It’s 2024 and things are relatively normal. (Kind of).
But remember pandemics, lockdowns and training at home with no equipment? Oh, the fun we had… 🥴
Back in 2020, when gyms closed and the price of workout gear was f**king extortionate, I jumped onto a no-equipment program called Athlean Xero.
A few years later, I’ve decided to look back on this program to see what it can offer in 2024.
Please note that this is an honest review. I am NOT affiliated in any way to Athlean-X and will make absolutely ZERO money if you buy it. I just like sharing my opinions.
- What is Athlean Xero?
- How many workouts each week?
- Who is Athlean Xero for?
- What did you like about it?
- What didn’t you like?
- Does it work?
- Will you do it again?
- The Athlean Xero review verdict
What is Athlean Xero?
Athlean Xero is a zero-equipment workout program from Athlean-X, fronted by Jeff Cavaliere.
If you’ve ever watched a YouTube fitness video, you’ve almost certainly encountered Jeff – an icon in the online training world.
Athlean-X offers a myriad of online programs, but Athlean Xero is their bodyweight only program (that I can see).
It’s a creative program that relies solely on bodyweight movements, with a focus on building muscle, burning fat and creating greater athleticism. Think push-ups and bodyweight squats, but with a million variations.
You don’t need a gym membership or a home gym to complete the workouts.
In fact, you need nothing apart from your body… and a lot of mental strength.
With no equipment needed, you can see why it was so popular during the Covid lockdowns, when a single dumbbell could set you back a hundred dollars. 🙃
On the topic of price, as of October 2024, the program costs $79.95 (which is around £61 in the UK). Perhaps a little on the expensive side, but it evens out when you factor in that you don’t have to spend money on a gym membership.
How many workouts each week?
Athlean Xero takes six weeks to complete, with five workouts a week. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with a challenge on Saturday.
Break this down and you get two strength workouts, which include push-up variations, squat variations, isometric holds, and so on, all taken to failure to stimulate muscle growth.
You are also given two conditioning workouts each week. These include heart-rate-boosting movements such as mountain climbers, ninja jumps, shadow boxing and alligator walks.
This just scrapes the surface of the kinds of things you would encounter. The variation is mind blowing.
Each Saturday you are faced with a brutal conditioning-based fitness challenge, which combine exercises and leave you in a sweaty heap on the floor.
These challenges are a good way to test yourself against yourself. These are humbling workouts.
Who is Athlean Xero for?
Athlean Xero is mainly geared at people with very limited access to equipment.
In short, while you could go to a gym to perform the workouts, it would be a bit pointless.
In terms of ability, it’s aimed at people of all levels, from beginners to advanced.
However, since I last checked, they appear to have added options to decrease the difficulty of the program depending on your level.
This means that beginners can do just three days of total body workouts on either the 1° Below or 2° Below options.
While intermediate and advanced athletes will find these options too basic, it’s great to see something geared towards the beginner.
What did you like about it?
At the time, I loved the structure that Athlean Xero gave me.
During lockdown, it was difficult to stay motivated and in a routine, but having five weekly workouts set out for me made working out feel more achievable.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have had the imagination to put together a strength and conditioning plan like this, especially one using nothing but my own bodyweight.
I also enjoyed that no two workouts were the same. Yes, you would encounter push-ups and lunges over and over again, but Jeff gets surprisingly creative in how you perform these movements.
Each day you would be confronted with a session completely different to the last. If you have read my Built Like a Badass program review, you will know that I love such variation.
Finally, the program came from a trusted name in fitness. This wasn’t some random athlete – this was Jeff Cavaliere.
Jeff has long been top dog in the YouTube fitness world, so to have him distribute my daily workout felt pretty cool. You always feel that you can trust Jeff’s advice, even if his reputation did take a little hit after the whole ‘fake weights’ fiasco a few years ago… 🏋️♂️
What didn’t you like?
No Athlean Xero review would be worth anything if I didn’t highlight the negatives.
And, while this is a generally good program, it had its drawbacks.
One of the biggest issues I encountered was that some workouts required more space than I had. I live in a small and narrow house, and this impacted some workouts.
For example, I remember one session where you had to move around an imaginary square on the floor. I just didn’t have the room in my house, or my even-smaller garden, so I had to adapt the workout.
This was frustrating and happened a few times. So be warned if you live in a small house or an apartment. You will need to find somewhere else to work out, which is not always convenient. (You could go to a gym, but doesn’t that defeat the point of a zero-equipment program?).
Elsewhere, the included meal plan was a little generic. I’m sure if you don’t have any idea about nutrition and need things spelled out then it may be helpful, but it wasn’t particularly useful for me.
Plus, it didn’t really cater for vegetarians or vegans, so it was largely ignored.
Does it work?
If you are looking to shed fat and improve your fitness, then Athlean Xero definitely works.
Doing five days a week of high-intensity conditioning will obliterate fat, providing you are also doing other supportive things such as walking, eating wholefoods, and sleeping well.
In terms of muscle building, I don’t find it as effective as lifting heavy weights or even lighter weights taken to failure. This is just my opinion, but if you are looking to build significant muscle and have access to a gym, choose a different program.
But, if you are looking to lean down and develop athletic aesthetics, then Athlean Xero is a solid choice.
Will you do it again?
I was just looking back over the workouts and felt a little nostalgic.
This program kept me sane and in shape during a tough time. I would like to challenge myself to six weeks of Athlean Xero again, just to see how I shape up.
However, with my local gym nearby and plenty of equipment in my house, I feel that doing donkey kicks and alligator walks in my garden is something I should leave back in 2020.
Fortunately, you are given lifetime access to the program when you buy, meaning that I can return to it whenever I want. Watch this space.
The Athlean Xero review verdict
Athlean Xero is a solid program that will challenge you mentally and physically.
It’s unlikely that you will build a great deal of muscle, but if you want to cut fat, it’s a good choice. The conditioning elements are intense and, if you push yourself, you will see great results.
I would highly recommend it if you have no access to a gym or minimal equipment at home.
It would also be worth trying if you want to shake up your training. If you want a break from bench press, deadlifts and curls, then give it a go.
Let me know how you get on!
Planet Health 