Shaun T, the inventor of the infamous ‘Insanity’ workout, started his career as a professional dancer in an Atlantic City nightclub. So it’s no wonder the Deptford, New Jersey, native says that appearing at Caesars Entertainment’s second annual health and fitness event, Sweat AC, this weekend, is “like coming home.”
Credit: Shaun T
Before his “Insanity” workout caused users around the country to huff and puff, Shaun Thompson excelled as a professional dancer. His first fitness program was “Hip Hop Abs,” and he’s also developed a quickie 25-minute workout, “Focus T25.” However, “Insanity” remains, reputedly, the hardest workout around. Even Shaun himself knows it’s a toughie.
“This past spring, I did the 60-day program. I train people to do it all the time, but that’s different. Doing it myself for 60 days, it really was tough,” he says. “The first month you think, ‘This is really hard;’ then the second month is just a nightmare. I gained a whole new respect for the people who do the 60 days. You have to dig seriously deep. You develop a love-hate relationship with ‘Insanity.’”
For those who feel the “hate” more than the “love” aspect, Shaun’s surprising advice to help people through his workout is go at it slowly.
“Some people start by going really hard, but form over speed gets results. If you want to, take a break. Going slow and staying in control rather than speeding up works better long-term. Perfect your form first, and gradually increase speed.”
“Besides,” he adds, “if you go full throttle, you’ll be dying after 20 seconds.”
How he eats
As any fitness expert knows, exercise alone doesn’t keep a body healthy and trim. Shaun T prefers not to follow any particular diet plan. “I don’t like boxes and a diet creates this box you have to live in,” he says. I eat 85 percent healthy and 15 percent for fun. I cook healthy meals with lots of lima beans, string beans, sweet potatoes and cabbage. If I go out, I might share a dessert with friends — or I might eat a whole dessert by myself.”
If you go
Sweat AC
Sept. 21-22
Caesars Entertainment resorts and casinos: Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, Showboat and Bally’s Atlantic City
$25-$100
www.sweatac.com
