Are you wondering if Beachbody On Demand is worth it? Check out our Beachbody on Demand review for more information about the app, how much it costs, and which workouts are best!
WHAT IS BEACHBODY ON DEMAND?
You can find workouts for any fitness level or body type on Beachbody on Demand!
Most people have heard of Beachbody workouts, even if they are not interested in fitness. This is because Beachbody workouts are often advertised on late-night infomercials, where people show off their dramatic before-and-after photos.
I've tried a lot of Beachbody programs over the years. I pushed myself through P90x and Insanity, channeled '80s aerobic vibes with Turbo Jam and got the first hint of abs with Core de Force. So when the company released their newest Beachbody On Demand program called Job 1 last month, I was intrigued.
At first, I was struck by how little time the program required – only 20 minutes of exercise a day. I was skeptical that such a short workout could be effective, especially compared to my current routine of working out for 45 minutes 5 times a week. But it turns out that this program was exactly what I needed to close out the year and start fresh in 2022.
How much does a Beachbody On Demand membership cost?
To do the workout right now, you need to buy the Total Solution Pack for $159.95. This will give you access to the program right away as well as a one-year Beachbody On Demand membership. The membership will give you access to the program later this year as well as other guides, digital nutrition programs, and support.
You will need some equipment to complete the Job 1 program, including resistance bands (light and medium/heavy), dumbbells (light, medium and heavy), and a mat. A stationary bike is optional.
WHAT WORKOUTS ARE ON BEACHBODY ON DEMAND?
Beachbody offers many different home workout programs that you can choose from! We personally love Barre Blend, LIIFT4, and yoga, but the cool thing about streaming is that you can try different workouts every day or stick to one exercise program.
WHAT EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED?
Although many of the workouts do not require any equipment, I still like to have adjustable dumbbells on hand for several of the programs. My mom and I both have our own sets of Bowflex SelectTech dumbbells. Some of the workout programs may require a step, resistance bands, or yoga mat, but there are plenty of options available that do not require any equipment. In order to stream the workouts, you will need a good internet connection.
HOW LONG ARE THE WORKOUTS?
The amount of time you spend on your workout will depend on which program you choose. Some programs are as short as 10 minutes, while others can be as long as 70 minutes. Most workouts are somewhere in the middle, taking up 30 to 45 minutes of your time.
CAN YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SHARE AN ACCOUNT? CAN YOU DO MULTIPLE WORKOUTS A DAY?
You can share an account with your immediate family and stream an unlimited number of workouts each day.
HOW DO I START STREAMING WITH BEACHBODY ON DEMAND?
Beachbody on Demand is easy to use and does not take much time to set up.
Open the app store on your device and download the BOD app. You can choose between the IOS or Android versions.
DOES BEACHBODY ON DEMAND REALLY WORK?
The following workout programs are incredibly effective, as you can see from the amazing results people have gotten from Beachbody over the past 20 years.
IS BEACHBODY ON DEMAND GOOD FOR BEGINNERS?
There are several beginner Beachbody on Demand programs offered which is great for those just starting out. The more intense workouts even include a modifier so you can go at your own pace. Country Heat, 21 Day Fix, or Let's Get Up! are all great beginner workout programs.
WHERE IS BEACHBODY ON DEMAND AVAILABLE?
Currently, Beachbody on Demand is only available in the US, Canada, and the UK.
DOES BEACHBODY STILL HAVE WORKOUT DVDS?
You can still purchase some of the older Beachbody workouts on DVD, but most of the new ones are only available to stream. The reason is that most of these new programs are “filmed live” which means they include 30+ workouts, whereas in the “olden days” you’d get 7 workouts to repeat over and over on DVD.
BEACHBODY ON DEMAND REVIEW – PROS & CONS
WHAT WE LOVE
- Ability to try new workouts without having to buy them individually
- The instruction by the trainers is really great
- It’s super easy to use either online, on your phone, or with the app on a streaming device
- Cheaper than a gym or a Daily Burn membership
- Easy access to over $7,000+ worth of workouts
- No shipping costs
- You can start immediately without waiting to receive videos in the mail
- It’s mobile friendly so it’s easy to view on any device
- No crazy long “warning” or ads before a workout
- Sample workouts of new programs!
- Access to BOD-only programs like the 3 Week Yoga Retreat, Beachbody Yoga Studio, Shaun Week and more!
WHAT WE DON’T LOVE
- You have to buy early access to new programs or wait 3-6 months to have them added to the library.
- There is a SMALL learning curve if you’re not used to streaming. (If you can do Netflix, you can do BOD though!)
- You’re basically renting the workouts versus owning them as a DVD.
What is the Job 1 workout program?
This is a summary of the latest Beachbody program, led by Jennifer Jacobs. The program is four weeks long, with five workouts a week. The workouts are 20 minutes long, and include strength work and cardio.
The workout tab contains videos that are organised by week, as well as a downloadable calendar so you can keep track of which workouts you have completed.
The program offers four different indoor cycling workouts that can be used instead of one of the weekly cardio workouts. Additionally, the program includes five bonus workouts that can be added to any session. These bonus workouts include upper body, legs, glutes, core, and a recovery stretch. The calendar suggests that the recovery stretch be done on weekends.
I tried Beachbody’s Job 1 workout
Jacobs says that this program is not just a workout, it is a change in mentality where you put yourself first. I tried the program at a good time, when many people's motivation for fitness starts to decrease.
The author of the text downloaded a calendar for a Beachbody workout program, but found that it reminded her of other, past attempts at the program – and not in a good way. The calendar is prescriptive and can put a lot of pressure on someone to stick to it, which can be difficult if life gets in the way. The author was feeling optimistic about the program because the workouts are only 20 minutes a day.
The first day of the program consisted of a strength-training day that focused on the back, glutes, and core. I, someone who exercises regularly, found the first workout to be easy.Although this workout may be challenging for someone just getting back into fitness, it is nonetheless a good workout comprising of suitcase squats, sumo squats and rows.At the end of my workout, I felt like I could keep going. So I decided to add on the extra workout that focuses on arm strength. I definitely got more than I bargained for.The resistance bands worked my biceps and triceps really hard, and we did some new moves, like arrow pulls, that I had never tried before.
I was glad I did it, but I also realized how important it is to have at least an hour to dedicate to a workout. I felt the effects of the workout the next day in my upper body. My biceps and triceps were sore. The second day was a 20-minute HIIT cardio workout. I wasn't able to start until 8 p.m. and the last thing I wanted to do was exercise, but knowing it was only 20 minutes motivated me to get it done. I was surprised at how intense it was given how easy I thought the first workout was. It only consisted of three moves — combat burpees, squat jumps and sprinting in place — so there was no time wasted trying to scramble between a ton of different exercises. It was back-to-back intervals with little rest in between and I finished breathless and dripping sweat. I was glad I did it, but I also realized how important it is to have at least an hour to dedicate to a workout.
The third day was a strength workout focused on the chest, legs, and core. It combined dumbbells and resistance bands. I found it much more challenging to use the resistance band for core work. The core circuit was short, only three minutes, but it really taxed my abs. The resistance band made moves like bicycle crunches and heel taps more difficult. I also enjoyed strength moves that used both dumbbells and bands together, like banded squats holding dumbbells.
The day after that was a cardio day focused on endurance rather than HIIT. You had the option of doing a cycling workout instead.Even though I have the same bike that Jacobs used, I cannot find a way to access the workouts through the bike.Though Jacobs relies heavily on features that can only be accessed while cycling, I was able to find a way to get around this by playing a workout and turning off the sound. This allowed me to track my cadence and heart rate zone without being on the bike.Approximately 10 minutes into the video, it shut off and I was unwilling to get off the bike and restart it. Consequently, I have decided that if I choose to do a spin class in the future, I would simply select a 20-minute endurance ride conducted by another trainer on my bike, rather than using the videos from the program.
I was able to get a good strength workout in for 20 minutes, which I probably would not have been able to do if it were not for the holiday break.
Today's workout focused on the arms, shoulders, and legs. We did two circuits of work, with two rounds of exercises in each, and then had a one-minute HIIT break in between. I chose heavier weights so the arm and shoulder moves were challenging, but I still felt like I could have done more when I was finished. Even so, it was a good 20-minute workout, and I probably would have just stayed on the couch if I hadn't done it.
I was excited to see that while each day of the week had the same focus, the workouts were different. I felt an increase in intensity in the second week, and then again in the third and fourth weeks, in both the cardio and strength exercises.
On the days when I worked out for longer, it was nice to have the option of adding an extra 20 minutes to my routine. During the holidays and the first few weeks of the new year, though, I found that 20 minutes was enough of a workout to stay committed to my health routine.
What I liked about Beachbody's Job 1 workout
At first, I wasn't entirely sure about the program's 20-minute workouts. However, I quickly became a fan. When I'm short on time or motivation (like during the holidays), the 20-minute workouts kept me moving on days I would have otherwise taken a break. And after a week of indulging, the program held me accountable and helped me ease back into a normal routine. The workout length is what makes this program so practical and doable—it helped me stick with the program for a whole month. It delivers on its goal to help make exercise a habit, and it doesn't feel like torture (unlike other programs with longer classes).
The program is designed to be adjustable to any fitness level, which makes it a good workout for anyone. It is also a good cardio workout that does not require a lot of space.
I loved that the workouts progressed in difficulty and that each one was different. I was really surprised that the program didn't just repeat the same workout every week. I also really liked using resistance bands. I don't use them very often, but I always enjoy it when I do. The program showed me a lot of different ways to use resistance bands to make dumbbell exercises even more challenging, which was new to me.
I would recommend this workout to:
- People who are super busy and have no time to exercise.
- Anyone struggling to make fitness a habit.
- Those who exercise at home and don’t have a lot of space.
- People who are new to strength training and want to make it part of their routine.
- Anyone looking for a workout routine that includes both HIIT and strength training.
