The Truth About Beachbody

Chances are the Beachbody empire has entered your radar. Even if you hate all things exercise, you likely have at least one Instagram friend selling the company's Shakeology products and posting workouts and inspirational quotes. But if for some reason the word "Beachbody" still doesn't ring a bell, book us a flight to whatever desert island you're living on. 

For some background, Beachbody is a multilevel marketing program. It bills itself as a program that has "helped millions achieve a healthier lifestyle through proven fitness and nutrition programs complete with daily instruction, eating plans, and one-of-a-kind support," according to the official website.

Is this true? Well, we did some digging to determine whether Beachbody is actually worth the hype and the monetary commitment. With the open minds of highly educated fitness professionals, we scoured the internet to find out the truth beyond the abs. Here's what we found.

Beachbody was created by Carl Daikeler and Jon Congdon in 1998 (via Forbes). This fitness phenom didn't get rolling until around 2007 when they incorporated Team Beachbody, the multilevel marketing element. What began as the peddling of workout DVDs has snowballed into much more. However, this is unsurprising as Daikeler received his degree in corporate organizational media and has been quoted expressing his distaste for vegetables and exercise numerous times. "The story makes sense when you consider his mission is to sell to a nation of [couch] potatoes," Forbes noted. However, eating healthy food and exercising are the most important elements of any fitness regimen. 

The first popular Beachbody program was P90X, created by Tony Horton. It's a frightening 90-day protocol that essentially prepares you to fight a bear. Daikeler and Congdon marketed P90X with their own before and after photos. Once they had a moderately sized following, the founders began to use their customers' results as advertisements. "The customer has always sort of been our celebrity," Daikeler told Forbes in 2018.

Even the name "Beachbody" is controversial and antiquated, many would no doubt argue. Nevertheless, when the team transitioned from DVDs to streaming services, the momentum continued.

While there are certainly a lot of negatives to note about the Beachbody program, the workouts are actually pretty legit. Most of them are devised by highly educated and experienced trainers, which is a positive element to take notice of. Of course, though, workout programs should be led by professionals.

Beachbody on Demand offers seemingly endless options to choose from when it comes to working out. If you are in the mood for yoga, it's a click away. If you are in the mood for some high-intensity kickboxing, that is easy enough to find (via Verywell Fit). If you want to try something interesting and new, your living room is the place to do it! No matter your mood, Beachbody has created a workout to suit your needs.

As with any video workout, the risks are notable. Without feedback from a trainer or, at the very least, a mirror, you could easily end up repeating a movement with poor form. Over time, this could lead to serious injury (via AARP). However, these risks are not unique to the Beachbody platform. And honestly, some of these workouts are really great (Verywell Fit). If you are in the mood to break a sweat, by all means, swipe around to find something that tickles your fancy.

Many of the people involved with Beachbody are outspoken about how it is not a pyramid scheme. Conversely, others who are no longer participating in this niche fitness community say otherwise. 

As is the case with many multilevel marketing strategies, people working for the company take to social media to push product. These "coaches" systematically reach out to acquaintances on social media and slip their business venture into the conversation (via Healthline). They explain the costs to sign up, the logistics around the magical unicorn that will rectify all of life's problems, and of course, the recommended nutrition supplements, as former Beachbody coach Melissa Blevins revealed to Your Money Geek.

Beachbody sells Shakeology and other nutritional supplements as their main profit-earning thing. Blevins told the site, "Every time I mention that you must sell Shakeology to be successful, coaches chime in and say, 'We don't HAVE to sell Shakeology. We WANT to!' Of course, you do ... it's the only way to make decent money with Beachbody."

Ignore what fad diets, trends, and MLMs tell you: Weight loss is about calories in versus calories out. If you opt out of breakfast and replace it with a 160-calorie shake, you will lose weight. This isn't groundbreaking. It is creating a calorie deficit (via Healthline). If you exist in a calorie deficit day after day, you will lose weight. One pound of body fat equals about 3,500 calories (per Mayo Clinic). By restricting calories and skipping meals, the pounds start to drop.

Restricting your calories too much is not a healthful approach to long-term weight loss, according to NASM. This often leads to yo-yo dieting and weight gain after the "challenge" is over. Nutritionists recommend creating a lifestyle around healthy, whole foods to ignite and maintain healthy weight loss (via Healthline).

But is Shakeology all bad? "While it contains a good amount of protein, vitamins and minerals, you can get the same benefits from consuming a homemade protein shake or a meal," Healthline confirmed. Instead, "combining Greek yogurt, frozen berries, fresh kale, chia seeds, almond butter and cashew milk will provide a nutrition boost without the added sugar found in Shakeology," the site explained.

Dietary supplements are subject to less stringent testing than "conventional" food by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For years, the makers of Shakeology claimed it "prevented mental decline, slowed the aging process, removed toxins and even helped prevent heart disease and cancer," according to Forbes. Grade-A baloney, of course. These erroneous claims have been proven false, and the state of California has barred Beachbody from saying anything beyond "Shakeology can curb appetite and improve energy" (via Forbes). Okay, but so do bananas, right?

According to Beachbody, their supplements meet the Good Manufacturing Guidelines set forth by the FDA. A gray area exists, however, because the claims of superfood ingredients are high, but Beachbody doesn't disclose the amount of each ingredient per serving. And there are many ingredients.

And although Beachbody says their Shakeology products contain superfoods, there is no legit definition of what a superfood actually is, licensed nutritionist Liz Applegate told Forbes. Nutrient-dense, whole foods have been rebranded as superfoods, after all. Since there is no actual definition, anything can be listed as a superfood.

If making money and pursuing your fitness goals all from the comfort of your living room sounds appealing to you, then the Beachbody coaching career may seem tempting. However, it's important to note that Beachbody "coaches" are not fitness experts, and they have to pay to become coaches. So before you can start your dream job, here's a few costs to bear in mind. 

According to the company, in order to become a coach, you have to pay an initial starting cost of $39.95, and then 30 days after your enrollment, you'll be responsible for an additional monthly fee of $15.95. However, if you sign up with a challenge or completion pack, then your coaching enrollment fee can be waived (via Fitness Fatale). The Military Waiver Program also allows military veterans, reservists, and active duty service members to have their coaching fees waived.

Your earnings as a Beachbody coach depend on your rank, which starts off as an Active Coach and then can move up to Emerald, Ruby, Diamond, and finally Star Diamond, based on your sales and the number of coaches you sponsor (per Coach Questions). Active Coaches are projected to make approximately $0 to $18,890, with the average coaches in this rank making $449 (via Sorey Fitness). Meanwhile, the highest rank, the Star Diamond Coaches, are projected to make $2,320 to $3,577,535, with the average coaches in this level making $109,225, according to Sorey Fitness.

Multilevel marketing schemes are set up to best serve the people at the top. You are expected to work really hard for a 15 to 50% commission — but the average coach doesn't bring home much. On average, a coach makes about $37 per month after purchasing the company's products and paying their monthly dues, according to the 2019-2020 Statement of Independent Coaching Earnings. Pay close attention to the fine print at the bottom of the earnings report. It reads, "43.8% of all ranks received a bonus or commission check from Team Beachbody." That leaves 56.2% of coaches without any such earnings. 

Additionally, Beachbody did away with infomercials years ago. They now rely more on the marketing done by their independent coaches (via Forbes). All of this translates into more money for Beachbody's bottom line and close to none for you, Gretchen Wieners.

When compared to the overhead of operating a brick-and-mortar business, the cost of becoming a Beachbody coach is enticing. Your first year will cost you over $200 in membership dues. This figure excludes the cost of maintaining your "Active Coach" status.

To maintain your standing as an Active Coach, you need to either sell or buy around $55 worth of product per month (via Beachbody). The annual cost of being a Beachbody coach is around $900 if you buy the minimum amount each month. If this is your tactic, you won't be earning anything, just spending.

A month's supply of Shakeology for a coach costs about $100 (as opposed to the "non-coach" monthly price of about $130), which bumps up the yearly cost to nearly $1,500 (per Beachbody). This isn't a horrible cost for a business's overhead, but remember, you have less than a 50% chance of actually earning commission or a bonus, per the  2019-2020 Statement of Independent Coaching Earnings. All in all, this sounds more like a good way for you to get a small discount on a powder to make some fancy milkshakes.

If you decide being a Beachbody customer isn't for you, you can just quit right? Well, yes, but it wasn't always so easy. However, after being hit with numerous legal altercations, Beachbody was forced to restructure its foundation. The company originally signed members up for auto-renew without consent, explained the Los Angeles Business Journal. Beachbody settled this lawsuit for a whopping $3.6 million in 2018.

These days, Beachbody now gains separate consent to auto-renew, explained Forbes. If you are a Beachbody coach, you will need to submit your request online, according to the company. If you are a Beachbody on Demand customer, you can cancel online or by telephone. Nevertheless, customers still express frustration with the cancellation process, according to Better Business Bureau complaints. The small size of the cancel button and accompanying text was a complaint that popped up more than once.

Beachbody's company name implies that a certain shape is a "beach body," which is evidenced by before and after photos. Additionally, the 21 Day Fix program promises quick weight loss of up to 15 pounds — in just 21 days! On one hand, the 21 Day Fix protocol can help teach users about portion control and can aid in forming habits around exercise, which is awesome. On the other hand, many people's nutrient needs are not met with the meal plan available through the 21 Day Fix, which is not so awesome (via Healthline).

Everybody has different nutritional needs. You can really only issue one blanket statement about nutrition and caloric needs: When you are in a calorie deficit, you will drop weight. The 21 Day Fix offers a low end of 1,200 calories to be consumed per day, which is scarcely enough to meet a person's nutritional needs (via Verywell Fit).

The nutrition experts at NASM continue to educate the masses, saying weight loss has to be done slowly to be long-lasting. Dropping 15 pounds in 21 days is idealistic, arguably unhealthy, and unsustainable (via Healthline).

Becoming a Beachbody coach is as simple as paying about $40 to begin, signing up for autorenewal, and selling products. Beachbody coaches are very different from personal trainers. At a minimum, Ace Fitness personal trainers have to study a personal training textbook and pass an exam. Without the knowledge, they don't pass. Many exercise professionals earn and maintain numerous degrees and certificates within the exercise science sphere. Personal trainers work with individuals to help them achieve their goals sustainably and with an eye for personalized detail (via NASM).

Although Beachbody coaches sell programs devised by legitimate trainers, they do not have to hold exercise science knowledge themselves. According to the company, coaches "connect people to a fitness program and eating plan that works for them, and help them get started on the path to living a healthy life." They are not to "provide clinical health advice." If that's what you're looking for, you should instead consider meeting with a person who is qualified to dispense such advice, like a registered dietitian nutritionist. 

The COVID-19 pandemic lead to a rise of at-home workouts (via Spectrum News 1). Now, SWNS Digital notes that at-home workouts are here to stay — and consequently, virtual on-demand workout services are increasingly sought-after. Beachbody On Demand Interactive may be one tempting option for those of us who hate leaving the house, but are in desperate need of an interactive workout. 

BODi allows members to turn their homes into a gym and access both live and over 1,500 on-demand workouts that vary in intensity (per Beachbody). Whether you're looking to practice some yoga, prefer cycling and cardio, or are simply craving some strength training tips, Beachbody On Demand Interactive lets you interact and work out live with well-known instructors and other BODi members (via Club Industry). Beachbody calls the experience BODcast, and in these live sessions your screen will show not only the trainer, but members as well (including maybe yourself!). While you do have to reserve your spot up to 24 hours in advance, and classes are limited to 75 people, you can still tune in to the daily sessions — you just won't appear on screen (according to Beachbody on Demand). You can also access classes through the archives once they're over. While there are plenty of on-demand workout services, according to One Strong Southern Girl, you will find BODi especially useful if you enjoy the experience of a live workout but don't want to leave the comfort of your own home. 

Beachbody's merger with MYXfitness has brought to light the new MYX II Fitness Bike, also known as the Beachbody Bike, which claims to offer an exceptional riding experience along with easy access to all of the Beachbody workouts (via Business Wire). This has stirred talks of competition with the popular Peloton bike, which was thriving during the pandemic, (per The Wall Street Journal), but has recently started dropping in sales, according to Fast Company.

The Beachbody bike prides itself on its easy tech compatibility and flexible pedals with built-in toe cages that allow users to pick whether they want to ride in their everyday sneakers or invest in cycling shoes, according to Beachbody on Demand. The versatile handlebars are another pro for the Beachbody bike, as they offer a four-way adjustability that accommodates to various heights and helps maintain cycling posture (per Girl Bike Love). In comparison, the Peloton's handlebars only move up and down, which limits mobility and compels many riders to add on handlebar extenders (via My Purse Strings). According to Beachbody MYX Fitness, the Beachbody bike unit also starts at $1,399, which is slightly cheaper than the Peloton's base unit, which starts at $1,495. On the other hand, the Peloton may be a better choice if you prefer less maintenance and a smoother ride, as the Beachbody bike uses friction for resistance (per the Garage Gym Reviews).

There's a reason the Beachbody's Insanity Workout is called insanity. According to the company, the rigorous workouts designed by fitness trainer Shaun T. are meant to test your limits over the span of 60 days and help work out your full body without the use of equipment or weights. While this might sound easy, the exercise routine is only recommended to individuals that have a good fitness level already (via Healthline).

Insanity consists of 10 different workouts centered on cardio, power training, and resistance training in order to improve and strengthen your stamina (per Home Gym Strength). The Insanity Workout has you working out in three-minute intervals with a 30-second rest period in between, and claims you'll burn around 1,000 calories per hour-long session.

So how do you know if you can endure the Insanity Workout? According to JumpStart by WebMD, newbies and individuals with heart disease or other health conditions like arthritis should definitely not attempt this high-intensity workout, as these individuals have a greater risk of injury. If you are unsure whether or not to engage in the Insanity Workout, consult with your doctor and ensure that you have the proper physical health to endure the intensity of this exercise program (via Healthline).

You may have seen the body transformations from the 80 Day Obsession Program trending on social media (via PopSugar). The 80-day program, designed by Beachbody's supertrainer Autumn Calabrese, was created to help with weight loss and body sculpting through clean eating and fat-burning workouts over the course of 13 weeks (per Beachbody on Demand). According to Healthline, participants are encouraged to create a demanding diet plan that puts them in a 750-calorie deficit per day. The diet plan also constricts eating times, following a concept known as timed nutrition. On the exercise front, the company advises members to follow daily workout videos that last on average between 45 and 60 minutes. The good news is that you are still granted a rest day on Sundays (via Sorey Fitness).

While this intense plan may seem tempting if you are looking to quickly lose weight, science shows that restrictive dieting can actually make it hard to maintain results while also negatively impacting your mental health (via Right as Rain by UW Medicine). According to research findings published in the American Psychological Association, this is because of the incredible willpower that calorie-deprivation diets demand. While the 80 Day Obsession Program may be a quick fix to help you drop weight in the short run, it is not a permanent solution.