In the fitness world, 2020 will probably be known as the year everyone discovered working out in their living rooms. As gyms shuttered due to the pandemic [1], and at-home exercise gear sold out across the world, there was a predictable rise in at-home bodyweight workouts. But working out is hard — at least I think so. Honestly, I suck at it. I lack the motivation to get sweaty without a trainer there to catch me when I'm slacking, and without the financial accountability of a gym membership, I struggle to pull on my trainers and move my body.
It was a couple of months into lockdown, once I'd exhausted my options for one-off celebrity workouts that got me moving under the guise of having a laugh (like that time I tried Arnold Schwarzenegger's retro home workout [2]), that I noticed my body was becoming increasingly stiff and sore from doing, well, absolutely nothing. That's when Chris Hemsworth's fitness app, Centr, entered my life.
I'd seen the ads with Chris and his wife, Elsa, looking sweaty and strong, and honestly, I was skeptical about whether it would be the right program for me. After a brief look at the app, I noticed that there is actually more than one program to suit different fitness levels. I was most interested in the newly-launched bodyweight-only program that runs for six weeks called "Unleashed", which was perfect for me because the only equipment I have in my flat is a workout mat, and because it had an option for beginners. Like I mentioned, I hadn't really worked out in months, so it was straight into the beginner program for me.
Ahead, see my breakdown of Chris Hemsworth's fitness app, Centr, [3] and what I liked about it.
How Much Does Chris Hemsworth's Fitness App, Centr, Cost?
Centr has three price options:
- 12 months for £7.83
- 3 months for £15
- 1 month for £22.99
The Programs
If I had to choose the best thing about Centr, it would be how easily it fits into my lifestyle. I chose the "Centr Unleashed: Beginner" program for a couple of reasons. First, it doesn't require any equipment (which was crucial for me, like I've mentioned), plus the workouts range from 20 to 30 minutes. And because the trainers offer more advanced versions of each exercise, I can do the workout with my parter, who motivates me better than I can motivate myself. This program also has intermediate and advanced options, but there's the "Centr 6" program which recently launched, and is supposed to be a back-to-basics-style plan.
The Workouts
Programs aren't the only way to get the most out of the Centr app. On the home page (or "The Planner"), there is a daily workout, so you don't really need to lock in to one of the programs to exercise. Each day, on "The Planner", there's a workout that can be done self-guided or coached, a meditation, and also the recipes for each meal. Basically, everything you need for the day.
If you choose the coached workout, you'll be taken through the entire workout by a trainer, complete with demonstrations of each workout, audio instructions, and motivational words throughout. The self-guided is pretty similar, except the trainer will just demonstrate the workout without speaking. This is more suited to anyone that wants to pump their own music while working out.
The Food Plan
The good thing about Centr is that the food plan feels more like a spot for inspiration and guidance towards healthier meal options. First, there are plenty of options for food intolerances and preferences — such as gluten-free and vegetarian — and the entire plan is fully integrated with the shopping list feature. For example, when you toggle to the "Shopping List" section of the app, you'll see a week's worth of meal option and, from here, you just add the number of servings you want of each meal to your list. This will become your list to take to the supermarket for your weekly shop.
I was pleasantly surprised by how simple the recipes are, they they don't seem to incorporate a heap of elements per dish. Breakfast is often something like peanut butter and jelly oats, or a smoothie, and for lunch, there are loads of salad and sandwich options (so you won't be forced too far our of your comfort zone). I especially love that nothing is off the table. If you want bread, eat bread. If you want pizza (you guessed it), eat the pizza. They have healthy options for both.
User Interface and Overall Experience
I've tried a lot of fitness apps at this point, and can say that Centr is one of the best. The photography is beautiful and super high-end, the recipes feel like they're designed for normal people (aka, they're easy to follow and don't involve a million ingredients), and the workout videos are seamless. I've never had the app crash midway through a workout, and absolutely love that I have the option to change between self-guided and coached modes.
As I mentioned above, the best thing about Centr is how adaptable it is to your lifestyle. It doesn't feel gendered at all, and I felt spoilt for choice with the programs. Now that I've completed the "Unleashed: Beginner" program, I fully plan on moving on to the intermediate option next.