in good enough shape to push through that second month without killing yourself, YOU ARE MY HERO!! That’s no small feat.
GeeOne
04/02/2013
Great review! I too did both Insanity (1 1/2 rounds; I repeated month 2) and tried LMC for a month before going full throttle. I absolutely love LMC (easier on the joints than Insanity, more strength training, martial arts based), but insanity is definitely a bit more intense. What I now do is add the Insanity warmup (specifically the Max Cardio & Conditioning warmup, since it mixes the warmup phases from the first and second months) to each of te LMC workouts. It’s te best of both worlds, in my opinion.
jasonamyers
04/02/2013
Wow. I never thought of doing that, and you’re totally right. The warm ups on LMC are a little weak in that I never really break a sweat, but the insanity ones are like a mini work out all on their own! Yeah, I will try that too, and thanks for the tip. I can use all of them I get!!
Anonymous
04/03/2013
Thank you for the comparison! I have finished insanity twice in the past year and was looking for a change. I recently got LMC and am really excited to get started – my only hesitation being the intensity. Your advice sounds great and I can’t wait to start LMC. Congrats on your weight loss!
Joe Quintana
04/09/2013
I also have done 1.5 rounds of Insanity then moved to LMC. Initially I felt the same about LMC compared to Insanity. I was an Inaniac to the core and thought no way could this Combat be as good. Like you I moved into Combat 60 and was shocked to say the least. The second time I did it I realized The harder I punched and kicked the better the workout. I think you are absolutely right about being able to sustain your heart rate much easier. Insanity is really all about shock cardio and power. Work as hard as possible and kill yourself everyday and you’ll get in great shape, LMC is workout hard and have fun doing it everyday and you’ll get in great shape. I ones toy think I’ve become more of an LMC fan than an Insanity fan. I am however like you doing another round of Isanity right now. For the record I am a BeachBody coach but I’m not one of those push push push coaches. I promote the products but by no means do it for the money, I do it purely because I believe in the products and really enjoy healing others get fit. That said well written article and very informative to anyone who is trying to decide which one to do.
jasonamyers
04/09/2013
Thanks Joe! Yeah, I am a huge fan of BeachBody too. I like their products and I think they are good quality. I wasn’t meaning to slam on coaches, I just know how when I read a review and then see they are a coach…well, Idunno. It skews it a wee bit for me.
I completely agree with you on becoming a bigger fan of LMC. I feel like *I* can control my workout instead of it controlling me.
Pete
04/09/2013
Thanks for that honest review, all this time I thought I was the only weakling that could not do the Insanity workout. I have tried the insanity – way too hard, P90X – too much equipment, Rushfit – no cardio. I have since created my own hybrid version of Rushfit and LMC, and I have to say I love it. I basically do the GSP Rushfit and on the cardio days I do the LMC, and I have been getting a great workout. Thanks again for the honest review. Much Appreciated.
jasonamyers
04/09/2013
Hey Pete!
I need to try the rushfit. I think that’s one of the workouts I looked at but never tried.
I will give it a shot and thanks for the tip!
Nichole Duff
04/16/2013
This was such a great review! Thanks for posting this! I am a beachbody coach, and have been in LOVE with insanity for a couple years now. I followed up with Asylum a few months ago, and am now doing p90x2. Im going to be doing LesMillsCOmbat soon and was looking into what people had to say….people that arent fellow coaches 😉 Anywho, THANKS!
Nikki~
jasonamyers
04/16/2013
Thanks, Nikki! Man, if you can do Asylum you must be in some shape! I would love to do it, but don’t think I am up for it yet. Perhaps some day I will man up and do it.
What is a good contrast compare between P90X and P90X2? I’ve done one but not the other.
Blanche
05/01/2013
Awesome review. Just finished insanity and wanted to move on. I have done les mills pump and loved Rache and Dan on it. I cannot wait to start LMC Great tips on punching harder and giving it your all, will make sure to do that!
Anonymous
05/08/2013
Great review! I have completed insanity three times and completed asylum volume one twice… I am so bored with looking at Shaun t haha. I just completed tapout xt which I think is a lot like LMC but my results were awful. In fact after the 90 days of tapout xt I gained four pounds and my pants fit pretty tight. I was so upset!!! I just recently started cycling through my own little insanity and insanity asylum hybrid and in three weeks dropped the four pounds I gained. So… I am obviously very hesitant to try something other than insanity. The last thing I want to do is waste more money and time on a product that isn’t intense enough for me to continue my weight loss. I am thinking I should order asylum volume 2 but really enjoyed the tapout workouts in fact I LOVED the workouts (maybe because they weren’t too hard and I love mma moves). Anyways I guess my question is did you continue to lose weight with LMC? Also let me just add if you completed insanity you aren’t giving yourself enough credit. You could definitely do asylum… It isn’t in my opinion that much harder! Thanks again for your great review!!!!
Nikki- how do you like p90x2? I did a few of p90x workouts recently that I borrowed from a friend and didn’t find them to be challenging enough. I am wondering if the second is harder?
Kim
05/08/2013
Great review! I have completed insanity three times and completed asylum volume one twice… I am so bored with looking at Shaun t haha. I just completed tapout xt which I think is a lot like LMC but my results were awful. In fact after the 90 days of tapout xt I gained four pounds and my pants fit pretty tight. I was so upset!!! I just recently started cycling through my own little insanity and insanity asylum hybrid and in three weeks dropped the four pounds I gained. So… I am obviously very hesitant to try something other than insanity. The last thing I want to do is waste more money and time on a product that isn’t intense enough for me to continue my weight loss. I am thinking I should order asylum volume 2 but really enjoyed the tapout workouts in fact I LOVED the workouts (maybe because they weren’t too hard and I love mma moves). Anyways I guess my question is did you continue to lose weight with LMC? Also let me just add if you completed insanity you aren’t giving yourself enough credit. You could definitely do asylum… It isn’t in my opinion that much harder! Thanks again for your great review!!!!
Nikki- how do you like p90x2? I did a few of p90x workouts recently that I borrowed from a friend and didn’t find them to be challenging enough. I am wondering if the second is harder?
jasonamyers
05/09/2013
Thanks, Kim! Man, what an eye opener. Now you got me scratching my head about looking into Tapout and The Asylum….I will investigate 🙂
jasonamyers
05/09/2013
Oh! And YES I continued to lose weight with LMC. In fact, while doing it, I noticed my back fat diminished dramatically. As in, I can feel the muscles. All that punching and kicking works the back like CRAZY!
But to note also, I am a firm believer in diet is just as important to losing weight as exercise. I noticed when I started doing intermittent fasting and cutting my carbs, the weight dropped too!
And yeah…heh. I have been hunting all over the internet for something as hard as LMC and Insanity…it’s not easy at all. I don’t want to get a workout that’s too easy. That would be waste.
Bethany
05/12/2013
Great review! By any chance between the two could you tell which one would work your abs the best?
jasonamyers
05/13/2013
I would say Insanity works the core pretty well, only because in every move, Shaun T yells out “Focus on the core!!!!”
However, Les Mills Combat did a great job of working the core too. They have a core workout and all the ridiculous amounts of punches and knees you do, will work your core like no one’s business. My back is in the best shape it’s ever been now.
Shelby
05/18/2013
Love, love, love this review! I’m finishing Insanity next week and I really need to give my bad knees a rest but, until now, I was convinced that NOTHING will get me working out as hard as this madness with Shaun T! I really appreciate the tips on putting your everything into punching & kicking and the HIIT warning! LOL Quick question: How hard does this hit your knees/joints?? Thanks!!
jasonamyers
05/18/2013
Thanks, Shelby!
I have a slightly tweaked left knee, so I wear a neoprene knee sleeve when I do any workout to add additional support.
But to be honest, I haven’t really needed it while doing most of the LMC workouts. Now, that being said, the combat videos are a different animal than say, the Lower Body Lean out or the HIIT workouts. There’s a TON of knee banging in those suckers, but they always, always always, give you modifications that are easier on the joints. Gosh in one of the HIIT sessions, they have you doing burpees (Shaun T calls them suicide jumps, I think) and when you come up, you jump forward, jump back, then forward, then go down for the next one. It’s still way too much for this big guy to do (down to 229 lbs, but still!) Also, on the lower body lean out, there are a lot of jumping lunges, which if done improperly will ravage your knees.
The combat videos which to me are why you’re buying the DVDs (anyone can throw a HIIT workout together) are pretty easy on the knees. I never had any issues, even when you had to jump to switch stances (again, they show you modifications) but my knees never hurt at all doing them.
And to be honest, I still enjoy the combat videos. Dan and Rach are fun and they never grate on my nerves like some other DVDs do.
Anonymous
05/22/2013
Great Review, I also did Insanity and Asylum and then Combat. I too at first was not sure, thought it might be too easy. But the more and more I did Combat I fell in Love with this workout. I am now doing it again but the Ultimate Warrior and I love it. Its a fun workout I love the music and I put everything into my punches and kicks. My left knee also gives my problems so I wear a sleeve and it helps. My friends laugh at me cuz they know how much of a Shaun T fan I am but I told them, IDK I thinking Im morphing cuz I love Rache and Dan. hahaha. But I am looking forward to T25 that will be out the end of June 🙂
jasonamyers
05/22/2013
Wait!!! What is T25?!?!?!!? Something new and hard!?!?!?
Shelby
05/22/2013
Jasonamyers, thanks for the reply!! I return, here’s a lil sumthin’ for ya: http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/focus-t25-workout.do?code=SEMB_GOOGLE_T25&gclid=COCM6YvsqrcCFSiCQgodbRgA9w
Shelby
05/22/2013
Oops, I meant IN return!! 🙂
Anonymous
05/29/2013
I am about to finish the 1st round of Insanity and I am already VERY bored with it. I was considering LMC and after reading your review I think I will do it. Thanks!
Mark Beardsell
05/30/2013
nice one, I took the same journey as you did and I totally agree, BTW they are not British they are from New Zealand, I know you guys from across the pond can’t tell the difference though ha ha
jasonamyers
05/30/2013
Good luck on the LMC!
Oh, and Dan and Rache are both from England…they moved the NZ later 🙂
I can detect the NZ accent a little more in Rachael’s voice than Dan’s, because I don’t think he’s lived there. She’s going over ten years living there now.
Mark Beardsell
05/30/2013
oh yeah 😀 just looked it up, I think they have been there to long, as they sound like ozzy’s to me, I am at that deciding stage right now more LMC of more Insanity or a mix of both
Krazy J
06/06/2013
Excellent Excellent review, thank you for your honesty and realism. I just finished my 63 day Insanity Workout and admit that was one of the hardest workout series I’ve ever done. My body got in great shape but I did not get as ripped as I would have liked even though I pushed myself to the brink, and that is most likely because I did not follow the meal plan or the diet plan as much. I did jillian’s body revolution for 6 months it felt that was a great workout to prepare myself for Insanity and P90X. Since my body is so sore I’m giving myself a few days to recover after insanity doing a mixture of 30 minute workout such as Jillian
jasonamyers
06/06/2013
Yeah, I liked Jillian’s plan too! She’s a good cookie. I am working on The Asylum now. It’s freaking tough! But if you finished Insanity, you can do it.
The Les Mills Combat routine is still fun for me though. I have done it twice in a row now, but can still throw a video in and really enjoy the workout and the fun atmosphere of Dan and Rache.
Thanks for the feedback!!
Krazy J
06/06/2013
I am thinking about starting Les Mills combat but was worried that it would not be as intense or that I would be going backwards in my workout quest. your review has inspired me to give it a shot by pushing hard and seeing where it takes me, I have Asylum and p90x2 waiting in the wings but am looking forwaed to starting my less mills combat workouts in a few days. thank you again for the great review!
jasonamyers
06/06/2013
Good luck Krazy J! The Asylum is indeed insane, but to be honest, if you give LMC a chance before you do The Asylum, I think you will get more out of it. I know I did.
Laura
06/12/2013
Thanks for a great review, I’ve done insanity a few times, but just could listen to Shaun T anymore, I got combat. No joke about the HIIT videos, I was dying! Now I think I’ll be happy I completed it, hopefully that bridesmaid dress will fit in September now!!
jasonamyers
06/13/2013
Good luck on the bridesmaid dress! Tell you what, after doing combat for a while, I noticed my back was gettin ripped! If you have an open backed dress, you will look great.
Lai
06/13/2013
Thanks this helped alot. I agree with you saying you get bored inanity really fast. I done it three times but stopped due to family issues but now i going to start my LMC in July for my sisters beachbody challenge. But your blog really informed me for what’s instored. Thanks
jasonamyers
06/13/2013
Glad to help and good luck!
Sandy Brodsky
06/13/2013
Loved reading all of these. Just happened across it looking for something on Rach and Dan. I’m a beachbody coach and love the products. I’ve done Insanity and in the middle of Combat which I love. Team Beachbody’s (the coach business name of it) Summit is next weekend here in LV and I can’t wait. Rach and Dan as well as all of the trainers will be here. We get to workout live with them. T25, Shaun T’s new workout will be revealed and available for sale to us coaches plus we get the opportunity to workout to it with Shaun T. Be on the look out for it. Will be available June 24. You all are doing great. Keep up the good work.
ashley
06/23/2013
LOVE the review, I started out with insanity, it was a little too difficult with my “bad knee” and I had tried les mills combat at fit club (run by a beach body coach) I finally decided yesterday to order it! It should be here by the end of the week 🙂
jasonamyers
06/24/2013
All right!!! Good luck. Man LMC is so much fun.
Mylene
06/24/2013
I have been doing LMC for the past 6 months and lost nearly 60lbs. I realised how much I loved it when I tried TAPOUT I dont know why I dint stick with the Beachbody dvds but I wanted to try something new and big fail it feels like they just want you to get hurt no explanation or anything just hit the hardst you can… Not for me… In LMC the music is good, the trainers are fun and you burn calories each time.. My journey is not over still got 20 to go( im thinking the last 20 are the hardest to loose) But hey you dont know what you can do until you have done it!!!
jasonamyers
06/24/2013
Good for you! 60 lbs is a lot of weight. Have you gotten the “what did you do to lose the weight?” questions? You’re right the trainers and the music are fun. I have never tired of them. I too tried some other workout videos from others besides beach body, and found them a little lacking too. And whip those final 20 lbs into shape!!! Show them who’s boss!
Glory
07/01/2013
I’m doing LMC and I like the workouts, but find the instructors very annoying. If there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s someone talking while I’m trying to workout. I found myself screaming “shut up” while working out, so I do it on mute and put music I like on. I’ve lost 10lbs in 3 weeks, so I’d say it’s working. I definitely like Tony better, I just wish he didn’t use so much yoga as I am just not a yoga fan at all.
jasonamyers
07/09/2013
Huh. You know, out of all the instructors I have had, I find Dan and Rache the easiest to listen to. They never grated on my nerves.
Congrats on the weight loss! Man 10 lbs in 3 weeks is kicking it!
I am not a fan of yoga either. I do it because I have to, not because i want to. Any static moves always bug me.
Ryan
07/20/2013
This is the Review I have been waiting for….For over the past 5 years I have been unable to preform any physical activity due to a inguinal hernia that i couldn’t fix. I had surgery in March and waited the advised 8-10 weeks of recovery before any strenuous activity. I started insanity on June 1st and am in my last 2 weeks now. I have lost over 20lbs and have my 6 pack back. I have to say this is the best condition my body has ever been and Jason i have to agree with the above comment If you can complete Insanity you are highly underestimating your self im sure your blowing through asylum. I just wanted to say thank you again you have sealed the deal on moving from Insanity to LCM then to Asylum
jasonamyers
07/25/2013
Ryan,
Wholly agree with you. I started Asylum and was easily able to keep up with it. And you know, what? I had fun doing it. But I am now at a place, where doing a 40 minute Asylum video is just my warm up. I go and get my dessert afterward by either doing stair climbing with weighted pack on, hitting the treadmill, or doing another video. Been working out a lot…but alas…it is over for a while. Like you, I have a hernia. I just got it operated on this weekend, so I am out of it for at least a month. And I will miss it!! Thanks for the post!
ChariD
08/06/2013
Your last update cracked me up. 😉
I did Insanity first as well and got bored with the same workouts. So, I’ve been doing LMC and love it! I think it’s important to switch up workouts so your body doesn’t keep adapting to them. Once I complete LMC, I’ll start going back and forth during the week between Insanity and LMC long workouts that will mix it up a bit! I also do trail runs to add a bit more endurance and to fire up slow twitch muscles vs the fast twitch ones.
Thanks for the review!
jasonamyers
08/24/2013
ChariD I just started to get back from my surgery. I am back, baby! Yes, I completely agree with what you say! MIX IT UP. Right now I am stuck doing really low intensity workouts for another few weeks, before I can ramp it back up. I can’t wait!! Fast Twitch, here I come 🙂
Noah
09/14/2013
Your review is awesome thanks alot. I completed Insanity aswell and now i’m going to try Les Mills Combat, i wasn’t sure if it would be as intense as Insanity but thanks to your review I have my answer
Anonymous
09/17/2013
I’m going at it the other way around: from LMC to Insanity. Not quite ready to switch but I’ve got the DVDs. A also have the rushfit DVDs and I’m not sure whether to do them next or Insanity. Did you ever try mixing LMC with Insanity like GeeOne?
It would be cool if Les Mills, Beachbody, and Rushfit published some programs that mixed all their DVDs together: win-win for everybody.
jasonamyers
09/19/2013
Man if someone could combine all those different work outs! Yes! that would be awesome
jasonamyers
09/19/2013
I did try to combine them, but only for convenience sake. Not for any special plan. Some days I was more in the mood to do some combat, in other days I was ready to get my butt kicked by insanity!
Melissa
10/09/2013
Hey thanks I have done insanity p90x and was thinking if turbo fire? Then I ran across les mills combat? You helped answer all my questions 🙂 thanks
jasonamyers
10/11/2013
Glad to help!
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jester9908
01/10/2014
Great review, i used to do insanity and i stopped cz i was bored like hell, but les mills kept me going and i finished it yesterday,, i didn’t loose any weight though, gained 5 kilos. but my body is much leaner than it was and i could feel the muscle build now, which i couldn’t previously. the layer of fat in my chest and overall front is still there so my plan is to revamp the ultimate warrior schedule which i was doing and start on it again. got any advice regarding that,, 🙂
jasonamyers
01/12/2014
Hey Jester! Yeah, I did the same thing. What I did was a mix up of different LMC and Insanity videos, well until I got the Aslyum, and then I mixed it up with LMC too. You’re right you do get bored with one workout routine and then stop looking forward to doing it. I really wish Beach Body would release a “Black Belt” addition to LMC where it’s even harder.
I would pick days where I would do upper or lower body or cardio workouts. So for cardio workouts I would either do the 60 minute Combat vids or one of the 30 minute ones, and then immediately pop in an insanity workout (30 minute variety).
One saturday I was going to do lower body and couldnt figure out if I wanted to do LMC legs or Asylum legs. So I did them both. Man was I beat. I also did three different core workouts in a row too one Saturday. (those are my long workout days, usually around 2 hours).
I also did both HIIT workouts of LMC in one sitting. Yes, I am a glutton.
But to answer your question, I just mixed them up in an order that I felt gave me what I needed for that day.
Kahley
02/02/2014
Hello Jason
Dan and Rach from les mills are not ‘extremely British’ they are both from New Zealand!
It is a very different accent and country.
jasonamyers
02/02/2014
Sorry “mate” but they’re not. They’re from England….check into it.
I am good with accents, I used to have a friend from New Zealand, and I can detect a little bit of that in Rache’s accent since she’s lived there for a long while. Much longer than Dan has, who has only moved down there in the last few years.
🙂
You can read about Dan here:
http://andstaywiththefight.blogspot.com/
” I am british born and now live in the land of the long white cloud Aotearoa, NEW ZEALAND”
JO
02/12/2014
If you get bored of the DVDs, you should try and find whether they run the LM programs at a gym near you. They release new stuff every quarter and the gyms will normally run it for about 4 weeks and then start mixing it up. Each release are different, some are more cardio intense, some work your legs and shoulders like crazy.
Elaine Del Rosario
04/02/2014
Great review! I felt the same way about Insanity but I didn’t like the I can hardly breathe and my heart is going to beat out of my chest feeling. At least with Les Mills Combat (I did HIIT Power today) they work you up to the hard workout intervals. Then it’s over and you’re like wow, I did burpees with a pushup and squat jumps with it?! I think it’s easier to stick with the workouts if you can actually keep up and it really is what you put into it and go all out.
jasonamyers
04/02/2014
Elaine I completely agree. I am to the point now where I put in an Insanity video if I am feeling like I want my butt kicked, or a Les Mills if I want a workout..there is a difference! Now, when I do the HIIT workouts, I usually do the Les Mills HIIT workouts, one after the other. You want a challenge? Try that one! 🙂
bpmusicalmind
04/15/2014
Hey, Jason. I just wanted to say thanks for the info, it was great hearing your thoughts on the program.
I have only been doing LMC for about a week, supplementing it in for doubles some days with my first cycle of P90x3. But after having done Insanity, I find LMC to be the best personally for me. Insanity is intense, no two ways about it. It will get you to your max heart rate and force you to stop, and I like that intensity, but for me it feels like a hell that I’m counting down the seconds for. It works, and it is probably the best of any cardio ever in my opinion, but to me it isn’t moves I like doing or find fun.
Maybe I am just a violent person, but I find jump kicks and punches with the force of all the energy of your body so much more satisfying than power jumps or suicides. There is something so much easier for me about commiting to the intensity of striking with all my energy, imagining bashing someone’s face in or pounding a heavy bag vs running in place and jumping. I scream or grunt with almost every strike, the music is pumping and I just feel like a sweaty beast instead of a drained noodle having to stop sometimes in Insanity. It goes back to what you said about getting to your brink heart rate and stopping vs hovering around there and being able to keep up the intensity. There is also the added advantage for me of being completely immersed in the music and the “fight” that you put yourself in. I also feel like I am becoming a stronger fighter every day, like every workout is making me hit harder and move faster. I also like the trainers better than Shaun T. Shaun T is great, but he is very no nonsense, almost drill sergeant-y most of the time, which some people love , but I personally prefer Tony from p90x and now also Dan and rache from LMC.
Like Jason said, you will likely burn more calories from Insanity, don’t get me wrong, but LMC can be just as intense if you give it your all each and every move, and for me it has that factor that gives me an intense workout, that is also fun, makes me feel like a badass, flies by, and most importantly keeps me pressing the play button every day.
jasonamyers
04/23/2014
Man bpmusicalmind, you nailed it! I agree on every point. I love punching out my frustrations of the day. To be honest, I once even felt emotional at the end of the workouts and once when Dan said, “It’s easy to work out with a group of people, but to work out alone that takes bravery and that takes courage.” I was all like, “Hey! That’s me!”
Glad I could help with the info! Good luck too!
joehempel
05/02/2014
I’m an Insanity graduate, and did Asylum right after Insanity….and OMG Asylum…nuff said. I started to test out some Les Mills Combat DVD’s and really enjoy them, but I disagree, they don’t get you anywhere near Insanity level workouts. Even the Plyo HIIT, which was tough. I attribute that to the fact that I did Asylum BEFORE this.
I’ve only done the 30 minute videos and testing the Power Kata tonight. I like the videos, and I think it’ll be a good workout to couple with my Marathon training. I don’t think I’m ready for Asylum Vol 2 yet, but will probably do it after I do Combat.
Thanks for your thoughts on the videos!! Well written! I may be putting up a written review of the Asylum program on my site. I’m a book reviewer, but hey, this and Insanity may be great additions!
D-RAIL
07/18/2014
One thing I noticed with LMC is that they give you options to increase the intensity as you are working out (Mainly HIIT Workouts) and I burn a lot more calories when I go straight to the harder versions right away, and not when they show you.
jasonamyers
07/18/2014
That’s one of my favorite things about LMC is you can ramp it up when you want and then back down and not feel like you’re not giving it a good go.
muddy
10/16/2014
hey Jason,
thanks so much for sharing this, its exactly what I’ve been looking for, and thanks to everyone who’ve contributed – super helpful!
I was hoping I could get your opinion on some things.
I’ve just finished my second round of insanity and am trying to work out what to do next. I am in pretty mean shape (24, female) but wanna get rid of a tad more weight (I’m talking like 2kgs) and reveal lower abs a bit more, also my legs got slightly more bulked up than I’d like doing insanity. Do you think LMC is enough cardio to lose weight and lean down my legs to reach my goals?
I also want to get asylum 1 and maybe just rotate these three over and over, I’ve heard asylum 1 is really good for the lower back/core which I wanna strengthen for sure, but I’m also worried its a bit too much weights and muscle building? I have unusually good muscle memory and bulk up very easily – which I know most people would be stoked on but I am also a dancer so really need to stay long and lean.
what do you think I should do? will LMC be enough to lean me down more? or might it bulk me up? same question with asylum? my body is starting to get used to the insanity moves so I thought it might be good to switch it up, or should I just stay doing insanity like the addict I am because its the most intense cardio/less muscle building?
I love watching MMA and walking around thinking I could go all Ronda Rousey on everyone lol so I’m sure I could go all out and really get carried away with these work outs like everyone suggests, but am still not sure if it’ll be a good match for my goals?
has anyone done UFC fit and Tapout XT2 as well? how would they compare or would they be better for me?
thanks so much for your time mate!
eagerly awaiting your advice,
yours, muddy
p.s just for considering in the equation, my diet is lean and green and on lock down, also welcome any advice from others who’ve had experience with these programs
jasonamyers
10/16/2014
Hey Muddy!
Good that you’re eating correctly, because as I was reading your post, I kept thinking, “food! food! not exercise!”
But you got that already.
I also did the Asylum and I don’t think you would have to worry about bulking up. Just use light weights on the “weight days” and even then, the workouts aren’t geared toward bulking, but are geared for more cardio-metabolic training. LMC also has weights in it too! In their HIIT workouts (which, in my humble opinion are the hardest workouts I have ever done).
The LMC workouts were fun, but they are less intense than Insanity. You can still get a good burn from them, if you use weighted gloves and do what I describe above. But if you’re looking for something to really kick your butt, then I would go to the Asylum next.
But let me follow all that up: your workout really doesn’t matter when it comes to leaning out as much as your diet does. Working out is only around 10% of it, and food a whopping 90%! So if you keep eating lean and green, then you’re already there. So by saying that, I would recommend you do whichever work out looks more fun to you! The Asylum is a fun workout, but the LMC workouts were WAY more fun.
I felt like in the Asylum workouts that Shaun T was PUNISHING me on purpose. Like daring me to stop. But in LMC, I really felt like they were encouraging me to do it.
I would love for a “Black belt” LMC group of videos for those who are more advanced. That would be a freaking blast!!!
muddy
10/22/2014
Hey Jason,
thank you so much for such a quick and helpful reply mate! You’ve totally sold me on LMC Ultimate Warrior Kit. (I also want Asylum 1 deluxe & piyo deluxe) but now I’m finding it really hard to get them because I live in Melbourne Australia, just wondering if you know any ways to get them internationally by any chance?
Thanks again Jason, you’re a champion.
Cheers, muddy
jasonamyers
10/25/2014
Hey there! The only way I would know of would be to spoof your location using some sort of proxy server.
Well that or bittorrent, but I do believe that is illegal 🙂
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Randi (laughfrodisiac)
01/29/2015
I’m so glad I found this! I have been doing Insanity and Asylum for years, and I just bought LMC on the Christmas sale just to try something new. I didn’t ‘start’ yet but I just tried the Kata 45 min video to check it out, and I hated it – so easy! I’m so glad to know the rest of the videos will kick my butt. But I might throw some Insanity into the calendar; I don’t like the idea of not being able to do my fave videos in 2 months!
Czaruh
02/10/2015
Me and my dad started insanity last year September then slacked off in December then started insanity again this year, January and now, at our second month. Yeah, I agree insanity is very hard to handle. After we finish insanity, we want to try another types of workout and les
pam Bayard
12/10/2015
I love Les Mills. I just started it and in my second week. I have had the work out since the end of 2012 but did not do it at the time because I had an injury. Since then I have tried other things but I decided to finally do this. Might as well since I spent the money on it right? Anyway I was tol Les Milks Combat really gets you ripped up so I thank you for yoyr review. I tried Insanity but resold it because it was too hard for my knees. Anyway I am hoping for good results. Lets see what happens! Great review!
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02/23/2016
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