FITNESS ZONE
ULTIMATE REVIEW: BODY BEAST – Part 2 of 2
The review continues as the Dysfunctional Parrot keeps climbing the mountain of Body Beast. Thus begins the analysis of Phases 2 and 3.
PHASE 2: BULK
CHEST
Time: 30 minutes
Dynamic sets of death. You start off with incline presses meant to do some serious damage to your upper pecs and then you move into regular presses and decline push ups. Sounds easy? WELL IT ISN’T! Each set is progressive starting with high reps/low weight until and moving up to lower reps/higher weight with a freaking drop-set at the end that makes your chest want to slide off your skeleton. In short, if you want the kind of huge pectoral muscles that Ren prayed for ( Ren and Stimpy inside joke ) then this should do it.
My goal? I want to be able to do that pec-twitch like that bad guy Chong-Li in Bloodsport. Chicks dig that.
BULK: LEGS
Time: 41 minutes
Sometimes life isn’t fair. Some days, you just have to do a leg workout that means business. And the non-stop dynamic sets in Bulk:Legs will deliver.
If you’re not screaming like a tortured banshee during the Progressive EZ Bar Split Squats, then you’re not doing it right. 15 reps, 12 reps, 8 reps then do it again in reverse. Sweet mutha…
After a roll call of squats and presses, you’ll end off with 2 sets of 50 calf raises. Yes, fifty. Don’t worry, it’s only as painful as it sounds. Final analysis? This will thrash your legs like nothing else will, so don’t skip your protein shake unless you want to walk like your octogenarian grandmother the next day. Pure gold.
Best Line: “Did you say your prayers? Did you eat your vitamins?”
BACK
Time: 29 minutes
In many ways this is the same as Back and Biceps…minus the Biceps. This is a traditional back workout with pull-overs, pull-ups, dead-lifts and a particularly agonizing force set ( do 5 reps, hold at bottom, repeat 5 times with same weight…sounds like it feels ) of one arm rows.
Bulk: Back lasts for only 29 minutes, but it is enough to get the job done because you won’t spend a second of your time screwing around. And considering that tomorrow is Arms day, I won’t complain. In fact, take the extra time you have and get some good stretching in.
ARMS
Time: 35 minutes
This is alternating between biceps and triceps doing progressive, single and force sets.
I can’t even begin to describe what it is like to arrive at 35 pounds in a progressive set and end it being unable to do a 10 pound bicep curl without screaming for a shot of morphine. This workout is just plain sick. So choose your weight wisely unless you want your spouse to come running down the stairs in panic over your cries of agony ( I think my wife is really starting to worry about me ).
BULK: SHOULDERS
Time: 35 minutes
On the surface it might appear that BUILD: Shoulders and BULK: Shoulders are two similar workouts but the differences will become apparent once you grab the weights. What makes the BULK version different is the addition of Progressive Sets ( rows and reverse flyes ). So I would say the end goal is different.
Resist being tempted to use the same weight as the BUILD version. Doing 35 lifts non-stop in a Progressive Set with the same weight as a standard Single Set would be lunacy. As someone who deals with recovering from a shoulder injury, don’t crash and burn due to ego.
BEAST: ABS
Time: 10 minutes
Many moves are also stuff you’ve probably seen before in P90X or Insanity, but there are a few surprises to keep you interested. Yet what I appreciate about this is how Beast Abs respects your time.
In terms of intensity, I’ll be honest…P90X and X2 Ab Ripper are slightly more intense. However I’m going to give Beast Abs kudos for lower-back core work and the option to use some weight. Plus there is nothing easy about it as many new moves had me stopping to regain composure ( Bucket Drops are a killer ). Beast Abs is usually done after Cardio and is done once a week and only occasionally twice.
But is once a week enough? In my opinion, yes as the whole Body Beast program works your core, and most workouts have a 1-minute abdominal move at the end anyway. Just remember, true abs are made in the kitchen.
PHASE 3: BEAST
Once you have completed the BUILD and BULK Phases, the program has one more block called the BEAST Phase, which is a combination of workouts from the first 2 Phases.
CONCLUSION
CONS:
First the Weaknesses. Body Beast has practically no stretching to speak of and as such I believe this will make you more prone to injury over time. That’s why I personally would recommend incorporating flexibility or yoga into your regimen. Again, this depends on your goals. If you want to be only big then by all means do BB and ignore all else. But my fitness philosophy is to be versatile, fast, durable and muscular ( or Batman, if you will ). Body Beast can absolutely be a part of that as long as you take care not to ignore the missing components.
The workout sheets are also good for only one workout, so referencing past accomplishments will require you developing a system to look back. I’d suggest making your own sheets in Excel.
And finally ( and this really isn’t a “con”! ), you may also find yourself talking like Sagi. On more than one occasion I have approached my wife asking “you like big boy, no?” while flexing a pose. All I can say is she’s a good sport about it.
PROS:
Now for the STRENGTHS. Obviously Sergi’s role in the Israeli Defence Forces was to deflect Hamas missiles with his chest. The guy is a machine. I can say without reservation that I like his style and I definitely like what I see with Body Beast.
The quality of this production is top notch, as the time bar even has expected rep counts under each move. Very handy. The music is also great. Perfect tempo, tone and not intrusive at all. Plus you can shut it off if you feel otherwise.
And the million dollar question…is this harder than P90X or X2? Yup. ‘Fraid so. Body Beast will drop kick your ass as if the Hulk picked up Tony Horton and started beating you with him. Body Beast is super concentrated punishment in one area while P90X is spread around over multiple facets of fitness. That means yes, Body Beast is harder, but not necessarily better. Like I said, it depends what you want. Remember when comparing that neither P90X, X2, or Insanity were ever designed to give serious muscle mass. This is.
Give credit where it is due. Body Beast is a program that claims to create that muscle. It doesn’t promise flexibility, speed, firm thighs or anything besides just getting you big. And it seems like it will accomplish its mission in spades. And because it is true to itself and delivers I have to give this a solid 5 Feathers out of 5. There’s nothing else out there that can measure up to this for home body building in terms of professional production. If Body Beast can be a regular part of a workout cycle ( 1 month P90X/X2, 2 months Body Beast, 1 month Insanity/Asylum for example ) then wow…your physical fitness future looks bright indeed.
ULTIMATE REVIEW: BODY BEAST
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Trainer - 85%
85%
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Production Values - 85%
85%
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Strength - 95%
95%
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Cardio - 75%
75%
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Music - 85%
85%
Summary
Finally, Beachbody delivers something for those of us who just want a round of lifting heavy things, and they found the perfect guy to host it.
Pros
Pure, unadulterated weightlifting
Cons
Program has singular focus
Sagi can sometimes be a bit of a dick
156 Comments
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Have you heard of Cathe Friedrich’s STS workout program? It seems comparable to Body Beast in that it is purely a strength/muscle building/weight training home workout program. It’s been out a while apparently, though I just found out about it while perusing the Amazon reviews and “if you like this” blackhole. I love Body Beast and was just looking for any input or feedback on a similar alternative. Thoughts?
Looks interesting and I’m sure it’s very well made, but $250US is a heck of a punch to the bank account!
I have completed p90x and insanity a few times and am looking at getting the Beachbody on Demand. At the end of this article you mentioned a workout cycle which is something I’ve been giving some thought to for the next year. I was thinking Beast Body (put on mass) -> Insanity Asylum (cardio and athleticism)-> P90x2 (combo)-> Asylum 2. Im definitely not set on that order but just wanted to get your opinion on what the best order would be in order for the programs to compliment each other. Love your reviews and would really appreciate any feedback!
I think you’ll do fine with that. Be careful going from Body Beast to Insanity Asylum as it might be a cardio shock. Aside from that go for it!
Is there a body beast-like workout program that you know of that is 30 mins or less a day? I have a very hectic work schedule and most of my workouts are in that range. I am a runner and I want something like body beast for my off days. Thanks for the help!
A lot of the BB workouts in Block 2 are closer to 30 min that Block 1. I’m not aware of any program that is similar to BB in terms of focusing of basic weight training. It’s sort of in a league of its own right now.
Having used the Bowflex Selectechs, PowerBlocks and Ironmasters, I can unabashedly and unreservedly say: GO WITH THE IRONMASTERS. Are they expensive? yes. Will they let you deck a moose? absolutely! They are the toughest set of dumbbells I’ve used. Completely worth the money. With the PowerBlocks and Selectechs I felt as though they’d break if dropped from more than shin height. Not so with Ironmaster! True they will take a bit longer to adjust but it’s not that big a deal. And with a stand plus 75 lbs standard, you’re good for a while (though I’m considering the 165 lbs upgrade).
Plan on starting BB after my half marathon next month. Excited for the change of focus. One question, I have 50lb powerblocks and in some of the p90x and p90x3 exercises I’m using 35 to 40lbs. Will my 50s get me through this program? I’m tempted to order a new expandable set of powerblocks, but don’t know if that is necessary. Thanks!
50lb Powerblocks should be more than enough. I rarely even use my 50’s unless I’m doing a chest press.
DP,
Starting BB this week.
I take a Muay Thai class once a week and we go for 2 hours.
Can I safely continue MT schedule while on BB or will those two hours hurt recovery?
Not sure how intense Muay Thai classes are, but as a former karate practitioner I would think it shouldn’t be an issue as long as you paid close attention to food and rest. I found adding weight training greatly improved my martial arts performance but your mileage may vary. Just be sure to take a day off BB if you need to.
My husband and I are in our 4th week of Body Beast block 2 (Lean Beast program). We are preparing for a vow renewal on May 9th and hoping to each drop 5 to 10 more pounds by that date. Is it okay to move on to block 3 a week early so we can start the cutting phase?
Go for it. These programs have their schedules but you can modify anything to suit your needs.
Thanks so much for the response. I’m so glad I came across your site! Your review of Body Beast is great – I’ll definitely check your other reviews as we move on to different programs and “pick your brain” for more tips!! Have a great day : )
DP is it possible to go through Body Beast and not bulk up….as a way of gaining muscle to lose weight? Is it okey to do it after T25? Is it okey for a weight training begginer?
Absolutely possible. I would say the claims of turning into a gamma powered Avenger are maybe setting expectations too high. Sagi spends a heck of a lot more time in a gym than 45 minutes I can guarantee it.
Getting muscle definition will happen for sure, and that is a good thing. But unless you start pumping back massive supplementation and doing negative sets with a spotter, your outcome should suit your desires.
I would only suggest one thing for Body Beast…if you are a beginner get a solid bench. They have a demo guy using a stability ball but that can get ugly real fast if you get a blowout. Stay stable, stay safe.
DP I’ve always wondered, when you review these programs do you stick to the calendar for the full program, or just run through all the workouts for review purposes and then work them in to your own personal calendar?
I try to stick to the calendar as much as possible, although I might accelerate the review process by doing two workouts a day or skipping days off. Sometimes I can do that and sometimes my body won’t allow it! Generally I give it a once through and make notes during the individual workouts. Mrs Parrot also helps me notice things I might otherwise miss.
Once done reviewing, I incorporate the ones I like into my personal calendar which is a mongrel mix of P90X2, T25, Max 30, Body Beast, and whatever else I think is worth throwing in.
Hey Dysfunctional Parrot,
I’m on phase 2 of p90x, but when I’m done with it I plan on moving on to p90x2. Would it be an ok idea to do Body Beasts bulk phase between phase 1 and 2 of p90x2 to put on a little more mass?
“I’m on phase 2 of p90x, but when I’m done with it”, meant when I’m done with p90x. Aslo thank you for all of the reviews they really helped me.
I don’t see why not. The gains from doing P90X should hang in well over a month and the extra muscle strength from BB would only server to help in X2. X2 is a lot more core intensive which will be a nice change after a round of the Beast. Go for it!
Hi Mr Parrot,
Great reviews, read them all.
I want to start BB but only have weights upto 25lbs and no bars or benches. Is this stuff absolutely necessary? Also, do you recommend any adjustable Dumbbells, I’m sweating thinking of the stuff I have to buy :0
Sort of depends on your size. Up to 25lbs will cover you most of the way, but might be lacking when it comes time to do moves like chest presses. I’m not a fan of adjustable weights, but if I had to choose one I’d go for Powerblocks. The SelectTech ones in my opinion are awful.
To give you a point of reference: I’m 5’7 160lbs and have done multiple rounds of P90X, Insanity and Max 30 (among others). I’ve got a set of Bowflex adjustable dumbells that go up to 52.5 lbs each. So far I haven’t had any issues (I’m in the last week of the “Build” Phase) changing weights for drop sets, super sets and giant sets. Sagi gives you 5-10 seconds between sets which is enough time to adjust the weight. I think my set was in the neighborhood of $300 at Walmart, and they’ve proven worth it.
I’m not a big guy, but am already worrying that 52.5 lbs won’t be enough weight at some point in the not too distant future. It would only affect me for a couple of moves, and nothing that I won’t be able to just do a few more reps to reach my limit.
Hi Mr parrot, I am currently doing body beast and am finishing up the bulk phase.
I am unclear as to what the differences are between build workouts and bulk workouts. It seems to me that build are just a bit easier without progressive and force sets.
I noticed in the final phase called beast, the two of workouts are mixed together.
Is there any reason for that?
Meaning once mastering the bulk workouts is there any value in incorporating build workouts? Or should I keep going just using the bulk workouts?
Eagerly awaiting your advice
You are correct, the build is mildly easier than the bulk and have different types of sets. I still incorporate the Build workouts all the time as they are every bit as valuable. The final phase has them mixed just to add variety keep things from getting boring. As with all workouts, there is no real secret sauce as long as you work hard.
Personally, I’d mix them up. Listening to the same jokes every week would drive me batty!
thank you.
BTW when is your review on Master Hammer and Chisel coming?
Probably mid January.
hi parrot my qestion is this can i do a squedual my sel example bulk arms bulk chest day one bulk shoulders bulk back day 2 legs day 3 bulk arms and bulk chest day 4 bulk shoulders and bulk back day 5 day 6 legs and day 7 total body is it good or in build phase exercises are better i dont mind working out 7 on 7 so thans for your answer
bulk arms and bulk chest day 1 day 2 bulk shoulder bulk back day 3 legs day 4 bulk arms bulk chest day 5 bulk shoulders bulk back day 6 legs day 7 total body thanks for your time is it better like that or build phase is better is it good working two time week eachboddy part
Hi Dysfunctional Parrot, love your reviews.
I have done the original P90X and Insanity and do love the BB workouts, mainly because I don’t have to think to hard about what workout I need to do next.
I use them mainly for rugby, which is a tough sport to design workouts for, you need the size, anaerobic capacity and cardiovascular fitness to hit things and keep running for 80 mins.
I found that Insanity was fantastic for the fitness side of rugby but the loss of weight was detrimental to the hits.
I’m about to start T25 (due to time constraints I cannot do the full Insanity anymore) then I saw this.
Would it be better to get the fitness from Insanity then hit the Beast, or pack on the muscle and then try and get the fitness with the added weight. Or is it better to start with a hybrid straight away.
I’ve fallen off the wagon due to injury so am starting from a little overweight and a lower fitness level than desired.
For rugby, I would mix Body Beast with a good cardio such as Max 30, or consider doing a round of Asylum which is very sports focused fitness. To start you may have to modify a bit, but I imagine you would get up to speed soon enough.
You might have already answered this but would you recommend this for women?
Easy question…the answer is somewhat complicated!
For myself ( a manly man, like a Kryptionian Teddy Roosevelt ), I think Sagi is an easy going guy to train hard with. Sure, he nit-picks at Brian a little much, but it’s all fun. The atmosphere is very “Alpha-male”.
My wife on the other hand…and I’m quoting here…thinks of Sagi as a “butthead”. Some women might find his masculine overcompensation somewhat irritating.
So in short, the workouts themselves are absolutely unisex and suitable for women. It just depends if you like the atmosphere. :)
Parrot,
Thinking of starting dojo training twice a week for one hour workouts.
This way I also get my flexibility in.
Is it ok while following body beast?
I would actually highly recommend it. Back in my karate days, a shortcoming I had was not enough strength as martial arts are predominantly plyo/cardio. Body Beast would be a great way to plug that hole.
If was 250 lbs and I have 5 weeks of p90x3 to go (now at 238). I’m looking at piyo, T25, or Body Beast. I think a hybrid might be good to drop pounds fast….but I haven’t yet done either of these three programs.
I’m finally committed, but would like some advice.
If you’re looking to make a hybrid with X3, I’d opt for T25. Body Beast would be too much resistance compounded on top of what you’re already doing. PiYo might not have enough variety to make it worth your while.
Thanks. I don’t need to make a hybrid. I’m more looking to become more healthy, preferably as quickly as possible. I could loose weight using brazil butt lift, but I don’t think I’d stick with such a program :)
I’m 39, and I know I would increase my metabolism if I had more muscle. This is where I think a weight routine would help, but I’m leaning toward the cardio too…
to many options.
Do you think this would be a good start? if you haven’t worked out in 3 years, I use to do weights. Thanks
I don’t see any problem as long as you go into it slow and easy. Don’t try to bench press your whole stack of weights on the first day. After about 2-3 weeks you should be able to amp it up.
Excellent review and, as I am currently in the middle of my first run-through (I plan on repeating it — I’m 67), I agree with everything you said.
Be advised, newbies: You will never forget the day after your first Leg Day.
AMEN to that, my friend. Still couldn’t move my legs 3 days later when it was time for cardio and he had me doing sumo jump squats and all sorts of other nonsense I wasn’t ready for!
Greetings,
I am doing a Body Beast and IM:30 hybrid. How often do you think I should stretch only or do Yoga?
And Can you give an advice of what could be next of this hybrid I am doing?
I love weights, also love ShaunT Style!!!
I like to get one yoga/stretch in per week at least. I think you’re hybrid idea is great.
As for other ideas, the possibilities are endless. I’m currently mixing CIZE with Body Beast. This is mainly due to having done the CIZE review. A strange combo to be sure.
What do you think on:
Asylum and Body Beast
or
P90X2 and Body Beast
or
P90X3 and IM:30
or
PUMP and Body Beast
or
Combat and PUMP ???
Wich one for NEXT? :)
I’m a big fan of X2, but it wouldn’t need Body Beast paired with it as it has good enough weight training already. X2+T25 or X2+IM:30 would be a better choice.
can i use any kind of Bar or EZ bar is a must ?
I would think that a shorter barbell would work just as well as an EZ bar.
well i just started this whole fitness journey few months back , i started insanity which i find as a very effective workout for people suffering from weight , i have got 22 more days to finish insanity and i am so confused what to do next. i started reading about the beast it totally got my attention and came across your review which is very interesting and offers much details. so i would like to ask for your help or suggestion on what should i do after insanity , shall i start the beast or just get toned and build some strength using P90 ( i can’t get the difference between the different versions) then start the beast ? please guide me
After a round of Insanity, I would probably give the joints a break. Body Beast is a good 180 degree move to try something different and focus on muscular development. P90 would be far, far too easy after doing Insanity. P90X2 or X3 would be a better move if you wish to go the P90X route.
Okay thank you :D the body beast route it is then :)
DP, great review. I have two questions. What length EZ Curl bar is sufficient for the workouts and how much weight should I have on hand in plates?
I just measured my EX bar and it is about 48″ long. I usually never go higher than 20lbs per side so you won’t have to buy all that much at first.
Hey DP, great review. I am 6’3 and 270lbs. 45 years old. I’m in fairly decent shape with some fat to shed. Always been into weight lifting, which is why i am so into this workout program. I think it is perfect for me. I am not really looking to pack on pounds, as my size is already there. My question is, is it crucial for me to following the eating program for this workout? I do drink my shakeology after each workout. I eat a fairly healthy diet, but don’t really wanna be eating a ton. I am just starting the beast program, not the lean program. Is it ok to just keep my current eating the way I do, with maybe some minor adjustments? My current eating is 5 small meals a day. Good amount of veggies, fruit, fish, chicken, eggs, etc. No real junk food or anything consistent at least? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
I think you’ll be fine doing your own thing. I find that the food guides are more designed for people who think a bag of chips qualifies as eating your vegetables.
Personally I look at a lot of these guides as more of a guideline than a rule. If you already pursue a proper diet rich in real food and very low in packaged crud, then I wouldn’t sweat it too much. I might recommend a protein supplement to help out, but that’s about it.
hey parrot. quick but very important question. my buddy gave me the vidoes but that’s all I have. no diet info, etc. My question to you and to anybody else who has done Body Beast is do you go to failure on any of your sets? I assume that you don’t, otherwise it would be next to impossible to get through but when I see “do 12 reps, then 8, then 8” etc, how hard should the 12th rep be? basically what i’m asking is how do you pick the right amount of weight for each set, do u just guess? is it really all that important with all the drop sets and such? is their info on that somewhere?
You go to failure as much as possible. The way the sets work is 15 reps of a lighter weight and then decrease the reps and increase the weight. As well as going from heavy to light. I try to save a small bit in my tank for the final heavy reps at which point I go to failure.
For the first few times it is a bit of guesswork, but if you write stuff down you will know for next time. Seriously, keep a record or you’ll be flying blind with this series. The workout sheets are available at Beachbody for free download.
sounds good. I figured it would be a guessing game for a week or 2. when I was a young buck back in my 20’s I used to train 5 x 5 for strength. all sets to failure. this is far different lol I wasn’t sure because I haven’t heard them mention anything about going to failure in the videos unless my volume is too low and I haven’t noticed any of the guys struggle too hard on their last reps so its very confusing. I thought u needed to go to failure to build muscle but hey they’ve proven u can build muscle and lose weight at the same time, something thought to be impossible until now. thanks for the info Parrot. Im 4 months removed from a total shoulder rebuild, labrum and bicep tendon reattached to the bone and also a capsular shift but I have my strength back, still have pain of course. DO u think I can make a few small changes to this workout and it still be effective? I wont be able to do any military presses, simply because I don’t have the range of motion, surgeon said I never will and also for legs, I had acl reconstruction about 10 years ago from football, and torn hamstring that still acts up from time to time. how do u think I will be able to work with the leg days? I haven’t done them yet, just watched the videos. the biggest benefit I see is the lack of heavy weight
This workout, like most any, is very modifiable so you should be ok. Still, given the extent of your injuries I highly recommend seeking the advice of a physiotherapist as this is very much outside the realm of my expertise! I just don’t want to see you get hurt on the advise of some guy on the net.
Glad I found your site! I am 62 and in week three of Body Beast. Overall I like the program. Besides the 6 days of BB I do 3 days of Aikdido and also do a lot of cycling. Like some of the others I am also an ectomorph and am always trying to gain some size without a great deal of useless and harmful fat. I decided that the exercises are done too fast and are just asking for injuries, especially when one first starts the program. Instead of watching each time, I have written down each days program and that way I can go at a speed which works best for me. I also have my mp3 playing the music that gets me going the best. As far as those with knee problems, your advise to slow down is the best answer. The step up and reverse lunge is a good example of taking it slower than on the video. It is also very important to get adequate rest! I know a lot of people don’t get enough sleep, but with a program like this…8 hours for sure. Spoke with a seniors bodybuilding champion and he stressed 10 hours! Thanks for all the great reviews!
Love the reviews, they have been the basis of most of my BB purchases in the last year and I have found them pretty spot on.
In p90x3 and Combat right now trying to pass the Air Force PT test. You laugh, but the measurement I continue to fail on is the ab measurement, I max out the actual physical fitness metrics. There is no height, age, mass adjustment. If you are 5’1″ its 39″, if you are 8’1″ its 39″, every doctor I have talked to calls BS on it but the Pentagon knows better I guess. That said I want to get my body fat percentage down below 6% where the waist measurement doesn’t matter any more and build muscle so I can be Kal Drago for Halloween(I really just want to walk into my office topless with furs on with a big sword but I digress), would this be a good workout to do this with? Combined with running and off and on Combat workouts. I really enjoy the Combat routines and would rather not cut them out.
What types of weights do I need to pick up in advance for this if this is a good fit for my plan? I have a small selection of dumbells currently but no bar or anything.
A small selection of dumbbells would be good. A range of 15 to 35 should cover the bases. For chest presses, that’s where you might want some heavier stuff. An incline bench would also be a good idea as using the stability ball just felt like I was temping the Grim-Reaper.
Also, don’t bother with resistance bands. They don’t work that well for this program.
Wow, Body Beast rocks so far! Just completed the first block (Build) of the Lean program and did my first Bulk workout today (chest). The masochist in me is loving the next-day and two-day DOMS.
I’m a 45 year old female who has always been generally fit but then took about 6 months off from working out. Time to get back to it! Weight lifting is so much fun, and with Body Beast, I’m already lifting heavier than I ever have. Impressed myself by using 40’s for some of the exercises – dead lifts, sumo squats, shrugs. Can’t wait to see where I end up at the conclusion of the 12 week program.
BTW – I don’t have a barbell or bench or a door-frame in which a pull-up bar fits, so I use my Bowflex 552’s, a swiss ball, and extra-heavy bands (in lieu of pull-ups). This is working out just fine for me.
DP – thanks a bunch for your review. It helped me decide to commit to this program, and it prepares me for each workout.
Hi DP, love your reviews. Do you or anyone else have a typed out schedule for a Insanity Max 30/Body Beast Hybrid program. Do you think that would be a good combination (Shaun T and Sagi) for cardio and weight training? Please share or point me in the right direction if this hybrid program exists. I would prefer to do each program on separate days (not doubles) due to a busy personal schedule. Hope this is out there somewhere. thks
What I often do is alternate cardio/weights each day. If Day 1 is Chest and Back, Day 2 would be Max Out Sweat or something similar. Just grab an old calendar, a marker and start filling it up. Mine is a random mix of about 5 different packages!
Im just a normal guy in good shape wanting adds an curves an willing to work to get it just lookin for the right one to get
I am 5-7, 180 and in the process of streamlining/losing weight with boxing. However I’d like to slap on some solid musle, just not get squat and bulky so I can return back to boxing with some better legs/arms to move with. Would this just make be bodybuilder big which I don’t want?
I think that while Body Beast has the potential to give huge mass, the reality is that it will most likely just give moderate gains. Guys who want to pack on Sagi-sized slabs of muscle have to train a lot harder than just 45 minutes a day.
I think this combined with a good cardio program like T25 would be the best of both worlds. Muscle for strength and the cardio you would need for a sport like boxing.
I just started doing Body Beast in the mornings and T25 after work as stress reliever. It’s pretty good so far….but I’m literally on day 1
Can i do beast total body during the bulk phase just to change things a bit?
Friend, my grandfather stormed the beaches of Normandy so guys like me and you can do Body Beast Total Body during the bulk phase.
Like any workout, the schedule they give you is their recommendation, but I switch things up all the time. I hardly ever follow the schedules sent out by any workout anymore unless I’m doing it for the initial review. If I feel I need to work legs more, I’ll just switch things up and do more legs ( or chest…biceps, etc. ). I just try to avoid doing the same thing two days in a row.
Hi. I was wondering what type of gym equipment you need for this program? Also, if I have a little saggy skin on my stomach from losing weight after my pregnancies, would this help tighten it up?
Body Beast requires just a set of dumbbells and preferably an incline bench. A chin up bar is hardly used and there is a modifier for those moves so you wouldn’t need one right away.
As for tightening up the belly, I almost wonder if you would benefit from a higher cardio program. P90X2 would be my program of choice as it has weights, cardio, balance all in one set. Focus T25 would be another one of my top choices.
And never forget the importance of your daily nutrition!
Hey ya’ll! Im a 20 year old female, I now weigh 220 pounds standing at 5’5. I have gained most of my weight thanks to nursing school and working nights as a nurse. I was wondering if this would be a good program for weight loss. My goal is to weigh 150 or less. Would anyone recommend this program?? or maybe another program for effective maximum weight loss?
Hey girl with any workout that has to do strength training you will gain weight but it’s muscle not fat muscle that you gain it does helps you burn fat but you have to add cardio into your day cardio will actually help you drop the weight right now if you if you just do your strength training it will take me years and years and years and years with eating clean and strength training so you need to add your cardio into if you deside to do beast body so if you add turbo fire or a cardio workout like running walking something and you stick to the diet and the strength training you will lose weight plus when you gain muscle it will help tighten up your skin during the process instead of just losing a bunch of weight and you have that loose skin you know how some people they have it under their arms and stuff building muscle to help tighten the skin but if you do get beast body make sure you add cardio
I hope you get your “period” button fixed on your computer.
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Jessie I think you are totally on the money with your advice. I am a Physical Therapist and I constantly tell people the same thing to add cardio with your weight training and you will achieve your goal. Cardio is “So” Important throughout phase I and throughout the duration. I ordered the breast program and love it.. I gained 10 lbs of muscle in 60 days. God luck guys
Are you in good shape other than the weight you want to lose? If not you might want to go to a local gym – not so much the chains but one who has a personal trainer that works for you not the gym. One time a week and follow their routine two more times that week and do cardio all the other days. Also get nutritional help from the trainer. It may take a few months to reach your goal … but once you start seeing progress that’ll be your motivation.
Hello, I’m a 40 year old male, 6’03 and 300 lbs. I’m really overweight and want to loose weight. I have some weight lifting experience but have not really lifted in over a year. Is this plan right for me? I want to loose weight and I see in the comments that most people gain weight.
Parrot – I’m about 5′ 8 and about 220 lbs. My goal is to get to a solid 195-200 lbs with lean ripped muscle. Will this program provide these results? Thanks
I am a freshman in HS playing football. I am average in size but not strong enough to make the varsity team. Is BB the correct choice for me to add both muscle and strength?
Thank you so much for this review! Besides making me chuckle and laugh it truly answered all my questions and prompted me to purchase it.
is body beast too hard of a program to start with? i am a skinny ectomorph btw:)
In that case it is probably perfect for you! The program has special diet considerations for each body type so it might have you consuming more calories.
Heavy resistance training would be a better bet for an ecto over cardio as you don’t really want to lean down, but rather bulk up. That’s where the diet plan for this program is different from others such as P90X or Insanity.
Sure, you may not hit the size of a freight train, but in all fairness that’s not a practical long-term life goal anyway! And don’t worry about difficulty…just lower your weight and increase as you feel comfortable.
I have been on the Program for Two weeks. A quick line on my background: I spent the last 23 years in the military and the last 6 in special operations. I lift daily and run daily. This workout is going to push you and test your will. I do pushups all day long. At the end of Chest/Tris, I was able to do the pushups on my knees……..I have never went to my knees in 23 years. Legs………Wow. I had to walk the stairs to the 4th Floor of my building. That was Horrible. All of these workouts will push you to your limits. I am on week three and Loving it. I am get stronger by the week. One piece of advice, Protein, Protein, Protein. If you don’t drink protein after your workout, the pain will be twice as bad. If you want to get Big and cut, the workout.
i did insanity asylum volume 1 and 2 and lost alot of muscle and now look really thin. do you think it is a good idea to do body beast for a month to gain muscle, then do asylum after to get lean? my goal is to have an athletic body. and one last question, does doing body beast mean i dont have to go to the gym to do bench presses and the like?
Hello, thank you for your awesome review.
I have done insanity and t25 and have lost a lot of weight, but this year I fell in a major hole and gained most my weight back. I’ve tried redoing insanity and t25 but I wasn’t seeing the same results I saw the first time. I’d like to know would this program help me lose some weight along with gaining some muscle? I wouldn’t say I have a huge amount of weight to lose, just some extra pounds id like to get rid of. Thank you.
Working the muscles hard like this is sure to burn off calories as fast if not faster than T25. Just remember that the diet plans are integral to any success. A good rule of thumb I use is eliminating all breads. Goes a long way!
Love reading the reviews. Actually talked me out of P90x30 or 3 or whatever it was. I have a Bowflex Ultimate 2 Home Gym, and I love that machine. Could the Beast Body workout be done on that, or am I going to have to go out and sink a bunch of money on weights. I’ve got some dumbells, but no barbells, and the BF has a curl bar that I’ve been using. Would love to know before I buy this program. Thanks.
I would think you would have little problem adapting the Body Beast program for use with a BowFlex system. In fact, I can see several instances where it might be better such as using lat pull-downs. I say for for it!
Long time reader, first time commenter. Love your reviews, find myself checking them again in the workplace before doing a routine for the first time to see what I have in store that night.
On to my question… I have really big legs already from years of walking absolutely everywhere and various sports but a measly upper body. Your Body Beast review among others talks about how BB legs are designed to get your legs BIG. I don’t really need mine getting any bigger. Do you think subbing in P90x3 lower body or T25 Lower Focus is a good solution or should I just stick with the BB routine for consistency’s sake?
I would think that is a good idea. Legs are one of those things you can either go big or go lean and quick. Even for myself, I switch leg workouts around all the time and have never had any problems.
One thing to remember is that while BB will make your legs bigger they won’t necessarily be quick and fast. I like to be nimble on my feet and find Shaun T leg workouts more to my liking.
Thanks for such a quick response!
I’ll probably try out the BB legs routine at some point out of curiosity but for now I’ll stick to my sarcastic laughter in the face of Shaun T as he tries to get me to hold a static lunge for 30 seconds. Thanks again!
I am a male who has just turned 65. I have always been predominately ectomorphic, and a recent weight gain has taken me from approximately 170 to 190. Now I am weak AND fat! Even when young it was never easy for me to gain muscle. Is a program like this just a waste of time and money for a guy like me?
Dan, I am fifty with bad knees and every other joint. Yes this is a great program and you do not have to lift heavy, but at your age you do need to have some kind of resistance exercise in your life to keep your muscles active and growing to help keep you active…just saying.
Thanks SEM. I agree that resistance training is essential as you age. I will give it a try.
I am a male who just turned 65. I have always been rather ectomorphic and have now gained 15 to 20 lbs of fat. I used to way 170 and am now over 190.
Where is your before and after pictures??
Modesty! Suffice to say, my wife says I’m now beasty.
@beachfitrob says huzzah. I actually think it’s easier than P90X or X2 because the workouts are shorter. But I did P90X for about 3 years, then X2 for almost a year, with Insanity thrown in. But the Beast is definitely making changes for me almost done with week 2. http://beachfitrob.com
DP,
I was re-reading your cons on the Beast. I thought the worksheets were to be copied so that you could use them throught and then go back for reference….maybe I am wrong, but I don’t think so…lol. Well, that is how I made sure to have plenty of worksheets…lol
throught = through out…lol
Ukcatfan11,
I am 50 yrs old, have bad knees, back, right ankle and shoulders. I have been doing this program off and on now for a yr. I make sure I know my limits and still try to increase them slowly. Getting back into shape is not a sprint, but a long distance run. It is always safer to take things slow. Especially when moving weight around.
DP, my first program was S90Day, which was good for what I was looking for at the time I was looking. I have moved on to P90X & X3, Insanity(not a big fan) Body Beast is my fav. If and when I want cardio though….I put in any one of the Insanity dvd’s. From reading your reviews I am very interested in T25 :)
I hear you about Insanity. I like it for what it is but if someone has bad knees I would advise them to avoid it at all costs. For me I can usually only make 30 days before mine tell me they’ve had enough!
My favorite week of the Beast is the begining of the Beast Phase. You have Chest/Tri, Back/Bi’s and later on Arms…all in the same week….gotta love that…I do..lol
I have had 4 knee surgeries on my left knee and two on my right knee. Work out programs scare me due to I am never sure if I will be able to use them due to the problem with such bad knees. Is this a program that I could do with this situation?
The good news is that the leg workouts are not plyometric, which means no hard impact moves. It’s mainly squats and lunges so as long as you take it slow and easy I would imagine you should be ok.
Due to every situation being different, I would seek the advice of a physiotherapist who can give you hands on advice.
My wife and I completed Body Beast (Huge Beast) recently and have seen very strong results. All I can say is that 90% of the work is the diet while 10% is the workout. Meaning, it was 9x harder for me to eat correctly each day than it was to workout – and the workouts are very challenging. You will see SIGNIFICANT results (like we both have) by sticking to the nutritional plan. I went so far as to determine the grams needed for fats, protein, and carbs in each of the 3 phases and then calculated this for each day based on my food intake. I believe the “key” to the program is the Phase 3, the hardest phase for us because the amount of cardio, the calorie drop, and macro-nutrient shift. Phase 3 of Body Beast will get you cut up quickly. Also, I pushed my wife to do it with me and she did so reluctantly; now she is extremely thankful and has better results than after she completed P90x. For women and men, this program is superb.
If it makes anyone feel better, I am not a Beachbody Coach or anything so this is just my feedback based on my wife and me completing the program.
“His role in the Israeli Terrorist Force was to deflect Hamas missles with his Chest”….
Are you serious? Hamas home-made rockets made out of ANY tube doesn’t compare to the 1st World Advanced Missles that Israel is shooting innocent Women and Children with. You should educate yourself on the International War Crimes Israel has commited since its creation. ANYWAY!
Nice review. I like Body Beast too.
Shalom to you too.
I’m a girl and I have completed this workout 3 times. Its tough and it has helped me lower my bodyfat and build lean muscle mass.
I am stronger and my body is more defined and I now look like someone who lifts weights. It won’t make you into the incredible hulk if you are a girl as females don’t have enough testosterone to bulk up. What is will do is reshape your body the way you want it,lower your body fat percentage, get rid of any wobble and/or cellulite, allow you to eat more without putting on weight, make you stronger in everyday life, lower your cholesterol levels and eliminate the need for hours of boring cardio. You can still add 20-30 mins of HIIT if you like but anymore cardio than that and you will eat into the muscle you have built. Beast Cardio is perfect as its short bursts of high intensity and its not too long, it gets your heart rate hammering and makes you sweat like a dripping tap.
I use power block weights and a barbell with spring collars – this makes life easier as the power blocks and spring loaded collars are quick to adjust and they don’t take up much room.
When I started this workout out I couldn’t do one single pull-up, after a lot of tears and perseverance and working out with sagi 6 days a week I can now do 3 sets of 10.
Body beast has changed my life and I would never go back to pure cardio which just gives you that awful skinny fat look. Weight training is so much more beneficial and my body looks a billion times better and feeling stronger is awesome!
Please try this workout, its tough but you wont regret it and it grows with you as you continually up the amount of weight you lift as your muscles develop – you can even switch up the amount of reps. sometimes I go heavier with less reps than sagi does.
The build phase has quite long workouts between 40 mins to an hour but the bulk phase has considerably shorter workouts around 30 mins on average so really doable.
This is my favourite workout ever and gives you all the basics you need in order to create your own weight lifting workout if you wish.
Hey Cherryblue, Great review ! I was looking for women reviews about BB and I have seen quite a few who had started the program but didn’t bother to keep going. I am thinking to start BB in a couple of weeks and I am already thinking what to do next… Did you just go back and start over again? or you just stay in build/bulk/beast phase.
Hi there Zulay! First time round I did the whole program, the second time round I started off from the bulk phase and did bulk twice then beast. Third time around I started from the beginning again.
In the Build phase the workouts are quite long so its sometimes difficult to find the time to fit them in so its good to repeat bulk when you’ve already done build as bulk workouts are a lot shorter.
Third time round I just wanted to mix things up a bit that’s why I decided to start from the beginning again.
You DEFINITELY need to get a set of adjustable dumbells if you decide to do this workout seriously (try with a set of 3 dumbells first to make sure you like it as adjustable dumbells are quite expensive) Dont bother getting those dumbells with twist collars and weight plates as there’s not enough time inbetween sets to twist them off, change the weights and screw them back on again – I mean you could always pause the video but the workout will just take you twice as long to complete! I would highly recommend Power Block weights – I have been using mine for a whole year now and they have been fantastic, so reliable and versatile. They do cost a lot but I got mine used so I got a great deal – look around on Ebay/Gumtree etc you can pick them up a lot cheaper.
I would say that I have found 3rd time round that its no longer viable for me to lift REALLY heavy dumbells on legs day, by this I mean that I have increased the weight to the point that it works my legs but I feel like my arms are going to snap off! lol! the other day I tried using a barbell instead so I can lift heavy without straining my arms but have found that even with my husbands help as a spotter it was a struggle to get the barbell on and off my back so I am now going to invest in a squat rack so I can carry on making improvements (without breaking my husbands back lol!) I know it will definitely help switching to the barbell as I did one set with it the other day and today my whole butt and ham strings feel like one big bruise!!
Oh I also have a weight bench, you could use a swiss ball but if you decide to do the whole program I would really recommend getting a bench – you can pick them up pretty cheaply.
Let me know how it goes! everyone in my circuit class is jealous of my developing muscles and they seem to think its happening from the once a week circuit class lol! I preach to any woman who will listen LIFT HEAVY WEIGHTS! it will change your body and your health immensely. Good Luck! and do msg me if you need help with anything.
Thank you for replying so quick ! Reading all this makes me feel exited about this program. I have a small set of dumbells and a swiss ball that I can probably use it to start off and see how I go, I had considered to get a weight bench but I am student and I live in a very tiny place so no much room to get all those fantastic equipment. Were you able to do those pull ups when you started? Did you follow the program as it is? I read there is not much cardio and stretching involved in the program…. Two more weeks and then I can start.
Hi Zulay! You’re welcome. I followed the program as it is.
There are two different formats lean and beast. I follow ‘lean’. The only thing I couldn’t do at the start were the pull ups. I used to wrap a resistance band round my pull up bar and kneel on the floor and do rows with the band. (he shows the alternative if you cant do a pull up) but now I can do the pull ups (still incredibly challenging but I can do them).
There is a little stretching at the end but I always skip the stretch anyway as I go on and do JNL kiss my abs which is about 7 minutes long and also I workout quite a lot and don’t feel that I suffer much from a short stretch. – but if you are new to lifting weights then you might want to hold your stretches a little longer as you WILL be sore at first.
BB Cardio is only once a week but I do additional cardio in the mornings (not too much – about 20 mins or so). I did T25 for ages but it was becoming a bit easy for me so now I do bodyrock – I’m currently doing the 21 day bootcamp which is fun because its a different workout each day so you never know whats coming next!
TBH if you don’t have fat to lose then lifting the weights will be enough cardio as it really gets your heart rate up especially when the tempo is fast.
BB Cardio is very challenging and also quite short which is great!
Its my morning off today so that’s why I’m sitting at my laptop at the moment and am able to answer so quickly! I only have circuit class this evening so its like a ‘rest’ day for me lol!
That’s so cool !, you see, I did Insanity first and I loved the results, then I went with Turbofire, lots of cardio and I had a lot of fun with those two programs I managed to lose 10 kilos and now I want to start doing weights, didn’t want to go back to the Insanity program again as it is pretty insane and it was blowing my knees.
Thank you for the tips, they really clarify a lot of doubts that I have on this program. It’s night time for me, (I live in Australia) and I am off to be now. You enjoy your day and once I start with BB I let you go how things are going. :)
Hi Zulay. I also did Insanity. In fact I started with Insanity did the 60 days and lost 31lbs (I think that’s around 15kg – I’m rubbish with metric!) I then did 4 months of JNL fusion which is a mix of weights and cardio and I loved that but wanted to get more into the weight lifting side so started BB.
I agree with you about Insanity – although I stuck it out religiously for the 60 days and it did help me lose a lot of fat it was gruelling and waaayy too long! plus it was so cardio intense I used to feel quite tired the rest of the day, not to mention the strain on my poor knees! T25 is like a watered down much shorter version of Insanity.
Over the past year I have lost 4 1/2 stone in total and am back to my ideal weight and I no longer watch the scales I just see how my clothes fit and measure my bodyfat as when you build muscle even though you look thinner you tend to weigh more as muscle is more dense than fat so it takes up less room but weighs more.
Have a great sleep you will need all the rest you can get before you start BB! lucky you going to bed I still have a circuit class to get through!
Keep in touch let me know how it goes :)
Hey,
I am thinking of buying this program. What weight range do you think women need. (maybe a hard question to answer) Can I still do cardio everyday and get results? And did you do the supplements? I am new to weight lifting and I am trying to decide what is the best way to start… The STS program from Cathe Fredrick looks interesting as well… Suggestions?
I would think one can do cardio with Body Beast no problem. In fact I often do T25 with a Body Beast program on the same day from time to time. Just know your limits and back off when your body gives you the signals!
For the average woman, I would think Body Beast weights from 5lbs to 20lbs would more than do the trick.
As for supplementation, I did not use the Beachbody supplements because I honestly feel in my heart that their stuff is adequate at best and severely overpriced. I use VEGA ( http://vegasport.com ) products and found them to be superior in every way.
Hi there,
I do Body Beast and also do cardio. I think in order to not eat into the lean muscle you are building it is best, if you can, to do the cardio at a different time so either cardio in the mornings and weights in the evening or vice versa and don’t do cardio thats too long. 20-30 mins of HIIT would be ideal. I used to do T25 but have moved on to Body Rock because I got bored after months of T25. BB also has its own cardio which I do once a week and believe me it is AWESOME, it is HIIT at its best and makes me sweat like a pig!
I agree with Dysfunctional Parrot that a 5lbs to 20lbs weight range should be sufficient although I am lifting heavier than that now for legs.
I don’t take any of the supplements and I don’t follow the BB diet. I just try to eat clean all week with 3 main meals and 2 snacks, I also try to eat protein with every meal and only slow release carbs with a few treats here and there at the weekend. Now that I have started lifting heavier and don’t really have any weight left to lose I take a protein shake after BB but it’s not calorie heavy (around 90 cal per scoop) I just feel it helps my muscles to repair because on heavy days when I don’t take it I tend to feel more sore and tired the next day.
I have never tried Cathe Fredrick but I have read good reviews about it – so if you try it please let me know what its like. BB is great and works for me, my body looks better now than it did when I was 20! and not only that I also feel healthier and stronger than I ever have before.
I have tried to turn women in my gym onto BB as they are always asking me what I do when they look at my arms/shoulders/back etc – but they take one look at the muscley men and run a mile LOL!
Hi Cherryblue! Did you say you only did the Lean version? Have you tried the bulk or is there a reason you only do the lean?
Hi there, Lean and Huge are very similar they use all the same workouts only in a different order (if I remember correctly) but lean throws in beast cardio, while Huge has an extra weight workout. I stuck with lean as when I started I still had a little weight to lose and I like to do some cardio otherwise my stamina starts to decrease. I am still doing Body Beast most evenings and have found that since upping my weight considerably on leg days for squats, lunges etc (with barbell and squat rack instead of dumbells) it has given me a rock solid core! I now have clearly visible obliques and v-cut, a line down the middle of my abs and the startings of a 6 pack!
PS: as you are new to lifting weights make sure you watch the basics video in BB before you start as its really easy to injure yourself if you don’t have correct form. If you are a gym member its probably best to get staff there to show you correct form with weights before starting.
In order for exercising to stay fun and do-able for me I tend to mix it up, not follow the exact protocol of the programs. Is that a bad thing or is that the ultimate muscle confusion? For instance lately i’ve been doing one week of p90x(2) where its one day weights one day cardio. On the weight days I always do about 15 to 20 min of cardio as well post workout (biking or running) Then the next week I will do BodyBeast. I alternate. Would you say this is a goos way to excercise or not? It keeps me motivated and it keeps my body guessing every time. I Would like to get your opinion on this. I love p90x and other programs, but I feel like the whole ‘Do this for 90 days or else’ part is a bit of a gimmick, right?
I hardly ever follow the 90-day mantra anymore. I almost always mix my workouts up from one day to the next and have not suffered for it at all. For example, on any given week I’ll do T25, P90X, Body Beast and an Asylum. Mixing it up is the best part! Just try and rotate the body parts and I don’t see a problem.
P90X for example is great, butt he cardio options are terrible. And why not switch out the occasional Chest and Back for Body Beast? The options are endless!
Thanks alot for your reply! That is exactly what I have been doing the past few months. P90X cardio is not the best, but the plyocide of p90x2 is pretty decent, so i tend to also mix p90x and p90x2. I try to get as much variety in as I can, and as well always rotating the body parts, never train the same part twice in a row. Great site, great writing. Greetings from Amsterdam!
Oh and also, sometimes I do 2 sessions of body beast, because I find 30 min workout in BULK way too short. So for instance yesterday I did BB BULK chest and BB bulk Back, since those two muscle groups go well together. That way i get an hour of training is. Is that OK, in your opinion?
Hi Laura, I’m also female and do BB. I know everyone is different but I would consider myself to be pretty fit as I do body beast 5 to 6 days per week in the evenings and in the mornings I do 20-30 mins of T25 or bodyrock and attend a tough circuit class once a week and I would definitely struggle doing BULK chest and back – back to back, so perhaps you aren’t lifting heavy enough? I try to lift heavy enough so when I do the last set with 8 reps I simply can’t squeeze one more rep out.
Cherryblue u recommend heavier weights. Understandably weights vary for each person but as a guide for a beginner what weight size should a woman get for their set of 3 dumbells? What weights did u use when u started what do u use now on the third time round?
Hi there Keisha, Its quite hard to say as everyone is different and I already had a set of powerblock weights when I started body beast and had been doing JNL fusion for 4 months (which was a mixture of weights and cardio). Also you will likely need quite light weights for shoulders but will be able to go much heavier with legs.
As a guide when I started body beast I was lifting (per dumbell) for shoulders between 2.5kg to 6kg, for legs roughly 7.5kg to 11.5kg. Arms, chest and back would have been somewhere inbetween those two weight ranges. I am now lifting 6kg to 9kg for shoulders and for legs I’ve progressed to a barbell with a squat rack and am lifting 20kg to 35kg (total weight with bar and weights). I was for legs up to 11.5kg to 15kg per dumbell but it began to feel like I was stretching my arms rather than working my legs!! hence the switch to barbell on my back.
I would say for a complete beginner who hasn’t lifted weights before or not much weights you should probably go for one of those cheap set of 3 dumbells which are 2 x 1.1kg, 2 x 2.3kg, 2 x 4.5kg. (or around that weight range).If your muscles are really weak then go for a slightly lighter set. If you stick at it these will get light pretty quickly though and you might want to consider an adjustable pair of dumbells. Ideally you should go to a gym or visit a friend who has weights and see what you can lift for each body part. You should aim to lift a weight for 15 reps which will challenge you but you are still able to keep good form and you should be struggling on the last few reps. Then do the same for 12 reps then 8 reps this is the weight range you should be using. If you struggle to lift from the start and can’t keep your form then its too heavy and if you lift comfortably all the way through a set and don’t struggle by the last few reps then the weight you are using is too light. (15, 12, & 8 is the main rep range used in body beast)
Good luck and let me know how you get on :)
Hey parrot- did you complete beast program outside of this review? Any visible difference from your day one to day 90?
the chest and tri and back and bi tempo workouts are torture as well if you can you should get them they add a mix up on the build and beast phases
I am currently doing Asylum Volume 1. I was wondering do you think you could just throw in a bulk/ build workout from Body Beast here in there just to have a good muscle pump day without doing the whole program? Would it be okay to do a bulk workout without going through the build phase? Thanks. I was just wondering because I don’t necessarily want to buy the whole program. Maybe just the bulk workouts chest, back, and legs.
I do it all the time! Very rarely these days do I do a full 60 or 90 days of one program. One week it’s P90X, another week Insanity, or Body Beast…etc. That having been said I highly doubt Beachbody sells the program as separate disks, so you’d need to buy the whole program anyway.
Thank you. I have seen some of the discs be sold individually on ebay. So idk. What would you say is a better type of workout? A build or a bulk one? What workout(s) would you say is truly unique from the P90x resistance routines? Do you have a favorite Body Beast workout?
If you want a truly savage leg workout, go for BULK-Legs because its a killer. Therefore, if I had to choose only two routines I would get Build-Chest/Tris and Bulk-Legs. Can’t go wrong with those!
i am at this phase and i skip few days, should i start the week again?
So I lost 30 lbs with P90X, 15 lbs with p90X2 and have been doing BB for 9 weeks and all I can say is WOW! I’ve packed on 10lbs of muscle and my body have never looked more defined. I feel stronger and I love BB. Just make sure you do the stretches from p90X. Waiting for BB2. In another 4 weeks its back to P90X then P90X 2 then BB again for the spring/summer. I love beachbody they have helped me transform by body into a masterpiece!
I tried BB out, but just returned it today. My main gripe was that i had to change weights so often. I use adjustable dumb bells, but not like the uber expensive. powerblock or bowflex ones. So changing weights can be troublesome after the millionth time.
It became so much of a distraction that the workouts easily took 20 minutes longer than it needed to.
That being said, if you have easy adjustable dumb bells or several dumb bells you can just pick up and go, then this is for you! The workouts themselves are really boss.
Also, invest in a bench. It’s not worth it to use the stability ball, especially for incline moves. Get the Gold’s Gym one for 50 bucks. It’s not the best quality, but for 50 bucks you can’t beat what you get!
Great read! BB is a good home workout, I was surprised. Its nice being able to bulk at home for a change. I was hitting the gym for years and It was awesome. Unfortunately there’s too many interruptions there and now that I’m a stay home dad I don’t have time to hit the gym as often. The only “CON” to the program is there’s things that need to be added to some of the workouts.
All in all it has the fundamentals to make you huge in a short time frame.
Sergi’s a very good trainer, I would defiantly recommend it! (I would stretch the muscle group you are working that day before you hit the weights and make the warmup 5 – 10 min long for INJURY PREVENTION)
What equipment do you need if doing the ‘beast’?
Weights ( naturally! ) and preferably and incline bench. One guys always uses a stability ball as an alternative to a bench so that’s an alternative you can go with. There is also some use of the pull-up bar.
Wow, five out of five feathers?! I’m starting BB in October. Most women are afraid of the Beast but I think we could all benefit from an extra pound of muscle or two. And this is totally off topic (or maybe it isn’t) but where did you learn how to write? Or maybe you didn’t? That’s why you’re such a good writer isn’t it?
Thanks for the compliment! I owe any writing talent I have to my best teacher…Mom!
As for women on BB, I don’t think any should worry about bulking up like they were going to be blasted with Gamma Rays. My way of preventing that would be to lower the weight, and cut back on muscle-gain workout supplements.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I am right now!
Another great review. Could you put up a quick comparison between the normal and lean versions of BB? I am curious what they add in and what the timings are as it seems counter to the BB core program.
The only real difference with the Lean/Huge versions is the addition of Cardio in Phase 2: Bulk. The ‘Huge’ option has none in that phase. Beyond simply doing more of the Cardio workouts the differences are minimal.
If I had eaten before Back and Bis this morning I would have hurled. As it was had to swallow down my coffee a few times! Great workout.
It’s those blasted drop-sets which kill me every time!
Wait until you get to the Bulk Phase. You won’t be able to move!
Starting tomorrow.
Totally agree on not enough stretching. If you do the stretch from P90X after you are done with every workout then you are gold, but otherwise it seems to lack that. However, I haven’t been this sore in a freaking long time, and call me sick, but I like the soreness. How’s the whole eating going for you?
My food regimen has been pretty much standardized for the last few years due to P90X and Insanity, but I am popping back some additional tuna and a good quality post-workout drink to get more out of the program. So far I seem to be holding together!
Love the review has convinced me to give it a go.
Sorry folks, the commenting system took a powder for a couple days and I was on vacation.
To answer a question: yes, I am developing some Excel spreadsheets for this program that I will make freely available. Expect something to be announced in a week or so.
starting body beast on thursday and was wondering if you ever made those spreadsheets? I imagine you are talking about worksheets for each workout? I am not a fan of beachbodys worksheets because its one worksheet per day, where p90x had one worksheet for each workout and you could easily compare your weights and reps. Does yours have that? Thanks DP love your fitness reviews…brandon