Beachbody on Demand or Cathe on Demand?

If your original plan to get in shape involved signing up for a gym membership and hasn’t quite worked out like you envisioned then I have a solution for you—On Demand fitness.

But which on demand workout membership is right for you? There are several out there to choose from but Beachbody on Demand and Cathe on Demand are two of my favorites.

I’m going to break down both On Demand memberships for you in this post.

For the last 3 years I’ve had a membership to both of these On Demand sites (I can’t really afford this but hey, some people buy a new purse every month, I buy fitness stuff.  I also belong to 4 fitness subscription apparel sites like this one.  It’s a problem.).

My point—I can give you all the Behind-the-Scenes realities of the Beachbody on Demand and Cathe On Demand memberships.

*Read to the end to find a pretty graphic showing a side by side comparison of features.

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The Beachody on Demand and Cathe on Demand Websites

Beachbody on Demand

Beachbody on Demand features all of the programs you’ve seen running in a continuous infomercial loop on TV for the last decade.  You’ll recognize Shaun T, Tony Horton, Chalene Johnson and a bunch of other fitness pros/stars.

Cathe on Demand

Cathe on Demand stars Cathe Friedrich.  If you’re not familiar with her then I’m so happy you’re here.  She’s a total badass (at the same level of any of the Beachbody superstars).

If you’re committed to exercising at home then you need to get to know Cathe Friedrich.

The Workouts

Beachbody on Demand

Beachbody has an instructor and a program for everybody.

You can find strength training (check out the Body Beast series) or cardio (try any Insanity workout) or a mix of both.  You’ll also get access to plenty of kickboxing options (TurboFire/TurboJam and Core De Force*), dance and yoga routines.

>>*Check out Everything You Want to Want to Know About Core De Force

Beachbody has workout options of varying lengths and intensities. 

If you have dumbbells and a pull-up bar you can do more (you’ll need equipment for the P90X and Body Beast workouts) of the routines in the BOD library of workouts.

But if you don’t have any equipment (and don’t plan to buy any) then you still have choices of routines with Insanity, Insanity Max:30, Core De Force, TurboFire and a bunch of other routines.

*What’s missing in the Beachbody library? 

You won’t find any workouts that use an exercise (aerobic) step in Beachbody.

*UPDATE>>Shaun T’s newest program called Transform 20 is awesome and uses and aerobic step! Read my full review of Transform 20!

Cathe on Demand

Cathe Friedrich has a program for whatever exercise style you’re looking for.

She has several sets of workouts that focus on a specific type of training (for example the Hiit series of videos focuses on incorporating high intensity interval training into each workout, and the Strong and Sweaty series has a sculpting component within each routine) but then she has a variety of workouts within each series that takes you deeper into cardio, strengthening or both.

With the Cathe on Demand membership you have access to over 400 workouts that include everything from classic step aerobics and athletic step aerobics, kickboxing, traditional weight-lifting and yoga to spin workouts, boxing, barre and core routines.  All of Cathe’s programs are included in a Cathe on Demand membership.

You won’t get a variety of instructors (it’s always Cathe Friedrich) but you won’t need anyone else.

Cathe is an incredible athlete (and never trips my annoyance radar like some of the Beachbody instructors do).

Cathe Friedrich workouts are advanced.  You won’t have to wonder if a new routine is hard or not.   There’s an unwritten promise that if Cathe Friedrich is leading the routine then you’re about to get your ass kicked.  Pansies need not sign up.

What’s missing in the Cathe on Demand library? 

There’s nothing that compares to Cize or Hip Hop Abs in Cathe’s arsenal of routines. (Cize and Hip Hop Abs are both dance-based Beachbody programs.)

Pricing of Beachbody on Demand vs. Cathe on Demand

So now you’ve come to the part you’ve been waiting for.

This is where you compare the price of these On Demand workouts to a gym membership.

Remember you have to factor in the cost of gas and the value of your time (packing a gym bag, commuting, waiting for equipment, etc.).

To be fair you might add the cost of equipment into the On Demand membership, though.  (Although there are some options that don’t require any equipment).

*Beachbody on Demand and Cathe on Demand occasionally have special offers that may effect these prices.  To get the best deal, check for any current specials before you sign up.

Beachbody on Demand

*There’s a Beachbody on Demand free trial period then 3 options:

1) 3-month membership for  $38.87

2) 6-month membership for $59

3) 12-month membership for $99

Helpful Resources:

FAQ page for Beachbody on Demand

Sign Up for a FREE TRIAL of Beachbody on Demand

Cathe on Demand

*Cathe Friedrich’s On Demand service includes access to her Live workouts.  (You can also get a membership to JUST her Live workouts.  The link will take you to a Pinterest page that shows samples of Cathe’s Live routines.)

There are 3 options for Cathe on Demand (the pricing for JUST Cathe Live is less):

1.) $19.97/month

2.) $120/6 months

3.) $240/12 months

Helpful Resources:

Email support with any questions (they usually answer within 24 hours): support@shopcathe.com

More information about Cathe on Demand.

The Extras in each Membership

Beachbody on Demand

Cathe on Demand

There are apps (Beachbody on Demand app, Cathe on Demand app) for each membership so you’re able to access your workouts anytime, anywhere.  No excuses, people.

My favorite Extra in Beachbody on Demand (BOD)?

Challenge Du Jour and Yoga studio

Challenge Du Jour (CDJ) is an option in your Beachbody on Demand membership where Beachbody spits out an entire week of workout programs for you.

If your life leaves you lacking the mental energy to rifle through all of the choices on BOD (I can relate to this) and decide what workout to do then you can let CDJ pick out your routine for you.  Nice!

UPDATE>>As of late 2018 Beachbody on Demand has cancelled the Challenge Du Jour option ‘due to low usage’.  Bummer.

Yoga Studio is an entire section in your BOD membership devoted to yoga.  There are a ton of routines with different instructors and programs of varying lengths and disciplines.

I don’t do a lot of yoga but when I’m in the mood to Namaste I know I have a lot of options with Yoga studio.

My favorite Extra in Cathe on Demand?

Live workouts and premix routines

When you sign up for Cathe on Demand you also get access to her library of Live workouts.  I personally love this.

Every now and then I want to feel like I’m working out at the gym (without actually going to the gym).

The live workouts are filmed live (duh) with no editing or fancy studio.  It’s real life, girls.

The premix workouts are all the additional routines that Cathe puts on (almost) every Cathe Friedrich individual video.  These routines are a remix of the same workout with extra intervals blended in or taken out (some are much longer than the main routine and some are shorter ‘Timesaver’ options).

*Don’t underestimate a premix workout.  They feel like an entirely different routine.

Premix routines are what got me hooked on buying Cathe Friedrich videos in the first place. (A $15-$20 video is SO worth it when you’re getting 4-10 additional workouts).

Cancellation Policies

You can cancel your BOD membership at any time during the free trial and avoid any costs.  The refund eligibility period (for BOD) is for 30 days from the last billing date.*

*Please remember to check if this information has changed before you sign up.

As per Cathe’s site, you can cancel a monthly membership to Cathe on Demand at any time.  There are no refunds for early cancellations of any of the membership options.

Here’s my handy comparison graphic.  Keep reading for my recommendations.

My Recommendation

If there was one right answer I wouldn’t keep paying for both of these services. 

I recommend you ask yourself a few questions to help you decide which membership is right for you.

What are your fitness goals?

Get in shape?  Stay in shape?  Good.  Either On Demand service can help with these goals.

What kinds of workouts do you typically do at home?  Are you more likely to do workouts that use an aerobic step AND have weight training?

Now you can start to narrow things down a bit.  I think.

If you love workouts that use an aerobic step (like I do) then you may want to start off with Cathe Friedrich’s service.

You can get weight training with either On Demand membership.

Do you own, or are you willing to buy, some equipment?

If you have NO PLANS to purchase equipment then you’ll get the most workout options with Beachbody on Demand.

But I recommend you get some equipment.  Maybe you’d rather punch yourself in the face than learn to do a pull-up (if that’s you then don’t buy a pull-up bar) but adding workouts that use dumbbells to your exercise routine will really take your body (and fitness) to the next level.

If you need help with selecting your dumbbells then check out A Woman’s Guide to Buying Dumbbells.

How much space do you have to exercise at home?

You’re more likely to need extra space to do Cathe Friedrich routines than most of the Beachbody workouts.

But please DO NOT let this deter you from trying Cathe Friedrich.

There are a few Beachbody routines that require just as much space as any Cathe workout (Core De Force, for one).

Were you about to purchase Insanity Max:30 or any of the workouts from Beachbody?

Remember BOD has Cize, Piyo, Core De Force, 21-Day Fix, Country Heat and 22-Minute Hard Corps…

If you were about to go buy any of the Insanity (including Max:30, original Insanity or Asylum) or P90X (P90X, P90X2 or P90X3) programs then STOP.  Sign up for BOD instead and try them all out during your free trial period.

What’s the best way to figure out which On Demand service will work best for you?

I don’t want to overstate it but You’re Trying To Change Your Life, right?  (And we all like change about as much as a colonoscopy so you need to make this as fun as possible.)

If you’re still undecided (or love both options like me) then here’s my recommendation—try them both out for yourself.  See which program motivates you to exercise.

In a way comparing Beachbody on Demand and Cathe on Demand is like comparing two gyms.

They’re both places to go exercise but you’re going to get a completely different experience with each of them.

If cost is the only thing that matters then BOD is obviously more affordable.  (I wish Cathe on Demand had a comparable price and/or a free trial period).

But remember that you’re going to get a different experience with each program.

If your goal is to find an On Demand service that will motivate you to exercise then paying for a service you don’t use (because it’s cheaper) isn’t the answer.

That’s why I’d really encourage you to try both of them out before you decide.

You can sign up for a free trial with Beachbody on Demand.  If you cancel before the end of the trial period then you’ve lost nothing.

As for Cathe on Demand I recommend that you sign up for one month ($19.97) and see what you think.  (Seriously, no complaining, we all spend more than $20 on coffee every week.)

For either of these memberships I recommend that (until you’re 100% certain that you’ll use the service regularly) you sign up for a monthly membership. 

That way you’ll get a reminder every month (when you pay your credit card bill) about that On Demand service you may have forgotten about. 

Once you get used to the program you can switch over to one of the lump sum payment options.

A few more helpful tips:

Beachbody on Demand ‘Voice Support Team’ number is 800-470-7870 (I’ve had better luck with the live person than the online Chat support. Update-The chat feature is not longer a thing…))

Cathe on Demand has great customer service.  Email questions to support@shopcathe.com

I recommend reading these posts (they’ll answer all your questions and tell you exactly how to sign up) if you want even more information before you decide:

How to Sign up for Cathe Live or Cathe on Demand + Live

How to Use Your Cathe Live or Cathe on Demand + Live Membership

Beachbody on Demand: 5 Reasons to Give it a Try

Want to read about 2 more workout out demand services? Here you go:

A review of Daily Burn

A review of Les Mills on Demand

Thanks for reading!