PiYo SCHEDULE

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This is yoga for people who hate yoga, and cardio for people who hate cardio. It’s a great program for those of you who are new to yoga – and it’s not just for women. The program mixes up intense, low-impact cardio with yoga and Pilates to get you a sculpted, defined body.

There are nine workouts (plus one bonus workout) on three DVDs and you exercise six days a week for 60 days. The workouts take 25 to 50 minutes to do, and involve speeded up moves with dynamic yoga and flow yoga. This helps burn calories, increase your flexibility and tone your muscles.

The workouts are:

ALIGN – introduction to the fundamentals.

DEFINE LOWER FOCUS

DEFINE UPPER FOCUS

SWEAT – fast flow yoga.

CORE – abs focus.

STRENGTH INTERVALS

DRENCH – fat burning

SCULPT – endurance workout

BUNS – glute focus

TURBOFIRE HIIT 20 – bonus DVD

The eating plan is easy to follow and centres around a calorie deficit (you eat less than you need) of around 600 calories a day – an easy formula is supplied to help you figure out how much you should be eating. You follow a clean, balanced diet of 40% carbs, 25% protein and 25% fat which you fit flexibly around a list of permitted foods.

THANKS TO MY FRIEND CATHY FOR THIS REVIEW – She did the full 60 day program but I only borrowed it for a week, so this is her evaluation.

Benefits of  PiYo

Low impact but high intensity.

Good for all ages, body types and fitness levels.

You don’t need much space to do it.

There is a modifier to show you easier options.

, the instructor, is cheery and encouraging.

There’s a great variety of exercises so you don’t get bored.

A great way to build a sweat without doing cardio.

Unlike with some other exercise videos, you actually feel energised after doing this workout.

Drawbacks of PiYo.

I wanted more core work.

If you like traditional Insanity-style cardio, then this isn’t for you.

Lots of PUSH movements but lacking in PULL movements.

Charlene uses her own names for traditional yoga poses so this can become confusing.

If you already do a lot of yoga then this will be too easy for you.

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