Workouts

I realized that not everyone will know what I'm talking about when I refer to "Pump" or "TurboFire" so I created this page with my honest reviews of the Beachbody programs that I am currently doing, that I completed or tried in the past, and that I'm planning to try soon.  Check back often for updates!

Workouts I'm Doing Now

Les Mills Pump (aka Pump): This program is based off the gym workout "Body Pump" and is a barbell based weight training program.  The emphasis is on lighter weights and really high numbers of reps.  Even though the weights are light, they are still heavy enough that by the end of each "track" (what they call each individual muscle group that you work on for 4-5 minutes straight) your muscles should be exhausted.  The workouts range from 30 minutes - 55 minutes.  This workout program doesn't come with cardio workouts (unless you get the deluxe package) so they suggest pairing it with walking or your own favorite cardio.  So far, I am LOVING this workout and I can definitely say my muscles are toast at the end of the workout.

TurboFire:  This is my personal soulmate workout!  So. Much. Fun!  TurboFire includes a couple different types of workouts.  There are strength workouts with resistance bands but the main emphasis of the program is on kick butt cardio.  There are "Fire" workouts (30-60 mins) which are longer workouts focused around cardio kickboxing and some athletic type drills.  The unique part of TurboFire is the HIIT workouts (15-30 mins).  HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training and basically you work out at max effort for 30-60 seconds, then you get that same amount of time to recover, and then you go back to the high intensity 30-60 of all out effort (hence HIIT).  This workout is crazy fun and super athletic which I love.

Workouts I've Done Before

P90X: This program focuses on total body strength training and "muscle confusion" by switching up the strength training every 30 days.  The workouts range from 45-60 minutes (with the Yoga day actually a full 90 minutes) but it's a solid program and definitely challenging.  Tons of people got "ripped" doing this program and you definitely feel sore straight from Day one.  Tony Horton (the trainer) was a bit too goofy for me, though, and I found the cardio kind of bland compared to TurboFire so this wasn't the program for me.  While the cardio was hard, I need my cardio to feel like a party.

Power 90: Similar idea to P90X except this is the beginner program.  There are less workouts (and they're shorter at 30-45 minutes) and they build up more gradually so this is good for someone who wants to do P90X but doesn't feel ready for it.

ChaLEAN Extreme: Brought to you from the same trainer as TurboFire and Turbo Jam, in this program, Chalene Johnson focuses on strength training to increase your metabolism and sculpt your body.  The strength training workouts range from 30-45 minutes and the program also includes athletic-type cardio.  I love this type of strength training (very slow and controlled reps with "extreme sets") but the cardio wasn't my favorite, which is why I love to combine this program with TurboFire.

Turbo Jam: Turbo Jam is basically TurboFire's little sister.  The workouts are shorter (20-45 minutes) and there aren't any HIIT workouts.  It's also a bit more "dancey" than TurboFire so if you love cardio to feel like a party, this is the place to go.

Brazil Butt Lift: I tried this program, which targets your booty and thighs, after I did TurboFire so the cardio wasn't quite what I wanted (not much can compare to TurboFire since I find it so much fun!) but the High & Tight video, which is all booty and leg sculpting, is killer!  Any time I do that video I feel it for days!  Ouch!  (In a good way of course.)  The workouts here range from 30-50 minutes.

Hip Hop Abs: This is another beginner workout that focuses on sculpting your abs (without sit-ups) and losing fat through "hip hop" type dance moves.  Again, I love me some hardcore cardio so this didn't do much for me in that arena but it was fun and I always lost quick inches from my waist because of all the standing crunches built into the dance moves.  The workouts range from 25-45 minutes.

Workouts I've *Attempted* Before

INSANITY: I tried Insanity and it was just as crazy as it sounds.  Insanity workouts are 30-60 minutes and is a 60 day program (most other Beachbody workouts are 90 days).  This program uses MAX interval training where you workout at your hardest for 3-5 minutes and then only get one minute of recovery (yeah, it's crazy).  I only made it through the first four weeks before I gave up on it.  I am, however, going to try it again in January.  This came out before TurboFire so I'm planning to use TurboFire, and the HIIT workouts, to help prepare me for Insanity.  I'm also hoping to lose 30+ pounds before I attempt it again because it utilizes body weight for a lot of the moves (rather than lifting free-weights).

Workouts I'm Determined to Complete!

INSANITY & INSANITY: THE ASYLUM: Insanity beat me before but this January I'm going to dig deep and complete the program!  After I finish Insanity, I'm going to take on The Asylum (aka Insanity part 2).  The Asylum (with workouts ranging from 45-60 minutes) takes Insanity to the next level and focuses on athletic performance with plyometrics, speed, agility, and core workouts.  This program is only 30 days so the two together create another 90 day program.  My goal is to tackle Asylum right after Insanity in the new year.

How To Order These Programs

If you want to order one of these programs, or another Beachbody workout program, please visit my website www.beachbodycoach.com/SamA or click here.  There are more workouts than what I listed here; these are just the ones I have or plan to buy soon.  If you want help choosing the program best for you and your goals, you can contact me on my website or leave a comment below. 

As always, stay healthy!