FITNESS ZONE
PARROT REVIEW: FOCUS T25 with Shaun T – ALPHA
The timing for this review was quite good as I just came off a nearly 2 week road trip with my family. Now I’m not saying I don’t love my family to bits, but travelling with them can be a bit of an experience. Especially when the destination is 1400 km away in Winnipeg. What is Winnipeg like you ask? Imagine Hawaii, Venice or the Mayan Riviera. Now go to the polar opposite and you have Winnipeg. Suffice to say, the kids were a little hyped up after being trapped in a minivan eating a steady diet of gluten-free bread and lentil chips.
So doing a 25 minute routine seemed to be a good fit right now, especially since the lovely Mrs. Parrot has opted to join me in this review and was not really keen to the idea of jumping into an Insanity: Asylum level workout any more than I was. So how does Focus T25 compare to P90X or Insanity? You’re about to find out from the only fitness reviewer worth any beans in this new fangled interweb thing who like I’ve always said, is not a Beachbody Coach.
What’s in the box:
DVD pack which includes Alpha: Foundation and Beta: Core program, a bonus DVD: Core Speed, food guide, schedule poster, B-Lines resistance band, and t-shirt offer. As usual, I’m going to totally get that shirt because when it comes to swag, I will not be stopped.
The resistance band is of low to average strength, but I’ll reserve judgement until I see what physical Hell Shaun plans to unleash.
Secret Weapon: The Food Guide. For the duration of this program, my trusty sidekick, Mrs. Parrot has volunteered to use the included food guide to fuel the hot bod that is me. You remember the Food Guide right? That’s the booklet in the box that gets stuffed in the book shelf and ignored by most everyone. Here’s the gospel truth folks, if you’re going to do a 25 minute program then food becomes more important than ever.
Alpha Cardio
My advice, do NOT do this after sitting on your butt for a week and a half from driving across Canada eating less than optimal food.
The difference between this cardio and simply jumping on a treadmill is the muscle isolation. The muscle burnout does more to cause your heart rate to go sky high than anything else and when this was done I was soaked. When Shaun makes you work, my friend, you will indeed work.
Mrs. Parrot really appreciated Tonya ( from Insanity ) doing the modified moves as she’s new to the crazy world of fitness videos. At the end both of us got a really good vibe about the direction of this series.
Speed 1.0
Speed, Stability, Stretch is the name of the game here. For the first 15 minutes there is the occasional break from the speed drills with a quick stretch move. But for the last 10 minutes it’s full on.
In regards to speed, this is more than just moving the feet fast. It is mainly developing co-ordination with moves like Squat-Thrust-Crisscross that often take advantage of the rhythm of the music. And because of that I got a bit of deja-vu from my old experience with Hip Hop Abs. As I recall I never really got the hang of that program, although it was certainly an interesting review.
So give this one time if you’re rhythmically challenged. Once again Tonya is there is save the day by showing the modified moves and Mrs. Parrot appreciated that.
Total Body Circuit
As one would expect, TB focuses on the upper and the lower and does a mighty fine job of kicking your butt in both. To summarize, you’ll spend your time doing squats, planks and various forms of sinister pushups that keep coming one after the other with no break. And that’s only the first part. The last 5 minutes just push you until Mrs. Parrot thought I was going to have an embolism.
I should also mention the cool-downs are a 2.5 minute video after the main 25 minute workout with just Shaun walking you through a stretch. I appreciate that he seems to have made several and not merely recycled the same footage like some other videos I’ve come across. It once again shows the attention Beachbody puts toward the little things that add up to make them the current king of the fitness hill.
AB Intervals
Nothing recycled kids, this is all new stuff and the format is different from any other AB routine I’ve since seen. It’s hitting the abs hard and then having an interval “break” by doing a cardio move before diving back in. There is also a 3.5 minute post workout cool-down video.
The moves themselves are all new stuff. No crunches at all. No, that would be humane, and Shaun T is not humane. Rather the man dishes out rapid successions of isometric postures guaranteed to pound the ever living taco-leftovers out of your midsection. It was agony, and I can say that in the end I truly loved this one! Top marks for originality!
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TIP: Try substituting your P90X Ab RipperX out for T25 Abs!
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Lower Focus
When it comes to the merciless act of assaulting the legs with plyo and isometric postures, Shaun T is the master of ceremonies. Right from the fast warmup to the Deep Pulse Lunges without any break in the tempo. Although you can see the Insanity roots, this is relatively new stuff guaranteed to do the job. There is also a 3 minute cool-down video after the main workout.
What Mrs. Parrot really appreciated was Shaun’s exceptional coaching ability. He never assumes anything and talks you through it all in a way that never comes off as condescending.
Oh, and Shaun is sporting the yellowest shoes I have ever seen. One would think you’d need a permit to have shoes that awesome.
Stretch
This is the kind of stretch that warms you up in the process. It’s a healthy mix of active movements and isometric postures that get the muscles heated, not just stretched.
Naturally there is no cool-down post workout video, but rather a strange advertisement for Derm skin care for those of you who care about that sort of stuff. I suppose this is a good time to mention the fact that each video also begins with Shakeology ads and often ends with one too. So be warned, Beachbody is pushing their meal drink like crack. Fortunately the ads can be skipped so at least they’re avoidable.
Conclusions thus far:
As with any other workout, you get out of FOCUS T25 what you put in. Tonya shows the modified moves but understand that there is a world of difference between the intensity of her moves and the real deal. But if you can keep up with the pros then you should feel pretty good about yourself after this.
Each day has one workout except the fifth day where you double up. That day is a bear to say the least because for one solid hour you are getting slaughtered. No breaks. No jokes. Those are the days that they will someday sing songs around the campfire and speak of your great feats of physical awesomeness.
So is this like P90X or Insanity? At this point I would say no. Not really. Focus T25 is its own beast of balls-to-the-wall intensity but then again, that was just the ALPHA Phase. Next comes BETA: CORE and a separately purchased GAMMA Phase for an additional briefcase of cash. The main review will conclude with BETA although I will also add the GAMMA as a separate review.
So stay tuned for the soon to be released Part 2 of the FOCUS T25: BETA Phase Review which will also include Mrs. Parrot’s review of the included T25 Food Guide. Will the next level live up to its name and will Shaun T and his magnificent hair once again unleash torture upon our bodies? To resist is futile because…
PART 2: FOCUS T25 BETA PHASE Now Available!
Tony Macklin
March 16, 2017 at
Honestly, it is ok. But I wish it was planned out better. There are SOOOO many mistakes in it that it’s not funny. Wish they would make another one and fix the mistakes and improve the workouts.
Matt
March 13, 2017 at
Question! I’ve done all the different variations of P90x, is this program going to be challanging enough for me? Or should I try something more intense like Insanity? Thanks in advance!
Dysfunctional Parrot
March 14, 2017 at
While I cannot tell what your level of fitness is, if you have completed all versions of P90X then maybe give Max 30 a run through. In recent years I’ve sort of stepped back from the original Insanity due to the aggressive assault in the knees.
If you really want to go balls-to-the-wall, try Asylum. That one will test your endurance for sure.
Many
March 25, 2016 at
Doing T25 and absolutely loving it! Your review was a deciding factor in my purchase so thank you! I absolutely love your reviews x)
But … We are supposed to do Double Friday workouts back to back? lol I can hardly stay up after one workout. I thought we could do them at different times of the day …
broseph55
August 16, 2014 at
Did P90X about 4 years and really need to get back doing something. I travel a ton for my job and when I am home my wife and 4 girls get the focus of my time. I really want to jump back in but am curious about thoughts between P90X3 or T25? Any and all thoughts are appreciated.
Dysfunctional Parrot
August 17, 2014 at
You can’t go wrong with either. T25 has a heavier core-cardio feel to it while X3 has more weight training. It’s really a matter of personal taste.
What I do often is mix them both up because both Tony and Shaun are better at certain things than the other. There are occasional, albeit very short rests in X3, but T25 is non-stop to the end.
Dysfunctional Parrot
August 21, 2014 at
If you’re on the road a lot, I’d grab P90X3. T25 might have too much bouncing around for a hotel room.
Pack some bands and with X3 you’ll be good to go!
Hamllet
May 25, 2014 at
is that any chance for me to mix this with Body Beast? I just finished P90X3 about a week ago, I really want to gain some more muscle mass and base on your review BB seems perfect for me. I have studied BB for days and I really want to mix it with some other Cardio and Yoga, any advice for me plz.
Dysfunctional Parrot
May 25, 2014 at
I mix this with BB all the time! I find that most of Beachbody’s programs are very easily put into a hybrid program. I usually do a random mix of P90X/2/3, Body Beast, Asylum, T25…really, just get out the magic 8 Ball! I just work it so I never do the same body part 2 days in a row and I’m all good.
Larry Foote
January 27, 2014 at
l love Shaun T’s FOCUS T25. It’s the best selling workout video on Amazon, see for yourself: http://amzn.to/1jOAXJl – People just love it and I’m definitely getting results. Got free shipping too. Happy camper here.
Brenster21
December 9, 2013 at
just did my first day of Alpha, i kind of wish there was a guide to the moves that you have to do in the workouts, since Shaun T switches way to fast for me.
Jana Madonna
November 16, 2013 at
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Parrot
This review had me rivoted! I’ve spent this morning looking for
anyone to say anything honest about any BB workout (of which I own a
shelf-full) – but specifically FOCUS T25. I’ve done the P90X (yikes! Not
for people who don’t ALREADY know how to protect their knees and back),
I’ve done Insanity (once…because it was awkward), and I just saw the
advert for T25. I was thinking it’s a lot of money for something I may
not enjoy, or that Mr. Man rolls his eyes at, but you got me off the
fence. I would’ve liked to hear more about the nutrition plan from Mrs.
Parrot (was she spending ridiculous time in the kitchen and money in the
market?), but I suppose I’ll find out soon enough. Thanks again!
Rod Story
November 4, 2013 at
Thanks for the review. I’ve been blogging my experience doing Focus T25. I just finished the first 5 weeks!
Check out my blog where I give a physicians take on the program:
http://the-blogging-md.empowernetwork.com
clearday
October 5, 2013 at
Monsieur Parrot – can you review bodybuildingrevealed? It’s an e-book that many seem to think should the bodybuilding bible-
cheryl
July 30, 2013 at
So which would you recommend to someone who needs to loose 50 pounds and is looking for total transformation – p90x or T25?
Dysfunctional Parrot
July 31, 2013 at
Both will work…but here’s the trick: The work is harder with P90X but the calorie intake is higher. With T25 the work is quicker, but the calorie intake is lower.
Personally, for all-around fitness it is very hard to beat P90X. I look at T25 as a valuable addition to a fitness library or for people who don’t have the time to put in a 1 hour workout. Both have their strength and I give top marks for both but P90X squeeks out on top. That having been said, I’d choose P90X2 over P90X due to the more modern production values.
Me follow you long time
July 20, 2013 at
Thanks for all the reviews man, I’m enjoying them so much! After this, it would be cool to tell us your ULTIMATE hybrid plan, combining all of beachbody programs. You know, the best of the best all put together
asthmatic cat
July 18, 2013 at
Was just reading some of your great reviews here last week, then became curious about this particular workout, and presto, here’s your take, like you read my mind, thanks! Just wondering, how hard is it to keep up with the movement changes? It looks to me like the movements change rapidly and frequently, and I’d think it really tough to figure out what the movement is, watch what you’re doing and the tv, and keep up. Seems like by the time I figure out one movement, they’d already be moved on to the next. My experience with workout dvds is limited to my girlfriend’s Jillian Michaels stuff, and those seem to give you more transition time, not like you’re going from one dance move to the next. A dancer I’m not.
Dysfunctional Parrot
July 18, 2013 at
The movement changes can be quick, but would be learned in time. For example, I was picking things up with little trouble, but my wife who is new to the would of fitness videos was having some difficulty, although she was getting the hang of it rather quickly. Like most things in life, it takes a bit of time.
The transition time is quick, but it’s not so fast you ‘ll get lost. Again, Shaun explains the situation very well.
asthmatic cat
July 18, 2013 at
Thanks for the additional input DP, appreciated; looking forward to the second part of this review.