Right now, there is a trend that is running wild at Trudy Fitness Center. If you happened to peek into the lower level of the university gym lately, you may have noticed a significant number of female students working out with a series of repetitive strength training exercises with the help of a singular guide and the timer on their iPhones. This rigorous workout plan is known as the "Bikini Body Guide" or "BBG," and was designed by Australian fitness guru Kayla Itsines.
For about $70, you can buy the 13-week BBG workout regimen that promises "amazing results and a bikini-ready body" in just 12 weeks. As I watched these girls work out very hard and witnessed the amazing results and transformations of the BBG army via Instagram, I decided to give the workout plan a try.
The BBG workout plan consists of three days of workout routines. Each designated routine targets arms and abs, legs and cardio, or full body. The routines are two different seven-minute strength training circuits that you repeat twice, making each workout a total of 28 minutes.
28 minutes? That's it? That's nothing!
Or so I thought. The simplicity of the workouts were really truly deceiving. After one workout, which was shorter than one full episode of "House of Cards," I was in so much pain.
It was most definitely a good kind of pain, though. I felt as though I had just accomplished a strenuous feat I worked very hard for, and I was proud of myself. I sort of thrived off of the severe pain and soreness I endured immediately following the workout, so I continued the workout plan for another six weeks.
However by week six, I was finding that completing these workouts was becoming more of a hassle and a chore than an enjoyable and endorphin-boosting workout. My body ached in intense soreness and pain, causing me to lose my motivation to continue the BBG. Additionally, I felt as though I was becoming obsessed with tracking possible results and body transformations. Therefore, I quit the BBG and returned to my healthy and happy exercise routine.
Overall, the BBG workout regimen was a challenging one and a great workout. However, as I mentioned and have noticed with other Colgate girls using the guide, it can become addicting in an unhealthy way. I urge anyone using or considering using the BBG workout plan to do a mental health check as well while completing the workout plans. It's not worth severe physical and mental misery to attempt to achieve the "Bikini Body" that the guide or Kayla Itsines deems idealistic. Be happy and healthy in the way that's best for you, and don't let some $70 guide tell you how to achieve the best version or "bikini body ready" version of yourself.
