Is Beachbody On Demand Worth It?

Is Beachbody On Demand worth it? There are so many ways to exercise. Between the two of us, we’ve covered running to boutique HIIT classes to Orange Theory to your old-school gym, we’ve put in the legwork.

These past seven years, we’ve followed workout programs through Beachbody On Demand (BOD). After collecting data, looking at the numbers, and getting results, here’s our review of Beachbody On Demand.

If you’re sitting in quarantine right now looking for an effective at-home workout routine, you’ve come to the right place. 

is beachbody on demand worth it? 

In this in-depth review of Beachbody On Demand, we list ten reasons why we think it’s worth your time and investment. Whenever possible, we use the data that we have collected to drive home our points.

Before I jump into my story and experience with Beachbody On Demand, it’s important to come clean and let you know that we’re biased. It all started with our love of the workouts and excitement over incredible results. 

However, it progressed into partnering with Beachbody and helping individuals like us get started and stay motivated. We help people through our Facebook group and our BODgroup within the Beachbody On Demand app.

You’re welcome to join us. If you sign up or start a free trial through this page, we get a small commission, and we’ll always be there to support you on your fitness journey. 

Now that I spilled the beans on our bias, I wanted to also share some external reviews on whether Beachbody On Demand is worth it. I think we can all agree that the Business Insider is a highly credible and neutral party.

“Should you use it? Yes. If you’re looking for a convenient service that lets you work out anywhere, Beachbody On Demand offers that flexibility. With over 40 different programs, you’ll be able to find plenty that matches your fitness level and preferred workout style. You won’t even need to buy extra weights or equipment for many of the programs. This makes it a great option if you’re looking to save money or don’t have much space to store workout equipment.”

– The Business Insider Review Team

Another great sign that people are happy with the workout service offered by Beachbody On Demand is the reviews on Influenster, where it’s currently ranked “#2 in Fitness Classes & Programs.”

My Beachbody Workout Experience

I first completed a Beachbody workout program in 2013. This pre-dates the “on demand” streaming, so I borrowed a few DVDs of P90X from my buddy, Bill. I had never followed an exercise program before. Instead, all my workouts were self-guided.

My self-guided exercise consisted of running, basic bodyweight moves, and soccer or volleyball games with colleagues. Once I began my engineering career, my activity levels dwindled. After a long workday, I didn’t have the energy to go for a run or kick the ball around.

There was no question that I was feeling unhealthy and gaining weight. Once I pressed play on these workouts, everything changed. The results, variety, and structure blew my mind. My self-guided workouts were pointless in comparison, and I felt and saw the difference  within days.

I felt like an athlete again, which brought me more confidence and energy.

Now, over seven years later, both Alex and I are still daily Beachbody On Demand users. We are reminded weekly, especially given our on-the-go lifestyle, why Beachbody On Demand (BOD) is worth it.

There are the weeks when you’re reminded of how fit you are. Like the week when Alex attended an Orange Theory workout with her girlfriends and thought it was too easy. Or, the week Ryan joined a pickup soccer game and scored three goals.

Then, there are the weeks when our Beachbody On Demand workouts help you show up for life. Like that time when the weather cleared in Cusco, Peru, and we packed our backpacks for a same-day departure on a 4-day, high-mountain trek. 

Most commonly, there are hectic weeks. For example, in the last week we have done a HIIT cardio workout in our living room in Costa Rica, recovery workout at our gate in the San Jose airport, yoga in our tiny Airbnb in Mexico City, and lifting workout in our new living room in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. 

After years of following Beachbody On Demand workouts, this why we think BOD is worth it. We hope our review helps you take action, or at least dip your toes in the water with the Beachbody On Demand Free Trial.

1. They Really Work

Alex and I have seen results personally, and we’re honestly the fittest among our friends and family. This has been consistent and true for nearly a decade, and we’ve seen the same in our Duo Life Community members who are also using BOD.

With fitness, there’s no magic bullet—just hard work. Beachbody On Demand is worth it because it lets you work smarter and more conveniently. That means getting better results in less time and cutting out the nonsense, like going to a gym or always thinking you need access to equipment.

We have the data to back up the above statement: ‘better results in less time.’ As the ever engineers, we did what we do best, and designed an experiment to compare cardio workouts on BOD to YouTube workouts and cardio methods common at the gym. 

In the cardio experiment, we learned that not all workouts are created equal. In fact, the best workouts are up to 90% more effective than the worst. Let’s look at an example with you and your friend, Steve.

Based on our cardio data, if you did 20 minutes of Shaun T’s Insanity 5 days a week while Steve used the stationary bike, you’d burn 80,860 more calories in a year. That’s the equivalent of losing 23 pounds more than Steve (assuming you both burn and consume calories identically). 

I bet Steve would agree that your Beachbody On Demand all access membership is worth it. He would probably secretly sign up for the free trial and get to know Shaun T that same day. Not all workouts are created equal. Don’t make the mistake of allowing an inferior workout to waste your time and effort.

Here’s a graph to compare your Beachbody On Demand results to your friend Steve’s. 

2. It’s Crazy Cheap

To understand if Beachbody On Demand is worth it, we have to look at the cost. A Beachbody On Demand annual membership is $8.25 a month. Including, unlimited classes (Penny in our Duo Life Community completed 993 workouts in 2019), 24-hour access, from pilates to HIIT to martial arts.

Gym memberships seem cheap, but they’re not. On average, health and fitness expenses in the US clock in at $140,000 over a lifetime. Those monthly fees (especially if you’re a duo) add up.

We ran the numbers and learned that, as a couple, we saved $5000 in 6 years by using Beachbody On Demand instead of going to a typical gym ($42 monthly per person). What’s more, that includes the cost of our home gym equipment.

Let’s pick on Steve again. He pays $42/month for a gym membership while you spend $99/year ($8.25/month) for Beachbody On Demand. If you both do five workouts per week, the gym cost is $2.10/workout while with the Beachbody On Demand cost is $0.41/workout.

That’s 410% cheaper than the gym. We’re only on point number two in our review of Beachbody On Demand, and it’s already a no-brainer. Better results in less time with fewer dollars spent. 

Furthermore, the savings only increase when you tack on the cost of a personal trainer to push, guide and instruct you. Speaking of…

3. You Get World-Class Personal Trainers

Everyone who wants to get the most out of their workouts needs a trainer. If you’re reading this, spending time researching what’s best for your future fitness life, that’s you. 

Even Olympians and professional athletes have trainers. Beachbody employs top industry trainers (backed by a team of sports scientists) to guide you through the streamed workout programs on Beachbody On Demand. 

In all BOD workouts, you’re told what to do, when to do it, and for how long. You’ll hear adequate instruction and see proper form demonstrated. Also, for safety, modifications are shown to help you adjust range of motion due to an injury or limitation. Modifications also demonstrate how to increase intensity.

Beachbody On Demand comes with a personal trainer. Specifically, since we’re all about the numbers, it comes with 24 (new trainers added yearly).

Additionally, you’ll have a calendar to navigate the program and tracking sheets to record weights and reps so you can up the ante each week. This eliminates decision fatigue and removes so many excuses. You never have to wonder, “What workout should I do today?”

You won’t have to wonder, “Should I shower today,” because you’ll definitely need to. And lastly, you don’t even need to wonder, “What should I be eating today?” Because…

4. You get a Nutrition Plan

What kind of fitness plan doesn’t come with a nutrition plan? What you put in your mouth amounts to 80% of your results. Your fitness plan must include guidance on what and how much to eat.

With Beachbody On Demand, each program includes a nutrition plan tailored to your gender, activity level, goals, body weight, and dietary preferences. Also included are recipes, shopping lists, and even a cooking show.

These nutrition tools have been invaluable for Alex and me as what we eat keeps us consistently fit and in shape year-round. 

You can access the nutrition plan in the Beachbody On Demand free trial by clicking on a program and viewing the “program materials.” For the last two years, we have been using their recipes and meal plans but applying them to an intermittent fasting 16/8 plan. 

5. Work Out From Anywhere

Want to work out at home? No problem. Prefer the gym? Cool. Only have 6 square feet in your hotel room in Japan? That’s workable too (coming from a guy who is 6’1″). Having the ability to work out from anywhere eliminates so many excuses, making you far more consistent.

You no longer have to manage commute time, weather, and class times. Additionally, you’ll always have time to work out. There are plenty of effective programs consisting of workouts that are less than 30 minutes. Not having wifi isn’t even an excuse, since you can download up to 7 workouts through the Beachbody On Demand app for offline use. 

If you don’t have the equipment, that’s no problem. Numerous programs through BOD require none but your body weight. However, we still recommend investing in some equipment so that you’re not limited.

Since 2018, we have only used resistance bands. They are cheap, portable, and the best part is BOD teaches you how to use resistance bands if you don’t have access to weights. If you want see for yourself how effective bands are for strength training, the most effective resistance band exercises are demonstrated in our Resistance Band Workout Routine. 

6. Unlimited Variety

A lack of variety can be dangerous. An optimized workout routine requires variety to prevent boredom, plateau, or injury. Beachbody On Demand is worth it because it offers infinite variety. Well, at least it has kept us happy exercising almost daily for the last seven years.

The workout platform offers something for every fitness level and interest. The programs typically range from 3 weeks to 3 months so that you can try something new every couple of months.

Also, you don’t have to strictly follow BOD workouts to make your membership worth it. Some of the programs are only four days a week, so there are free days to rest, bike, or level up your running. This variety keeps exercise fun while keeping your body out of its comfort zone. 

Since Beachbody On Demand is a pioneer in the fitness industry, and they release new workouts by new trainers every year. As long-time enthusiasts, that makes Beachbody On Demand worth it. There is always something new to learn and look forward too. 

7. You Learn New Techniques

With your Beachbody On Demand trainer (like celebrity trainers Tony Horton, Chalene Johnson, Autumn Calabrese, and Shaun T), you’re training with the best and learning their proven exercise techniques. What’s more, is that you can do it at your own pace, in the privacy of your own home. 

For us, we have learned how to weight lift, practice yoga, and use resistance bands instead of weights while we travel.

With weight lifting, following programs like Body Beast, LIIFT4, and P90X, will teach you how to strengthen all muscle groups using proper form. They instruct you and demonstrate precisely what you need to be doing.

Weight lifting is critical to maintaining metabolism and a healthy waistline. Nothing worked better than weightlifting for Alex. She had a significant transformation with Body Beast, going from “skinny fat” to ripped.

You can also learn how to do yoga through the Beachbody On Demand Yoga Studio without feeling uncomfortable in a group class. Don’t worry about feeling lost. You will hear thorough and professional instruction through the screen. 

Finally, a game-changer for us has been learning how to use resistance bands when we travel. When we don’t have access to weights, programs like P90X3 and LIIFT4 include a person demonstrating how to modify the moves using bands. It’s pretty incredible.

Teaching us these new techniques makes Beachbody On Demand invaluable.

8. You Influence The People Around You 

When you’re at the gym, you’re (maybe) influencing other people who are already motivated to get to the gym. However, when you use Beachbody On Demand at home, in the park, or at the holiday weekend with family, you influence loved ones around you.

Instead of disappearing to the gym, your kids or spouse will see you investing hard work into your health. Seeing you sweat day after day will undoubtedly influence them. Many learn that Beachbody On Demand programs are worth it when they discover that loved ones will start joining them. 

Speaking of influencing your spouse…

9. Beachbody On Demand Is Perfect For Couples 

Not only can you share the cost of the BOD membership (you didn’t hear that from us), but you can follow the programs together to stay accountable. One of the many benefits of exercising with your partner doubles your performance and makes you both 3X more likely to stick with a program long-term.

What’s more, is it’s a fun way to spend time together. Additionally, the energy you gain will help you better yourselves in all aspects of life. If you’re like us, you’ll start planning more active vacations and creating competitions together.

If you are apart frequently or don’t have the same work schedules, that’s not a deal-breaker. Instead, you can still follow the workout calendar provided and check-in with each other daily to inquire about their workout. We did this for years when we were doing long distance between the US and China.

If you are frequently rejected by a partner who doesn’t want to exercise with you, check out our Complete Guide to Working Out as a Couple. This is our expertise, and we share one trick that nobody else talks about. 

10. Beachbody On Demand Is Environmentally Friendly

What’s more environmentally friendly than streaming your workouts from home? 

According to Men’s Health, those who go to the gym once a month drive an average of 5.1 miles. Those who go five times a month commute 3.7 miles. This not only shows you that you’re more likely to exercise if your gym is closer to home, but it also shows how much these miles add up over time.

Let’s run some numbers. Alex and I have worked out at least 20 times a month over the last 7 years. If we each drove 3.7 miles to the gym each time in a EcoBoost Ford Fusion, we would have driven a total of 12,432 miles consuming 460 gallons of gasoline.

We’re happy to have an eco-friendly lifestyle, saving 4.56 metric tons of CO2 emissions by working out in our living room and not worrying about commutes or new clothes.

How green are your workouts?

I Still Have Questions. What Do I Do?

Ask away in the comments below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible and add your recommendations to this article accordingly. Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for your comment!

I Want To Start. What Do I Do?

Leave and specific questions in the comments below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Or, check out these tools. 

Instructions on how to start your 14-day free (must enter credit card number) trial of BOD here.

Sign up for our Couple’s Clean Week program (currently free during COVID-19) with your partner to test drive the workouts, our nutrition guidelines, and sleep and hydration habits.

Already Signed Up?

You are more than welcome to join our online accountability groups or download our Beachbody Challenge Calendars for free.

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