One question I get asked a lot is some variation on “which is the best Beachbody programme?” or “which programme should I choose?” After all, one of the huge benefits of Beachbody is the sheer range of programmes available, but that can make it difficult for newcomers to know where to start.
I’m going to answer that with a complicated answer, a simple answer, a suggestion, and an offer of help. Phew!
The complicated answer is that it really depends on you: your goals, your fitness level, the amount of time you have available, etc etc.
Having followed lots of the programmes as full, serious, programmes and dabbled with a few workouts from most of the others, I’m confident of one thing: all of the programmes are high quality, enjoyable, and (if followed correctly and combined with sensible nutrition) will get you results.
The best programme is the one that works around your life and your needs. There’s very little point in picking a programme if you’re going to give up after two weeks because it’s too difficult or too time-consuming to fit into your schedule. If you stick with any of these programmes, you’re going to get decent results. So the key is finding one you’ll be able to stick with.
To decide, you might want to think about some of these questions:
- What’s your current level of fitness?
- How many hours a week can you realistically dedicate to exercise?
- Thinking about your schedule, would it be easier for you to do a few long sessions each week or shorter sessions most days?
- What’s your main goal? Losing serious weight? Dropping a few pounds? Building serious muscle? Toning up? Increasing your fitness? A bit of everything?
- Are there any particular body parts you’re keen to work on?
- Are you in this for the long haul or trying to get in shape for a particular event like a holiday or a wedding? If the latter, how many weeks away is it?
- What equipment do you have? Or how much are you willing to invest in it? (See here for more on equipment and space)
- Do you enjoy exercise, or is it something you see as a chore?
- Do you have a strong preference for weights, cardio, or yoga? Or do you prefer to mix it up? (Note: I’d always recommend doing a bit of all three, but focussing on what you enjoy most)
Lots to think about there. I considered making a little interactive quiz, where you answered some questions and your perfect programme popped out at the other end. But then I decided there are too many factors at play and it’s such a personal choice.
So instead, here’s my offer of help: Drop me an email with the answers to some or all of these questions, and anything else you think I ought to know, and I’ll think about you as an individual, and let you know which programme (or possibly, combination of programmes) would be best for you. No obligation to buy anything, no obligation to contact me again, though I’d love for you to try out the programme most likely to work for you and to work with you as your free coach.
All that said, I promised you a simple answer too. And it’s this: if you’re new to home exercising, have a beginner to intermediate level of fitness, want fairly short workouts, are looking to achieve a bit of weight loss, a bit of toning, and some fitness increases, and would like a bit of everything in terms of type of exercise, you can’t go far wrong with 21 Day Fix. You can find a lot more info here, but in short, it’s 7 thirty minute workouts, covering: pure cardio, “total body cardio” (cardio with weights), upper body, lower body, Pilates, yoga, and “dirty 30” (a full body weight-based workout), plus a ten minute abs workout. It should get you great results in just 21 days. After that, you might feel it’s the programme for you for the long-term. If not, it should give you a good sense of the sort of programme you might like to try next.
Finally, I promised a suggestion. And that’s as follows. If after all this, you’re still not sure, don’t worry. Instead of buying an individual programme, why not sign up for Beachbody on Demand? For just £99 for a year, you’ll have access to all the programmes, so you can try a few out before settling down.
Munday Morning Fitness 