If your fitness strategy is “showing up and hoping for the best,” it’s time to rethink your approach. Without a clear plan, one of two things is bound to happen: You’ll hit a plateau and stop seeing results, or you’ll overtrain, which can lead to burnout and injuries. When a fitness pro creates a plan for a client, they often use a concept called periodization, which divides a long-term training plan into phases or cycles. “There are four main types of periodization: linear, undulating, block, and conjugate,” says Trevor Thieme, C.S.C.S., Beachbody’s executive director of nutrit ..read more

Get obsessed with making yourself a priority this November. Inspired by the abs, booty, and total-body megahit 80 Day Obsession, Healthy Obsession is an all-new program with 3 weeks of dedication and commitment plus a week of functional recovery by fitness pioneer and Beachbody Super Trainer Autumn Calabrese, only on BODi. Starting November 7, Autumn will help you sculpt your core, lift your booty, and get an incredible allover workout in just 4 weeks, with her brand-new and first-ever Free Sample Super Block. What Is Healthy Obsession? Healthy Obsession is a fresh, new take on the original pr ..read more

If you’ve spent much of any time in the gym — or following along at home with online fitness classes — you’ve likely heard a trainer talk about the “posterior chain” like it was the plans for the Death Star. That might not actually be an oversell on the importance of this supergroup of muscles, which is involved in the majority of human movements. But very few exercisers truly understand what it is, why it’s important, and how to strengthen it. Let’s change that, shall we? What Is the Posterior Chain? The posterior chain refers to all of the muscles that comprise the backside of you ..read more

Ever wonder why some people seem to get bigger and stronger with minimal effort, while others lift like maniacs and progress much more slowly? Among many possible explanations — diet, sleep, the capriciousness of the muscle-building gods — one reason you hear often involves the variation in muscle fiber types between individuals. Often oversimplified like much of fitness, muscle fibers are the stringy, contractile filaments that make up every muscle in your body. There are several different varieties, but generally speaking, you only have to be concerned with two, imaginatively ..read more

Cardio before weights, or weights before cardio? Everyone seems to have a different answer: Your friend swears by doing her cardio workout before hitting the free weights. Your brother says it’s better to do strength training first and then crush your cardio. So how can you decide, once and for all, whether it’s better to do cardio before or after your workout? The short answer: It depends on your fitness goals. Read on to find the best workout order for your get-fit plans. Is It Better to Do Cardio Before or After a Strength Workout? Just like there isn’t one answer to “what is the best work ..read more

It’s no secret that yoga is good for you. It can increase strength, improve flexibility, balance, and reduce stress — and it can help you reshape your body and lose weight. But to get the most out of your yoga practice — to realize the benefits that can make a real difference in your daily life — you have to be consistent. That’s where Yoga52 comes in. Beachbody On Demand handpicked not one, but five world-class certified instructors, and put together three flexible schedules to choose from, so you can get all the benefits of yoga — on your terms. You decide when and how often to practice. You ..read more

Whether you’ve already signed up to take on a Tough Mudder or you just want to get into Tough Mudder-shape — strong, lean, and incredibly fit — you’ve come to the right place because T-MINUS 30 was designed just for you. Tough Mudder T-MINUS 30 is a training breakthrough from four-time Tough Mudder X champion, Hunter McIntyre. It’s 30 days designed to help you get into crazy shape; improve your strength, endurance, speed, and mobility to help you conquer Tough Mudder 5K or Tough Mudder Classic; and help you get the body to prove it. Tough Mudder T-MINUS 30 With Hunter McIntyre How Does T-MINU ..read more

Welcome to Xtend Barre on Beachbody On Demand! Here’s your complete guide to everything you need to know about the Xtend Barre programs, Super Trainer Andrea Rogers, and how to get your best results. We’ll walk you through each program – Xtend Barre, XB Pilates, Xtend Barre Express, and XB Stretch – so you can pick the one that best fits your goals. We’ll also give you some pointers on how to do exercises you’ll commonly see in the workouts, answer a few FAQs, how to stay connected to the community, and more. How to Get Started With Xtend Barre Workout Options on Beachbody on DemandXtend Barr ..read more

We want you to experience the fat-burning, muscle-building, body-sculpting power of a real 600 Secs workout. So check out this Total-Body Cardio workout from 600 Secs with Devin Wiggins – FREE of charge! Whenever you’re ready, grab a towel and a water bottle, or invite a workout buddy to join you, and start streaming. Here’s Your FREE 10-Minute Workout From 600 Secs This one video shows how a 600 Secs workout can pack the benefits of a much-longer workout into a fraction of the time. And here’s the good news – Total-Body Cardio is just the beginning. The 600 Secs program features over 40 more ..read more

If you’re just starting out on your strength-building journey, you’ve probably happened across the term compound exercises, usually in the context of something you should be doing, like eating broccoli or watching PBS documentaries. Exercise experts don’t agree on much, but nearly all of them agree that compound exercises are a strength-and-fitness seeker’s best friend. “The bulk of the exercises in most people’s workouts should be compound,” says Beachbody Senior Director of Fitness and Nutrition Content Trevor Thieme, C.S.C.S. The sooner you get to know these classic gym moves ..read more