I've either sampled or have completed many Beachbody fitness programs and while I adore some, some I do not. I'll be straight forward and honest with you in my opinions but remember it's just that, my opinion. You will need to form your own.
Listed in Alphabetical Order
3-Day Refresh
I'm not a fan of cleanses so I wasn't quite sure what to think about the 3-Day Refresh which was recently launched the summer of 2014. What I learned is instead of starving yourself, you're actually able to eat food through the duration of the the 3 days so I didn't think it would be that difficult and I ordered it. The Refresh requires Shakeology, so if you've already got some at home, you only need to order the kit without Shakeology, otherwise, it will come with either a 30-day supply of it (the challenge pack) or just enough to get you through the cleanse. What did I experience? A very light, underlying headache for the duration of the 3 days. Day 1 was the hardest for me but days 2 and 3 went by without a hitch. I will say that I did experience some odd cravings such as some strawberry Twizzlers. But I'm only human, right? I would definitely do this cleanse again because it's great to reset your system after coming off of a weekend full of food and beverage. It will jump start you back into clean eating. I did the 3-Day Refresh in July 2014.To learn more about the 3-Day Refresh, please click here.
21 Day Fix
I cannot say enough kick ass comments about the 21 Day Fix. Why? This program and this one alone has given me the most incredible results I've EVER had with any Beachbody fitness program and nutrition guide. You want simple nutrition? THIS is your program! You want 30 minute workouts? THIS is your program! You want portion control containers for your food? THIS is your program! Let's start with the workouts. The workouts range from cardio to lifting to pilates. Autumn Calabrese definitely delivers because I was REALLY sore the first week. She is spunky, shows proper alignment and form and really wants you to not only take the workouts seriously but also your nutrition. The 21 Day Fix nutrition guide is the easiest guide yet to follow and it comes with color coded portion control containers. So based upon how many calories you're allotted each day (you calculate that) you can have so many of the containers each day and when you're done, you're done eating. For example, the green container is for veggies, purple is for fruit, etc. You're allowed to be eating 4 green containers each day. What does that mean? That means you need to incorporate 4 servings of vegetables that can fit into the container every single day. Make sense? It's because of her eating plan and containers that finally at the age of 41, I learned proper portion sizes and clean eating. I haven't looked back yet and neither will you. You will need a yoga mat and dumb bells for this program. I did this program March - June 2014. It's only 21 Days long but I kept doing it over and over. I still incorporate some of the workouts now.To learn more about the 21 Day Fix, please click here.
Body Beast
I recently ordered Body Beast because it was seriously reduced and who doesn't like a sale?! What is Body Beast? It's a pure weight lifting fitness program where you can either bulk up or lean out. You decide. Sagi Kalev is the fitness pro for this intense program and while I've only done tris/chest and legs so far, it also delivers. He does drop sets, super sets...you name it. Equipment needed dumb bells, a bar with plates (I just use dumb bells when this is requested as we don't have this) a bench or a stability/yoga ball. What I love about this is Sagi explains and demonstrates each move...what I don't like about this is there is way too much time in between sets. The programs last from 30-55 minutes. I just started incorporating this into my program as of August 2014.To learn more about Body Beast, please click here.
Brazil Butt Lift
I ordered BBL post back surgery. I didn't complete this program 100% because in all honesty, for me, I got a little bored. There are some excellent workouts in the program for your rear end and legs that I go back to once in a while just to change it up. There are some people and even coaches who have had tremendous success sculpting and molding their rear views into greatness, I just wasn't one of them. This program also features some salsa type movements which makes it fun too. Resistance bands come with the program. I did Brazil Butt Lift the fall of 2012.To learn more about Brazil Butt Lift, please click here.
Focus T25
Just when you think Shaun T. can't deliver ANYTHING as good as Insanity, he creates Focus T25. The CEO of Beachbody, Carl Daikeler went to Shaun expressing his want to do a 25 minute workout. Carl and Team Beachbody started to realize that people just don't want to workout for an hour because quite frankly...who has the time? And Focus T25 was born. Remember one thing...Focus T25 is NOT Insanity nor was it created to be an extension of Insanity. It is definitely it's own beast. It comes in three sections. The first two are alpha and beta. Gamma you need to order separately if you want to continue with the program. Alpha sets up the foundation of moves that will guide you through Beta and Gamma. You want cardio? Focus T25 delivers on that. Quick cardio moves with kicks, burpees, high knees...you name it...it's in there. When you move to Beta dumb bells are incorporated into your workouts and extend through in Gamma. Each workout is only 25 minutes but it's a sweat drippin', hard breathin', under your breath cursin' 25 minutes. SUCH a great program! Dumb bells are needed for this one and I did this program Summer and Fall of 2013.To learn more about Focus T25, please click here.
Insanity
Will you believe me when I say that I've quit Insanity once before? I did. I popped that sucker in the DVD player and was ready to crush the workout. 10 minutes in I was like...oh hell no! I couldn't do it...rather, I didn't WANT to. Flash forward 5 years, almost a year after I had low back surgery and I was a determined woman on a mission. Nothing and I mean NOTHING was going to get in my way of starting and completing this fitness program. And I did just that. The first month was hard and I remember I was actually at a conference in San Diego when I was to begin, so I just took the program with me and my laptop and boom...right there in my hotel room I was busting out some serious exercise moves. The workouts are shorter in the first 30 days, so enjoy that because in your last 30 days, they are longer but then you're endurance and stamina have built from the prior month. I fell in love with this program and Shaun T. How can you NOT love him?! He gets your to dig seriously deep into the pit of everything you have inside of you so you can finish an exercise. I love this program so much that I even got certified to teach Insanity. It will always be my soul mate workout...they say everyone has one! No equipment necessary, it's all body weight. I did Insanity April-June 2013.To learn more about Insanity, please click here.
P90X3
Two words...Tony Horton. I love this guy. He's a serious athlete and trainer who adores the U.S. Armed Forces. What's not to love? X3 is broken down into 12 (I think) different workouts from Agility X and MMX to Yoga X and Triometrics. Say what? Yes...you heard me. Each workout is only 30 minutes and after your first 30 days of the program, you will definitely notice how much stronger you are at doing each exercise. He incorporates amazing moves, quirky humor and does most exercises right along with you. The equipment needed is your own body, dumb bells and a chin up/pull up bar or resistance band (comes with program). Tony will always be my first Beachbody love as I was introduced to him with Power 90, but the only qualm I have with X3 is that he talks too much. Get down to business and let's get on with the workout. But I still love it. I did P90X3 January - March 2014.To learn more about P90X3, please click here.
PiYo
Truth? My mindset when I ordered this program was very high in the overly confident realm. Why? Well, coming from a girl who has completed Insanity, P90X3 and Focus T25, I was sort of poo-pooing this program because I thought it was going to be too easy. Boy, did I ever get a serious wake up call into reality upon my first week doing this program. PiYo is an amazing program. The low-impact, high-intensity workouts will leave even the toughest of skeptics sweating their buns off! Each workout is anywhere from 20-47 minutes in length. There is no jumping so it's easier on the joints but you're doing a lot of planks so be prepared for that. The only equipment needed is your body and maybe a yoga mat here and there. And one of the best parts is there is someone modifying the moves. I adore this program. I'm currently doing this program August 2014.To learn more about PiYo, please click here.
Power 90
Power 90 was my very first EVER Beachbody fitness program on (I'm gonna show my age here) VHS tape! (gasp!) It's been a while since then but I do remember it being a great program for someone just starting out or getting back into working out on a daily basis. I did this program in the very early 2000s.Shakeology
Or as I like to call it, the GAME CHANGER. If you haven't yet heard of Shakeology, it's Beachbody's meal replacement shake. When I first learned of Shakeology I honestly didn't know what to think. This was post back surgery where I had gained around 10 lbs from the sedentary recovery and I couldn't stand how I felt, let alone how I looked. When I learned of the price of Shakeology, because back then I was still a customer, I was like...'Are you freaking kidding me? Who in their right mind would pay this kind of money for this stuff?' And off I went in search of a shake that was somewhat similar. What did I find? An organic shake that I could hardly drink down because it just tasted nasty no matter what I blended in with it. I was tired of being tired. I was tired of being overweight. I just wanted to be healthy again and feel good about myself. Truth be told, isn't that what we all want?I bit the bullet and ordered Shakeology...actually I ordered the Brazil Butt Lift Challenge Pack which is the fitness program bundled with Shakeology at a lower price. After one week of replacing one meal a day with Shakeology I was sold. I lost one pound and I just overall felt so much better. My sugar cravings subsided, my digestive system became regular and yes, I lost 10 lbs. WHOOT WHOOT! It was upon losing those 10 lbs that I knew this was something special and since it worked so great for me, it had to work great for everyone and that is one of the reasons I became a Beachbody coach. But it gets better! Shakeology has recently been clinically proven to help you lose weight...yes, it has! Don't believe me? Click on the video. Shakeology clinically proven.
To learn more about Shakeology, please click here.
Slim in 6
Slim in 6 was another post back surgery workout that I incorporated into my routine. Debbie Siebers is the fitness pro and she is just adorable and very fit and trim. While I don't remember a lot about this program, I do remember having to modify a few moves here and there because of my back. But I got stronger with this one and could definitely notice a bit of a difference in the way I looked. You get resistance bands with this program and I did this one fall of 2012.To learn more about Slim in 6, please click here.
TurboFire
If you're looking for a seriously fun workout with GREAT music, then Chalene Johnson's TurboFire is your fitness program. I have not completed this program but incorporate it once in a while into mine. The workouts range from 20 minute HIIT (high-intensity interval training) to 55 minute cardio pounding fun! Chalene picks great moves/choreography and music to get you through your workouts. She's very motivating and inspiring so it's easy to love her! Resistance bands come with one and I did this workout fall/winter 2012-2013.To learn more about TurboFire, please click here.
