MBF (Muscle Burns Fat) Review: Beachbody Program

To kick off 2021, I was all about finding an exercise program that challenged me and gave me a GOOD workout in ~30 minutes. I was in phase 1 of Morning Meltdown 100 and was just NOT feeling it. I needed something to step in STAT but also needed it to be mostly low impact due to my Legg Calve Perthes hip. I decided to try Beachbody’s MBF (Muscle Burns Fat), which looked like a good fit for me.

Background on Beachbody’s MBF program:

• MBF is available through Beachbody On Demand and is led by (newer) trainer Megan Davies.
• It’s a 21-day program, each day is unique although every Monday is Lower Body Burn, Tuesdays are Core Circuit, etc.
• Each week she has one move throughout every program (ex. mountain climbers) but then you don’t see that move again the rest of the program.
• Each program is about 30-35 minutes start to finish.
• Each day uses a “BOD Rope,” which is an indoor jump rope.
  Note! You do not need to get the $30 ropes from Beachbody (reminder: Beachbody charges for shipping too!). I got my weighted ropeless jump ropes from Amazon for $15, with free shipping.
• Megan incorporates a variety of different tactics like repetition, momentum moves, asymmetrical moves and more.
• This program uses a variety of weights: light, medium and heavy.
• There is a designated modifier you can follow lower impact version of each move, if needed.

“Your mind’s going to stop you before your body needs to stop.”

Megan Davies

After going through all 21 days, below is my honest review of Beachbody’s MBF program:

• From the start, the MBF format screamed “I was filmed during the coronavirus pandemic!” Perhaps because we’re still in the pandemic, but also because the participants are all logged on virtually from home.
• Megan is SUPER sweet and does a really great job of talking you through the moves with timely corrections. I really enjoyed her personality.
• For the most part, Megan does the moves with you. She even admits to struggling too– hooray for being human!
• The indoor jump ropes are surprisingly useful. I thought I could get away with just pretending to jump rope, but no, the ropes really work your wrists and lower arms. Buy them now!
• Most of the moves are simple, but you do a lot of reps. It can get momentarily boring, but the next day I was always sore!
• I really loved the asymmetrical moves. They BURNED but they make such a difference!
• Megan uses every minute of the program, but she also sticks to the 30-35 minutes, which I appreciated so much. Every minute counts!

• As I got more comfortable with the program, MBF motivated me to continually challenge myself through increasing weights, beating my previous AMRAP day or giving it my all on the last move of the day.
• Most of the moves in MBF worked multiple muscles at a time.
• I loved most of Megan’s outfits and definitely wished Beachbody would provide a shopping list with the program materials. (This is important information people!)
• The MBF weight trackers were super helpful week over week. I could see how much stronger I got and could make sure I pushed myself.
• There was very little time to switch weights between sets, which is good to keep up the burn, but not ideal if you plan to use adjustable dumbells. I used my Bowflex ones to push myself on leg day but glad I had lighter individual weights.
• She doesn’t do surprise “bonus” moves. THANK YOU MEGAN!

And… in case you like people watching too, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing each participant working out in their home. It made me feel like I was just one of them while snooping into their lives a bit. And, I laughed out loud when someone at Paulie’s house came downstairs to get a snack from the kitchen in the background. Sometimes, it’s the little things.

“Enjoy the struggle. That’s how you know you’re growing.”

Megan Davies

Overall, I really enjoyed Beachbody’s MBF program. I completed the 21 workouts in 30 days because I mixed it with running my Yes.Fit virtual races and a few rest days. I maintained weight and definitely got stronger as the weeks went by. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new program to try, whether you’re new to working out or have worked out regularly; this was a solid program.

Plus, it’s so much fun to put your weights to good use, isn’t it? Sometimes, I take pictures of the aftermath, just because.

Have you tried Beachbody’s MBF or are you thinking of trying it? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Comment below!