Figure 8 Fitness

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Figure 8 Fitness is a home-based, eight-week workout program that combines competitive Latin dance training with core strengthening exercises to help you tone your abs and shed unwanted pounds.

The plan claims that it can help you build a six-pack without the boredom that comes with basic ab workouts.

This fitness program was founded by Jaana Kunitz, a Latin DanceSport world medal winner and certified fitness trainer who is famous for her dance-inspired workout routines.

The program includes 14 classes and instructional videos that are split into three phases, each of which is designed to help you progressively challenge your body.

Is Figure 8 Fitness the right option for you? We tested this program and shared our analysis below to help you decide.

How Does Figure 8 Fitness Work?

Figure 8 Fitness is a workout based on the idea of Dynamic Core Cardio Training.

This is a term unique to the program, which it defines as an innovative approach to cardio where you combine your body’s natural movement patterns with three-dimensional exercises that keep your core muscles firing as you remain in an optimal cardio zone.

In other words, Figure 8 Fitness helps you train your muscles in three planes: forward and backward, side-to-side, and rotational. This helps you build up a flexible, toned midsection.

Signing up for Figure 8 Fitness is a simple process, especially as the company is currently offering a 30-day free trial for all new subscribers.

Once I made it in, I had the option to start accessing the online videos or join the closed Facebook group.

The main BodyFX platform gave me access to lots of Figure 8 Fitness resources, including a Quick Start guide, the basic program, and supplementary programs.

As a Figure 8 Fitness beginner, I began with Figure 8 Basic. The program starts off with a five-minute intro video that sets up the eight-week plan.

It also includes an eight-week daily workout schedule as well as a 47-page nutrition guide and progress tracker where you can record your before and after measurements, daily food intake, and overall exercise.

The plan itself is split into three key phases: Learn, Burn, and Sculpt.

Phase 1: Learn

Phase one of the program is designed to familiarize you with the three essential core moves that are foundational for the Figure 8 Fitness program.

These classes focus on form and technique so that you learn how to keep your back straight and abs engaged during the workouts, and the fluid movement patterns necessary for completing each hip movement to improve your spine flexibility and create toning.

The program recommends you stay on phase one until you feel like you have mastered the basic moves, as the next two phases will build on them.

Phase 2: Burn

Throughout Phase 2, Jaana teaches you simple yet effective core cardio movements that you repeat in different combinations to fast-paced dance music like salsa, paso doble, jive, rumba, samba, and merengue.

These exercises are meant to keep your heart rate elevated while targeting your core muscles.

Each Phase 2 workout includes a “metabolic accelerator” segment filled with power exercises that you need to perform for about 30 seconds at a time to improve your endurance and boost your post-workout metabolism.

These dance moves might be difficult because of the combination of fast footwork, body action, and arm movements, so if you’re feeling challenged the program suggests dropping one portion of the movement and focusing on the other two.

Phase 3: Sculpt

In this final phase, Figure 8 Fitness focuses on sculpting the rest of your body through toning exercises that target your arms, back, shoulders, legs, and glutes with resistance bands for an extra level of fitness. No other equipment is required.

By the end of this phase, the program promises that you’ll be closer to achieving your ideal physique. You can continue following the program longterm to maintain your results or move on to another BodyFX program.

Working Out with Figure 8 Fitness: My Experience

Before I was ready to begin the program, I needed to learn the three core moves of Figure 8 Fitness: a pendulum hip swing, a forward thrusting core flection, and figure-eight hip gyration.

Next came the signature moves for each style of dance, including merengue, salsa, samba, and more.

The program recommends you stay on these intro videos for as long as it takes to master the moves.

If you’re following the official program, you’ll move onto your first full workout class by day five, Dance Max Drills.

Days three and four both require you to take half the One-On-One class.

Once I felt warmed up and familiar with the basic steps, it was time to take the 45-minute Dance Max class. I am not a coordinated person, so this workout series was intimidating.

Jaana led the class in a studio with four participants and a giant screen that seemed dedicated to celebrating six-packs. We started with a quick warm-up made up of the signature moves and lots of core work.

My abs were burning within minutes, and I was surprised how quickly my arms started aching from holding them overhead.

Jaana’s classes look simple when you watch them passively, but keeping up the rhythm turns the moves into a real workout.

Something great about this program is that you truly need no other equipment besides a screen.

Many home fitness programs make similar claims, but require you to at least have a yoga mat or dumbbells.

Figure 8 Fitness, in contrast, could be performed in just the space you need to take a step in each direction.

My lack of dance skills quickly became a detriment, and I struggled to stay on beat with Jaana and crew.

Thankfully, that wasn’t a deterrent for getting in a good workout. I was still keeping my heart rate high, even though I’d never be invited to Figure 8 Fitness as a background participant.

While the class started out fun and engaging, it started to feel repetitive around the 15-minute mark. Minimal changes in music and movements made it hard for me to maintain the same intensity, and the second half of the class dragged for me.

If you love to dance and need nothing but music to keep you motivated, then Figure 8 Fitness workouts will fly by and help you get in shape.

But for me, I still prefer a more straightforward workout style like running or biking.

Analysis of Customer Reviews

More than 60 customers have left reviews of Figure 8 Fitness on our website. The reviews average 4.3 stars out of five, and 81% of customers say they would recommend this program to others. Below are the key takeaways:

Common Compliments:

• High quality, engaging workouts
• Workouts fly by so users forget they are exercising
• Great value for a home fitness program
• An effective way to lose weight

Common Complaints:

• Some people never received their purchase or weren’t able to access the videos
• Customer service difficulties with the money-back guarantee
• Too challenging for beginners
• Some found Jaana slightly too chatty

Pricing

The complete set of Figure 8 Fitness classes can be purchased from the parent website, Body FX, for $47.

When you buy this program, you receive digital access to 14 video coaching and workout sessions, and you also have the option to receive DVDs of the program for an additional $10 in shipping costs.

The program comes with the following extras.

• Success Trackers: Track your results each week to monitor your fitness improvements in real-time.

• Workout Journal: A workout journal to track your exercise progress through each part of the series to help you gauge your progress and stay focused. It also lets you plan out the exercise schedule that fits your needs with the Figure 8 Full Workout Plan and Express Workout Plan.

• PDF Workout Guide: This downloadable guide offers step by step instructions for completing the Figure 8 Fitness program, along with move modifications, warm-ups, and cool-downs.

• Nutrition Blueprint: This nutritional guide is designed to help you boost your metabolism for faster workout results.

• Figure 8 Express: This fast-paced workout is meant for people who struggle to fit a full-length routine or who have joint pain that limits their endurance. It comes with access to over thirty 10-minute video-coaching and workout sessions.

You will also gain access to an Exclusive Figure 8 Fitness Facebook group that lets you build accountability with other exercisers completing the program.

Your purchase is covered by the Figure 8 Triple Guarantee, which includes a 60-day 100% money-back guarantee.

Body Fx Subscription Option

Body FX is the parent company of the Figure 8 Fitness program, and it is currently possible to become a subscriber to the entire network for $11.99 per month or $108 per year ($9/month).

This subscription lets you access to over 100 hours of video workouts offered by the brand, including the original Figure 8 Fitness program and the following:

• Figure 8 Ultimate: Elevate the Figure 8 Fitness program with some short but extra hard routines to keep you challenged.

• Figure 8 Express: Shorter takes (around ten minutes) on the original classes to give you a great workout fast.

• Figure 8 Pro: Longer, harder workouts that build off your fitness from the original program.

• JNL Fusion Basic: Lose weight and gain muscle through intense workouts led by fitness model Jennifer Nichole Lee

• JNL Fusion Advanced: Take the basic moves of JNL Fusion and bring them up a level.

• Jaana Rhythms: Feel the rhythm through dance-based movements that get you in shape.

• Challenge Workouts: A series of surprise workouts that keep you excited and engaged with the program (not suitable for beginners).

• 6 Minute Body: Get in a quick workout in six minutes to warm up and refresh yourself.

• Clean Cuisine: Access a dozen recipes and food prep tips for better success with healthy eating.

This membership also includes nutrition education materials like meal plans, daily meal suggestions, and personalized nutrition advice from a certified Sports Nutrition Specialist.

You’ll also receive daily email coaching that focuses on three areas: mindset training, fitness, and nutrition education, and the opportunity to join an online community where you can take part in program competitions for monetary prizes.

Popular Alternatives

If signing up for a monthly subscription fitness program appeals to you, a few popular alternatives to Body Fx include Beachbody On Demand, Peloton App, and Aaptiv. Here’s how they compare:

Body Fx comes in at a similar price point to many other home subscription fitness programs. However, this platform offers just a fraction of the content as its competitors.

Body FX also provides the least variety of workouts, as the majority of its offerings are cardio-focused dance classes that tone your core.

If that’s your jam for working out, then I don’t think the other platforms can fully compete. Beachbody On Demand does offer several similar programs like 80-Day Obsession and Hip Hop Abs, but you won’t get as many classes as Jaana offers with Figure 8 Fitness.

Not everyone (me included) wants dancing to stand in for traditional exercise. I’d prefer to sweat it out on a run or a spin class where I can monitor my metrics in real-time and see how I’m performing.

For me, a cardio fitness class like Figure 8 Fitness makes it challenging to gauge if I am working hard enough throughout the workout.

For those who like to keep things more varied with their workouts, each of these other platforms should be a better buy.

The Bottom Line

Figure 8 Fitness is an immersive exercise program that will keep you moving from the beginning to the end of every workout.

A one-time purchase gives you total access to the plan for life, or you can also commit to a monthly subscription through Body Fx for extra perks.

Jaana Kunitz’s fitness program is known for fostering a vibrant online community, and all members can join the program’s Facebook group to gain accountability and encouragement before beginning.

I think this program will be a hit with women who want to lose weight but don’t love traditional workouts.

The plan is easy to follow, and there are plenty of options for modifying the moves if you aren’t able to complete them as directed.

However, I found the workouts to be slightly tedious and it was a challenge to maintain any intensity.

You don’t need to be a dancer to enjoy this program—but it probably helps.

Those who prefer traditional fitness programs might find some of Figure 8 Fitness’s competitors to be a better value.

Most offer a broader range of workout options as well as larger online communities for finding support.

Each of the options mentioned above provides free trial periods, so you might want to experiment with a few before committing to a monthly subscription.