Streaming workout programs are amazing. They allow you to have access to expert fitness training right from the comfort of your own home.

Whether you’re into yoga, Pilates, HIIT, strength training, or anything in between, you can find a fitness streaming app that will cover everything you want and more.

And it makes sense because the global interactive fitness industry is exploding right now. In fact, it’s predicted to increase by 5.44 billion between 2020 and 2024, according to Business Wire.

I’ll venture to bet that that number is even higher now that we’re in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. Especially when we see stats like the one that Daily Burn recently shared with Market Watch. According to a Daily Burn rep, their sales increased by 268% from March 2019 to March 2020.

This steep increase in at-home fitness equipment and programming means that brands that were already running a streaming app are seeing a sharp increase in customers and new apps and platforms are launching all the time.

Which is likely what led you here to answer this question: Neou or Beachbody? Beachbody is a well-known pillar in the online streaming fitness industry and Neou has just recently launched its streaming service; so which one gives you the most bang for your buck?

Speaking of new launches, earlier this year, Beachbody and MYX Fitness announced their merger. With this announcement came the exciting release of the Beachbody MYX II Bike and the live, interactive BODi platform, both of which are sure to garner a ton of attention in the fitness industry.

In this article, I’m walking you through both programs and putting them head to head so that you choose which one makes the most sense for you, your style, and your goals.

Why Choose an At-Home Streaming Workout App?

There are so many benefits to working out at home. Personally, I’ve been doing it for years, ever since the birth of my first child almost 5 years ago. Prior to having kids, going to the gym was relatively easy. After that, it’s been more difficult.

I enjoy working out early in the morning while the rest of my family is still asleep. So streaming workouts are my jam. I have tried so many platforms over the last 5 years that I have some pretty great insight to share about them all.

Here are just a few of the reasons why streaming workout apps are awesome:

• They’re so convenient! All you need to do is que up a workout on your phone, tablet, or tv and you’re ready to go
• Most of the time there is little to no equipment needed. Not too many of us have epic home gyms set up, so it’s important that the workouts we choose are accessible.
• There’s a ton of variety. For the majority of streaming fitness apps, they offer tons of options so that you can choose what makes the most sense for you today.
• They’re really affordable. Compare the cost of most apps with the cost of maintaining a gym membership and you’re easily saving yourself hundreds of dollars per year.
• You can do them whenever you want! No need to wait for a scheduled group fitness class or to abide by gym hours, you can workout whenever it’s convenient for you.
• No one will see what you look like. Intimidated to join a gym? Don’t feel like looking cute for that Saturday morning yoga session? Whether you’re worried about your form or your outfit, when you workout from the comfort of your own home, you can focus on yourself and get better without comparing yourself to others or letting the fear of judgement hold you back.

Neou Vs. Beachbody: Similarities and Differences

I’ll preface this by saying that I have personally used both of these platforms, so I am very well-versed in the nuances of both.

I think the best way to demonstrate the similarities and differences between these two platforms is to show you in a table. Take a look!

The Main Differences

As you can see from the table above, these platforms are pretty similar. However, there are some important distinctions that you should be aware of so that you can make the best decision for you and your goals.

Beachbody On Demand does not offer live classes and their workouts are all part of dedicated programs. Every few months, they release a new workout program (first to their coaches, then to those who pay extra for early access, and finally to those who have a BOD membership). The new programs can range between anything from cardio without equipment to strength training with a myriad of equipment.

I have always liked Beachbody’s programming, I’ve done several programs, including 21 Day Fix and LIIFT 4, but I don’t find that I use that platform much anymore. Once you’re done with a program, you’re left to wait for the next, which may or may not be a style that you like or that works for your schedule or accessibility to the required equipment.

When it comes to Neou, they do things a little differently. Not only do they offer live classes, but they also have a giant library of on-demand options that don’t necessarily need to be taken in any kind of sequential order or as a part of a specific program, although they do have those options, too. Neou is very new to the market, but they have already come out the gate competing with the mega-popular Obe Fitness (see our full article on matching obe up against neou here).

One thing that is really unique about Neou is that they position themselves as a platform where your favorite online instructors get the opportunity to reach the masses with their workouts. It allows users the opportunity to try out a ton of different workout styles and get to connect with their favorite instructions on a cohesive, easy-to-use, cutting-edge platform. You can choose what type of workout you want each day, the length, and the instructor and the app will track your output, your progress, and more.

Pros and Cons of Each

BeachBody On Demand

Pros:

✔ Dozens of highly recommended workout programs

✔ Popular instructors

✔ Easy to stream from anywhere

✔ All programs come with access to their nutrition programs

✔ BOD community and coaches to help motivate you

Cons:

❌ Workouts can be rather long in some programs

❌ Many programs require extensive equipment

❌ Not great for a la carte type workouts

❌ You have to wait for new programs to be released, which takes and you may not like the new modality they come out with

Go to Beachbody

NEOU Fitness

Pros:

✔ Tons of programs to choose from

✔ Access to some of the top instructors in the fitness industry

✔ Choose your favorite style of workout and length

✔ The app is brand new and easy to use, featuring cutting edge technology

✔ If you live in NYC, you can visit their innovative NYC workout space

✔ Progress tracking and achievement recognition

✔ Accessible for all levels – start from where you are and build your way up!

✔ Easily stream from any device

Cons:

✅ There’s so much variety that you may feel overwhelmed with choices

Final Thoughts: Which one should you choose?

In the battle between Beachbody on Demand and NEOU, there is one clear winner, in my opinion, and it’s NEOU. I choose this platform for a number of reasons, but the main reason is that I think it appeals to a broader audience and satisfies the needs and preferences of more than Beachbody.

As I said, I have always liked Beachbody, but I find that their programming and platform is outdated now. Today, we all love the option to take live classes, whether that’s on a connected home fitness bike or on your mat in your living room, and BOD has yet to implement such a feature. Additionally, I think their model of having Beachbody “coaches” is a little outdated and irrelevant. Anyone can be a “coach” and that’s a little scary, if you ask me.

NEOU offers a Free 30-day trial, which is very generous and practically unheard of in the industry. And then access to their full app is just $49.99 per year or $12.99 per month if you choose the monthly plan. With such a generous trial offer and affordable subscription price, it’s honestly a no-brainer.

If you’re still stuck choosing which workout platform to invest in, I highly recommend that you go ahead with the 30-day free trial of NEOU and test it out for a month, that’s plenty of time to decide if you want to sign up for a paid membership. BOD, on the other hand, allows only a 14-day free trial, which means you won’t even be able to get through one of their workout programs before your trial is up and you’re forced to make a decision

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