I'm 18, average height and quite skinny - not a fan of the whole idea of going to a gym to lift weights, and not after getting big, just fit.
Is the Insanity workout a good approach? If it is, should I be following the diet it recommends (including the protein powder)?
Is the Insanity workout a good approach?
If you need to pay for your routine, no.
If it is, should I be following the diet it recommends (including the protein powder)?
Absolutely not. Since you mention that you are quite skinny, what I recommend is eating more than usual (caloric surplus). Protein shake should not be your main source of protein.
If you really want to make a change to your body, consider calculating your TDEE.
As far as protein intake goes, the usual 1g per pound of bodyweight. Fat intake probably around 0.5 ~ 0.6 g per pound of bodyweight. Fill up the rest with carbs, vitamins and minerals.
Do note that stated protein intake, fat intake is not your final answer. You may need to modify it to ensure that you are able to ensure the best muscle to fat gain ratio.
EDIT
After having a long conversation with @Ryan, I would like to suggest that you opt for a free calisthenics workout program BEFORE buying Insanity. Once you feel happy doing calisthenics, then you can decide whether you want to buy Insanity or continue with your routine.
Here is some of the free ones for you to try:-
Nerd's Fitness Beginner Bodyweight Workout
Note that if you are unable to do pull-ups, consider doing incline pull ups and if you are unable to do pistol squat, try doing squats.
Insanity workout videos is a compilation of High Intensity Interval Training exercises.
HIIT exercises are cardio exercises that are designed to burn a lot of calories in the shortest time possible. Its goal isn't to make you big; it's goal is to reduce your weight (usually fats) in the shortest time possible.
Unless you're trying to lose weight, Insanity workouts won't benefit you much. This is why if you check the commercials, its target audience are fat people struggling with their weights.
If you perform HIIT exercises often, you'll have lots of energy and endurance. So, you won't get tired easily and you certainly won't feel lumpy. It will also give you a toned look because your muscles are active.
If you already have access to the Insanity videos, there's no reason not to try them (unless you already have lots of energy).
The protein powder isn't any different from the supplements people take to increase their protein intake. If you already consume enough protein, you don't need to use protein supplements. You're welcome to take them; they just aren't required.
If your goal is to gain muscles and not be skinny, Insanity videos isn't really for you. If you want to be fit, it's an option for you.
No. You're confusing the look of people who've gone to the gym for 10 years with the effects of going to the gym.
If you're naturally skinny, you won't pack on huge amounts of muscle, in fact, no one does, but especially not skinny people.
Getting big takes many years.
I'm 18, average height and quite skinny - not a fan of the whole idea of going to a gym to lift weights, and not after getting big, just fit.
Is the Insanity workout a good approach? If it is, should I be following the diet it recommends (including the protein powder)?
Insanity (and P90X) are both good programs. I'm not familiar with the diet specifically but if you're quite skinny then you might need to increase it. I would say purchase it, follow the diet as well as the workouts, if you don't see the results you're after then adjust your macronutrients as necessary (most likely increase since the standard diet might be geared more towards weight loss, maybe they have different options though?). Just don't go by the scale, don't even look at the scale if you're just getting started. Go by how you look, how you feel, how your clothing is fitting.
You will definitely struggle when starting Insanity but if you stick with it you will get fit. It's some serious bodyweight HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training).
