Putting Australia's top online fitness programs to the test

If your New Year's resolution is to lose weight or get fit, listen up.
 
A Current Affair is delving inside the online celebrity fitness programs headed by Michelle Bridges, Sam Wood and Tim Robards.

So how much will you have to spend, how hard will you have to work, and which programs will deliver results? Three working mums are putting the programs to the test for four weeks, with visits from the trainers themselves on day one to kick-start their journeys.

We've partnered single mum of five, Kay, with fitness guru Michelle Bridges to take part in Michelle's 12 Week Body Transformation (12WBT).

We put three top online fitness programs to the test. (Images: Instagram)
 
Michelle Bridges is arguably the most controversial woman in the health and fitness industry, but with 20-plus years in the business she knows better than anyone how to get results - and how to make them last.
 
"I've had the truest beginner through to actual ex-Olympic athletes do the program, and everybody in between," she says.
 
12WBT has been running for eight years and, together, members have lost more than one million kilograms. 

Kay’s goal is to lose four to six kilograms, but she believes the challenge is about more than dropping a dress size – it’s a chance to make time for herself. 
 
"I'm on the bottom rung, which isn't the way it should be, but in terms of my health and my diet priorities I'm pretty much down the bottom so all that's going to change." 
 
The transformation starts in Kay's kitchen - the headquarters of the house and a focus point for Michelle, whose mantra is to opt for foods that are ingredients, rather than foods that have ingredients.

"This is an ingredient. It's an apple. You need to have a couple of convenient things that can help put a meal together, but overall you want to be choosing whole foods," she says.

"If you're watching TV, work out during a TV commercial. Do squats for the duration of that TV commercial.”
 
Michelle's 12WBT doesn't come cheap, but it does come with 12 weekly meal plans and more than 900 recipes. For $199 up-front or $19.99 per week, Kay will also receive 12 exercise plans and two mindset videos per week.

Michelle Bridges joins Honey Mums Mel and Kel in a hilarious podcast talking about kids embarrassing parents and having no filter - listen here: https://omny.fm/shows/9honey-super-mums/the-mental-load-kids-and-their-lack-of-filter-and/embed?style=artwork
 

Serial dieter, Simone, is teaming up with former 'Bachelor' and personal trainer Sam Wood for his program 28 By Sam Wood. 
 
Despite years as a diet-holic, Simone has never achieved the results she's hoped for. Now, she’s committing to shedding four kilograms and completing her first ever push-up.
 
"What appealed to me about 28 was hearing that it was only 28 minutes and you could do it from your home," she says. 
 
Sam’s program has his 18 years of experience behind it and he says anyone can do it, anytime, anywhere – including in the comfort of your own home.

"All my recipes are quick, easy, simple. If I can cook them, anyone can cook them."
 
Pay $49 after a seven day free trial and receive a 28 minute workout each day, a weekly eating plan, meditation and online support.
 
Dedicated mother Karen wants to be the perfect role model for her son, who has autism, and believes celebrity chiropractor and TV personality Tim Robards can help get her there. 
 
"My son is nine and he's been diagnosed with autism, so I have a fear of leaving him, so that would be the thing that would be driving me. I need to get healthy so I can make sure I'm around, at least while he needs it," Karen says.
 
She takes on Tim’s The Robards Method, with the goal of climbing to the top of the jungle gym at her local park – an activity she hopes to enjoy with her son.
 
Once the 'Bachelor', and now a fitness expert, Tim says The Robards Method is tried and tested.