What We Loved & Hated About Hammer and Chisel [Review]
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Hammer and Chisel is an advanced at-home workout program to help you build lean muscle in 60 days! Autumn Calabrese and Sagi Kalev created the program to improve agility, endurance, and strength to sculpt the body you want.
Hammer & Chisel Review
I completed this program after completing the 21 Day Fix Extreme. I definitely think it’s more advanced than the 21 Day Fix or Body Beast. It’s a similar level as the 21 Day Fix Extreme, but it is heavier in the strength aspect.
What I Liked:
Lots of Variety
There are 18 workouts so I never felt bored, and I was more sore with this workout program than I had been in years. I completed the original program, and then the Chisel Calendar.
Challenging Total Body Workouts
The Master Chisel (Autumn) workouts were the hardest for me. Each master hammer workout (Sagi’s) is still a challenge, but it’s because you’re lifting so heavy. Autumn’s challenged me cardiovascularly and on my balance – which are weaknesses of mine anyways.
Chisel Calendar and Hammer Calendar Included
The program is broken down to do 1 round of Hammer & Chisel, then depending on your goals, you can choose to do a 30-day calendar of just Hammer workouts for max strength or Chisel for a more toned look.
I personally did the Chisel Body Calendar just to improve my cardio while still getting strength in.
I did notice when I was in my 3rd month just doing Chisel workouts I was lifting the same weights at Autumn or even a little heavier!
You may also like 80 Day Obsession (Autumn’s new workout!)
Bonus Workout: Master Cardio
The Master Cardio workout was awesome on busy days. It’s about 18 minutes, but it will have you huffing, puffing, and burning! It’s a GREAT go-to workout! You can tell Master Hammer isn’t used to working out at the high level of cardio Autumn does. :P
Simple Meal Plan
I started the 21 Day Fix in 2014, and I have been stuck on that meal plan. It’s so easy! The Hammer & Chisel meal plan is about the same as the 21 Day Fix meal plan.
Stream Hammer & Chisel on bODi
BODi includes access to every Hammer & Chisel workout plus 700+ other Beachbody workouts!!
Things I Didn’t Like:
Hammer Power Workout
It includes powerlifting which I liked, but I do think the form is hard to master at home without supervision. I had to go with really light weights for proper form, and I worry someone will hurt themselves. I started swapping it out for a Deluxe workout instead.
Watch your bench.
I ordered the exact bench they use, and sometimes mine felt a little wobbly. If you feel ever out of control, modify.
I needed more arm workouts.
Now some may say, you’re doing push-ups, pull-ups, and other upper body moves.
In these moves, your shoulders, triceps, and biceps are assisting (aka working), but I really do think it is more of a lower-body focused program.
With that said, you still work those smaller upper body workouts, and it wouldn’t stop me from doing this program again.
The Verdict:
I’d definitely recommend the full body program, and I’ll do it again too.
The workouts are longer than my normal routine, but the Hammer and Chisel results are well worth it!
The attention to form is great, and I believe this is a program you can continue to grow into.
I do plan on switching out the powerlifting workout for another one though.
If you’ll looking for something shorter, check out our Shift Shop Review.
Hammer and Chisel Workout FAQ
The Hammer & Chisel workout is designed to “build powerful muscle, shed body fat, and build a ripped, statue-perfect physique” just like a fitness competitor would do.
Is there a modifier in the Hammer and Chisel workouts?
Yes! There is a modifier in the Hammer and Chisel workouts. The modifier also shows you what to do or use if you don’t have all of the equipment.
What equipment is needed for Hammer & Chisel?
- Dumbbells – We love our adjustable dumbbells!
- Weight Bench or a Stability Ball
- Resistance Bands
- Pull Up Bar (or Bands with Door Attachment)
- Mat (optional)
- Pull Up Assist (optional)
- Push Up Stands (optional)
- Gloves (optional)
How long is Hammer & Chisel?
It’s a 60-Day Program. There is only 1 workout calendar for the program, but once you’ve completed one round you can choose to do an additional 30 Day “Chisel” or 30 Day “Hammer” schedule to maximize your results.
The Hammer schedule will focus on building more muscle. In contrast, the Chisel schedule will help define your muscles.
Each schedule has you working out 6 days a week.
This is the 60-Day Hammer and Chisel Calendar:
You can also do a 30 Day Chisel Calendar or 30 Day Hammer Calendar.
I’m starting the Chisel one now. See the Chisel Calendar and Meal Plan Here.
How long are each Hammer and Chisel workout?
Hammer & Chisel includes 14 workouts, and each workout is about 40 minutes. There are also 5 additional bonus workouts included as well.
The workouts are high intensity so we’ll be burning a lot of calories and lifting very heavy for a short workout.
14 Chisel and Hammer Workouts |
Length of Time |
||
| Safety Video | 3:17 | ||
| Chisel Balance | 41:05 | ||
| Iso Strength Chisel | 36:39 | ||
| Chisel Endurance | 36:55 | ||
| Chisel Cardio | 39:00 | ||
| Chisel Agility | 38:29 | ||
| Total Body Chisel | 36:04 | ||
| Hammer Plyometrics | 26:29 | ||
| Iso Speed Hammer | 24:11 | ||
| Total Body Hammer | 43:48 | ||
| Max Hammer Strength | 36:53 | ||
| Hammer Power | 39:10 | ||
| Hammer Conditioning | 30:42 | ||
| 10 Min Ab Chisel | 10:56 | ||
| 10 Min Ab Hammer | 12:29 | ||
| BONUS Workout | |||
| The Master’s Cardio | 17:38 | ||
| DELUXE Workouts | |||
| Hammer Build Up | 32:59 | ||
| Power Chisel | 30:16 | ||
| 15 Min Leg Hammer | 18:41 | ||
| 15 Min Glute Chisel | 17:53 |
What do I need for a Chisel and Hammer workout?
You’ll need, dumbbells, a pull-up bar (or a door attachment with exercise band), and either a weight bench or stability ball.
Sagi highly suggests investing in a weight bench and says that is a “mandatory item,” but using a stability ball can also help core stability and strength.
You’ll also want to use your printable workout sheets (included with the program) so you can track your progress.
Can you use Fixate and the 21 Day Fix container system? What does the meal plan look like?
Yes, you’ll be able to use both! The Hammer & Chisel workout program will incorporate the containers, and it will also have a path for building muscle mass and one focused on getting shredded.
View the 21 Day Fix approved foods here.
Is there a sample Hammer & Chisel meal plan?
Yes, it is included within the nutritional guide.
Here is my personal Hammer & Chisel meal plan as well:
How many calories do you get to eat with Hammer & Chisel?
The Hammer & Chisel Quick Start guide has a breakdown to decide your caloric intake based on your gender, activity level, and current weight.
I’m eating 1200-1,499 calories as a sedentary woman at 117lbs wanting to maintain my weight.
The plan is broken down into containers though for ease and max results….it’s best to do the containers so you know you are hitting all of your macronutrients!
Update: Since Hammer & Chisel came out, Autumn also launched her Ultimate Portion Fix. We love this program because you can tailor in your nutrition even more with timed nutrition and carb cycling!
Do I need Shakeology or Workout Supplements?
We personally used Energize, Recover, and Shakeology for these workouts. It’s totally up to you whether or not you want to use the supplements though.
We loved Energize before our workouts to give us extra energy, and Recover and Recharge helped us with muscle development and soreness.
Shakeology was great for us because we hate to meal prep!
Hammer & Chisle Benefits
You’ll look good, and also able to perform and be an athlete. You’ll gain endurance, balance, agility, flexibility, and powerlifting for your strength.
I’m so excited for this pair to really kick up my results. Both are so focused on intensity and proper form, but they also keep it fun and motivating.
Is Hammer and Chisel good for weight loss?
Absolutely! This program combines intense cardio with strength training and an easy-to-follow nutrition plan so that you see a transformation in 60 days!
Whether you’re looking to lose weight or build lean muscle, Hammer and Chisel can help you achieve your goal.
Here are a few before and after photos to help show how effective the program really is!
Hammer & Chisel Before & After Pictures
If you’re not familiar with the BODi streaming service, it gives you access to 100s of workouts and digital materials.
It’s super simple to stream any workout, including Hammer & Chisel, and it allows you to try new workouts throughout the year.
Stream Hammer & Chisel on bODi
Who are the Hammer & Chisel trainers?
Besides creating 2 of the most popular workout programs separately, Autumn and Sagi have won fitness competitions for years.
Sagi has named Mr. Israel twice and appeared on Muscle & Fitness over 10 times. Autumn is a national-level bikini competitor and also a sought-after celebrity trainer.
Hammer is the Beast’s part of the program (weights) and Chisel is Autumn’s. It’s 2 different programs in one for max results. They worked out together and built the program together.
Read more on Autumn here or check out Body Beast for Women here.
Do you need support?
Beachbody officially stopped offering Beachbody Coaches to clients, but we still offer a private accountability group on Facebook. If you’d like to join us, send us an email at thegirls@soreyfitness.com.
We love sharing recipes, inspiration, and lifestyle tips like ways to eliminate endocrine disruptors in your routines!
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My friend just ordered this and she LOVES it. I can’t wait to hear how it works for her.
That sounds awesome! I’ve been looking for something to help get me back into fighting shape. This could be it!
This sounds like such a great program! I really need to get back on track with my fitness this year and this would be a great way to jump start my program.
Wow, this is perfect timing for those New Years resolutions! I’ve actually heard really great things about this program. Thanks for sharing!
Not exactly for me–I am exercise adverse and I just got out of a 7 day hospital stay for a very bad asthma attack. Maybe when I get back to semi normal I will think about this. It does seem like a very comprehensive plan.
I will have to share this post with my fiance because he wants to start working out in the new year and even though I would love to be able to do this it is above my level seeing as I am handicapped.
It’s nice that they both bring something to the table with the workout. Also, being a man and a woman gives it broader appeal in general to both men and women looking for a new routine.
I asked for this for Christmas to implement after baby is born. I didn’t get it but I’m hoping that I’ll find it on my birthday!
I have been looking for something for a while and this is exactly what I need. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, I love the broad assortment of workout choices. I tend to get really bored with working out and need to switch things up as often as possible. This sounds great
I’ve never heard of this before, sounds interesting! I would love to do something like this in a few months!
This looks like a great way to ramp up your fitness routine. I will have to check them out in the New year.
This sounds like a great fitness routine! This is the first time I’ve heard of this. I need to start off the new year right with exercising some more. This sounds like a great option.
I have been going to the gym faithfully since November 1st. I am very intrigued by the color codes food system though.
This sounds like a great program to get in shape for sure. I have been looking for a great program because I am going to be working on my fitness health next year. I am getting to out of shape and to old not too. It is never to late to start or do things over.
Hello
I wanted to ask that if I buy only the deluxe workouts and not the whole deluxe package. Can I substitute the medicine ball with dumbbells or any other equipment
You could hold one weight instead of the ball for some moves, but the ball would ideal. If you wanted. You could always just do the deluxe workouts and buy a medicine ball at Walmart/Amazon. You wouldn’t get the shaker cup and containers, but a medicine ball is available anywhere where sports equipment is sold.
how many boxes could i expect to receive in the mail. Ive only received one as ive just ordered the base program but it doesnt include the bonus dvds?
If you ordered the base kit, you should receive 1 box that includes 12 workouts (it’ll have the Chisel and Hammer packets), your color-coded containers for max nutrition results, your quick-start guide and calendar for the workouts, and 2 10-minute ab workouts. Plus, the bonus workout called Master’s Cardio. Does that sound like everything you have? There is just 1 bonus DVD.
Is it best to do the program in the gym or buy the equipment and do it at home?
I would suggest doing it at home if you have the equipment (weights and a bench), but if not you could do at the gym and watch the moves on a tablet or computer. Does that help?
Sounds great. For the past few months, I have been looking out for a program and diet schedule which can help bring me back to shape. I tried various exercising regimes and diet, but nothing seems to work out like how I expected. Reading the reviews and the diet plan, I somewhat feel that this diet program will suit me. So, I am going ahead and going to order one just now.
How important is the workout spacing around the day off? I’ve got it in my head I really want to start today (Monday) or tomorrow (I have been thinking about it for a while) but I want my rest day to be Monday, not Thursday. I want to finish before Christmas.
I would say it’s okay – the only thing you want to watch is that you are lifting heavy weights on the same muscles on back to back days….because you’re body will need time to recover and rebuild those muscles. Does that make sense? Do you have a coach you’re working with to help you get done by Christmas?
Thank you for saying “I needed more arm workouts!” Oh my goodness. I just thought this while doing this workout. I am a 48-year-old woman, 5’6″ and 133 lbs. I am getting thinner with BB workouts but my arms have NO definition. I am enjoying the Hammer & Chisel workout but I really would like to get larger and more defined arm muscles. Should I add pushups or curls to my daily workouts? Thanks so much for any guidance you can provide!
Hey Jennifer!
I know – it can be frustrating when muscle group isn’t catching up with the rest! Have you looked at LIIFT4 at all? I think you’d love it because it’s hypertrophy training which helps you build muscle mass, and we still saw definition from the program too! You could consider doing it after Hammer & Chisel, or there are 2 “Arms” Circuit workouts in Week 7 and 8 that you could add in (either in place of a chisel workout or added onto your routine). LIIFT4 totally changed our entire body, and it’s our favorite lifting program from Beachbody so far! Does that help?
OH — and you’ll also want to make sure you’re getting in enough protein. We recommend Breanne’s Guide for meal prep if you’re wanting to build muscle.