Happy Workout Wednesday! Before we get into today’s topic, one last plug for the 30-Day Ab Challenge! We have over 40 people on their way to flat, strong cores, a fun community tracking system for accountability, and some great workouts – I barely made it on Day 1! If you haven’t joined in, I’ll still let you in through Friday … all you have to do is sign up for my free monthly newsletter, and I’ll send you instructions within 24 hours. Here is a group of 3 consultants, with their entire team’s tracking sheets posted on the wall in their office … awesome!!! 
Why I Chose Focus T25
I mentioned several weeks ago that I was looking to change things up in my fitness routine, and I decided to do that with Focus T25 DVDs. I chose Focus T25 for several reasons:
- Experience: I had tried and liked several other Beachbody workout programs (P90X and TurboJam were among my favorites)
- Time: I wanted something that would allow me to still run when I wanted (even though I’m not following a particular training plan right now), and 25 minutes per day seemed reasonable to do on top of running if / when I wanted.
- Challenge: I wanted something tough – I didn’t want to spend 25 minutes per day and feel like I didn’t get a workout. I was looking for heart-pumping action!
- Full-body workout: I wanted something with a balance of cardio, power, and strength. I believe in mixing up your workouts to maximize your benefits, and while I get enough steady-state cardio from running, I can always improve my overall strength and high-intensity cardio.
- Equipment: I wanted something with no, or minimal equipment.
My Review of Focus T25
I’m happy to say that, after completing the first round of Focus T25 (5 weeks of 6 workouts per week + a stretch day, which I skipped in favor of yoga), I was very impressed! The workouts were TOUGH … I was definitely drenched in sweat and out of breath after almost every workout (my Instagram of my first workout is below). 
The Focus T25 calendar asks you to weigh yourself and take measurements every week, and my numerical results were negligible … I stayed the same weight, gained a fraction of an inch in each arm, and lost a fraction of an inch in my waist, but mostly stayed the same. I do believe that this has something to do with starting place, because many people I know personally have reported dramatic decreases in inches overall! More importantly than inch loss (to me), I believe that my fitness dramatically increased … high intensity exercises like tuck jumps were far easier at the end of the 5 weeks than they were at the beginning. Plus, it was fun to have a change in routine! The workouts did get a bit repetitive at the end of 5 weeks, but it was exciting to shake up my routine.
What I’m Going to Do Now
Instead of fully taking on the Beta round (which is 5 weeks of entirely new workout DVDs, also included in the package), I’m experimenting with an awesome, new-to-me, in-person Bootcamp three times per week, so I’m only doing T25 on the off days. But I will definitely be making my way through the Beta round as well … and they’re even more challenging than the Alpha round!!
How You Can Get Your Own Results
**Since this post was written, I’ve decided to no longer make Beachbody a part of my personal business. However, I still believe strongly in the workout programs, and am happy to refer you to other Beachbody coaches who can place orders for you if you’re interested!**
And here’s a quick overview of 7 Beachbody Programs that may be for you!
7 Beachbody Programs to Get You Results
- Focus T25: I’ve already talked about why I like it. Super effective, challenging, fun, high-intensity, 25 minutes per day!
- P90X3: Probably the next on my list to try, since I enjoyed P90X so much and got so much stronger! The now-famous Tony Horton leads you through 16 “extreme Muscle Acceleration” workouts in just 30 minutes per day, with a good mix of resistance, power, cardio, flexibility, and more.
- Shakeology: I’ll be honest, I’ve never actually tried Shakeology myself (since it contains green peas, one of the foods I’m avoiding due to my food intolerances). However, the results that some Shakeology-devotees have experienced are amazing. And while I always believe that whole, real food is always the #1 option, if you’re looking for a pre-made shake, I like this blend of nutrients, protein, and healthy, energy-boosting ingredients. You can check out more information here!
- PiYo: There’s so much buzz about the release of this workout, coming very soon! It’s done by Chalene Johnson, and contains strength and flexibility moves. The 60-day program has 25-45 minute workouts, and promises to deliver long and lean muscles. Let me know if you want me to let you know when it’s released!
- Slim in 6: a lower-impact option that still sculpts and burns fat! 6 weeks, 30 minutes a day.
- RevAbs: a 90-day, ab-focused program, 16 minutes per workout.
- TurboJam: an oldie but a goodie! This one is super fun (and lets you laugh at your own dancing skills a bit, just like my secret to snap out of a bad mood!). It’s kickboxing, dance, sculpting, and more, 20-45 minutes per day.
So tell me in the comments … Have you ever tried any Beachbody programs? What are you doing lately to mix up your workouts?
I love the focus t25 program! It’s so easy to follow and I’ve seen great results.
I have tried Insanity and P90X and as much as I loved them specially Insanity and got great results I found it very challenging to make time in my day for such long workouts. I am currently doing T25 and I love how short the videos are. I alternate each day between the T25 videos, running and weight training. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Your workout schedule sounds awesome, Jamie! Hope you’re finding a bit of time for rest, too. Let me know how it’s going!
I’ve never tried a Beach Body workout myself, but I know lots of other people who really enjoy them. Same with the shakes. I just may try the T25 soon just because like you, I like to have my workouts quick and effective. Thank you for your honest review. I’ve been doing Zuzka Light for about a year, but have really picked it up these past three months. Talk about being drenched in sweat!
I remember trying a Zuzka Light workout one time and being impressed by how tough it was – I’ll have to check those out again!
I speak from experience when I say any of the P90X and P90X3 get results! Les Mills Body Pump too 🙂 I’m so tempted to try T25 🙂
Try it, Jill! After you recover from your awesome race!
I’ve tried one beachbody workout, but I can’t remember what it was. It was a great workout but I tend to get bored with dvd’s. I’m a zumba instructor and desperately needed a change so this summer I’m trying out pilates and an adult dance class. LOVE it! We learned a burlesque routine this week so I’m pumped to take a break from zumba and let my body enjoy moving in new ways.
Wow … burlesque! Now there’s something that I’m afraid to try! Awesome! Good for you for recognizing that you needed to mix it up and doing something about it, Brooke!
I never done a formal beach body program, although it sounds like a lot of fun. I actually don’t change my routine too much, but I try to vary my runs so they don’t get too boring. And CrossFit twice a week, well, that’s always changing so I definitely don’t get bored there. I hope you find great results with your program!!!
~Bre
*I’ve never done…
Thank you, Bre! Beachbody programs are nice to mix it up. Good for you for changing the program yourself!
Kirk and I did Beachbody programs back in the day. I did Slim in 6 when it was pretty new (yes, that was a LONG time ago) and then the original P90. They were both great programs, although I get bored of doing the same workouts pretty quickly. But they are perfect for people looking for a good challenge at home!
I love that you and Kirk work out together, Heather! It’s so cute! Do you know in almost 11 years of dating / marriage, Kevin and I have never gone on a run together? 🙂
I have most of the BeachBody programs (I becomes a coach just to get the discount:)!!
I haven’t done T25 yet – I have issues and actually prefer longer workouts but I’m thinking about doing it combined with running and Chalean Extreme (which I”m currently doing for the 3rd time).
Dang, you’re a machine! I combined T25 with running, but doing Chalean Extreme on top of all of that would be brutal! Good luck!! (and of course, be careful!)
Okay, I am going to pick your brain on this- I am in the market for a new workout and am abit stumped!
Pick away, Arman!
Pi-Yo sounds great! It combines two of my favorite things! I know several people who have had great success with the Beachbody line. I’m not an at-home workout kind of person, so I don’t know if it would work well for me, but I could see how joining some kind of virtual team would be helpful. I’m not really trying to lose any inches, so I worry that doing such high intensity workouts every day might put a strain on my body. I guess I’d have to eat everything in sight, haha.
I actually think Pi-Yo would be great for you, Amy! It’s a bit dance based, with some pilates and yoga. If you’re not interested in the at-home DVDs, there are Pi-Yo classes popping up here and there… maybe you can find one?
Michael sent me over here today as I also reviewed my first 5 weeks of the Alpha Phase of T25 and let me know you were doing the same! You have a great review, I too really liked it but didn’t see drastic changes in my measurements/weight, but I was starting off in a different place than many and wasn’t looking for those changes, more just looking to shake up my running routine. I am going to do the Beta phase (on day 3 now) and then re-evaluate and may go back to Insanity (I loved it the first time around) or maybe try something else new like PiYo!
Wow – so funny that we posted on the same day! Was glad to read your review and agreed with your points. Great way to increase fitness overall, change things up from mostly running, and sweat a ton! Good luck with whatever ends up coming next for you!
I’ve stayed away from P90x type programs since I increased my running mileage. I think the extra impact would make me more vulnerable to injury. I have done some of their ab videos though and they are tough. I stick to kick boxing and cycling for cross training right now. Oh and your ab challenge!
Good for you for listening to your body, Deborah! I wouldn’t do Focus T25 if I were increasing my mileage, but it’s been pretty low lately!
I look at ‘beachbody’ as a marketing thing like ‘bikini body’ (which no matter how hard I try, never seems to work for me! haha)
But really – I agree with your assessment on the T25 stuff – I have friends who have done P90X and lost weight and strengthened up … but they needed to lose considerable weight. But when they stopped … like the vast majority of people they gained it all back. And … are on another program now.
For people who are already in decent shape it is a different focus – like I am gettig from the Ab challenge … y’know?
Anyway, TL;DR program looks great and thanks for sharing! 🙂
Yep, totally agree that those who get the best results from programs like P90X can end up gaining it all back if they stop working out afterwards. One of the great things about Beachbody is that there’s always “the next great thing,” so you can continue challenging your body in different ways. But yes, the ‘Beachbody’ name is a bit off-putting. Glad you’re doing so well with the ab challenge!