PiYo Review: Month 1
Sharing a full Month 1 PiYo review from a pregnant fitness instructor and if it’s worth it.
Some Facebook friends and I just finished up the first month of PiYo yesterday, and I thought I’d write a review for you. I’d been wanting to try a new Beachbody workout (<— this is my old coach link, but I’m no longer a Beachbody coach) for a while -especially since P90X3 was a womp– and hadn’t committed to anything, especially since they have the new On Demand service which allows you to try a ton of different workouts. In the end, I figured I’d try PiYo because I knew it was low impact (perfect since impact currently torches my hip flexors during this pregnancy), and I’d had the change to try it live with celebrity trainer Chalene Johnson at BlogFest last year and LOVED it.
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Chalene Johnson is my #1 fitness instructor inspiration, and I’m always excited for the opportunity to learn from her and get new teaching tools and techniques. (She also offers social media marketing podcasts, awesome Periscopes, and online courses, which have been fun to follow along with, too.) Why do I love her so much? She has AMAZING energy, and will pump you up, but she’s not annoying/cheesy about it. It’s easy to tell when an instructor is feigning excitement and energy, and this isn’t the case with her at all. You can tell she genuinely loves what she does and wants to share it with others in an authentic way. In a nutshell, she is a goddess. 😉
So, I rounded up some friends on Facebook (there were about 30 of us!) and we cranked through the first month of PiYo workouts.
PiYo Review – Is it Worth it? Thoughts from a Fitness Instructor
Here’s What I Thought About PiYo
What is PiYo?
PiYo is a combination of yoga and Pilates with elements of dance and martial arts. You get the benefits of Pilates, while also using dynamic standing movements. You can check out the full Focus On post here! It’s been a Beachbody workout for years now, created by Chalene herself, but they launched the DVD workout set, which is what we did for our challenge.
PiYo Pros
You’re always moving. When I first started with yoga classes (senior year of high school!), it was really hard for me to sit still. I think this is a great option for those who don’t really want the stillness aspect of a yoga practice: they want to gain strength and improve flexibility, without having to hold any postures for extended periods of time. The strengthening movements are choreographed, and you build onto the sequence as you go. For this reason, I never got bored. It felt nice to move and stretch! The progressions also felt very dance-y, which I enjoyed.
Modifier FTW. I love when workouts offer modifiers to demonstrate low-impact options for low impact and if you’re a beginner. The modifier for these workouts did an excellent job maintaining the integrity of the workout, while providing safe regressions. I ended up following her quite a bit since touching my toes and certain movements are becoming more and more tricky with my pregnant belly.
Chalene is amazing as usual. Like I said before, she has a very authentic way of teaching that will motivate you to work HARD without driving you crazy.
(Sign of a great workout: side bang goes crazy)
You can do it anywhere. This home workout program is a great way to build muscle without a lot of space or equipment; all you really need is your own body weight, a towel, and a yoga mat. This low-impact workout is challenging, yet gentle on your joints, you can burn a decent calories, and it’s a lot of fun. I also love that you can do it at your own pace, depending on your personal level.
PiYo Cons
Many of the workouts are SHORT, at least in the first month. While I think that it’s a wonderful option if you’re short on time and want to get a quick workout, many left me wanting more when they were over. I like short (20 minutes-ish) workouts for HIIT and intense intervals/cardio, but for a low-impact strength/flexibility combos, I wished they would have been longer.
Lack of cardio. Some of the workouts (Drench, Sweat, Buns and Sweat Intervals) incorporated cardio aspects, but on the Upper, Lower, and Core days (which are all short workouts) resulted in a lower calorie burn, and sometimes left me wanting more. I liked adding in a bit of additional cardio.
PiYo Workouts Breakdown:
Upper: (20 minutes) This workout emphasizes upper body and core strength. This workout involves a combination of pushups, roll-ups, planks (with side planks), and beasts. I liked this workout, but didn’t find it super challenging.
Lower: (20 minutes) This workout includes more of a traditional-ish vinyasa flow, with triceps pushups, low lunges, high lunges, Warrior series, and balance series. I particularly liked the 3-point and crouching crow exercises. Like I mentioned before, I wanted more when this one was over. It felt very short to me!
Sweat: (35 minutes) This was one of my favorite workouts. The first portion of the workout is Heat, which increases the heat rate through sun salutations and other exercises mixed in. You start sweating pretty quickly! The next part, Lower Body, emphasizes lunges with balance exercises and skaters. Next is Plank and Core work, with lots of planks and PiYo pushups. The last part of the workout (my fave) was power, which included burpees (yessssss) and squat variations. I felt like this was a perfectly balanced workout, especially with adding in 10-15 minutes of cardio afterwards.
Drench: (48 minutes) This workout most closely replicates a full class. You start off with Heat (sun salutations, push-ups, planks), then move into Legs (low lunge, Warrior 3, knee lifts and speed skaters), Plank and Core, Power (lunges, squats and more burpees!) and Stretch (alternating between strength and flexibility exercises). I was drenched in sweat the first time I completed this workout, and my legs were on fiiiiire.
Buns: (28 minutes) This was KILLER, and probably my favorite workout of the set. Similar to the other workouts, Chalene led through a progression starting with Heat and then starts to light up your lower body. There are a lot of squats and sumo burpees in this one, which cranked up my heart rate and also gave me an awesome burn. This is a great “legs day” workout and one that I’ll definitely be coming back to.
Strength Intervals: (22 minutes) My workout cup of tea. This one starts off in the same manner (Heat, into Legs, Plank + Core, etc.) but also includes some cardio blasts to increase your heart rate. I really liked this one, and got a good sweat, but wished the duration was a bit longer. The beast combo was a beast!
All in all, I loved the workouts and thought it was a fun way to change up my routine since my teaching schedule is very minimal right now. (I’m only teaching barre from now until little miss arrives!) I think it’s a great option if you’re looking to improve flexibility and want a different method for your strength training, as it’s bodyweight-based. Because you don’t need equipment and it’s low-impact (very little noises if you have neighbors), it’s also an awesome travel workout.
Challenge-wise, I didn’t find it extremely challenging, which is just what I was looking for. If you’re looking for more cardio or a challenge, I recommend TurboFire (kickboxing + dance), Insanity (the classic never dies), or the new 21dayfix Extreme.
Have you tried PiYo or anything similar? If you’ve done the Beachbody workouts, which one if your favorite? TurboFire still has my heart.
Have a great night and I’ll see you in the morning!
xoxo
Gina
If you’re looking for something that has that fun PiYo feel, but is a little different, check out BODYCOMBAT from Les Mills On Demand. My link will get you 30 days free here.
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I’d love to join in on the 21 Day Fix Challenge!
sweet! i’ll send out all the details tomorrow!
I’d love to join in on the 21 day fix. I have the DVDs but haven’t done them in awhile, this is just the push I need!
perfect! i’ll add you to the email list, and if you respond to it with your Facebook email address, i’ll add you to the group
Im definitely interested in an at-home option like this (love your shape-ups for that reason!). I remember you mentioning that you were forming a little facebook group to try it out… i missed thd bus, but this review is so very helpful!
I would love to give the 21dayfix a shot! Im currently training for the Nike Womens Half Marathon in SF in October, and i tend to get too focused on training runs and not cross train enough (getting out of the house for my weekly OTF isnt always convenient)
wahoo! i will send you all the info tomorrow 🙂
totally agree that it’s nice to have an at-home option for cross training
I’d love to try the 21 day fix!
awesome! i’ll send everything out tomorrow 🙂
please add me to the 21 day fix group.
i will! so excited you’re joining in 🙂 xoxo
would like 21 day fix details!
I would like to join the 21 day fix fun!
:)!
k i will send them out tomorrow! 🙂
I’d like to join the 21 day fix!
perfect! i’ll send everything out tomorrow 🙂
I would love to join the fix group too!
wahoo! expect an email tomorrow with all the deets
Interested in the 21 day fix
awesome- ill send all the details tomorrow!
Add me please!
i will!
I’ve always wanted to try Piyo! I love yoga sculpt and I think the moves are probably very similar. Did you do most of the workouts barefoot or wear shoes? I’d like to do it barefoor–but I worry the burpee part would hurt my feet.
for the workouts with more cardio elements (buns and strength intervals) you wear sneakers 🙂
I would love to do the 21 day fix challenge! 🙂 thank you!
awesome! i’ll email all the details in the am
I just bought the 21 day fix DVD so this is great timing 🙂
perfect! want me to email you tomorrow so you can get in on the Facebook group?
Yes, please! 🙂
I would’ve more information and to join in on your group! If you could email me I would appreciate it =)
i will! so excited you’re joining us!
I would love to join the 21 day fix group!
awesome! i will email all the details tomorrow 🙂
I will join the 21 day fix group. Already have the extreme dvd’s.
awesome! i’ll send the email out tomorrow with details. just respond back to it with your Facebook email and i’ll add you into the group since you have the dvds already
I just started week 2 of PIYO! I agree that the super short workouts leave a little bit to be desired. BUT I do love
them and they’re perfect for nap time!
yes, they’re great for naptime.. because you never know how long you *really* have for a workout 🙂
I’ve been reading your blog for years now and have yet to comment. However, first time for everything!! I actually just ordered 21 day Fix and was hoping to start soon! I’d love to be part of the group 🙂
yay, thank you so much for commenting!! i’ll add you to email list to get the details and since you have it, you’ll just need to respond back to the email so i can get you in the Facebook group
I want to join the 21 day fix too!!
awesome!! expect all the info tomorrow 🙂
Please add me to the 21 day fix group!
i’m on it! excited you’re joining in!
I would like to try the 21 Day Fix please.
so excited you’re joining in! i’ll get all the info out tomorrow 🙂
My gym offers PiYo classes! I’m really tempted to check them out!
ahhhh you should! if you do, let me know what you think!
Please add me to the 21 day fix group!
i will! so happy you’re joining in 🙂
Definitely interested in the 21 day fix! What’s the difference between the two?
the original is geared more towards beginners and the extreme takes it up a notch 🙂 i can send you all of the details tomorrow!
Hey Gina, I’d be interested to hear about the pricing for the 21Day Fix you mentioned. Would you be able to send details to my e-mail?
yep! i will do that tomorrow 🙂 xoxo
I’d Like to try either the 21 day fix or the extreme. I don’t know anything about either though, so are you able to provide more information? Thanks!
yes! i’ll send out all of the details tomorrow and will add you to the list 🙂 xoxo
I would buy tops and tights and all her books!
Loved reading your Piyo review! I started it around this time last year (6 months prego) and it was the perfect addition to my running schedule. I need to get back to it – I’ve only been running (cardio junkie) – but the benefits are so worth it!
i totally agree! it’s an awesome cross training option
I want to join the 21 day fix!
yay so glad you’re joining in! i’ll send everything out in the am 🙂
I’m interested in a 21DF challenge.
awesome- i’ll add you to the list and get info out tomorrow!
Would you be able to talk more about what the 21 day fix is? I am trying to lose the rest of this baby weight with a nap time appropriate workout and am interested if this would be a good fit?
sure! i’ll send out all of the details tomorrow. the nice thing about it is that you can do the workouts at home with minimal equipment! would definitely make a great naptime workout. also, when are you due? my post baby bod plan will be out this fall too 🙂 xoxo
Thanks Ill watch for your email! I’m actually a year postpartum but have like 7 pounds just hanging on!
I do piyo live at my gym and I LOVE it. It’s such a fabulous workout. They hold the classes in the yoga studio and turn the lights off. The music is always awesome and I leave class feeling like a badass warrior haha.
that is so bomb. i would LOVE to take live classes
I’d love to join in on the 21dayfix!
yay, awesome! i’ll send all the details tomorrow morning!
I’d like to join the 21 day fix!
yay, so excited you’ll be joining in! i’ll send out details tomorrow am 🙂
I am interested in the 21 days fix but wondering how i can get the materials (DVD) since i am based in Nigeria. Gina, I love how you disseminate information.
Thank you so much for this in-depth review! This, as well as our Facebook message exchange, have been super helpful to teach me more about PiYo 🙂
I love piyo…I haven’t done the whole program by itself because I like to add in cardio and other workouts. I think some of the workouts are amazing, like Drench, and it is a fun way to mix things up. It is great for being preggo because of the non impact. I personally like T25 and Piyo, but didn’t love 21 Day Fix Extremme.
I love my 21 day fix Extreme…it’s the only Beachbody I’ve ever done, but I do have the OnDemand to try others in the future. Right now I’m starting round 3 and even have the husband joining in. I’d love to join a challenge group, up until now it’s pretty much solo motivation and this 3rd round I haven’t been as focused on my nutrition due to the other craziness of life.
I have 21 Day Fix Extreme and did a couple of the workouts before getting distracted by Fitness Blender Booty and Ab Boot Camps-trying to firm up a bit before my trip to Hawaii! Anyway, I would love to join the 21DF group upon my return! It will give me a little something to look forward to after the “end of vacation” letdown 🙁 Thanks!
I have Piyo too and should really bust those out once in a while. Like you, I didn’t feel too challenged by upper or lower but really liked Sweat and Drench. I need to try buns!
I have done a few videos from Piyo and 21 day fix Extreme (both are great), but I am still loving Insanity Max 30 the best.
I am just returning from a 3 week vaca and desperately want to join the 21day fix group! Please send me the deets – yay!!
Just did a quick scan if the 21 Fix page and and now I am intrigued. Please add me to the group
Thanks!
I’m interested in learning more about the 21 day fix extreme! Thanks.
I’d love to join the 21 day fix challenge!
I’d like to learn about the 21 day fix!
Please add me to 21 day fix group! Thank you!!!
I would like to join in on the 21 day fix group! :):)
I’d love to join the 21 day fix!!
I’d be interested in trying the 21 Day Fix but I don’t have any DVD’s or anything. I’d love some info about it to see if it’s something I could try out.
Would love to try the 21 day fix
Would love to get more info on the 21 day fix! I’ve heard a lot of people talking about PiYo, but haven’t jumped on board… I agree that I think I’d get a little bored/underwhelmed. (I know you can be overwhelmed, and you can be underwhelmed, but can you ever just be…whelmed? 😉 )