A month ago I had the chance to try out Beachbody On Demand. I plan to continue using this program to train and eat healthy, but I wanted to share with you guys my experience so far. From the tasty recipes to the fun (and sometimes intense) workouts, here’s a breakdown of everything.
If you have any questions for me, comment below and I’ll do my best to answer them!
Why I chose Beachbody On Demand
So, why did I choose Beachbody over other at-home workout programs? For one, Beachbody On Demand has an affordable starter kit with everything I need for the entire year. I was also hooked up with an amazing coach, Garin Dem. She uses accountability to help her clients fulfill their health and fitness goals and was always there if I had any questions. Before I joined, I wanted to be sure that Beachbody was the right program for me. I tried out their free 14-day program which allowed me to view sample workouts. I also talked with Garin about any concerns and goals I had. Based on these two factors, I decided to join the year-long program and take my fitness goals to the next level. To be honest, I’m hooked! I never thought working out could be this fun and convenient, so I’ll probably renew my membership a year from now.
After I joined, I was given access to a year’s worth of Beachbody on Demand workouts (there’s over 1,000 making this the Netflix of fitness). I’m able to access them anywhere there’s Wi-Fi and I can stream them on Apple TV, Roku, and other streaming services. If I’m heading to a place where I won’t have Wi-Fi (like camping in the desert), I download my favorites before I go. There’s also a Beachbody app so I can watch directly from my phone. Another plus is that Beachbody on Demand works with Apple Watch and Wahoo heart rate monitoring devices to aid in my workouts.
The workouts are created for all fitness levels and schedules
Some of my favorite workouts are cardio, kickboxing, and dance fitness. New programs come out constantly, with the two most recent being a Crossfit inspired Muscle Burns Fat and Pre/Post Natal Barre. The videos range from 15 minutes to an hour, with most being around 30-40 minutes. This is perfect for me because I’m always on the go and I tend to use that as an excuse for why I can’t get to a gym or yoga studio.
Feeling healthy and getting physically fit won’t happen unless you’re eating right
With Beachbody On Demand I have access to hundreds of recipes as well as their cooking show and nutrition blog, plus all of their meal plans. I love making their delectable protein smoothies after my workouts. When I signed up, Garin gifted me the pre-workout energy boost, superfood smoothies, and tasty protein bars so I could try them.
Feeling empowered by interacting with kick-ass women
Possibly the best part of belonging to this virtual gym community is the supportive group of strong women I get to connect with. The forum is designed to motivate each other on our fitness journey so we can reach our goals.
Setting goals
Before I began my Beachbody journey I set a few goals for myself. These were things like eat healthier, try to get the daily nutrients I need, and workout every day (no excuses). Aside from hoping to gain more energy, physically I was looking to tone my body and increase my muscle mass.
My day-to-day
Each morning after breakfast, I alternate by doing a workout from my three favorite series: Morning Meltdown 100, Barre Blend, and LIIFT4 Full Body. I’ve been doing yoga on and off for years now so I decided that I would step out of my comfort zone and try workouts that I’ve never done before. Some were challenging like #mbf Muscle Burns Fat and 10 Rounds, but I found a lot of workouts that I loved and they made me feel incredible afterwards.
Three of my favorite (must try) workouts
The Morning Meltdown 100 was definitely a challenge for my inexperienced self. This intermediate program infuses high-intensity cardio with resistance training. After each 20-30 minute session I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment and the endorphin rush is incredible. The series features 100 workouts and incorporates plyometric moves, like burpees and squat jumps, with light to medium weights and mat work. With various levels of intensity and options from beginner to expert, it’s a customizable workout for everyone. (This series is a part of Beachbody’s 100-day workout program for weight loss.)
The eight week Barre Blend program is a mix of Pilates, cardio interval training, and ballet barre. Aside from their 30-minute daily workouts, they also have videos on Barre Basics (if you’re new to this, I suggest watching them first, rather than jumping right in). Plus, they have extras like prep and recovery workouts and 10-minute enchantments. I love how they incorporate light weights, resistance bands, and ballet moves. Doing a workout with equipment was new to me, and now it’s something I’ve added to my fitness program.
My other go to is the intermediate eight week series, LIIFT4 Full Body. This program includes strength and circuit training, plus HIIT. The heavy lifting and cardio LIIFT is meant to be done four days a week. During weightlifting the instructor explains the movements and gives tips on how to achieve maximum results. With the Core workout there are options to make the two abdominal exercises easier (if you’re like me and have an underdeveloped core). There are 32 individual workouts in this program, making it easy to find something that you’ll enjoy and benefit from (not to mention the instructors are incredibly motivational)!
The snacks and meal plan
You can exercise as often as you’d like, but if you don’t eat healthy, you’re not going to achieve the results you’re hoping for. For me, I wasn’t looking to lose weight, but I wanted to tone up and boost my energy level. Prior to starting Beachbody, my daily eating habits were pretty awful. I’d eat two small meals, and they rarely had the correct amount of nutrients (if any). Breakfast was a foreign concept to me and by lunch I’d crash and end up snacking on a ton of carbs. My healthiest meal was dinner, and only because it included veggies. After I started using the no-cook meal plan, I saw a difference in how much healthier I felt. Now, I have more energy that lasts throughout the day, which keeps me motivated to stick with my fitness journey.
The meal plan I’m using includes recipes that follow an 1800-2100 calorie level (although there are other levels in the portion program). These recipes combine ingredients that are fresh and unprocessed and include the proper macronutrients. Not only are they tasty and easy to make, these dishes hit all the major food groups and have the correct amount of vitamins, protein, fats, carbohydrates, and minerals your body requires. There’s also a ton of meal prep ideas that keep your goals in mind (weight loss, bulk up, plant-based, no time to cook, etc.)
*When you join, you get both the 2B Mindset program and the Ultimate Portion Fix. You’ll also receive tracking journals and portion containers to help with meal prepping.
Here’s a sample of what I eat on a typical day. I have to say that I’m never hungry and that each recipe and snack fulfills me, without weighing me down.
A waffle a day…
My first meal of the day is usually an energy boosting whole wheat waffle. On the side I add ¾ cup of Greek yogurt and a cup of mixed berries. It’s such a simple dish but it gives me the proper nutrients and stamina to start my day.
Pre-workout energy boost
Before my morning workout, I drink the Beachbody Performance Energize (in the fruit punch flavor) and I’ll eat a Peanut Butter Chocolate protein bar. In contrast with other sports drinks, this one doesn’t have an insane amount of sugar in it. I mix it into a glass of water and it helps me to focus while taking my workouts to the next level. The protein bar is essential for helping my muscles grow, and it gives me that dose of sweetness that I crave from time to time.
My post-workout smoothie
Once I’ve completed my workout, I’ll make a Shakeology superfood smoothie. These come in a variety of flavors like vanilla, chocolate, caffe latte, strawberry, and their limited edition pumpkin spice. You can choose between plant-based or whey protein powder (I choose plant-based). The vegan, all-natural formula has helped me to lose weight, curb my cravings, aid in digesting and gives me a daily dose of protein, fiber, and amino acids. In a blender, I mix the powder with one cup of spinach, ½ cup of strawberries, ½ cup of blueberries, three teaspoons of peanut butter, water, and ice. It’s the perfect reward after I finish an intense workout session.
*The Co-creator of Shakeology has a travel-based Netflix special out with Zac Efron. They discuss the importance of superfoods as well as sustainable and healthy ways of living!
A dairy-free lunch that’s light but filling
For lunch, I’ll make a quick turkey salad. I put one cup of spinach into a small bowl, mix in ½ cup of shelled edamame, ½ cup of shredded carrots, ½ cup of cherry tomatoes, and ¼ cup of yellow bell peppers. Then I top it with 3 slices of turkey. This was something I never tried before because I usually steam my veggies. (I learned that eating them raw is actually healthier because when you cook them, it breaks the enzymes down and you lose some of the nutrients.) For added fiber (and for something sweet), I’ll eat a nectarine.
A simple (and healthy) dinner option
My last meal of the day is a tuna salad sandwich. I combine a can of tuna, white beans (drained and rinsed), a chopped yellow bell pepper, chopped green onions, and salt and pepper. Then, I drizzle a mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The last step is mixing it with ¾ cup of shredded lettuce. I turn it into a sandwich by eating it with pita bread (I’ve also used a flour tortilla). After a long day, it feels refreshing to be able to cook up something healthy that doesn’t take a lot of time.
To sum it up…
So there you have it—everything you need to know about Beachbody’s innovative fitness program. With over 1,000 workouts, a ton of meal plans and recipe options, and a remarkable peer support group, I’m totally satisfied with this program. Being able to watch my body advance while I arrive at my goal of a more toned body is such an empowering feeling. My results along with Garin’s motivation has pushed me to want to keep going with my newfound love of fitness and healthy living. I’ve also noticed my complexion is clearer and my skin is glowing. I didn’t change anything in my beauty regimen, so I believe this due to avoiding processed foods. Beachbody On Demand reminded me of what it’s like to feel confident in my body and I’ve enjoyed every step (even the hard ones). I can’t wait to continue practicing the wholesome habits I’ve learned this past month.
If you’re interested in starting your own fitness voyage or becoming a coach, reach out to Garin on Instagram (@garin.dem), or you can email her ([email protected]).
*Sponsored by Beachbody On Demand
