All Gain, NO Pain!
No Kidding!
Earlier this year I took on the Insanity Workout Challenge (opens in a new window). I was completing my rebound from a near-death experience in December, 2009 and I wanted to test my limits to prove to myself and to others that I was indeed all the way back on a healthy track.
While I’m certainly proud of myself, not only for attempting the Insanity Workout but also for actually doing the entire 63 days of body-pounding torture, I have to be entirely transparent and tell you that I would NOT do it again. In fact, I would NOT recommend this workout for most people over the age of 40.
Do NOT Try This at Home
Warnings abound on the info-mercial and especially within the Insanity package. Every document and DVD includes very strict and serious disclaimers that go way above and beyond the usual, “See a doctor before starting this or any exercise routine.” They very clearly and explicitly state who the exercise routine is intended for and especially who it ISN’T for, like beginners and those with existing health issues.
They should have included 57 year olds! I’m going to suggest that there should be some kind of locking device on the DVD so that dumb-dumbs over 40 (like me) who refuse to believe they are no longer 18 can’t play the video, thus preventing unnecessary pain and injury. At least that would have given me a good excuse!
Pain Was My Only Gain
The pain from doing plyometrics (basically a lot of jumping and bone jarring movements) started right from day one. I endured the first three weeks knowing that my body would eventually adapt and adjust to the pounding. The relief – if I can honestly say there was any – was very minimal. Older bodies (like those over 40) lack the resiliency and ability to recover quick enough to keep up with the intensity of a workout series like Insanity.
And the pain from doing plyometrics continued for a good several weeks AFTER the 63-day challenge ended. I couldn’t walk without a noticeable limp. Heck, just rolling over in bed was a chore! However, eventually – THANKFULLY – the pain and stiffness DID subside and I was able to get on to better ways of keeping myself in shape.
There Is a Better Way, 40+
Maggie and I stay in shape with Bodylastics
These days I’m hooked on Bodylastics (learn more here). These versatile resistance bands allow me to build and maintain muscle while keeping a fit and lean tone. By varying the resistance, repetitions and speed, I get all the stretching, strength training and heart-pounding, dripping-sweat-inducing cardio I want and need.
GONE are the jumping and bone-jarring, crippling exercises. Because Bodylastics helps me to STRETCH through every move, I actually increase my flexibility while building strength and endurance. Not only do I think it’s the PERFECT workout for 40+, I would highly recommend this workout for ANY age.
The best part is that I both LOOK and FEEL amazing! It’s so nice to hear compliments like, “Dude, you’re 57? You could pass for 45!”
And you KNOW I Love That Feeling! 
P.S. Do you have an exercise experience you’d like to share? I know some folks who are getting amazing results with P90X. Having done all kinds of workouts, using all kinds of equipment from Inversion Tables, Treadmills, Stationary Bikes and Weight Machines, I can tell you that I wouldn’t trade my Bodylastics (learn more here) for ANY of them.
What is your favorite workout and/or piece of equipment? Please leave a comment below. Thanks for joining the conversation.
Thank goodness! Sanity returns!
A couple years ago, after watching a TV show about a local trainer who used stretch tubing to shape up local sports teams, I picked up a set a and have used them off and on. (Exercise hasn’t, until very recently, been on of my strengths.)
This year a nasty broken upper arm and shoulder surgery sent me to physical therapy where I worked extensively with stretch bands to rebuild my mobility and strength. And even though I’m working out at a fitness center three times a week now and loving it, your post has me convinced to pick up a set of these Bodylastics to use at home as well. (They look like THE brand to buy.)
The thing I love most about them is that you can be totally out of shape, start slowly and gently and build up terrific strength really quickly with regular use. Great post, Russ! (And an old fashioned wolf whistle to boot!)
What’s the old saying Susan, “Too soon old; too late smart!”
I’d like to think that in both of our cases, we beat out Father Time and got smart enough, early enough to be of some good!
And anyone who hasn’t been to Susan’s websites, you are in for an AWESOME treat! For me, they are MUST READING every week.
http://www.positive-living-now.com
http://www.highonhappiness.com/
Hey Russ,
So glad to see you back in full health again. Congrats!
About exercise, although I do some light stretching, I don’t do it very strenuously. In years past, I’d get the exercise bug, go at it with lots of energy and no judgment and end up injuring something that’d take months to heal. Eventually, even a dummy like me figures out the pattern and tries something else.
Just about a year ago my back had gotten into such bad shape (from all that sitting at my computer) that I finally gave in and tried Thai massage. Since I live in Thailand, you’d think that would have been one of my first options, but I didn’t really like being touched by strangers all that much, so it took me a while to work up to it. Anyway, I eventually started, and the results have been good.
Now I go twice a week and pay a lady to hurt me for two hours, and my back is better than it’s been since I was in my teens – my early teens. When I do my stretching exercises now, I’m finding myself much less injury prone. Of course I may simply be taking it easier on myself, being less desperate to “make some progress” … or something.
At any rate, it is so good not to have that background pain all the time.
Cheers from warm and smiling Thailand,
Charles
That Thai massage sounds nice, especially when I’m on the third circuit of running the 22 floors here in my condo building; or when I’m on the 20-rep portion of my core strength training routine – I do three circuits of 10 reps, 15 reps, then 20 reps – each circuit has 10 different strength exercises.
I’ve been truly blessed with far more energy than I can manage sometimes. Now I’m finding that I really do have to pace myself better. My style of exercise in the past has typically been the all-or-nothing variety. I’d go like a bat out of hell for 3 months and burn myself out BIG time. Then I’d take the next 3-6 months off and do NO exercise outside of lifting heavy forks and spoons.
Finally I’m leveling out and getting the hang of this new concept (well, at least for me it is) CONSISTENCY! I’ve got a routine I’m happy with. It includes a balance of cardio, strength and stretching which I do five days a week. I’m still able to push and challenge myself and I carefully chart my results and progress which is a great motivator for me. I’ll keep this up as long as I can. And because I’m on the 100-year plan, that means I’ve got at least another 42 good years in me.
I’ll have to come and check out that Thai massage. I’m still cooling down from running stairs. I’m thinking a Thai massage would be a great way to wrap up my workout as I prepare for my day in front of this computer.
All the best from Toronto,
Russ
P.S. And for all of you reading this comment, let me give my highest recommendation for you to visit Charles’ blog: http://www.bullseye-living.com/ Charles was one of my first online mentors… and still one of the very best!