Beachbody Is a Pyramid Scheme!

The worst thing I ever see people say about Beachbody is, Watch out! It’s a pyramid scheme!

I thought the same thing to be honest. When my coach approached me, one of the first things I asked her about were the rumors it was a pyramid scheme. Before I explain in great detail why this is bullshit, let’s look at the definition of pyramid scheme:

a form of investment (illegal in the US and elsewhere) in which each paying participant recruits two further participants, with returns being given to early participants using money contributed by later ones.

Put more succinctly:

As its name indicates, the pyramid scheme is structured like a pyramid. It typically starts with one person – the initial recruiter – who is on top at the apex of the pyramid. This person recruits a second who is required to “invest” a certain amount, which is paid to the initial recruiter. In order to make his or her money back, the new recruit must recruit more people under him or her, each of whom will also have to invest. If the recruit gets 10 more people to invest, he or she will make a profit with just a small investment.

Read more: What Is A Pyramid Scheme?https://www.investopedia.com/articles/04/042104.asp#ixzz55hYjzv7e
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That’s not how Beachbody works. I hate to break it to you, but just because the managerial layout of a company is in the shape of, or close to, a pyramid, that doesn’t mean it’s a pyramid scheme. Most corporations are GASP setup this way. 

So why do so many people think it’s a pyramid scheme? Because coaches build their businesses off of how many people they sign up either as fellow coaches or as challengers. Those coaches and challengers do not pay the sponsoring coach. None of the money paid by the coaches and challengers goes directly to the sponsoring coach. The return on the investment is results not the promise of more money. 

That’s right. 

The end game is results.

You can’t sell a product that doesn’t give results and expect to make money in the long-term. You can bamboozle people, promise results that never come to fruition, then ghost. But that shit doesn’t last. 

Beachbody has been around for 20 years.

That’s not a flash in the pan. That’s a company with proven results with a formula that works.

So who are these people claiming it’s a pyramid scheme? Where does that rumor come from? From the competition.

I was disappointed to see some ladies in a fitness group I used to be active in talk about the “beach body workouts” and how they build a “house of sticks.” There was an issue in particular with the 21 Day Fix (referred to as 20 day fix) and how quick fixes don’t work.

They were right about that. Quick fixes don’t work. Beachbody doesn’t offer quick fixes though. The name 21 Day Fix references the time it takes to form healthy habits: that’s 21 days. It doesn’t mean you’re suddenly going to be ripped and uber healthy in three weeks. It means you’re going to form healthy habits to be a healthier, happier you.

So why lie? Why make Beachbody out to be the bad guys? Because the people saying those things are trying to sell their own fitness program. You pay far more for the program than you do Beachbody and you have to do it at the gym. 

Sorry. I’m not buying it. Literally…

I understand the hesitation. I understand the trepidation. But Beachbody stands on its own because of people like me – the coaches. Carl Daikeler, our CEO, said something in a call that really resonated with me. He said that it’s one thing to buy a program. People can go on Amazon and order a workout video or get a free workout online. As a coach, it’s not our jobs to get people to buy the program; it’s our job to get them through it. We aren’t all personal trainers – though some are. We aren’t all nutritionists – though I’m studying to be one. What we are is a support system. When challengers are struggling, we’re there to get them through. When challengers need help planning a meal, we’re there with recipes and ideas. When challengers are lost and don’t even know where to start, we’re there. 

Challengers don’t pay for our services. We’re part of the package deal – buy the workout, get a coach free. (And yes, you can return us as part of the 30-day money back guarantee.)

Call Beachbody whatever you want. If referring to it as a pyramid scheme makes you feel better about life, go for it. I’m going to keep enjoying my hard-as-hell workouts, my nutrition plans, and my support system of badass men and women who want to see each other succeed.