If you could achieve your goals:
- Spending half the time in the gym that you currently do
- Eating a good quantity of food
- Having cheat meals
- Having more time to spend with your family and friends…
would you be interested? I’m sure you would.
I feel sorry for the many people slaving away on programs like Insanity and P90x.
Some trainer puts together a lot of aerobic work with some light resistance thrown in for good measure and claims it’s an “insane” workout that brings “insane” results. Unfortunately the masses lap it up (thanks to some great marketing). By the way, why is everything “INSANE” with these guys? Seems to be a real buzzword for the current cesspool of “gurus”.
There’s no real science behind this stuff. They’re basically just getting you to bust your ass for 90 minutes in any way the can. You know how easy it is for a trainer to make this stuff up off the cuff? It’s rubbish. It doesn’t build muscle. It doesn’t increase your resting metabolic rate. Just go out running for 90 minutes if you want the same type of slow results (and save your money).
In addition to this story, have a look at this feedback I received on facebook from ex-P90X and Insanity trainees!
Ok. Rant over. I’m getting worked up here!
Now, here’s some quality feedback from a program that IS based on scientific research – Total Six Pack Abs.
It comes from a former P90X guy, Derek Holt, from Bloomington, Illinois. For authenticity, this is his facebook profile.
Here is his before and after and check out what he had to say below…
“First I’d just like to thank you and the MuscleHack site for providing great information. I have to say that I was skeptical at first, taking in 100g fat/day didn’t seem like a weight-loss plan to me.
Being a high school and college athlete I didn’t have much trouble staying in shape. Even after college, the first 4 years of my marriage (pre-kids) I found plenty of time for long hours at the gym and stayed in decent shape despite the fact that my eating habits were pretty poor.
Fast forward 4 years after marriage and I’m suddenly the father of triplets, yes three babies at once… crazy!
Initially working out was the last thing on my mind. After 6-8 months caring for kids and not working out, things finally settled down and I realized how far I’d let myself slip (worst shape of my life).
I actually went through 2 cycles of P90X with little results. After having limited success and killing myself (P90X is no joke), I stumbled across MuscleHack.com.
As I said before I was a bit skeptical after first reading the (Total Six Pack Abs) diet plan, but figured I didn’t have anything to lose.
After 30 days of the diet and lifting routine I had dropped 10 lbs (more than I had ever dropped after 90 days of P90X). Seeing this success I continued with the plan and finally achieved the results I was after.
In total I lost over 30 lbs in around 4 months, while gaining strength at the same time.
The bonus of this diet/workout routine is that I spend about half as much time working out, eat the same quantity of food (the right foods), “cheat eat” on the weekends, and have more time with my family.
Thanks Mark, this is the only routine that’ s worked for me.
I’ve attached a before and after picture and hope others can see this as proof and motivation that this can work.
Thanks again
Derek Holt
Bloomington, IL”
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People always ask me this, so I’ll answer it here to save anyone the bother of typing the question. You don’t stop THT training when on TSPA. You keep right on gaining like you were (on whatever cycle of THT you were using. You can train 3, 5, or 6 days a week with TSPA). So you can do this, no matter what time constraints you’re under.
So don’t worry, you will NOT lose the progress you are making with THT training 😀
Stick with programs that based on the research, guys. Also, if anyone else would like to submit a testimonial, just let me know below.
It’s Monday – we’ve a new week of training ahead. So…
Train With Intensity!
Mark
I have a similar story and TSPA worked like nothing else for me. I will submit my story to you soon Mark!
Wow! Well done to Derek!
Mark I confess, I’ve been a free-loader! From THT, your articles, and recently the meal plans book. I think it’s time I coughed up for tspa!
I’m beyond impressed. Esp since I know the testimonials are actually real!
While tspa is a great program that gets results, I believe programs like p90x and insanity have their place too.
When doing tspa I don’t like to drop my calories too low so I do it in conjunction with Insanity too burn the extra calories, not only does this accelerate results for me but it improves my fitness levels to boot.
I have never tried Insanity (nor would I) but I have done P90X several times. P90X is one of the most thorough and well-rounded programs out there. I personally like TSPA better than P90X, however, P90X does the following very well…
– Increases flexibility: P90X focuses on flexibility, especially the hamstrings, which virtually eliminated back sprain/strain injuries that I have become prone to allowing me to do more TSPA with less injuries, etc. TSPA doesn’t cause my injuries. My injuries are due to a lack of focus on my flexibility, core, and muscle balances.
– Spinal decompression: I suffer from spinal compression (and subsequent low back pain) and P90X does a great job of reducing this thru some of its exercises (yoga poses, pull 2x/week, etc.)
This is by no means a criticism of TSPA (which I love), but more an emphasis for certain areas of fitness for individuals my age (40). I LOVE lifting weights. I HATE yoga/stretching/blah, blah. If you are young (under 30), take care of yourself by stretching regularly and building up your core and hamstrings, then you can do TSPA forever :). Otherwise, you could end up like me, forced to do P90X periodically to alleviate issues by not taking care of myself, instead of getting to do more TSPA 🙁
Hey Mark…I have a couple of unrelated questions…Whats your take on raw unpasteurized cow milk..I drink a ton of this stuff…and for deadlifts..do you ever try sumo style…I actually own p 90 x as well…Havent looked at it in about 2 years..I got it because I don’t have steady work in the winter months because of the cold..Just wanted to stay in shape…I would do the cardio style videos..But do my THT style lifting…Thanks again mark..you the man
Hey Mark,
I’m interested in TSPA, but was wondering if it will be possible to still make strength gains while losing fat. Thank you for answering my question.
@James. That’s the real key to TPSA. I’ve yet to meet or speak to a single person who didn’t continue to increase strength while on TSPA. Just like Derek did in this article.
@Mike. I’m all for raw milk 😀
No I don’t recommend sumo deadlifts. As hypertrophy trainers we have to do each exercise along the ‘line of pull’. See more on this concept here https://musclehack.com/the-line-of-pull/
We aren’t about trying to increase the weight on each lift just for the sake of it, or to show off. We are about maximum stimulation of muscle fibers for growth. So regular deadlifts are better.
Wow, looking sexy Derek! 🙂 I too live in Bloomington. Too bad you’re married. You would be nice arm candy for me when I travel for my job as a model. I guess a girl can always dream….hehe.
Awesome job!!! Keep up the good work. Another successful transformation all thanks to the Master M-Hacker himself.
Yup P90X is crap. Nice work mate!!!
Slightly off topic. I’d like to see the term “cheat day” changed to “treat day”. After a week of being really good and eating correctly (which can be just as hard as lifting them heavy weights) don’t we deserve a “treat” without feeling guilty of cheating 🙂
P90x and “insanity” being a joke is a complete understatement. Mark, I have a friend who was overweight his whole life and did a cycle of insanity a few months ago, he did manage to lose a couple of pounds, but surprise surprise he ended up getting fatter than he was before he even touched the program!
TSPA is the real deal guys, at 20 years old Im at the leanest I’ve ever been. I dropped from 16.5% BF to just under 13% in only a few short weeks and its been one damn enjoyable ride. My workouts are as intense as they’ve ever been pre-TSPA, I’ve lost all carb cravings with the diet and have awesome concentration/brain function as well after following your diet plan man. Happiest i’ve ever been and its awesome to know that losing weight is simply a science that most people overcomplicate
Thanks Mark, will post before/after pics soon!
Awesome post! Before and after pics always give me that extra motivation!
If you do P90X or Insanity, be careful. You could wind up in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis. I hear it is not all that uncommon:
https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/man-says-one-day-p90x-sent-him-emergency-170839781.html
https://collegespun.com/features/how-the-stress-of-running-a-startup-and-some-p90x-led-to-a-week-long-stay-in-the-hospital-with-rhabdomyolysis#
https://www.teambeachbody.com/connect/message-boards/-/message_boards/message/160813081
https://www.archeryaddix.com/forums/health-fitness/25854-p90x-rhabdomyolysis.html