Body Gospel

If you’re a Christian and a person of faith, you know that as it says in the Bible, “faith without works is dead”.  If you want to lose weight, you can’t just hope and pray that the pounds disappear.  You’ve got to get moving!  Regardless of your faith, it takes initiative to get things done and Body Gospel is a DVD workout program that aims to inspire you to achieve your weight-loss goals through regular aerobic workout sessions.  It may not be, as the product claims a “breakthrough concept” but here’s a look to see if it might inspire you to reach your goals.

What is Body Gospel?

As mentioned, Body Gospel is a guided DVD workout program.  Each workout session is led by fitness celebrity Donna Richardson Joyner, who is well-known for her “faith-based” workout routines.  What this all boils down to is that you are doing basic aerobics while listening to contemporary Christian gospel music.  The program claims to be different than other DVD workout programs in that it is “faith-based” (set to Christian pop music and each session starts with a prayer) and is less dance-based.

More specifically the package includes the following DVD-led workouts:

• “Body Revival” cardio workout
• “Power and Praise” interval training workout with resistance bands
• “Gospel Glory” cardio workout
• “Strength and Spirit” strength and cardio workout
• “Core Revelation” core workout
• “Stretch in the Spirit” stretch and flexibility routine

The 6 DVD programs also come along with a 30-day calendar, nutrition guide, resistance bands, and some inspirational quotes.  As a “bonus” you also get a 20-minute workout CD, 3-day intensive workout routine, and a “live” DVD of a Body Gospel routine filmed with a gospel choir.

How much does Body Gospel cost?

The program is listed at $80 plus $15 shipping.  This is a lower price than many of the other products from the same company.

Body Gospel Conclusion

Donna Richardson Joyner is certainly a very enthusiastic and charismatic person, which may be a lot of the reason why many people enjoy the program.  It is also fair to say that there are not a lot of programs out there that incorporate specifically Christian music into the workouts.  This may be motivational for some and somewhat “gimmicky” or even “cheesy” for others.  This is not to put down the faith aspect of the program, but only the style choices of the workouts.

As for what really matters – cost and effectiveness, it is unclear that Donna’s workout program itself is really the best way to lose weight.  It incorporates some very basic aerobic moves but ultimately isn’t all that intense.  Certainly if you follow the program faithfully you should see some results, but for $95 we think it is relying too much on the fact that it is Christian to sell itself.