As a Beachbody coach I have the added bonus of getting first hand knowledge and accessibility to all of our amazing workout programs. I always buy the newest program we offer. For a few reasons.. all of our programs are literally tested before they are ever released. A test group follows the program as it's written step by step and track all results for the entire duration of the program. I don't know about you but I love that our programs are tested and APPROVED before they're marketed to the public. It gives me a sense of peace knowing I'm investing in a program that really works! Besides that, I've successfully completed Power 90 and P90X with unbelievable results so I know, with certainty, that our programs work. Also, because I have a Beachbody program addiction. I don't want to be the coach that doesn't have every program in her library.
So, I've tried them all. TurboJam, Slim in 6, Chalean Extreme, RevAbs, Insanity, Turbo Fire, Combat and even Body Beast. Anyone that knows me knows that my ultimate workout favorite is P90X. P90X wins by a landslide in my opinion. But it all depends on who you ask. Others would pick Turbo Fire as their all time favorite. It has a huge fan base and a Turbo NATION type following since Turbo Jam. They should have their own planet! While I loved the house music and dance type style it just didn't keep me coming back. Then of course you have your Shaun T maniac's. They love them some Shaun T. While he's easy on the eyes he isn't easy on my heart. I love a challenge but I prefer not feeling like I'm gonna drop dead of a heart attack. Insanity is just plain difficult for me. I assume it's because I've never been a cardio buff... I've never really run for long distances or trained myself on endurance. If you've tried or done Insanity you know it's an endurance junkie's dream workout program. I personally don't like feeling like my heart is going to explode during a workout. However, when I do an Insanity workout I feel like a lunatic afterwards! There is such an adrenal rush that comes with finishing one of those workouts. All the adrenal junkies love that program. Besides Insanity though, everything else was weak in comparison to P90X. When I say weak I don't mean it in the sense that it isn't intense or that it doesn't work. I just mean it was weak in it's ability to keep me coming back. Same with all the others. While each of them have some really great aspects I just found myself missing P90X. And there is no one like Mr. Tony Horton either! He makes me laugh, he's engaging and he always knows exactly when I am about to quit and reminds me to keep pushing through! I feel like he's actually working out with me!
P90X just has everything I want in a program. I still randomly enjoy doing one of the other workouts every once in a while but when it comes to doing a program start to finish P90X has my devotion.
Most recently I've started but not completed Les Mills Combat. I did it for 5 weeks before I moved on to Tapout XT and now Body Beast. (Tapout XT is not a Beachbody program but it looked cool and Combat wasn't out yet... I don't want to hear any crap from the mouths of coaches about it either.. I'm not a trader, I just wanted to try the program. It looks legit and I need to feed my specific fitness appetite. Deal with it ;)) I love Combat for it's kicking and punching. The MMA feeling it gives you is the biggest attraction for me and everyone wants to feel like they're kicking some ass when they're working out. An awesome program and a really great workout but again, I found myself missing something. I tried Tapout XT and loved that too. Again, a little too cardio intensive for me. I almost went back to P90X again but I decided to do try Body Beast instead. I'm at week 4 and just started the bulk phase. I definitely feel I'm getting the "strength" workout I need from it and I save more than 30 minutes a day compared to the 75 minute P90X routines. So far, I'm having fun and continue pushing play. I want to see where it takes me and that will keep me going for now.
In order to keep pushing play, some part of what you're doing has to make you want to go back day after day. If you dread pushing play or driving to the gym you're not gonna do it. Period. Realistically, most people don't have the options I have. A limitless library of world famous workout programs to chose from each day. I could literally do a different workout from a different program every day if I was really bored. Most people probably invested in a gym membership or a few programs that ultimately doesn't do it for them for whatever reason. So now you're stuck paying a gym membership that they don't want to get rid of because they might want to go some time. They have a library of programs collecting dust already, so why invest in another program that's only going to sit on the shelf with the other ones? This is the conversation they have with themselves and why they just decide to give up and do nothing.
Lucky for me I have options because I might be one that couldn't find something I loved and decide to do nothing. Please, don't be the one that does nothing. You just have to figure out what you prefer. Do you like to work out alone or with groups? Do you prefer lifting weights or having a heart attach, just kidding. Cardio is a major motivation for most people. Whatever makes you want to keep doing it!! Some people prefer walking. Great! Go for a walk! If you like to run, start a running routine. If you like cardio buy an elliptical or Insanity! If you like strength training then get P90X or Body Beast! Exercise is so important to our overall health. Besides lowering the risk of heart disease it raises endorphin levels and just makes you feel better. You'll lose weight and even sleep better at night. The pros outweigh the cons. You just have to find the right type of workout for your personality. I'm 5'1, 110lbs. I might have a napoleon complex! It would explain why I enjoy mixed martial arts and strength training. LOL!!
Here's a short Exercise Quiz that hselp you figure out what your exercise personality is! Give it a try and then go do a workout! You'll be happy you did. ;)
http://exercise.about.com/library/blfitnesspersonalityquiz.htm
Until next time, Make it a great day and keep pushing play!!!!
