(**Affiliate Post: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.)

***Hey everyone! I posted a more recent update on this post here.  So after you finish reading this, head over there to see what else I had to say about this awesome app!

So, I am a self-professed hater of traditional strength training… or at least I was.

I mean, I’ve read all the articles about how beneficial lifting weights is, especially as I age (*cough* who’s aging?!).  I just could never get into it.  When I walk into a gym, which is rare, I head straight for the cardio machines. I might spend a while doing some core work on the mats afterwards and then I’m pretty much done.  Other than yoga, Pilates, or the occasional kickboxing class, I really had no interest in any other exercise.  And then the FitBod workout app entered my life.

It happened when an old friend posted about how much they were loving this new app called FitBod.  Being the health info junkie I am, I was intrigued.  Especially since this postpartum journey had left me feeling really weak.  So I decided to downloaded it and complete their free trial.  I was immediately hooked!!

Here is what you are looking for in the app store (WAIT!! Don’t download until you read all the way to the end for a little surprise!!):

Here are some shots of what the app looks like as a user:

What I love about FitBod:

• I don’t have to think about my workout: It’s done for me.  Every day.  I just open up the app, look at what’s listed and go for it.  No thinking involved.   I realize how that was probably my biggest hang up with weights.  I know how to progress reps and weight.  I know how to balance training sessions.  I just, honestly, don’t have the time or energy to map out a plan for every session.  This little app does it all for me.
• I can edit: ok, maybe a little thinking.  Sometimes, I don’t want a certain exercise or sometimes I want to push my reps or my weight more than what the app lists.  Sometimes, I just have extra time and want to add in more things.  No problem!  You can delete, replace, or add exercises easily.  Your workout is set for you, yet totally customizable.
• You can turn on and off the rest timer:  I don’t have crazy amounts of time to workout.  I like to keep moving and keep my heart rate up, so often I superset exercises back to back.  If I do choose to rest between sets, then there is a handy timer that tells you how long you should be resting.  Again, customize it for however works for you.  Oh and speaking of timers, there is also a nice little timer for exercises that are timed rather than repetition-based so you don’t have to toggle between apps to make sure you hold you plank long enough… super helpful!
• I don’t need to leave home or pay a trainer: Yes, the app costs money, but it’s significantly less expensive than a gym membership + a trainer.  I don’t have to go anywhere or try to juggle a trainer appointment into my schedule.  For this stay-at-home mom with a travelling hubby, this app is Ah. Maz. Ing.  I can get in my workout during little one’s nap and be done for the day.  No fuss.
• If you do go to the gym, your workout options are endless:  TRX, resistance bands, bosu ball, dumbbell, barbell, etc, etc.  You literally have exercises for every piece of gym equipment.  Which is awesome if going to the gym is more your jam.  My husband is a huge gym guy and loves this app too.  And when he is on the road, he can adjust his workout based on what equipment is available to him… again, super helpful.
• You can edit your workout for the equipment, or time, or experience level, or muscle group focus you have/want.  Did I mention the ability to customize yet?  I work on the muscle tone goal.  My husband works on the strength training goal, but you could also pick general fitness, bodybuilding, or powerlifting as goals.  The options are endless.
• Instructions: Most of the time I know the exercise based on the title, but sometimes I don’t.  No problem.  You can see detailed instructions and short videos of all the exercises so there is no guessing, but you also don’t have to sit through talking (like in a workout video or class) when you already know what you are doing.

My list of wants (it’s short):

• A little more variety here and there:  So I’ve been exercising in various forms and teaching fitness classes for a long time.  I will say that sometimes I wish there was a touch more variations for some of the muscle groups (although my husband disagrees with me on this).  I mean there are at least 4 ways I can think of to do body weight oblique exercises and the app lists 1.  Eh.  I know more so I mix it up.  (p.s.  I know, I’m adding a plus into the wants section, but I can’t help it!   It’s important to add that all I have are dumbbells and an ab roller and I have never not liked one of my workouts).
• Some moves require real instruction:  I have myself listed as an “intermediate” level exerciser (again, like everything else, you can customize this) and every now and then I get an exercise that I know better than to try without someone instructing me.  Cleans are an example.  I’ve never done a barbell clean, let alone a dumbbell one, and I’m not about to try it by myself.  You don’t have to think a lot with this app but, like every exercise program, you do have to be smart about your limitations and seek assistance when necessary.  If you don’t know how to do something and, even after reading instructions, you’re unsure about proper form… skip it and replace the exercise with something else.  All you have to do is swipe left.  I guess this really isn’t a “want” so much as a PSA.

Final thoughts:

1. I feel like a Rock Star: I have never felt stronger or better about myself after any other workout.  I don’t know what it is about weights that makes you feel like you can move mountains, but that’s how I feel after a good FitBod workout.  It’s the best.  Really.
2. I feel like a Rock Star: oh I’m sorry, did I repeat myself?  It’s been about 8 weeks of using the app now and I am starting to notice muscles popping out of places where I did not see them before (did you see my social media photo?!  I think those are actual biceps in my arms!!) and I’m hitting some personal records…huge plus!  But I need to reiterate the above.  There was a time when I didn’t see any progress but how good I felt after my workouts kept me going.  Focus on the way you feel in your body, not the way it looks in the mirror and you will always win.

And since you got this far, my favorite workout app, FitBod, and I decided you needed a little treat:

FitBod has offered a tremendous discount to Healthy As Heck readers! You could gain a personalized workout experience for under $4/month!!  I’ve never seen a deal this awesome!

All you have to do is go to their website or click this link: FitBod

**REMINDER: you MUST go to their website to obtain this amazing discount.  The app store won’t let you use promo codes, so if you want it, you must type the address above into your browser or click the link which will take you directly to it!!**

(*updated* full disclosure: When I originally posted this article, I was not in an affiliate position with FitBod.  I just loved this app and wanted to tell you about it so I contacted FitBod to ask for permission to use some images.  They passed along this little gift because they are the best! The response to this article has been amazing and I’m so happy so many people have decided to give FitBod a try!  Because of the big turnout, FitBod has offered to provide me with a small referral commission.  This affiliate relationship does not cost you anything, but simply means that if you use my referral code when you sign up, I will receive a small referral fee that I use to maintain this website.  Not one word of this post has been altered since this change and it never will.   I will continue to only recommend products that I actually use and love!)

Send me a message on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or use the little “like” star below if you try it and love it just as much as I do! Let me know how it goes for you!

And….

Here are some of my other current fav workout products that I’m using during every single sweat session:

I sweat ALOT.  This little guy is a lifesaver, and it’s cute, and it has little inspirational words stitched on one end…  perfection:

Perfect for floor exercises.  Crunches would be brutal on my hardwood floor without this:

I mean, I love these.  Just a short twist and you can increase or decrease your weight.  Easy peazy:

I wear this all day.  I use it to track my heart rate and calorie expenditure during workouts.  I also track how much I am sitting during the day (it tells you if you’ve been sitting too long which is a huge plus).  I have a handy mindfulness breathing app too, which I adore when you need a quick destress moment.  Oh, and I can read my texts and emails when my child won’t let me get to me phone…win, win, win:

A friend of mine (and another fitness junkie) had this Polar Fitness Watch and loved it.  This would be a  great option if Apple isn’t your thing, but you still want a really good watch and fitness tracker:

If you like separate weights or the bowflex ones look a little crazy to you I have a couple of these too.  I still use them when the Bowflex pair are too bulky for certain moves:

Happy Sweating, folks!