Hammer and Chisel FAQ

Hello!  Welcome to my blog!  Today I am writing my 3rd entry on "Hammer and Chisel"!  This is Team Beachbody's newest program which was just released on 12/1!  In this entry we will take a look at the nitty-gritty details and a bunch of frequently asked questions that have been coming up in regards to the exciting new program!  Check out my first entry for an overview of the program itself and the specifics of the "Total Body Chisel" routine.  My 2nd entry takes a close focus on the "Iso Speed Hammer" routine!  In this program Autumn Calabrese (creator of the 21 Day Fix!) is the "Chisel" and Sagi Kalev (the Body Beast guy) is the "Hammer".  We'll talk about all of the details below!

After finding some incredible transformations taking place with my own health at this time two years ago, I became a coach in March 2014 and ever since then I have been helping others to find success in creating, establishing and maintaining healthy new habits through clean eating and home fitness.  I am personally SO excited for Hammer and Chisel to be my own next step on my journey and I invite you to join me!  

I was recently on a training call and loved hearing the excitement of our elite coaches who were working with corporate as Hammer and Chisel (MHC) subjects prior to the release of this program. These are people who have done 8-16 Beachbody programs to date and they are calling this one the "missing piece"! I picked up quite a few interesting angles on the program! MHC stands alone as a program and really can not be compared to ANYTHING else from Beachbody or otherwise! I also listened to a recording where Autumn herself was sharing the background story on MHC, the science that has gone into it, the ins and outs of the program and also does a Q&A.

"Lifting is the fountain of youth - especially for us mommies! What has been brought down can be brought back up!" (one of the participants who had an incredible transformation!)

Can I just say that I can't wait to begin MHC to have my own next transformation chapter underway! This reminds me of how I felt last year when Insanity Max 30 was about to be released... it wasn't going to be the "next program that I did" but it was going to be "my awesome Max 30 transformation" and it really did become that! I am heading into Hammer and Chisel with the same perspective!

Autumn began by saying that when deciding if this is the right program for you -- it is not about how much weight you have to lose. There are people from corporate's elite coach group who had only a couple of pounds to lose and they got shredded! There was a mom not very far out post-partum and she lots tons of weight and there was a guy who lost 40 pounds! But both of them did have a fitness base from their past. It is more about having some sort of a fitness foundation. This will enable you to stay safe and really make the most of the program. MHC is not geared towards beginners - you would want to begin with something like the 21 Day Fix.

The program is VERY MUCH FOCUSED around lifting (hurray!!!). You build an excellent base with form and stability. Then Sagi moves in to more of a power lifting approach and Autumn focuses on agility. This is not a cardio-heavy program at all. The agility training does have a cardio element but is not endless drills of traditional cardio. You ARE burning a TON of calories through lifting heavy and you are increasing your metabolism at the same time! Endurance and power both come into play. Some in the group had spent hours in the gym prior to this with competition training and through just following the MHC schedule, they still got incredible results! This is not a "supplemental" program. Follow the schedule wholeheartedly and you will be able to see and feel the progress right along the way!

You do not repeat the same week twice. The 8 weeks each have their own unique rotation of routines. There are some routines which you will not see until week 3. Day 4 of the program is set as a rest day. If you you like having a rest day on a Sunday, you may want to begin the program on a THURSDAY rather than a Monday. If you are okay with a Thursday rest day, than start on a Monday. Either way works! The program is built on 6 routines each week. They range from 25-40 minutes in length. The 10 minute abs (one from Sagi and one from Autumn) come into rotation a few times a week and are added in to the schedule.

WOMEN in the group are talking repeatedly about LOSING significant inches from the waist and hips whether or not they were looking to lose a lot of weight. Several talked about having a "forever flat butt" and how finally for the first time ever, they have a round shape back there!

Meal plan is very much like the 21 Day Fix. But there are three categories from which to choose based upon whether you are looking to LOSE weight, maintain weight or build and bulk? A set of the 21 Day Fix containers are included with this program.

Equipment needed?? Men were typically lifting up to 50-60 pounds. Women were lifting up to 25 pounds or so. If you do not yet own many weights, will want a light set, a medium set and a heavy set.

You will want a resistance band. The "red band" (B-Lines) through Beachbody is about 6 feet long and 30 pounds resistance.

If you can get a bench, even a fold-away bench, that will be helpful. Let me know if you are looking for recommendations on a bench. You CAN do the program with a stability ball and there is a modifier who illustrates how to do each move that way. But those using a bench seemed to really have some extra fun! There are some moves focused on using a stability ball.

You could use a pull-up bar OR a resistance band with the door attachment kit.

If you happen to have access to a mirror in your workout area you can use that to keep an eye on your form. You can also use your phone to record videos of your workout moves. Doing well with form will help you to avoid injury!

Grab a journal, a little notebook or a notes feature on your phone to track what you are doing as far as weights go. You will love seeing the progress! You can also use a tracking sheet which will be available through the Team Beachbody site.

This is a GREAT couples program! It really does hold appeal to a variety of people and has been a game-changer for the elite coach group! They are PASSIONATE about Master and Chisel and it shines through!

Sooooooo exciting and I can hardly wait to begin!

About your Trainers 
Co-creators Sagi Kalev and Autumn Calabrese are experts when it comes to incredible physical transformations. Sagi has been crowned Mr. Israel— twice—and is a Master Professional Personal Trainer, IFBB Pro, member of the IFBB Propta Hall of Fame, Certified Nutrition Specialist, and Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist. Autumn Calabrese is a celebrity trainer, best-selling author, and working mom who has held certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA), and has competed at the national level in various bikini competitions.

What makes The Master’s Hammer and Chisel incredibly effective and unique?
• The Master’s Hammer and Chisel is built on the three phases of SSP Training— Stabilization, Strength, and Power. Other workouts only focus on one or two phases, which might give you decent results. But The Master’s Hammer and Chisel program incorporates all three methods to help you relentlessly chip away fat and carve every muscle for a strong, visually stunning body in 60 days.

• 12 brand-new, 30- to 40-minute workouts that combine Sagi and Autumn’s proven techniques for 60 days of hardcore resistance training.

• Sagi and Autumn make eating for your goals simple. That’s why they included their easy-to-follow and completely customizable nutrition plan, along with 7 portion-control containers that show you how to portion out the right amount of food to help you reach your unique fitness goals.

• Flexible nutrition that allows you to lean out, sculpt and maintain, or build muscle.

• Includes options to adapt certain exercises if you have limited access to equipment.

• Includes a modifier who demonstrates some moves at a lower intensity.

What’s included in The Master’s Hammer and Chisel Challenge Pack?

• 12 workouts on 6 DVDs 
• A set of 7 portion-control containers and a shaker cup 
• The Master’s Hammer and Chisel Program and Nutrition Guide 
• Quick-Start Guide 
• 60-Day Calendar 
• 2 bonus workouts: 10 Min Ab Hammer and 10 Min Ab Chisel
• 30 Day supply of Shakeology

How does The Master’s Hammer and Chisel differ from Body Beast®?

Body Beast is a bodybuilding program that focuses on muscular hypertrophy. The Master’s Hammer and Chisel includes aspects of bodybuilding, but also focuses on improving endurance, power, agility, strength, balance, and range of motion to sculpt a tight, defined physique.

How does The Master’s Hammer and Chisel differ from 21 Day Fix EXTREME®?

21 Day Fix EXTREME is a shorter, goal-specific program, whereas The Master’s Hammer and Chisel is a full 60-day program with slightly longer workouts. 21 Day Fix EXTREME focuses on getting you shredded, while The Master’s Hammer and Chisel also helps you improve other aspects of your fitness, such as muscular endurance, power, strength, and agility. It’s a whole new approach to getting you ripped. 

What equipment do you need for The Master's Hammer and Chisel?

• A few dumbbells of various weights appropriate to your strength and fitness level. 
• A bench or stability ball. 
• A chin-up bar or a resistance band and a door attachment.

How does The Master’s Hammer and Chisel nutrition plan compare to Body Beast, 21 Day Fix®, and 21 Day Fix EXTREME?

Like the nutrition plans in 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix EXTREME, The Master’s Hammer and Chisel uses the portioncontrol container system. However, it is tailored to meet your specific goals and the nutritional demands that a challenging body-sculpting program like The Master’s Hammer and Chisel requires.

Can you customize The Master’s Hammer and Chisel nutrition plan to meet your unique goals?

Yes! If you want to gear your nutrition toward building more muscle (a surplus), or toward shredding fat (a deficit), you can use the Nutrition Plan Quiz to recalculate your calories to help you reach your goals.  Plus as your coach that is my job to help you navigate the nutrition plan to get the very best results possible!!!  I'm going to be sharing my meal plan my nutrition guide and all my tips that will help you get the best results possible.

How do the calorie charts for The Master’s Hammer and Chisel work?

The Nutrition Plan Quiz included in the program and nutrition guide will determine your appropriate calorie chart based on your goals. Like the calorie breakdowns in 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix EXTREME, the ones in The Master’s Hammer and Chisel Program and Nutrition Guide also include the number of color-coded, portion-control containers your bracket requires each day to meet your goals.

How does the 60-day calendar work?

The Master’s Hammer and Chisel program is a 60-day rotation of hardcore strength training built on the three phases of SSP Training—Stabilization, Strength, and Power. Sagi and Autumn strategically structured these workouts to train in all three phases efficiently, so following the calendar is important. 

I will be hosting a 60 day test group for this brand-new program!  Complete the application below if you are interested in joining us there! 

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