Beachbody is world renowned for its intense workout programs for extreme results. But it has often missed a mark with beginner users or those who are completely new to regular exercise. That is until Beachbody released the YOUV2 beginner health and fitness program for women and men of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels. The workouts are upbeat, fun and presented by real people who don’t look like fitness models off the catwalk.
The program is all-inclusive with workouts for each day of the week that will help burn calories, fat and build muscle. They incorporate dance and movement without complicated choreography. YOUv2 was developed by professional trainer and fitness coach Leandro Carvalho and the program was released in May 2017.
I’ve decided to review the program in its entirety and see who the program is suitable for, what the kit includes and if it is worth the investment.
What is YOUv2?
The workout program name stands for You Version 2 and is designed to help you become your best self. If you are working out and eating healthier, you will not only look better but you’ll FEEL better and more confident. This workout program is all about showing women of all backgrounds and sizes that they can also exercise and be healthy.
The program is designed for women who are beginners to exercise but really it can be done by men, women and teenagers. The workouts also are suitable for any intermediate exerciser who wants to do something lighter on an active recovery or rest day and still burn calories without overdoing it.
How long is the program?
YOUv2 is a workout program you will complete over four weeks exercising five times a week. Each workout is around 30 minutes in length. But the idea is that you will try to workout for at least 10 minutes each day until you work your way up to the full 30 minutes.
There are 6 workouts in total: 4 cardio dance workouts and 2 body sculpting and toning routines. Each of the workouts include pop hits from the 80’s and 90’s including hits by Jennifer Lopez, Marky Mark, Cher and Pat Benatar! It’s kind of like a throwback to Sweatin’ to the Oldies with a modern twist!
Who is Leandro Carvalho?
Leandro is the trainer and developer of YOUv2. He is also known for other Beachbody programs such as Brazilian Butt Lift. he is a professional dancer and has been training athletes and in the fitness world for decades. He is energetic, upbeat and FUN! The workouts are much easier to follow and get through with such an enthusiastic and fun-loving trainer.
YOUv2 Workouts Breakdown
There are 4 different cardio dance routines that you will learn and 2 body sculpting workouts. During the first week, you’ll do Move Your Body for 5 days until you have mastered it! You’ll continue the second week with the next workout and so on.
The Cardio Dance Workouts:
A clip from Move Your Body!
- Move Your Body
- Workout Length: 28 minutes, 48 seconds
- Theme Song: Let’s Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez
- Work It. $hake It!
- Workout Length: 29 minutes, 19 seconds
- Theme Song: She Works Hard For The Money by Donna Summer
- Rock It Out!
- Workout Length: 28 minutes, 44 seconds
- Theme Song: Hit Me With Your Best Shot from Pat Benatar
- Sweat Sensation!
- Workout Length: 27 minutes, 22 seconds
- Theme Song: Good Vibrations from Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
The Body Sculpting Workouts:
Squatting in Sculpt Shack!
- Sculpt Shack!
- Workout Length: 33 minutes, 34 seconds
- Theme Song: Love Shack by the B-52’s
- Believe, Achieve, and Tone!
- Workout Length: 31 minutes, 4 seconds
- Theme Song: Believe by Cher
The body sculpting workouts don’t require any resistance bands, dumbbells or weights. You will be using your own body weight to create your own resistance and to build muscle.
All of the workouts are low-impact so everyone can do them. But don’t think that low impact means low calorie burn! The workouts offer a serious calorie burn depending on how much effort you put into it.
You can read about how many calories you can burn doing YOUv2 in my calorie burn breakdown here.
What is included in the YOUv2 Workout Program Kit?
- 2 DVDs with all of the above 6 workouts
- 4 cardio/dance workouts
- 2 body sculpting routines
- Quick Start Guide
- YOUv2 Journal
- Motivational 4 Week Wall Art Workout Calendar
- Keep It Super Simple (K.I.S.S.) Eating Plan and Meal Guide
The YOUv2 base kit comes with everything you need to get started and start losing weight with YOUv2. One thing you may realize is that the meal plan for this program doesn’t incorporate the portion control containers plan like the majority of Beachbody programs. Feel free to follow the K.I.S.S. guide included in this pack or use the portion control containers plan. I think the containers are an excellent way for beginners to start eating healthy and recognize what a portion size really looks like.
Follow whichever plan works for you! The most important thing is that you are eating small portions and healthy foods. The weight loss will follow if you do that much!
The YOUv2 4 Week Workout Schedule
| Week | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One | Take your before (v1) pictures and go for a 10 minute walk! | Move Your Body | Move Your Body | Move Your Body | Move Your Body | Move Your Body | Go for a 10 minute walk and grocery shop for the week ahead! |
| Two | Do meal Preparation for the week ahead! Go for a 10 minute walk. | Work it. $hake It! | Work it. $hake It! | Work it. $hake It! | Work it. $hake It! | Work it. $hake It! | 10 minute walk |
| Three | Meal prep and 10 or 20 minute walk! | Rock It Out! | Sculpt Shack | Rock It Out! | Sculpt Shack | Rock It Out! | 10 or 20 minute walk |
| Four | Meal prep and 10-30 minute walk | Sweat Sensation | Believe, Achieve and Tone | Sweat Sensation | Believe, Achieve and Tone | Sweat Sensation | You Did It! Take your after (v2) photos! |
What do I do after the 4 week program is finished?
It is extremely unlikely that anyone would reach their fitness goals after just one month! But after doing all of these workouts, you’ll be able to continue the program again and again. During the first month, I recommend following the workout schedule as suggested. Doing one workout or two a week until you master them. After the month is up, you can begin doing a mix of workouts. Try doing the 2 body sculpting and 3 cardio workouts each week.
If the YOUv2 workouts become easier and easier, you might even challenge yourself to doing two in a row once or twice a week to burn extra calories and fat. Or work out 6 days a week instead of 5 to keep your body in fat-burning mode! To amp up your calorie burn even further, try doing the workouts with weighted gloves. You’ll be shocked at how much they work your arms and get your heart rate soaring!
The important thing to remember is to stick to the meal plan as well and make sure not to overeat. Just because you finish a month of workouts doesn’t mean you should reward yourself with a chocolate cake. Instead, reward yourself with a manicure, massage or new t-shirt! You won’t feel bad about it afterwards and you can continue forward with another round of the YOUv2 workout program setting new goals.