21 Day Fix vs Piyo: Which to Choose?

Contents

Main Differences Between 21 Day Fix vs PiYo

The Main Differences Between 21 Day Fix vs PiYo are:
  • 21 Day Fix focuses on weight loss, whereas PiYo focuses on strength and toning.
  • 21 Day Fix is live-streamed by a certified bikini fitness trainer, whereas PiYo is both live-streamed and delivered through DVD from a lifestyle coach.
  • 21 Day Fix includes alternate moves for individual workouts, whereas PiYo includes many low impact workouts.
  • 21 Day Fix sticks to a basic meal plan, whereas PiYo tries to encourage supplementing with shakes
Chalene Johnson's PiYo Base Kit - DVD Workout with Exercise Videos + Fitness Tools and Nutrition Guide

Who says you have to jump, grunt, strain, and punish your body to get amazing results from your workout? Not with PiYo. PiYo combines the muscle-sculpting, core-firming benefits of Pilates with the strength and flexibility advantages of yoga. And we crank up the speed to deliver a true fat-burning, low-impact workout that leaves your body looking long, lean, and incredibly defined.

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We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
What if you could get a ‘fix’ for your body fat composition, fitness, and diet in just 21 days? Or how does thirty days to more defined muscles sound–all from the comfort of your home with streaming at home workouts? If it sounds too good to be true, you’ll want to read this review and comparison of the 21 Day Fix and Piyo, both programs offered through the Team Beach Body Shop. What both the 21 Day Fix and Piyo offer is at least the promise of staying at home when some gyms are still closed or operating at lower capacity, budgets are stretched, and some have slipped in their exercise and diet routines in midst of stresses and changes. But if you’re like me, you may care about fitness but also be skeptical about sweeping claims. Whether you hope to get your cardio on with something like a rowing machine; improve muscle definition with the best back exercise, or are just looking to slim down with diet meal kits, it can be hard to find the right program. To make it easier, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about 21 Day Fix vs Piyo, including how workouts work, what comes with the program, and whether one, both, or neither is worth your money.

What is Beach Body on Demand?

I’ll start by explaining exactly how each program is being marketed. First of all, both the 21 Day Fix and Piyo are programs and packages sold through Better Beach Body, also known as Beach Body on Demand. Beach Body on Demand has been operating since 1998 and offers some of the most recognized at home workouts, including Piyo and 21 Day Fix, but also the Insanity series; 80 Day Obsession; Transform, and LIIFT. While many know Beach Body on Demand for its challenging at home workouts, they also are the owners of Shakeology, which is a nutrition shake system used for both supplementation and weight loss. Often, Beach Body on Demand either encourages using Shakeology with their workout at home plans or even bundles them. All of their at home workout programs tend to include a variety of streaming and workout DVD options, and while BeachBody on Demand is known for challenging programs, they tend to require fairly limited to no gym equipment and are said to be suitable for different fitness levels.

What is 21 Day Fix vs PiYo?

Both sold by BeachBody on Demand, the 21 Day Fix, and PiYo claim to offer solutions to get you in shape in your home, with curated workouts. There are, however, immediate differences to the general approach and marketing of the 21 Day Fix vs Piyo.

21 Day Fix

The 21 Day Fix is highly focused on results-based weight loss; I immediately, for instance, noticed the claim that you can lose up to 15 pounds in 21 days, through what they claim is easy fuss-free weight loss. They also tout a diet plan, but the focus is on ease of use and quick results, something that feels quite familiar if you’ve looked at other weight loss plans.
Beachbody 21 Day Fix & 21 Day Fix Extreme | Amazon

In 21 days, you can be beach-ready for a vacation. Look drop-dead great at your upcoming reunion. Or be well on your way-REALLY well on your way-to reaching a major weight-loss goal. And all you have to do is decide. Then let 21 Day Fix do the rest.

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PiYo

The Piyo series is a bit different; all are bundled as ‘challenge packs’ not with a general diet, but with the Shakeology system. I also noticed an immediate difference in marketing and messaging. While the 21 Day Fix is highly focused on weight loss, PiYo instead promises to sculpt and build lean muscle.
Chalene Johnson's PiYo Base Kit - DVD Workout with Exercise Videos + Fitness Tools and Nutrition Guide

Who says you have to jump, grunt, strain, and punish your body to get amazing results from your workout? Not with PiYo. PiYo combines the muscle-sculpting, core-firming benefits of Pilates with the strength and flexibility advantages of yoga. And we crank up the speed to deliver a true fat-burning, low-impact workout that leaves your body looking long, lean, and incredibly defined.

Buy at Amazon.com
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

My Takeaway

PiYo immediately felt that it was promising fewer specifics and less quick fixes, something I appreciated. That said, the purposes of the programs seem rather different, so those looking purely for weight loss may be more attracted to the 21 Day Fix, especially if that weight loss is time-sensitive. And while I will touch more on this later, it was also telling that PiYo could not be bought separately from Shakeology products.

How much does the 21 Day Fix vs PiYo cost?

Cost is always a factor. As someone on a budget myself, I like to know the price of a home workout or diet system before getting serious about enrolling. Going into comparing the 21 Day Fix vs PiYo, I assumed that there would be differences in cost but, since they are both being offered through Beach Body, I also was hopeful those prices would be comparable.

21 Day Fix

The 21 Day Fix takes you through an entire screen of promotions before you get to see the cost; in fact, the only way to see the price of the 21 Day Fix program is to click the ‘Get Started’ button. The 21 Day Fix is actually billed by monthly options. After a free trial, you can select from one of three plans. Opt for a year plan and you pay around $100, or just under nine dollars per month. A six-month plan costs around thirteen dollars per month, of $77 every six months. The three-month plan, which comes with a seven-day trial, costs $19.95 every month, or just under $60 every three months.

PiYo

PiYo pricing works quite differently. You start with a base or starter kit of your choice, which has a single price as opposed to a monthly one. You can also opt for supplemental packages later on. Challenge Kit Your first option is a kit that costs $160, which includes an eating plan, 30 days of Shakeology supplies, and 30 days of workout streaming services. Base Kit Claiming to be a bestseller, the Base kit costs $59.95 and comes with not streaming, but a DVD with seven different workouts, an eating plan, and workout calendar, along with online support. Deluxe Kit Finally, the PiYo Deluxe Kit costs just under $120 with the same 7 DVD exercises of the base kit but also the addition of a yoga mat, accelerated workouts, and a buns and core workout.

My Takeaway

The 21 Day Fix, as a streaming service, requires you to think about how long you’ll use it for, though it is immediately the more affordable option. I always like to caution with a streaming service that automatically renews, it’s important to keep costs and use in mind. Neither PiYo or the 21 Day Fix method of pricing I see as superior as much as a matter of personal preference.

How Do Workouts Compare for the 21 Day Fix vs PiYo?

Next, I wanted to investigate exactly what these workouts entail, from duration to difficulty and method of delivery.

21 Day Fix

The 21 Day Fix offers 30-minute workouts that are live-streamed in real-time. Every workout also offers alternatives, so beginners who aren’t comfortable with a certain move can adapt. Streaming is available through your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Unless you sign up, it’s quite difficult to see what sorts of workouts this will entail. The workouts do include a variety of upper and lower body; pilates; cardio; and yoga. Most of them require little to no training or equipment and focus on a variety of short exercises coupled together. The idea is that workouts are rotated for different days a week.

PiYo

PiYo workouts you can preview before you buy. Depending on the package, the DVD delivered workouts include lower and upper body; cardio yoga; resistance training; strength intervals; and harder workouts more intended for fat loss. With the deluxe kit, you also get a core workout. Workouts vary in length and since most PiYo plans are delivered on DVD you can pause them when you like. The exception is the Challenge Kit, which instead offers streaming delivered workouts.

My Takeaway

In many ways, the 21 Day Fix workouts remind me of a more gentle form of Insanity. Streaming based, with a focus on intensity but also offering some flexibility, the 21 Day Fix workouts are suitable for many people but also may not be joint friendly. Still, I like the versatility–I just wish the 21 Day Fix was more upfront about exactly what you’ll be doing in workouts before signing up. By comparison, PiYo offers more detailed descriptions before you purchase. Compared with the 21 Day Fix, PiYo is slightly more focused on strength than cardio though it’s a fairly decent balance of getting in different kinds of workouts.

Who Leads the Workouts for the 21 Day Fix vs PiYo?

For any at-home workout, it’s also important to pay attention to who’s providing the workouts. Questions I like to ask usually concern expertise.

21 Day Fix

21 Day Fix is led by trainer Autumn Calabrese. While there’s no immediate information about Autumn on the company website, she is known as a success, despite being under 30 years old. Certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, accomplishments include top ten bikini competition spots multiple times and collaboration on a variety of successful training programs.

PiYo

PiYo is led by Chalene Johnson, who partners with husband Bret to provide a slew of different fitness programs and also motivational and success academies. She’s been in the industry longer, for over thirty years, but is just as known for her motivational speaking and lifestyle books, as well as health podcasts. She is also the founder of the SmartLife Movement, but does not have professional training as a fitness expert or personal trainer.

My Takeaway

Here again, it’s a matter of personal preference, with both trainers having pros and cons. Both are reasonably successful and knowledgeable; while Autumn has hands-on experience and professional certification, Chalene has been enormously successful and had her fitness and lifestyle programs praised. If you’re looking for someone emerging in the fitness industry with that hands-on experience, the 21 Day Fix is a good choice, while I like that PiYo brings to the table someone who is focused on overall balance and lifestyle changes. In many ways, both trainers are well suited for the purpose of their specific programs, with one more focused on weight loss, and the other, overall toning and balance.

How Does the Diet Plan Compare for the 21 Day Fix vs PiYo?

Something unique about both the 21 Day Fix and PiYo compared with a number of home workouts is that you’re getting a package deal, for better or worse. On one hand, ample research tells us that exercise alone is not enough to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Because of this, following a workout plan with a diet plan makes sense. The downside is paying more for it, and also potentially going with a diet plan you might not have otherwise.

21 Day Fix

The 21 Day Fix offers what is called a ‘portion control’ system, rather than counting calories. Again you can’t preview anything about the diet until you sign up. While you don’t spend time counting calories, you do start by calculating your calorie needs. From there, you’ll be given a plan for servings of all different food groups, as well as a schedule and easy way to track. Though weight loss is key to the 21 Day Fix marketing, the weight loss itself is a reasonable pace and there is nothing overly restrictive or punitive. In fact, this resembles not a crash or fad diet but is simply a plan to eat all food groups under the proper portions to help you lose and maintain weight.

PiYo

PiYo diet actually has much in common with the diet for the 21 Day Fix with one exception: If you sign up for a package deal, you’ll receive Shakeology products to supplement a “Lean Eating Plan.” Stepping back from the Shakeology products, I noticed and admired many of the same basic principles as provided by the 21 Day Fix. It starts by calculating calorie needs, with a very balanced diet of around 40% carbs, 25% fats, and 35% protein. And just as is the case with the 21 Day Fix, there’s no cutting out major food groups or extreme dieting. In my opinion, the Shakeology element should be seen as optional, as you can follow a diet without it, but some may enjoy the taste, convenience, and satiating elements. See the full review of Shakeology for more details.

My Takeaway

Overall, both the 21 Day Fix and PiYo offer quite reasonable diet plans. While nothing is inherently special, both support reasonable steady weight loss and can actually teach portion control and balanced eating.

What do other customers think about the 21 Day Fix vs PiYo?

Finally, I wanted to look at how well the 21 Day Fix and PiYo delivered on its promises.

21 Day Fix

The 21 Day Fix earned four out of five stars based on over 2,300 customer reviews on Amazon, with 58% of customers giving the workout plan the highest rating possible and a fairly even distribution for other ratings. Other customers raved about easy to follow meal plans; common sense tips; and sensible workouts with reported weight loss. Complaints were mostly focused on the older DVD programs and issues, though there was some mentioning of wishing for additional online customer service and support.

PiYo

PiYo earned an equally impressive four out of five stars based on just over 1,500 customer reviews, with 64 percent of customers giving the home workout packages the highest rating possible, and another fairly even distribution. Customers appreciated workout duration (average of 30 min); the different workout levels; successful weight loss; and low impact movement. The biggest cons for many included not loving Shakeology, and some also received DVDs that Amazon shipped broken.

My Takeaway

Both 21 Day Fix and PiYo have reviews that make them stand apart from other home workout programs. One thing I did notice was there was less mention about long term results. PiYo just slightly edged out 21 Day Fix in positive review percentage, but had substantially less reviews. Another key difference between the 21 Day Fix vs PiYo programs was the focus of praise. 21 Day Fix especially delivers on weight loss, while PiYo is acclaimed for more gentle but still successful, low impact workouts for all levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight can you lose on the 21 Day Fix?21

While how much weight you lose on the 21 Day Fix is very individualized, the program claims you can lose around 15 pounds in 21 days, which is a reasonable rate of weight loss.

Is 21 Day Fix for Beginners?

The 21 Day Fix offers alternative movements for most of their workouts and also doesn’t require gym equipment, making it possible for beginners; however it may not be suited for everyone if they are looking for low impact workouts.

Is PiYo good for beginners?

PiYo offers a number of both low impact workouts and different workout levels, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Is PiYo good for weight loss?

While PiYo is a program you can lose weight with, the first priorities include toning, adding strength, and balance.

My Choice: Piyo, but 21 Day Fix is a close second.

Of the many workout programs I’ve reviewed and compared, PiYo vs 21 Day Fix was a very close call. 21 Day Fix offers a slight advantage for weight loss, but PiYo, with options for low impact and different workout levels, maybe more helpful for a wider range of people. I also like that you can opt for streaming or DVD workouts. That said, if you care more about weight loss than toning, 21 Day Fix is a slightly better option.
Chalene Johnson's PiYo Base Kit - DVD Workout with Exercise Videos + Fitness Tools and Nutrition Guide

Who says you have to jump, grunt, strain, and punish your body to get amazing results from your workout? Not with PiYo. PiYo combines the muscle-sculpting, core-firming benefits of Pilates with the strength and flexibility advantages of yoga. And we crank up the speed to deliver a true fat-burning, low-impact workout that leaves your body looking long, lean, and incredibly defined.

Buy at Amazon.com
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Where to Buy

Buy 21 Day Fix on Amazon or Beach Body (the latest streaming version is on BeachBody). Buy PiYo on Amazon or Beach Body (the latest streaming version is on BeachBody).
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