grow with jo review: no excuses, feel great way to WALK OFF WEIGHT
Grow with Jo is an awesome, free Youtube walking workout option. Grow with Jo provides built in encouragement and different lengths of videos including long format (45 minute plus). She does not typically talk through the videos so you can relax and not be distracted. Many of her videos are set in a beautiful, but realistic home setting.
An exercise routine can be tough to come by. The motivation, space, ability to get to a gym, figuring out childcare, carving out the time… sometimes it’s just such a drag to even try and coordinate a workout. Never mind get into a regular routine.
Grow with Jo videos are perfect for eliminating these excuses. They work great for when you can’t get outside for whatever reason and have time constraints. They can easily become an influential part of your weight loss journey. Keep reading to find out more!
what is Grow with Jo?
Grow with Jo provides free walking workouts on YouTube, along with an app, and a website. All produced by Johanna Devries, known online as Johanna Sophia.
Her success came after a traumatic birth experience in March of 2020 where she was left starting over on her fitness journey. Although she had posted content online before, her “Walk the Weight Off” series resonated with many people (predominantly women) and things really took off.
This grew to her producing an empire which went on to include a website, app for Android and Apple, Instagram and a Facebook group.
how does grow with jo stand out from the others?
1. Long Format
Walking workout videos come in different forms, but the long format of many of her videos is excellent (45 minutes or more). Walking is really about the length of time you can get moving in a Zone 2, low intensity cardio. Many other walking videos are in a shorter format which are not desirable imo. Ideally, it would be great to aim for 1 hr of walking most days of the week, even if you have to work up to it. These longer format videos really help with that.
2. Sometimes Instrumental
People can be particular about music and lyrics. Many of the songs aren’t ones you’ll be accustomed to and are mostly instrumental. This can be preferential to accomadate different beliefs and prevent people not wanting to listen because they don’t like a particular artist. It can be less distracting and more soothing to exercise to music without words so your mind can focus on other things; like what you’re physically doing, or passing thoughts as you decompress while exercising.
3. No Talking
She doesn’t talk during the exercise; just before, after, and during breaks. This can be ideal to promote a more relaxing vibe, and to prevent distractions from listening to her and maybe other people who are talking over the workout in your home.
4. Beautiful, but Realistic Setting
Most of her videos are set in her home in the living room. It’s a nice feeling of comaradere when she’s in the same place you likely are while doing her videos. Her home has a minimalist asthetic with clean lines so it’s definitely relaxing to look into and “be there”.
When to utilize grow with jo workouts?
1. Grow with Jo workouts are perfect for indoors when weather or the environment is not desirable
Walking outdoors is an ideal form of exercise, especially if you can make an hour of walking happen at least 5x a week. But sometimes this is just not possible. Rain, the neighborhood you are living in, travel, or extreme cold are all very real barriers to outdoor walking for many people.
Grow with Jo videos are so wonderful for this. They leave you with no excuses. You are bringing a gym with a coach to you, into your house, for free.
2. Grow with Jo workouts are perfect for early morning
Getting up before sunrise for whatever reason – to have your “me” time before the demands of the day run away from you is a great idea. Whether it’s kids tugging at your pant leg all day, or work hours restricting your schedule, there are time constraints we all have to combat.
While some people walk when it’s dark (just make sure you have hi-vis gear!) for some who still have sleeping children at home or can’t (or won’t!) pull that off, earbuds and a Grow with Jo workout are a great solution.
3. Grow with Jo workouts perfect for nap time
If the only time you have available is when you need to be home while baby is napping, Grow with Jo workouts are perfect for this opportunity.
grow with jo criticisms
1. You Could Accidentally Select the Wrong App
Make sure you find the correct app! She now has her own app, but it seems like her original app was a partnership with a third party which helps people put out apps. Third party partnership is often many creators only option when they don’t yet have the funds or knowledge to do an app production themselves.
Unfortunately, that third party ended up wanting to change that app to one called Radiance. If you search the app on the internet you will get a link to Radiance, but if you look for Grow with Jo app in your Play Store the correct one should pop up.
2. The Grow with Jo app is too expensive
The app and website access includes an exclusive community and has access to exclusive workouts in an organized, calendar based format is $16.95/month if you prepay for the whole year, or $39.99 per month if you pay monthly. It includes a community with multiple discussion boards on different fitness and weight loss related topics including recipe sharing. There are some spiritual growth meditations, motivational shorts, and access to monthly accountability calls that are about 45 min-1 hr long.
If you are determined to get the best value for your money you’d have to determine if this is personally worth it to you or not. Plenty of content is available for free on Youtube and some community aspect on her free private Facebook group.
2. Grow with Jo is a Christian
The app includes a spiritual growth tab section which includes spiritual growth meditations. This is an extremely small part of the app, and optional. A few videos are themed spiritually or Christian, like a worship walking video, but many of the videos, almost all I have encountered on Youtube do not include anything spiritual at all.
There is some criticism that people feel like she is being too pushy about her faith. If you want to avoid this while watching her content I feel it it would be very easy to do that.
3. Occasional strange music
On the flip side, some of the music is not instrumental and includes some lyrics that are kind of strange. Not overtly offensive but also not directly encouraging. It’s unlikely this is a huge issue for most people but something to be aware of.
Grow with Jo App Tour
Check out my Grow with Jo Tour App Tour video!
Be sure to check out my Youtube Channel with other fitness related reviews and how-to’s!
are you going to try grow with jo?
Overall, the free access to the Grow with Jo videos on Youtube is a wonderful way to jump start, accelerate, or supplement your Zone 2 cardio. The app and other platforms are done well, not overtly religious, and a solid option for what you get. The additional encouraging content, community aspect, accountability calls and recipe sharing can definitely keep you motivated.
If you are looking for fitness motivation and routine, Grow with Jo is a wonderful option whether you pay for her app or use the free access on Youtube.
Are you ready to start your weight loss journey? Get motivated and bring on some good endorphins and positivity in your life. Grow with Jo videos is the perfect place to start!
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