Best Beachbody Programs for Beginners
When I first started Beachbody WAY back in 2003, there were TWO programs—Power 90 and Slim in 6. That’s IT. I got awesome results (you can read my story!), but there was little variety for when I got bored. Fast forward to today and there are a BUNCH of programs. This makes it super fun, but a little challenging to pick the right program when you’re just starting out. In this post, I’ll go over some of the best Beachbody programs for beginners so you can start off right!
A Little Obsessed (Autumn Calabrese)
Type of Exercise: Cardio and strength (muscle building)
Length of Program: 5 days
Frequency/Duration of Workouts: 30 minutes daily
Equipment Needed: Dumbbells, Resistance Loops and Strength Slides
This program is designed to dip your toe in the 80 Day Obsession water. The workouts are similar, but slightly easier in order to prepare you for the more advanced full program. Emphasis is put on abs and butt, but you’ll definitely be burning fat and building muscle all over. The 80 Day Obsession Eating Plan uses Autumn’s portion control containers combined with the concept of Timed Nutrition to really dial into what you eat AND when you eat in order to maximize your results. Available exclusively on Beachbody on Demand.
Clean Week (Megan Davies)
Type of Exercise: Cardio, strength, flexibility
Length of Program: 7 days
Frequency/Duration of Workouts: 30 minutes daily
Equipment Needed: None
This program is designed to kickstart healthy habits by introducing you to the basics of fitness (including cardio, strength and flexibility) and nutrition. The Eating Plan is simple and easy to follow and includes recipes and meal prep tips. What I love about this program is that it comes with seven packets of Shakeology so you get to try out my most powerful tool! If you’re not sure where to start, this program is PERFECT! Available exclusively on Beachbody on Demand. You can read more about it here—Clean Week Program
3 Week Yoga Retreat (Vytas, Elise, Ted, and Faith)
Type of Exercise: Yoga
Length of Program: 21 days
Frequency/Duration of Workouts: 10–30 minutes daily
Equipment Needed: Yoga mat
Yoga is an EXCELLENT way to start off your fitness—it’s low impact, ideal for beginners and gives you full body workout. This program has three weeks of basic yoga classes that will create a solid foundation for you to build on. The benefits of yoga include improved flexibility and balance, as well as stress relief. You’ll learn how to breathe, balance, and yoga basics. Available exclusively on Beachbody on Demand. You can read more about it here—3 Week Yoga Retreat
Shift Shop (Chris Downing)
Type of Exercise: Strength training, cardio
Length of Program: 21 days
Frequency/Duration of Workouts: 25–45 minutes daily
Equipment Needed: Dumbbells or resistance band, agility markers, PT sandbag (optional)
In order to help beginners ease info fitness, this program uses a “ramp-up” method—meaning the cardio and strength training workouts get longer, harder, and more complex each week. You start with 25 minute workouts and eventually get to 45 minutes. There is a modifier who demonstrates each exercise and shows you less intense moves that you can do until you are ready to go all the way. The Eating Plan will help you maximize both fat loss and muscle growth. Available on DVD and Beachbody on Demand. You can read more about it here—Shift Shop Workout
P90 Workout (Tony Horton)
Type of Exercise: Strength, cardio
Length of Program: 90 days
Frequency/Duration of Workouts: 45–60 minutes daily
Equipment Needed: Dumbbells, pull-up bar or resistance band with door attachment
I LOVE THIS PROGRAM — which is why I chose to specialize in it! The workouts are not easy, but you can always follow the modifiers when it’s too hard for you. The structured portion control eating plan teaches you how to control your portions and eat foods at the proper ratio. It’s my primary eating plan, but I do sometimes cheat on it to vary up my workouts so I don’t get bored. Available on DVD and Beachbody on Demand. You can learn A LOT more about it here—21 Day Fix Meal Plan and Workout
CIZE (Shaun T)
Type of Exercise: Dance
Length of Program: 4 weeks
Frequency/Duration of Workouts: 30–50 minutes for 6-7 days per week
Equipment Needed: None
This program teaches you a different dance routine with a mix of pop and hip-hop music. Shaun T breaks down the dance moves step by step, so even if you think you can’t dance, you CAN do this program (trust me lol). There’s a beginner workout calendar to start with and you can work your way up to the advanced one, which will have you sweating! Available on DVD and Beachbody on Demand. You can read more about it here—CIZE Workout
PiYo (Chalene Johnson)
Type of Exercise: Yoga, Pilates
Length of Program: 60 days
Frequency/Duration of Workouts: 13–45 minutes daily
Equipment Needed: Yoga mat
This is my soulmate program and probably my very favorite of my best Beachbody programs for beginners! It is a combo of yoga and Pilates AND some cardio and strengthening exercises. I love that all of the moves are low impact and the program as a whole helps increase your flexibility. Your heart will definitely be pumping, so you’ll be burning fat while you’re sculpting your muscles. Available on DVD and Beachbody on Demand. You can read more about it here—PiYo Workout
I have a soft spot for this program, which is an update of one of the first programs Dave and I ever did with Beachbody—and I adore Tony. Although it’s longer in total length and has longer workouts, it is designed to gradually ease your body into better shape and help you lose weight. Available on DVD and Beachbody on Demand. You can read more about it here—P90 Workout
21 Day Fix (Autumn Calabrese)
Type of Exercise: Strength, cardio
Length of Program: 21 days
Frequency/Duration of Workouts: 30 minutes daily
Equipment Needed: Weighted gloves (optional)
So there you have it—in my opinion, these are the BEST Beachbody programs for beginners. If you commit to your goals and the process, they will totally launch you into a healthy lifestyle!
Don’t Forget Your Nutrition!
You can’t out-exercise a bad diet so it is VERY important to follow a healthy eating plan from the very start. Each of these beginning Beachbody workouts include an eating plan. Being a 21 Day Fix specialist, I tend to have people stick with Autumn’s portion Fix eating plan and just vary their workouts. I totally recommend the timed nutrition version that comes with the 80 Day Obsession for maximum results!
…or My Free Coaching Program
It’s been proven in scientific studies that people who work with coaches and/or accountability partners are MUCH more likely to reach their health and fitness goals. Beachbody affords me the amazing opportunity to coach my customers for FREE (because it’s included in the cost of their products)! To start, I can help you choose which one of the best Beachbody programs for beginners works for YOU. Just click below and we’ll walk you through the process and you can then join my Fix Family accountability group on Facebook:
