I Tried Obe Fitness for 6 Months: Here‘s My Honest Review
Hey there, fitness friend! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for new ways to stay motivated and mix up your workout routine. So when I started seeing Obe Fitness all over my social media feeds last year, I was intrigued. A platform with thousands of live and on-demand classes I could do from my living room? Sign. Me. Up.
Fast forward 6 months, and I‘m here to give you the full scoop on whether Obe lives up to the hype. I‘ve sweat, I‘ve squat, I‘ve warrior posed my way through hundreds of Obe‘s classes. And I‘m ready to share all the juicy details with you.
But first, let‘s start with the basics…
What is Obe Fitness?
Obe (pronounced like "obey") stands for "Our Body Electric." It‘s a subscription-based streaming platform that offers live and on-demand fitness classes led by top instructors in NYC.
Obe was founded in 2018 by Ashley Mills and Mark Mullett, two former talent agents on a mission to make working out more fun and accessible. As Mills told Well+Good, "We‘re redefining home fitness to bring more joy, energy, and live entertainment to the workout experience."
The platform has exploded in popularity, boasting:
- Over 5,000 on-demand workouts (with 22+ new classes added daily)
- 100+ live classes per week
- 35+ class formats (dance, yoga, Pilates, cardio boxing, HIIT, etc.)
- Classes for all levels, 5-60 minutes
- Elite instructors (including celebrity trainers, professional dancers, Olympians)
- Vibrant community of 200,000+ members
Basically, if you can dream it, Obe has a class for it. And then some.
How Much Does Obe Cost?
Here‘s the breakdown of Obe‘s membership options:
- Monthly: $27/month
- Quarterly: $65 every 3 months (comes out to $22/month)
- Annual: $199/year ($17/month)
Obe also offers a free 7-day trial for new members. (Hot tip: They often run promos for 30% off your first 3 months, so keep an eye out for those!)
Considering that in-person boutique fitness classes can cost $20-$40 a pop, Obe‘s prices are super reasonable for what you get. Even the monthly plan comes out to less than $1/day if you work out at least a few times a week.
What Makes Obe Different?
In a sea of at-home workout options (Peloton, Beachbody, etc.), Obe stands out in a few key ways:
The Live Class Schedule 📅
No other platform comes close to Obe‘s live class lineup. With 20+ live classes a day across every category imaginable, it truly feels like having a whole gym‘s worth of studio classes at your fingertips.
I‘m the type of person who thrives off of a set schedule and real-time accountability (aka people to witness if I slack off). So having live classes to tune into throughout the day has been a game-changer for helping me stay consistent.
Obe also makes all of their live classes available on-demand within an hour of airing. So if you can‘t make it live, you can always catch the replay later.
The Instructors 🙌
The heart and soul of Obe is its rockstar instructors. The lineup features a diverse mix of elite trainers, professional dancers, pro athletes, and more. But they all have one thing in common: magnetic, motivating personalities.
Obe instructors are the ultimate hype squad. They‘re expert cheerleaders who make every class feel like a party. Even when you‘re sweating your face off and questioning all your life choices, they have a knack for saying the right thing at the right time to keep you pushing.
Some of my faves:
- Walter for dance (his infectious smile is EVERYTHING)
- Liz for yoga sculpt (those ab sets tho 🔥)
- Kat for Pilates (prepare for full-body burnout)
- Dorian for strength training (a walking muscle encyclopedia)
The Community Vibes 🤗
For me, one of the hardest parts of working out from home is feeling alone, especially compared to the energy of being in a studio with other people. But Obe goes above and beyond to make you feel like you‘re part of a team.
During live classes, you can:
- See other participants in real-time and give them virtual high-fives
- Compete on a live leaderboard to earn points and badges
- Get shoutouts and personalized motivation from instructors
Outside of class, the Obe community is super active and supportive. There‘s the member Facebook group, the #obefam hashtag on Instagram, and regular team challenges you can opt into for extra accountability.
I‘ve connected with so many amazing people through Obe that I now consider real friends. We cheer each other on, commiserate over tough workouts, and celebrate each other‘s milestones. The positivity and encouragement is unmatched.
Obe By the Numbers 📊
Still not convinced? The proof is in the data. Check out these stats:
- Obe members have taken over 15 million classes to date
- 91% of members say Obe has improved their mental health
- 87% of members say Obe helped them develop a more consistent workout routine
- 80% of members say Obe makes them excited to work out
Also, according to a recent survey by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), 80% of fitness consumers are now streaming workouts online. And 60% plan to continue even after the pandemic ends.
Online fitness is here to stay, folks. And platforms like Obe are leading the charge.
Obe has raised over $22 million in funding to date, with backers including top Silicon Valley investors and celebrities like Tiki Barber and Jared Leto. The company saw 5x user growth in 2020 alone.
My Obe Fitness Journey
Okay, storytime. Here‘s how Obe has made a real difference in my health and fitness over the past 6 months:
Pre-Obe, my biggest struggle was staying motivated to work out at home. Without the energy and accountability of in-person classes, I would start out strong but quickly fall off the wagon.
Enter Obe. The first thing that hooked me was the variety. Dance one day, strength training the next, a quick yoga flow before bed. Every day was something different, so I never got bored.
The live classes were also a revelation. There‘s something powerful about knowing there are other real humans sweating along with you—even if you can‘t see them IRL. I immediately felt more connected and committed.
I started with Obe‘s beginner program, which was the perfect way to ease in. The shorts workouts and extra instruction gave me a solid foundation to build on.
Flash forward to today, and I‘m genuinely shocked at how much progress I‘ve made. I‘ve lost 15 pounds, I have visible abs for the first time in my life, and I can crush multiple push-ups in a row. Wild.
But the best part? I actually look forward to exercise now. It‘s become an essential part of my day—a time to connect with my body, release stress, and feel like I‘m part of something bigger than myself. I know that sounds cheesy, but it‘s true.
Of course, everyone‘s results will be different. Obe isn‘t some magic bullet. You have to put in the work (there‘s no phoning it in when Walter is telling you to drop it low). But if you show up consistently, listen to your body, and embrace the journey, I‘m confident Obe can help you transform your life, too.
Obe vs. The Competition
I‘ve personally tried several other at-home fitness platforms. Here‘s my take on how Obe stacks up to the competition:
| Obe | Peloton | Beachbody | Daily Burn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💰 Price | $27/month | $13-$39/month | $99-$199/year | $20/month |
| 🔴 Live Classes | 22 per day | 10-14 per day | None | 1 per day |
| 🎥 On-Demand | 5,000+ | 10,000+ | 1,500+ | 1,000+ |
| 🏋️♀️ Workout Types | 35+ | 11 | 40+ | 20 |
| 🌟 Standout Features | Live leaderboard, replay classes, community | LB & scenic rides, equipment | Nutrition plans, BODgroups | Audio workouts, new daily class |
Peloton is the biggest player, with the most on-demand classes and high-tech equipment. But its live schedule isn‘t as robust, and the equipment is $$$.
Beachbody has great workout programs and nutrition resources, but no live classes. The community aspect also isn‘t as prominent.
Daily Burn is a solid budget option, but has a fraction of the classes Obe offers. There are some cool perks like audio workouts though.
Ultimately, Obe hits the sweet spot for me in terms of live class variety, elite instruction, community, and price. But the "best" platform depends on your goals and preferences.
FAQs
Before we wrap up, let‘s address some common Qs about Obe:
What equipment do I need?
Most Obe classes require minimal to no equipment. Optional tools might include dumbbells, resistance bands, sliders, or a yoga block. But you can easily sub in household items too (soup cans, a towel, etc.).
Can beginners do Obe?
100%! Obe offers dedicated programs for newbies, plus a library of low-impact and recovery classes. That said, it‘s still a good idea to check with your doc before starting any new exercise routine.
How do I cancel Obe?
You can cancel your membership anytime by logging into your account or emailing [email protected]. If you prepaid for a plan, you‘ll still have access through the end of that billing period. Refunds are only available within 48 hours of purchase.
Does Obe have a referral program?
Yep! Refer a friend and they‘ll get $10 off their first month. If they keep their membership past the first month, you‘ll get $25 in Obe bucks to spend on swag.
The Final Verdict
Soooo is Obe Fitness worth it? 1000% yes (if you couldn‘t tell, I‘m a fan). It‘s transformed my relationship with exercise and made working out something I genuinely enjoy.
With top-notch instructors, a huge variety of classes, and a built-in community, Obe delivers a premium boutique fitness experience at a fraction of the price. The convenience of being able to press play anytime, anywhere is just the cherry on top.
Of course, Obe isn‘t the only option out there. But IMHO, it offers the best mix of quality, quantity, personalization, and accountability for your buck. (And trust, I‘ve tried ‘em all.)
At the end of the day though, the "best" workout is the one you‘ll actually stick with. If Obe sounds like your jam, definitely take advantage of the free trial. The only thing you have to lose is the excuse that working out from home is boring. 😉
I hope this helped give you a BTS look at Obe! If you have any other Qs, drop ‘em in the comments. I‘m happy to chat all things fitness any time.
Now if you‘ll excuse me, I have a date with a dance cardio class. 💃
Stay sweaty, friends!
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