BODi Review: At-Home Workout Program App

Looking to do more consistent exercise? At-home workout programs could be the key! But what are the best apps and streaming platforms online for workout programs? These BODi reviews give the pros and cons of one option.

Why Trust this Home Fitness Advice?

Hi! My name is Lillie, and I’ve been an avid exerciser all my life… but WOW has my workout routine ever gone through a lot of incarnations on this journey from being a college high-jumper, to trying all sorts of different in-person gyms, fitness studios, and personal trainers, to becoming a mid-40s mother of two (and English teacher!) who has experimented widely with at-home workouts.

You can trust the fitness advice in this article because everything I do and don’t recommend is the result of first-hand personal experience and hands-on research. Further, I am clear that what is a fit for one person may not be a fit for others.

I have personally worked with numerous people as they underwent their own exercise journey… often with vastly differing results and preferences. My goal in writing this article is to help you decide what is a fit for YOU. Oh, and I enjoy wearing sparkly leggings…

The Most Important Disclaimers

Now before we begin, here are two important disclaimers. One: Committing to exercise and health is one of the most positively life-changing things you can do, and totally worth it.

Two: Use wise judgement when starting any new workout regimen to avoid injury, and consult a medical or fitness professional for additional support if needed. Now, on to the review.

Note: Some links here are affiliates that provide a commission upon purchase at no extra cost to you.

What is BODi?

I’ve tried a lot of different online workout platforms over the years, including free ones on YouTube, platforms like Daily Burn, apps like FitBod, and many more. After extensive research, I landed on the BODi platform (formerly called Beachbody on Demand) as my favorite, and the one I recommend most — though there are pros as well as cons. Let’s examine them in order to see if any are dealbreakers for you.

BODi Reviews

Positives of BODi:

1. The app has MANY workout programs to choose from, of all styles, levels, and timeframes.

The BODi platform has over one hundred and thirty (!) complete workout programs — each with a clear progression from beginning to end, lasting several weeks or months. Moreover, you can choose from a vast catalogue of styles, from weightlifting (like Dig Deeper), to cardio, to primal movements (like BODi LAVA), to Barre, yoga, and Pilates.

It’s also easy to search for and find very short one-off workouts — even five minutes or less! — so the excuse “I don’t have time to work out today” melts away. Though BODi’s vast catalogue of thousands of individual workouts can be daunting, the filtering settings work well — and you can also use my ranking of best BODi workout programs to help guide you!

2. BODi’s fitness programs are thorough and cohesive, and ramp up.

Here’s the problem with most in-person gym and fitness studio classes, as well as many online workouts: They don’t ramp up cohesively towards a goal. Instead, they tend to be random one-off exercises that are at the whim of the instructor’s mood for the day.

In contrast, each BODi program has a well-planned progression of movements that get more complex with each week of the program. For example, by the end of “CHOP WOOD CARRY WATER” with Amoila Cesar, you’ve built up to a full Primal Movements exercise flow.

3. Pricing is quite reasonable.

Confession: Over the years that I was a member of an in-person gym or fitness studio, I paid between $30 a month and (gulp… yes…) $200 a month. When I used personal trainers, session ran from $60 an hour to $100 an hour.

In contrast, BODi membership costs somewhere between $100 and $200 a YEAR (depending which deal you snag — click to see current offers, and use the sale code LILLIEFIT25 for 25% off the price of full subscriptions if there’s not already another sale going). That’s less than a dollar a day — and way less money than I was paying for fitness per month or even per hour at some points in my life. As you can see at that link, BODi also has a free trial to assess if the platform is a fit.

Further, you can now buy BODi programs individually (use the code LILLIEFIT15 for 15% off) which run around $50 – $60, and can be used infinitely. For example, I know someone who maintained incredible fitness by doing the “21 Day Fix” program over and over for years.

Another money-saving tip: Many health insurance plans offer up to a $150 “Fitness Reimbursement.” This means you can just send them your receipt for the online workout platform with a short form, and get that chunk of cash right back!

Finally, an impassioned plea to remember: ANY money we spend on any kind of healthy, useful fitness that is a match for our motivation and interests is worth every penny. Why? Because proactive exercise NOW saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills later in life if we can build the foundations of aging strong!

4. The community can be fun.

BODi (starting in the form of Beachbody) has been around for decades, and as such, there are many people out there who have done or are doing the programs. This means that when you say something like, “I’m just starting this program called ‘80 Day Obsession‘ with Autumn Calabrese and it’s kind of cool,” there is almost always someone in your life who’ll exclaim, “Oh, I did that program back in the day and loved it!”

Then you can gossip about the program’s jokes, and outfits, and funny moves. That community piece is very motivating for continuing to work out — and you can sometimes even convince those friends to join the programs with you! Many online BODi communities exist, too, for motivation and solidarity.

5. Home workouts are SO much more convenient and efficient than working out in a gym.

When I did in-person gym or studio workouts, I worked out two or three times a week, at best. Why? Because I had to arrange childcare, drive or walk to the studio, change my clothes, check in, work out, drive or walk home, and change again.

In contrast, home workouts like BODi with flexible timing mean I can start and finish a workout within half an hour — and if it’s a low-sweat program like “XB Pilates,” sometimes I can head right to work directly after without even needing to fully shower! That convenience means I now work out three times a week at MINIMUM, and often hit five or more times, counting short BODi videos on low-energy days.

All you need for most BODi programs is a yoga mat and two or three sets of dumbbells — and there are some programs that don’t need equipment at all. (Just watch out for “9 Week Control Freak” which needs a LOT of equipment!) Home gyms are far easier and low-cost to set up than most people realize.

6. Excellent fitness results are possible with BODi.

Because BODi programs are methodically structured to help you progress in fitness, and because at-home exercise is so much more convenient to do multiple times a week, I’ve gotten really excellent fitness results from BODi programs in terms of muscle development, mobility, weight loss, strength, and flexibility.

Because the programs are so varied, each one has produced slightly different results, and it’s been fun to see the differences. For example, you can see in my LIIFT4 results that there was a lot of muscle toning and ab and bicep development, whereas “80 Day Obsession” produced the most overall weight loss.

7. It’s such a mood booster!

Want to feel better? Any workout with Shaun T (especially “Let’s Get Up” dances) or Amoila Cesar will turn your frown upside down! Overall, the research on exercise’s mood boosting powers is unequivocal — it really works to combat sadness, depression, and low energy — and if you find trainers you resonate with, that makes it even better.

Downsides of BODi:

Though BODi has been a great match for many people for at-home fitness programs, it is not a fit for everyone. Check these issues to see if any might be problems in your context.

A. It is not ideal for total beginners.

Though BODi does have many beginner-friendly programs (see “The Best BODi Workouts for Beginners“), I would not recommend it to people totally new to exercise. For safety purposes and to get a solid base in your body mechanics, I always recommend total beginners start by investing in at least three sessions with an in-person personal trainer — and even consult a medical or exercise professional even before that if there are larger physical concerns.

While in-person training sessions can be pricey, even one hour with a quality personal trainer can make all the difference in setting you up for success in exercise for the rest of your life — or even eventually for Advanced Level programs like “Tough Mudder T-Minus 30!” Be strategic and proactive to ward off injury!

B. Even for experienced exercisers, there are injury risks if you aren’t attuned to when to add extra modifications.

What about those who have the basics of exercise and body mechanics down? BODi may still not be a fit if you have trouble adding extra modifications when needed.

For example, “21 Day Fix” is a classic beginner program that yields great results — BUT the very first video features a move called “Surrenders” where you get up and down from a kneeling position… which is NOT a smart move for those of us with knee issues!

You need to be able to make the call on the fly that you’ll alter any move that comes across your screen which could potentially cause your specific body injury. Further, many of the programs are 5 (or even 7 days a week, as with “Muscle Burns Fat #mbf“, which is too much for many people — so it’s important to be confident adding extra rest days when needed so you don’t exhaust yourself, especially when starting a new workout regimen.

C. Finding the right workout or program (or where to start at all) can be confusing since the catalogue is so big.

One of the most common complaints I hear about BODi is that people don’t know where to start, since there are over 130 programs, and hundreds of other stand-alone workouts. Here’s the good news, however: I have a chart here of best BODi workouts!

Now for another big piece of advice I’d give: Stick with the full, established programs on BODi (like “4 Weeks for Every Body”), and steer clear of the “BODi Blocks” and “Super Blocks” at first (unless it’s “For Beginners Only” with Lacee Greene, which is a great one). Why? Because the full programs are far more polished and cohesive.

D. You may be less motivated, not working out in a group.

Time and time again, I’ve seen people start a BODi program (even short ones like “Job 1“), then lose motivation and not finish it. They report that they are less motivated doing online workouts than going to a gym… but often they then join a gym, only to not work out there, either!

Exercise motivation is a tricky thing. We need to identify the “WHY” that drives us showing up to put in the work, and for some people that’s easier or harder to activate with online workouts. If you do choose the BODi route, I’d recommend encouraging a friend (either in person or in fitness support groups) to do a program with you for positive peer pressure.

E. The flavors may not be a match for everyone.

With over 130 programs (and lots of one-off workouts) to choose from, BODi has different styles and trainer personalities for everyone — but there are some gaps. If there is a specific age bracket or cultural background of trainer you’re seeking, the library may not always have a perfect match, especially since many of the most popular programs are led by the same small group of trainers.

The good news is that this is steadily changing over time, as BODi creates and adds new programs with new “Super Trainers” and new aspects. For example, the “30 Day Breakaway” running program with Idalis Velazquez is also available in Spanish, bringing in an additional linguistic demographic.

F. Customer service is by text and digital chat, not phone or email.

For those who prefer to be able to phone or email for customer service, you may be frustrated that the BODi platform only has digital chat and text support. That said, a friend who recently had a tech issue with the platform WAS able to get it resolved quickly through this method, so it’s not all bad.

G. Adequate workout space is needed.

Even for the programs that don’t require much or any equipment, you will need a certain amount of space to do BODi workouts at home, which might either require rearranging furniture, or not be possible at all in your circumstances. That said, you can modify many workouts so even less space is needed, and can also take them outside or to a low-cost gym.

Is BODi Worth it?

Now that we’ve looked over the pros and cons of the BODi online workout platform and app, you can better answer the question: Is BODi worth it for YOU? The answer is that it really depends on your characteristics and what you’re looking for.

How to Get BODi, Plus a Discount!

If the “Positives” listed above appeal, and if the “Downsides” aren’t dealbreakers… but you’re still on the fence, my two cents is that it’s worth it to try the free 14 day trial of BODi (click to see details). You can always cancel at no cost.

Another way to try out the BODi platform is to buy just one or two individual workout programs instead of the full subscription (click to see the full list offered). Use the code LILLIEFIT15 for 15% off!

Where to Start on BODi

Once/if you get a BODi subscription, where should you start? There are several programs I’d recommend, based on your current workout level.

“For Beginners Only” is ideal for Beginner levels, and Lacee is a wonderful trainer. If you have a bit of fitness experience under your belt already, however, I would go right for “25 Minute Speed Train.” Click to read my review of why I think it’s one of the best, most complete programs for all levels. Meanwhile, “4 Weeks for Every Body” is an excellent no impact option.

If you’re looking for a mix of workout styles, the “All Levels” program called “Fire and Flow” is one of my favorites in the entire catalogue. It pairs classic weightlifting and cardio led by Jennifer McMatthews with flowing, dance-like power-yoga, Barre, Pilates, and stretching-inspired moves led by Elise Joan for functional full-body results.

For a fabulous Intermediate program that gives extensive education in exercise form and theory, check out “645” with Amoila Cesar. It’s a longer program (running 45 minutes a day for three months), but if you can carve out that time, it’s well worth it for the knowledge and well-rounded strength it provides.

Another Intermediate-level program I really enjoyed was “4 Weeks of Focus” with actress Shay Mitchell and trainer Kelsey Heenan, which combines weight training with cardio. Just be warned that for better or worse, there is a lot of reality TV-style chatting that stretches the 30 minute workouts to almost 40-minute-long video running times.

See my full rankings and (extremely detailed) explanations in the article: “The Best BODi Workouts.” Feel free to leave any questions in the comment section, below.

BODi Reviews, in Sum

I hope these honest BODi reviews of pros and cons have been useful in deciding whether this workout platform is a “Sure Thing” fit for what you’re seeking or not. What queries, experiences, or thoughts do you have? Do share, below!