Max Built BODi Review – Does it Work?
TBD – I am here to press play on every workout to let you know if this new Shaun T program works!
The goal of Max Built is to build max muscle with simple, straightforward strength training. In 9 weeks, Shaun T teaches you how to lift smarter, progressively challenge your muscles, and maximize every rep. MAX BUILT is for anyone who wants to build more muscle with a simple, proven approach to lifting. Each week, you’ll complete five 30-40-minute workouts each week using straightforward exercises, progressive overload, and focused muscle-group splits. Every workout is designed to help you challenge your muscles, build strength, and see measurable progress. Whether you’re new to lifting or looking to rebuild muscle, Shaun T gives you the coaching and motivation to keep forward.
Program Information:
Phase 3: Power & Intensity – hybrid of Phases 1 and 2 for maximum growth
Your supplements and nutrition plays a big role in your MAX BUILT results. And although not required, the right supplements can help you optimize your results and performance. They also give you the nutrients you need that can be hard to get through food alone. Our recommended supplements for this program are:
- Quick Start Guide
- Workout Calendar
- #SweatySelfie Calendar
- Eating Plan “How To” PDFs – for 2B Mindset and Portion Fix
Nutrition is CRITICAL for getting the results you want with your fitness program and the targets need to be aligned with the clean eating system (Nutrition + Portion Fix recommended, but you may need to bump calories for mass gain depending on goals). My current supplements include theP90X Supplement System for maximum results with Shakeology and Beachbar snacks. Be sure to let me know if you would like to join my private support team for daily motivation and accountability, the slight edge, for your success. Check out my TESTIMONIALS! Click JOIN TEAM RAGE with any questions. Let’s do this!
Be sure to use this new 15% off promo code savings when you use any of the links on this page only! >>> MIKENBODI
Please contact me directly if you have any issues using the promo code, need links to different products, or, would like help selecting the products to maximize your results! >>> MikeNowakFitness@gmail.com
- Between now and September 8, 2026 (or until 40,000 new subscriptions are sold): I can offer you and your friends a full year of BODi for only $99 USD (that’s $80 off the usual $179), plus free Shakeology. That’s about $250 in value for $99. The Total Solution is back – click this link now!
- Special Offer (after Sept 8, 2026): GET BODi ACCESS to Max Built and EVERY Beachbody program ever created HERE!
- Download the individual programs here without a BODi subscription!
- CLICK HERE for the shop with ALL products!!
The Workouts
Phase 1:
Legs & Glutes 1
Phase 2:
Chest 2
Arms 2
Back 2
Shoulders 2
Legs & Glutes 2
Phase 3:
Chest 3
Arms 3
Back 3
Shoulders 3
Legs & Glutes 3
Bonus:
Abs
10 Minute Bonuses:
Upper Body
Abs
Chest
Back
Shoulders
Full Body Strength
Full Body Sculpt
Chest & Back
Arms
The Data Analysis Summary
Coming soon when I complete all of the Max Built workout reviews!!
The Reviews
Arms 1
Lay the groundwork for bigger biceps and triceps by focusing on strength, control, and consistent volume. Short rest periods keep the intensity high while building the foundation for thicker, stronger arms.
Let’s do this! I am pumped for the Max Built program. The sample workout is actually just Arms 1 from Phase 1 vs. a true dedicated sample workout that introduces the program theory and samples movements/discipline from the various phases. That’s fine. Arms 1 is part of the Phase 1 Foundation of Strength, which is actually similar to Shaun T’s Dig Deeper Phase 3 THE BUILD. In this version, he uses 5 blocks at 4 sets of 8 reps for each movement of heavy weight with slow, controlled form. There is a superset for triceps near the end of the workout and Shaun T sometimes mixes in tempo count (e.g., 3-sec down 1-sec up).
There is a short warmup of less than 2 minutes followed by 6 unique exercises. The Arms movements consist of incline curl, dual hammer curls, 1 1/2 wide curls, overhead tricep extension, and incline closed grip press superset with tricep pushups. The workout finishes up with a very short cooldown session.
My heart rate data shows 254 calories burned in 38-min with average and max heart rates of 109 bpm and 152 bpm, respectively, with most of the workout in Zones 1-2. I used 20-50-lb dumbbells in this workout. This was a good routine, but relatively slow pace with a lot of breaks that are certainly reflected in the heart rate profile. Further, the numbers are significantly lower than Shaun T’s Dig Deeper The Build Arms; although similar length, Dig Deeper Arms provided +17 bpm average HR, +7 bpm max HR, +58 calories, and primary heart rate zone 2. This may be attributed to the higher rep, progressive sequence in the Dig Deeper version and challenging burnout block to finish up the workout. That said, Max Built is a great session focused on hitting the biceps first followed by hammering the triceps. As advertised, the movements are basic variations and very effective. I liked the incline curls as well as the tempo superset at the end for incline closed grip press to tricep pushups. My tris were fatigued by the end of the last 4-sec down 4-sec up pushups. This workout could use a better warmup/cooldown, and there appears to be limited “cardio” based on the format of the program. Overall, still great stuff and I am excited to press play on Max Built… JOIN US!!
Chest 1
Build a strong foundation by using challenging weights and controlled reps to develop pressing power and overall chest strength. The high-volume approach and short rest periods keep your muscles working hard to spark new growth from the very first workout.
Chest days are one of my favorites so I was definitely excited to hit up Chest 1 in Max Built. After a short (very short) warmup, Shaun T guides us through 5 blocks of work. Each block is 4 sets at 8 reps. The last block is a superset with 8 reps of two different moves performed without a break between. The movements include bench press, pullover, incline bench fly, incline press, and standing squeeze press to standard pushups. There is a short (even shorter) cooldown to finish up.
My heart rate data shows 319 calories burned in 40-min with average and max heart rates of 118 bpm and 149 bpm, respectively, with most of the workout in Zone 3. I used 30-80-lb dumbbells in this workout. The heart rate numbers are lower than the Chest workout from The Build in Dig Deeper, which was also around 40 minutes in length. I suspect this is because the Dig Deeper version has 5 sets x 8 reps for each exercise. The superset concept at the end of Max Built Chest is similar to the final “dig deeper moment” in Dig Deeper.
I do like Max Built Chest. I felt challenged and appreciate the mix of classic and non-standard variations. The dumbbell pullover was a surprise in Chest since that move usually (and will) be in the Back workout for this program. Shaun T provides good instruction to help you target the chest instead of back via the way you push your elbows IN during reps (vs. out for back). It is very effective and mind-muscle connection helps. The superset with standing squeeze press to pushups at 8 reps each with no break was a good challenge to burnout the chest to finish up.
Other than that, production quality is solid for Max Built. There are limited cast members. There is no music, which is similar to many other recent BODi programs. This is usually a negative for me since I appreciate background music for motivation, but still need to be able to hear the instruction from Shaun T. And, a heads up there is only a short warmup and even shorter 15-sec cooldown. This is not sufficient, especially with the heavy weights focus. As I always say, you could use P90X3 Cold Start or any number of stretch/recovery routines from BODi pre- and post-routine. Great start to the program and I am pumped for more Max Built!!
Lower Body
Strengthen and sculpt your legs and glutes with a quick but effective session designed to challenge every major lower-body muscle group. Expect efficient, high-impact training that leaves you feeling stronger with every workout.
10 Minute Lower Body is one of the ten bonus 10 minute workouts for Max Built. There is also a longer 25-min Abs routine. I am a big fan of this style of short duration muscle-specific workouts for those busy days in life, or even a great option to stack workouts for an extra challenge. Something is better than nothing… just keep moving! I am often pleased with how far you can actually push toward muscle burnout in a short period of time dependent on the progression of moves and pacing.
Lower Body consists of 4 exercises that are performed for 45-seconds each followed by a short break before the next movement. There are two rounds of this progression. The moves involve goblet squat, Romanian deadlift (RDL), 1 1/2 squat, and dumbbell hip thrust. My heart rate data shows 87 calories burned in 10-min with average and max heart rates of 122 bpm and 146 bpm, respectively, with most of the workout in Zone 3. I used 35-50-lb dumbbells in this workout. You will be tested if you select weights that will challenge you. However, not much new to see here in terms of the actual exercises other than the 1 1/2 squat, which is reminiscent of similar movements from Body Beast BEAST:Cardio. Good stuff overall!
Back 1
Build a stronger, more powerful back by combining challenging weights with high-volume training and minimal rest. This phase develops the strength and stability needed to support bigger lifts and better posture.
Bring on Back 1! So here we have yet another workout with basically no warmup before proceeding to heavy weight progressions. I HIGHLY recommend you get a good warmup before this routine. Again, P90X3 Cold Start is one of many opportunities available. What bothers me the most is Shaun T doesn’t really mention it may be good to get additional warmup. This really needs a disclaimer. Rather, he gives us a short 1-min warmup of alternating knee raises (for back, really?), round back release stretch, and chest openers.
The Back 1 format is similar to Chest 1 with the 5 blocks of moves performed for 4 sets each at 8 reps before moving to the next block. The final block is a superset. The exercises are close grip bent over row, pullover, bent over fly, incline chest supported row, and superset of single arm dead stop row to J row (R then L). My heart rate data shows 300 calories burned in 38-min with average and max heart rates of 117 bpm and 154 bpm, respectively, with most of the workout in Zone 2. I used 20-80-lb dumbbells in this workout. The normalized calorie burn was 7.96 cal/min for Max Built Back 1 vs. 7.31 cal/min for Dig Deeper Back & Abs from Collection 3 The Build. This is not surprising since the Dig Deeper version has the added abs focus.
Back 1 is a GREAT workout. I went fairly heavy today and this one worked me. Although most of the workout was in Zone 2, the ending was BRUTAL. My heart rate spiked to 7 minutes of Zone 4 as I worked through the final superset of dead stop row (80-lbs) to J-row (60-lbs). There are no formal breaks as you continuously transition between right and left side for the 4 total sets. Awesome stuff. Otherwise, I do wish there were some pull-ups in this program. Shaun T mentions in the workout he does personally do pull-ups so I suspect BODi did not want to require any more equipment. Either way, I may stack some at the end for my own pleasure, haha. Bring it!
Shoulders 1
Develop strong, stable shoulders with controlled movements that emphasize power and proper form. The combination of heavier weights and short recovery periods builds the foundation for broader, more resilient shoulders.
Shoulders 1 leverages the standard format for Phase 1 incorporating 5 blocks of movements performed for 4 sets each at 8 reps before moving to the next block. The final block is a superset. The exercises consist of single arm arnold press (right then left), upright row, lateral raise, rear delt raise and superset of front raise to push press.
My heart rate data shows 276 calories burned in 32-min with average and max heart rates of 122 bpm and 155 bpm, respectively, with most of the workout in Zone 3. I used 20-35-lb dumbbells in this workout. These numbers are lower than Dig Deeper Shoulders & Abs, especially max heart rate, although the DD workout is 5 minutes longer in length. The normalized calorie burns are much closer around 9 cals/min. Max Built Shoulders 1 is a great workout my friends. My shoulders are on fire post-workout! As Shaun T says, you do not have to go heavy to get bigger. The movements are intentional and yield a good burn with proper form. This is a shorter workout overall around 32 minutes, but it certainly does the job. I liked the lateral raises with the 3-sec count to lower the weight back to the lower starting position. Tough stuff. Shaun T further adds 10 bonus half reps to finish off the block for lateral raise and rear delt raise. The superset is solid as well. Success! So far I am really enjoying MAX BUILT and I recommend you JOIN US if you have not already with the special promo we have running now for BODi annual access – CLICK HERE and DIG DEEP!
Nutrition is CRITICAL for getting the results you want with your fitness program and the targets need to be aligned with the clean eating system (Nutrition + Portion Fix recommended, but you may need to bump calories for mass gain depending on goals). My current supplements include the P90X Supplement System for maximum results with Shakeology and Beachbar snacks. Be sure to let me know if you would like to join my private support team for daily motivation and accountability, the slight edge, for your success. Check out my TESTIMONIALS! Click JOIN TEAM RAGE with any questions. Let’s do this!
Be sure to use this new 15% off promo code savings when you use any of the links on this page only! >>> MIKENBODI
Please contact me directly if you have any issues using the promo code, need links to different products, or, would like help selecting the products to maximize your results! >>> MikeNowakFitness@gmail.com
- Between now and September 8, 2026 (or until 40,000 new subscriptions are sold): I can offer you and your friends a full year of BODi for only $99 USD (that’s $80 off the usual $179), plus free Shakeology. That’s about $250 in value for $99. The Total Solution is back – click this link now!
- Special Offer (after Sept 8, 2026): GET BODi ACCESS to Max Built and EVERY Beachbody program ever created HERE!
- Download the individual programs here without a BODi subscription!
- CLICK HERE for the shop with ALL products!!
Ready to see your review of the entire program.
Right on, Bill! I am excited for this one. My chest is already sore from Chest 1 yesterday. Are you planning to do Max Built? Have a great day and keep up the good work!!
I’m towards the end of your Beast/Transform20 hybrid.
Maybe after.
Congrats man!