If you are looking for a quick and easy, but intense way to drop a few pounds, I would like you to read about two of my favorite workouts. Let’s compare Chalene Johnson and her PiYo program to Autumn Calabrese, who designed the 21 Day Fix.
I will tell you about some of the highlights on two of the best programs out there for quick weight loss.
| 21 Day Fix | PiYo | |
|---|---|---|
| Created by | Autumn Calabrese | Chalene Johnson |
| Best for | A deadline — a reunion, a wedding, a set date | Yoga and Pilates fans who want it faster-paced |
| Equipment | Portion containers, light weights sometimes | None. A mat if you want one. |
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Who These Programs Are For
The PiYo program was created for anyone that wants to get into shape. You don’t need to be a seasoned athlete — it’s described as a program for beginner/intermediate exercisers.
If you are familiar with yoga and pilates, you will enjoy this program and will benefit greatly from it.
The 21 Day Fix program was designed for people that have a deadline to meet and need to get into shape by a certain date. Maybe you are having a 20-year class reunion or getting married in a month — this program is for you.
You will eat a portion controlled diet and have 30-minute workouts, so there is very little to think about except dropping some weight.
The Diet Side
The 21 Day Fix food plan is built around 21 day portion control containers. Let me explain this. The program comes with the 21-day diet plan and 7 colored portion control containers you prepare your meals in — though these days, since 21 Day Fix runs through the BODi app instead of shipping DVDs, the containers themselves are something you buy separately. I’ve got a whole page on the containers on their own if that’s what brought you here.
These containers help you control how much you eat of different food groups, and you consume just what your body needs to stay healthy on this program. You won’t be tempted to overeat.
By using these containers and following the plan, you never have to count calories in everything you put in your mouth. Read my full 21 Day Fix review to learn more about it.
With the PiYo Program, you’re given a nutritional food plan that’s easy to follow, determined by questions you fill out in their diet guide. It works with 5 different groups of foods — primary veggies, secondary veggies and grains, fruit, lean protein, and healthy fats.
You will have 3 main meals, 2-3 snacks every 2.5 hours. Eating something every 2.5 hours keeps your metabolism working.
Kinds of Exercises and Equipment Used
With the 21 Day Fix, you get 6 different 30-minute workouts to follow. Each one concentrates on a different part of the body — upper body, resistance exercises, lower body, cardio, aerobic, some pilates and yoga. With this workout you’ll sometimes use light weights.
The 30-minute workouts are built to tone your body while burning fat and strengthening your cardiovascular system. You’ll be pumping oxygen-rich blood to all parts of your body, so your endurance increases and the fat comes off.
Try PiYo if you’re more familiar with yoga and pilates but want something that moves faster than a typical class. The entire workout is built around yoga and pilates, done at a faster pace without the extended holds. The pilates moves strengthen your back and core, while the yoga increases flexibility, tones muscle, and burns fat — all while keeping you moving.
You don’t need any equipment with PiYo. You may want a yoga mat, but it’s not necessary — just do what makes you comfortable.
PiYo’s Current Availability
PiYo is still available through a BODi subscription, but as of this writing it no longer has its own dedicated program page on bodi.com the way 21 Day Fix does — I checked directly and it 404s. It’s still in the app, buried in a catalog of 225+ programs now instead of front and center. If you’re weighing these two on how much current support each one gets, 21 Day Fix wins that easily.
How Long Do These Programs Take?
21 Day Fix is called that because it takes roughly 21 days to form a new habit around healthier eating, along with the exercise routine. Nothing stops you from starting another round after you finish the first one — keep going until you reach your goal, then keep going after that to stay fit for life.
PiYo will also help you control your eating and lose weight, and you can stick with it as long as you want. The workouts are low-impact and great for people with limited mobility, but they’re still intense. If you’ve got a permanent injury that limits your motion, this is a workout worth considering — no weights, no jumping around with your arms and legs flying everywhere. It won’t destroy your body; it’ll help strengthen it. Most people see their best results somewhere around 60-90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
I hate counting calories — which program is best for me?
The 21 Day Fix would be your best bet, with the portion control containers doing the counting for you.
I had knee surgery a year ago — can I do either program?
I’d lean toward PiYo, since it’s low-impact — Cleveland Clinic’s own guidance on returning to exercise after joint surgery points toward the same kind of low-to-moderate-impact activity. A year out is still worth a quick check with your surgeon or physical therapist before starting either program, since every knee and every surgery is different.
I don’t feel like I’ve worked out if I don’t sweat — should I go with 21 Day Fix?
You’d be a good match with 21 Day Fix, since the exercises are more intense if you don’t have any physical restrictions holding you back. You’ll also use some weights.
Is there a schedule to print out and follow?
Yes for 21 Day Fix — the full weekly calendar is in my 21 Day Fix review, with a print button built right in. I don’t have a PiYo calendar built out yet.
The Final Decision
There’s no miracle for weight loss in either PiYo or 21 Day Fix, so you probably already know it’ll take dedication for either one to work. Both are proven programs, easy to follow, and will create weight loss — it really does come down to personal preference.
In a nutshell: with PiYo you’ll lose weight doing low-impact exercise, and you’ll be encouraged and motivated by an inexpensive, proven program. The 21 Day Fix will help you break old habits and form new ones, lose weight by focusing on both diet and exercise, and it hands you the tools to do it.
Personally, I’m doing PiYo until my shoulder is all healed, and then I want to do the 21 Day Fix. Good luck on your decision — just get out there and dedicate yourself to it.
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