{"id":88308,"date":"2018-07-03T11:36:23","date_gmt":"2018-07-03T09:36:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=88308"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:23:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:23:02","slug":"commitment-or-insanity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2018\/07\/03\/commitment-or-insanity\/","title":{"rendered":"Commitment or insanity?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoshua Kruter<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

I lost count of how many times I heard \u201cfaster\u201d in the hour of Insanity I experienced. The instructor, Sonia, lead the class of about 30 people in a high-intensity cardio, plyometric and strength workout. During all the exercises, she runs, constantly yelling out encouragement for everyone to squeeze out every drop of energy. \u201cFaster!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Insanity workout is based on the same \u201cmax-interval strength and speed\u201d principles as the popular full-body home workout series that goes by the same name. Because there are so few breaks, the most important part of Insanity is pacing. Everyone in the class does the same exercises for the same amount of time, but what\u2019s important is that you don\u2019t tyre yourself out too quickly. After one gruelling set of exercises featuring up-and-down planks, burpees and v-ups, I found the sweat was literally started dripping off my face and onto the floor.<\/p>\n

1,000 calories<\/h2>

Sonia opened the class with an equally motivating and fear-inducing statement: \u201cYou\u2019re going to burn 1,000 calories by the end of this!\u201d That was enough to make me concerned about my physical wellbeing after the hour had finished.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoshua Kruter<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Many students who exercise prioritise burning calories and losing weight, and achieving that in a relatively short amount of time is a compelling reason for joining the programme. Throughout the year, some ambitious individuals join a class just to try it out, but many give up after a single session.<\/p>\n

Zero to hero<\/h2>

Vinicius Hiroki Moriyama, a second year International Business Administration student, is a regular member of the Insanity class. \u201cUniversity changed me. Before, I used to play tennis just once or twice a week, and that was it. After coming to university, I started going to the gym and trying all the sports classes, like High-Intensity Training, Power Pump and Steps. Then I tried Insanity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

Vinicius Hiroki Moriyama in action<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoshua Kruter<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t
\n\t\t\u2018If I don\u2019t exercise, it\u2019s weird\u2019\n\t<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

It was a game changer for Vinicius. Running felt monotonous, and lifting weights didn\u2019t develop the lean-strength physique he wanted. Insanity blasts all the muscles in one go, and for the first few times, Vinicius would be so tired that he\u2019d go home and head straight for a nap. After months of coming to Insanity sessions every week, continuing to go to high-intensity training and power pump, as well as picking up rock climbing and tennis, \u201cNow it\u2019s just a habit. If I don\u2019t exercise, it\u2019s weird.\u201d<\/p>\n

No excuses<\/h2>

Many people claim they don\u2019t have time for exercise because of their studies or job hours. Vinicius, however, doesn\u2019t really see it as sacrificing study time. \u201cIt\u2019s more like cutting out binge-watching TV time. I usually exercise in the evenings, when I\u2019m already mentally tired.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vinicius said: \u201cI couldn\u2019t have imagined becoming a regular at Insanity. Technically, it hurts, it burns, you\u2019re out of breath at the end. If you look practically, it doesn\u2019t make any sense. And lots of people say this, but they\u2019re the ones that don\u2019t work out. The enjoyment (of Insanity) is tied to feeling like you\u2019re improving, and finishing your day with an intense workout.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Insanity in general, Sonia had this to say: \u201cTo get in shape, this (workout) is the perfect one. The only one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button>

Our reporter (in the middle) giving himself completely<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoshua Kruter<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t

De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t