Focus T25 Overview

Woo-hoooooo!  It's time to start another program, this time it is Focus T25 featuring Shaun T.  I have missed him so much!  I cannot wait to get started with this program!  Let's jump right into it!

About the Program:
Focus T25 is 25 minutes in length (hence the 25) and is 60 days.  Each week you rotate through a series of workouts, one set for month 1 and then a second, more challenge set, for month 2.  Each month has 5 workouts and a stretch.  Each week you are to workout 5 days a week, but on the calendar, Friday is listed as a double day, Saturday is a rest day (marked STATurday on the calendar to take your measurements), and Sunday is stretch.  Now, I'm sure it's possible, but not probable, that I will be doing two workouts in one day, especially as intense as these are.  I have rearranged the calendar so that I will do Friday's second workout on Saturday and keep the stretch on Sunday.

This program requires minimal equipment with many of the workouts requiring no equipment at all.  Some of the workouts require weights or a resistance band, which comes with the program.  Also with the program are the DVDs, the calendar, the nutrition and program guides, and a 5 day fast track.  If you order from teambeachbody.com, you also get a bonus workout, which is called Sweat Fest.

As I said before, the workouts are 25 minutes, and there is also a cool down at the end of each workout that is an additional 2-3 minutes.  Either way, you're getting an intense, effective workout done in less than 30 minutes.  Each workout consists of either cardio-only moves, muscle-building strength moves, body weight moves, or a combination or two or more of these.  There are no scheduled breaks in the 25 minutes, but you are welcomed to take one as needed.  There is a modifier who takes some of the impact out of the moves as her feet never leave the floor (no jumping!), but still has high intensity.

Again, the program is 60 days, with one set of workouts done in the first month and the second set done in the second month.  These are broken into Alpha and Beta months.  Additionally, there is another set of workouts you can purchase which can be added onto these two months called Gamma.  These are even more intense and involve more weight work.  With these DVDs also comes a calendar so you can see how to add these workouts onto your rotation.  If you do these workouts as well, the program becomes 90 days.  This is one of those programs where I really feel the "Deluxe DVDs" are worth the money.

The only thing "missing" from this program is an ab-focused workout.  Most programs come with at least one core workout that is 10 or so minutes and is designed to focus solely on the abs.  However, this program has several ab and core-focused workouts built into it.  Plus, you can easily add on ab workouts from other programs you may have a few days a week (I'm going to use the ones I have from Insanity Max 30 to stay in the Shaun T theme).

These workouts are intense and challenge, but short, so knowing that it is only 25 minutes helps get through it!

About the Meal Plan:
As I stated above, the program comes with a nutrition guide.  This program was released before 21 Day Fix, so it does not come with the containers, but if you are using that nutrition plan, you can do that with ANY program.  The nutrition guide that comes with T25 does have a decent amount of recipes in it that are simple, easy to follow, and don't take that much time to prepare and cook.  As with any workout program, for optimal results, it is recommended that you follow some sort of clean eating meal plan even if you are not doing the one that comes with the program.

About the Trainer:
Shaun T has years of experience in the fitness industry and has created several programs for Beachbody, including Insanity, Insanity:  Max 30, and Cize, a dance workout, which makes sense, as Shaun is a dancer and choreographer!  Fun fact:  the modifier in T25 used to be a backup dance for Ms. Britney Spears!  And she's one of Shaun's BFFs?   How cool is that?! 

Back to Shaun T:  he is one crazy dude!  The stuff he comes up with is unbelievable sometimes and he is always looking for a new way to push you to your limits.  If you haven't done Insanity or Insanity Max 30, give them a try sometimes, you'll see what I mean!  This workout is no different.  Shaun is asking you to push yourself to the limits for 25 minutes and if you do, you'll know that you've gotten a great, full-body, calorie scorching workout.

Shaun is tough but also motivating and encouraging.  You really feel that he wants you to do this, sometimes maybe even more than you want to do it.  Shaun T is my favorite trainer.  I just love his personality.  He is goofy and silly, but also intense and seems to know just what to say at the right time to keep you going.  I have noticed in this program (from when I started it before and didn't finish and also from the workout today) that is doesn't seem as personable in this workout and doesn't have as many "one-liners" as he does from his other programs (maybe it's because he has hair in this program?  haha).  Still, he is a great instructor, always cues appropriately and tells/shows you what the moves are going to be, and pushes you every step of the way!  I'm really looking forward to completing this program with him!