Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I feel like I've been doing PiYo long enough now that I can give a pretty good review. First of all, a bit about myself: I'm in my late 20's and am in pretty good shape (getting better every day) - I am not affiliated with Beachbody. I first learned about PiYo through some of the fitness girls I follow on Instagram and thought it looked similar to vinyasa yoga. After a lot of deliberation I decided to purchase the set (here on Amazon). I have been doing the program (off and on) since August 2014. Here are my pros/cons on the program: Pros: - Low impact: there isn't a lot of jumping or other moves that I would call "high" impact. The moves are meant to be fluid and after a while they feel more natural. - Increased flexibility: I am not a very flexible person, but in my time using this program I have seen excellent improvements, which is a plus. Some of the moves are still hard for me to do (downward dog split) but I am getting there. - Increased upper body strength: If you don't like doing push-ups (especially tricep push-ups) then you won't like PiYo. However, if you stick with it and do them when you can, you'll see increased definition in your arms and upper body (who doesn't love lean, sexy arms?) - Quick: most of the workouts are 30 mins or less - I think the longest one is 42 mins (Drench). This allows you to get in a workout even if you don't have a lot of time. - Good for beginners: I think just about anyone could pick this program up and do it, providing you understand your limitations. I do like that there is always one person doing modifications if you can't do the full move at first. Cons: - Too much talking: Sometimes I feel like Chalene talks too much, making you hold uncomfortable positions. Even though I've been doing the program for a while I still get annoyed by this. I also find some of her comments creepy (like thinking about putting hidden cameras in your home). I know she's not being serious but it's just unnecessary chatting that takes away from the workout. - Unbalanced: in a few of the workouts, she does some moves on one side more times than on the other. I doubt this affects results but there are a few times where the right side gets more love than the left. And I also feel like sometimes you do more reps on one side than on the other. - Push-ups during cool down: This is just a personal annoyance, but she often does push-ups during the cool down/stretching period. For me, the cool down is for stretching and getting your muscles to gradually relax, not for tricep push-ups. I often skip these or only do 1 or 2 because by this point in the workout my arms are tired. - Transitions can be too fast: during some of the workouts she transitions too quickly from one move to another. If you don't have good balance or aren't experienced in the terminology she uses for her moves, you often have to stop and look up to make sure you're still on track with her. Also, her transition from folding/bending and half lift into plank is so fast you barely have time to focus on correct posture/alignment. - Emphasis on correct posture/breathing: Posture and correct alignment are huge when it comes to yoga and Pilates. While she briefly goes over these in the very first workout (Align), she doesn't remind you as you go through the other workouts. Sometimes she'll say "remember your best posture," but only at the start of a workout. This is key to maximizing results and not hurting yourself. Also, breathing is huge in yoga, especially vinyasa, which a lot of these moves are derived from - she completely ignores this in her workouts. - Not enough of a workout: Others have said this, but I really think if you're trying to lose weight, PiYo alone will not do it. I do not follow the "nutrition plan" that was included as it wasn't really anything revolutionary and I already eat like they suggest. This is best paired with some light cardio or other "toning" workouts. Sometimes I will do 2 workouts back to back to feel like I'm getting enough of a workout in. Overall I think PiYo is great and I have seen results, especially in my arms and legs. I have lost inches but not weight since starting the program, but that is ok as that's what my goal was.