The PiYo Program—Don’t make this mistake if you’re thinking about trying it out (and what this program does really well)

Hi there, today you’re going to hear all about the PiYo program with Chalene Johnson. I just went through all the workouts in the program and I’m gonna share my thoughts with you. This series does a few things really well but it’s not for everyone. I’ll tell you who’ll love it and what mistakes you need to avoid so you get the most out of it.

I’m also gonna share an update with you from Wantable—one of my favorite workout clothes subscription services. 

AND finally I’m gonna tell you about ONE tech device that was a complete game changer for my home exercise and I’m sharing a podcast title with you that some people will want to binge listen to this weekend and why it’ll make you think twice about your doctor... 

So, stick around…

You’re listening to the Crunches & Cosmos Podcast where I simplify women’s fitness by helping you figure out which fitness programs and products are right for you. 

I break down all the different parts of your fitness routine (from your mindset  to your equipment and programs) with information and genuine reviews so that you can decide what exercisey stuff in this world is perfect for you.

Because I truly believe that exercise will make every woman’s life better. And I want you to have an amazing life.

I’m Mickie and today’s episode is brought to you by One Strong Southern Girl. I encourage you to check out my site. 

I have hundreds of detailed articles about women’s exercise stuff and please consider jumping on my email list.  You’ll get a free 5-minute ab workout plus a guide to 20 things you can do to make home exercise super effective.

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So, before we talk about PiYo I’m going to share with you an update from Wantable.

In episode 3, I talked about my 5 favorite workout clothing subscription services and the Wantable Fitness Edit was a part of that list.

And they’ve just rebranded! 

They’ve got a new logo and made some tweaks to the website.  This is a great way to fuel your exercise motivation as well as stock up on your athleisure wear. 

So, make sure you check it out.

So let’s talk about some PiYo…

I’ve written a post on my site that answers all these questions and goes into even more detail about the PiYo workouts (including images from the workouts) so make sure you check that out right here>> Your Mega Guide to the PiYo Workouts

What is PiYo?

PiYo combines the muscle-sculpting, core-firming benefits of Pilates with the strength and flexibility benefits of yoga.  It’s a true fat-burning, low-impact program, and you’ll get incredibly defined.—from the Beachbody website

PiYo is a beautiful blend of Pilates and Yoga in one cool series of routines.

Some important things about the PiYo routines:

Don’t expect to burn a bunch of calories doing the PiYo workouts

The real difference you’ll see in your body (unless PiYo is the very first exercise program you’ve ever done, in which case, BRAVO, you’re awesome, and YOU'RE gonna see more changes than most people) will be in flexibility, posture, balance and toning.

The cast doesn’t wear shoes in some of the PiYo workouts.  I usually wear shoes because my feet hurt if I don’t have any support when I exercise.  But my feet shift around in my shoe during the PiYo moves so I get why they don’t wear them.

Push-ups!  I didn’t expect them to show up in this program but they do.  A lot.

My only complaint with PiYo is with the music.  I don’t like it but that’s not a deal breaker.

There are 9 main routines in the PiYo program.

If you have Beachbody on Demand (which you should✔😊) then you’ll discover there are even more PiYo routines to love-on (2 workouts—Full Body Blast and Strong Legs—these are both 30 minutes long).

You’ll also find a library of 10 more PiYo workouts under the PiYo PRO team tab on Beachbody on Demand.  These are PiYo workouts lead by different Beachbody trainers (not Chalene Johnson).

How much is PiYo?

PiYo on Amazon

PiYo on Beachbody's shop**

**There are only 7 workouts in this set (vs. 9 on the Amazon package)

*Get a membership to Beachbody on Demand and access PiYo there (along with a ton of other Beachbody workouts)

What you’ll love about PiYo and who will love the PiYo program?

You don’t need a ton of space to do the workouts.

You might be in denial that you need to work on your flexibility but you do (we all do), and PiYo is perfect for that.

No equipment necessary! Well, almost none.  You’ll need a mat if you’re on a hard surface.

These are the perfect workouts to supplement your regular cardio and strength-training routines.

Low-impact.  There’s no jumping in any of the PiYo workouts.

Any level of exerciser can do the routines.

The PiYo routines are more challenging than you expect.  I love that about any workout series.

Who will Love PiYo?

• Anyone who loves Pilates and/or yoga
• People looking for a good low-impact set of routines that will challenge them
• Anyone who needs some supplemental routines to balance out a regular exercise program of intense cardio and strength-training
• Individuals easing back in to exercise after an injury or illness
• Beginning exercisers looking for fun low-impact exercises that focus on balance, flexibility and toning
• Everyone who knows they need to focus more on their flexibility, body awareness and balance

Who won’t love PiYo?

• People looking for workouts like the Turbo programs by Chalene Johnson
• Anyone looking for intense cardio routines
• Exercisers who get frustrated easily with routines that require you to move your body in unique or unusual ways

What’s PiYo really good at doing and my advice about the program… 

PiYo is really good at reminding you what you’ve been leaving out of your current exercise routine—stretching.

This program is a great way to give your joints a holiday from high-impact exercise, while giving the rest of your body exactly what it needs more of—focused toning and attention to flexibility.

Sometimes it’s not about the number of calories you’re burning at that moment.  But about the long-term benefits you’ll get from taking the time to work on your posture, balance and stretching out the places you’ve forgotten about over the last few months.

And surprisingly, I’m sore (in a good way) the day after every single PiYo workout.

The best advice I can give you about PiYo is to give it a chance. 

The biggest mistake to avoid with PiYo>>DO NOT do the workouts one time and give up on it.

This is one of those programs where you MUST do every single routine at least 3 or 4 times before you decide how you really feel about it (because until you learn perfect form and know what’s coming you can’t appreciate what this program has to offer).

Accept the fact that there’s a learning curve to mastering the PiYo workouts. 

Commit to trying the workouts multiple times and you’ll be happy you invested in yourself and PiYo.

I’m wrapping things up today with a podcast recommendation, my positive tip of the day which has to do with that tech device that I mentioned in the show’s intro and I’m closing with an announcement.

My tip of the day is for anyone who does workouts at home off the internet...

Whether you stream them live or use a paid service like Beachbody on Demand or Cathe on Demand to play recorded workouts off the internet—if you use wifi then you might need this tech device.

So, the problem I had was this—‘buffering’ in the middle/disconnections during or just plain ‘ol couldn’t connect at all. 

I knew part of the problem were all the people (and devices…which is constantly increasing) accessing the same wifi but the other problem was the distance my workout space was from the wifi signal in my house.

Well, I found a solution for all these problems and we’ve been using it for over a year and absolution love it. It’s called Eero.

Find out more about Eero on the company's site.

Buy Eero on Amazon  

Special Announcement

I’ll be back in late January with new cover art and new episodes.

I’ll be recording the Q & A episode where I answer all the questions I’ve been emailed about me so if you want to submit a question you can still do that.

I’ll also be doing an interview with my little sister Jessica.  I’ve interviewed my other sisters in episodes 6 and 9 which were the episodes about 80 Day Obs and Exercise and Travel but I haven’t interviewed Jessica yet. 

This will be a very cool episode that you won’t want to miss.

Jessica has been a huge inspiration to me over the last few years because she went from a woman who never exercised a day in her life to someone who just signed up to run her first ½ marathon.

So, I’m going to find out what happened in her life that gave her the motivation and determination to start exercising and what’s kept her going.  

It’s gonna be a fun and inspiring episode so stay tuned to hear that in Season 2.

So, make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you'll know when my new episodes drop in 2019!  

Thank you for being here!

Remember if you want to see my real life you can on my Instagram stories and/or Facebook.

Connect with me:

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And please join my email list! I don’t email that much and you can unsubscribe if I start to annoy you. 

But it gives me a way to directly speak to women like me who want to be fit in this busy life we’re all living.

Email me your questions and comments. 

I love hearing from you!

c[email protected]  

SHOW NOTES & LINKS

The Wantable Fitness Edit

Your Mega Guide to the PiYo Workouts

Buy PiYo on Amazon

Buy Eero on Amazon

The Eero website

Dr. Death Podcast  

Until next time, Life is complicated. 

Fitness doesn’t have to be. You’re a warrior. Believe it.