Is BODi 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.

Since 2008, we’ve followed Beachbody workout programs. First with the DVDs, then through Beachbody On Demand, and now through the rebranded BODi platform.

After experimenting, looking at the numbers, getting results, and comparing BODi workouts to the competition, here’s our data-driven BODi review.

Let’s dig into the details and our case study.

bodi by Beachbody review: is it worth it?

We have been Beachbody (now called BODi by Beachbody) enthusiasts since 2008. This is back when we had to eagerly await our P90X and Focus T:25 DVDs in the mail! Yes, that makes us feel old.

Since then, thankfully, Beachbody has kept up with the times and the technology. In 2015, we began streaming workouts on Beachbody On Demand and it’s been game-changing for our health and fitness to have the flexibility and huge selection of workouts.

This is an in-depth review of BODi by Beachbody. The goal is to help you make a decision and get results. Whenever possible, we use the data that we have collected to drive home our points.

However, before I jump into my story and experience with BODi (formerly Beachbody), I must 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 BODgroup within the BODi app.

Now that I spilled the beans on our bias, I wanted to also share some external Beachbody reviews on whether BODi 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

Below are more BODi reviews from large media outlets.

OUR BODi REVIEW AND 11 DATA-DRIVEN REASONS IT’S WORTH IT

Is BODi really worth it? I can’t answer that for you. But I am going to share some of our data and experience to help you decide.

Speaking of experience.

I first completed a Beachbody workout program in 2008. I borrowed a few DVDs of P90X from my buddy, Bill. Before then, 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.

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

To this day, both Alex and I are still daily BODi users. We are reminded weekly, especially given our on-the-go lifestyle, why BODi 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 BODi workouts help us 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, one week recently we did a HIIT cardio workout in a 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 on our apartment terrace in Medellin Colombia.

After over a decade of experience, this is why we think BODi is worth it. We hope our review helps you take action.

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 BODgroup members who are consistently using BODi.

With fitness, there’s no magic bullet—just hard work. BODi by Beachbody 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 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 rode the stationary bike at the gym while watching the news, 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 BODi is worth it. He would probably secretly sign up 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 results to Steve’s.

2. It’s Cheap

To understand if BODi is worth it, we have to look at the cost. A BODi annual membership is roughly $10 per month billed annually (when we first wrote this article the price was $15), so $120/year in the United States.

Including, unlimited classes, 24-hour access, from pilates to HIIT to martial arts. Penny in our BODgroup completed 993 workouts one year.

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 a home gym vs. gym membership cost-benefit analysis and learned that, as a couple, we saved $7,050 in eight years by working out at home using BODi  instead of going to a typical gym.

And yes, that includes the cost of our thoughtfully curated home gym equipment.

What’s crazy, is our previous gym membership used in the calculation was only $35/month. We have plenty of friends who pay $150/month going to boutique or CrossFit Gyms.

In their case, their savings potential in 8 years is $39,939.

Let’s pick on Steve again. He pays $42/month for a gym membership (average in the US) while you spend $15/month) for BODi.

If you both do five workouts per week, the gym cost is $2.10/workout while the BODi cost is $0.68/workout ($0.34/workout if you’re smart and take advantage of the benefits of working out with your significant other).

We’re only on point number two in our BODi review, and it’s already a no-brainer.

Better results (or the same results in far 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 BODi.

In all BODi 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.

To ensure safety, modifications are demonstrated on the screen to help you adjust range of motion due to an injury or limitation. Or, if you can push yourself further, trainers show you how to increase the intensity of an exercise.

BODi comes with a personal trainer. Specifically, it comes with 30+ trainers. If you want to get to know them, try some of these free Beachbody workouts before committing.

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 all thinking and removes so many excuses.

You never have to wonder, “What workout should I do today?”

You also never have to wonder, “Should I shower today?” Unless you’re working out in a Minnesota garage gym in January, the answer is yes.

And lastly, you don’t even need to wonder, “What should I be eating today?” That’s 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 BODi by Beachbody, 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 several comprehensive nutrition programs, the Portion Fix being our go-to.

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

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″).

Exercise freedom is potentially the most life-changing benefit. 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 workouts in the app for offline use.

If you don’t have the equipment, that’s no problem. Numerous programs through BODi require none but your body weight.

6. Unlimited Variety

A lack of variety can be dangerous. An optimized workout routine requires variety to prevent boredom, plateau, or injury.

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 BODi 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 run. This variety keeps exercise fun while keeping your body out of its comfort zone.

Speaking of being out of your comfort zone, have you ever said, “I hate yoga,” or “I don’t know how to lift weights?” Those things you dislike or tell yourself you can’t do are your opportunity.

I always told myself “I could never run a marathon without getting hurt.” Well, thanks to BODi (30-Day Breakaway) I ran one in 2021 in 3 hours and 12 minutes.

Alex was intimidated by weight lifting. She did a BODi lifting program (Body Beast), and learned how to strengthen all muscle groups using proper form. To her surprise, nothing worked better than weightlifting.

She had a significant weight lifting weight loss transformation before our wedding, going from “skinny fat” to ripped.

7. 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 BODi at home 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.

Speaking of influencing your spouse…

8. BODi Is Perfect For Couples 

Not only can you share the cost of the BODi 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 is doubling your performance and making 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. 

9. You Get Access To Accountability Groups

We all need accountability and all the help we can get with our health and fitness goals. Beachbody’s solution: BODgroups.

Guess why famously 13 out of the 14 contestants from the last season of the TV show, The Biggest Loser, gained all of their weight back and more? Yup, lack of accountability.

Incidentally, the one contestant who did not gain her weight back was a Beachbody coach who was likely part of Beachbody’s online accountability and support system.

According to research, incentives and accountability are the two factors that effectively shape behavior change.

Focusing on accountability, the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) found that you’re 65% more likely to succeed at achieving a goal when you have an accountability partner.

However, that number bumps up to 95% if you have ongoing appointments with your accountability partner or group.

We hope you start working out with BODi. When you do, stay active in one of Beachbody’s BODgroups. If you want to join our group, click here and request to join.

CLOSING THOUGHTS ON BODi BY BEACHBODY

For other questions regarding Beachbody workouts or Shakeology, make sure your head over to our Beachbody Page.

You can find more free at-home workout resources, such as our Couple’s Workout Routine, Resistance Band and Bodyweight Workout Plans, or 30-Day Ab Challenge, on our Fitness Page.

Already Signed Up?

Congrats! There are three things you should do now.

1. Join a BODgroup.

You are more than welcome to request access to our online BODgroup for accountability and support. When you join, start tracking your workouts right away and share your goals with the group.

We think the BODgroups are far superior to Facebook accountability groups.

2. Follow a plan.

In the beginning, feel free to pick and choose workouts that look fun. This gives you a chance to try out the different trainers. Once you find something you like, follow the full program plan.

Your results will be lacking (and therefore your motivation) if you choose to just follow individual workouts. If you need help selecting a plan, feel free to email us, or read our article titled, ‘The 6 Best BODi Products Ever (Based on Results).’

In addition to the Beachbody program plans, we created a few free plans of our own. Feel free to download them!

• Backpacking 2-Week Fitness Plan
• 14-Day Couples Yoga Challenge
• Downhill Skiing 2-Week Fitness Plan
• Pregnancy Workout Plan By Trimester
• 3-Month Marathon Training Plan

Have fun!

What About Other BODi Products?

We follow the workouts via Beachbody On Demand almost daily, as well as drinking Shakeology daily. We have been Shakeology drinkers since 2014.

For us, Shakeology is valuable, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right supplement for everyone. We decided to write a thorough review of our own after reading tons of controversial reviews.

We’ll debunk those reviews, share our knowledge and experience on this nutrition supplement, and talk about who should and who should not drink Shakeology in our review.

However, just because we like Shakeology doesn’t mean it’s the best shake for you. So, we geeked out and identified the best Shakeology Alternatives according to the data. In addition to Shakeology, there are only a few other BODi products that we like (many others you don’t need).