Everything You Should Know About Evlo Fitness

What makes Evlo different?

You’ll build muscle definition, but not at the expense of your joints.

Take the guesswork out of your workouts.

With our 3, 4, and 5 X a week schedules, we specifically coordinate muscle groups to ensure adequate work to each group and appropriate recovery time throughout the week.

Our classes are meant to add to your life, not take away from it. Evlo can flow with you through different seasons of your life: the busy times, the relaxed times, the stressful times, and anywhere in between.

Choose your schedule accordingly.

Not all exercises are created equal.

We run each of our exercises through a risk vs. reward formula to deliver the most effective exercises for muscle hypertrophy while limiting unnecessary stress to your system and joints.

When looking at exercises through a biomechanical lens, we can take “good” vs. “bad” out of the equation and determine which exercises will deliver the greatest load to a muscle group without the wear-and-tear.

Our instructors are Doctors of Physical Therapy and highly trained fitness instructors.

Each of their unique backgrounds of education, patient care, and continued education shines through in their classes. You can trust that these movement experts are designing classes and offering modifications with your body in mind.

Muscle building happens in the recovery.

Your workouts are only half of the equation. We include planned recovery days no matter which schedule you are following.

We even include recovery day classes and programs to ensure you feel supported.

Nutrition plays an integral role in fueling both your workouts and your recovery.

We believe in turning to the professionals to receive reliable nutrition information that can be tailored to your individual needs. We have included programs developed and delivered by a Registered Dietitian to do just that.

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Membership Perks

Live Classes

We offer multiple live classes each weekday, so you’ll always have a fresh workout. Can’t take class live? All classes stay recorded so your workouts fit seamlessly into your schedule.

Variety of Formats

Between our weekly classes, new Evlo Minis uploaded regularly (5-20 minute workouts), and our programs, maintaining consistency will be easy.

Recovery Resources

Your workouts are only as effective as your ability to recover from them. We offer joint stability programs, meditations, and classes like flow and light cardio to take on your days off.

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Structure Is Everything

We design each week to target all the major muscle groups without overusing your body. Choose a plan to work out with us 3, 4, or 5 times/week.

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Team Evlo

The stories behind the people that make us unique.

Read about our expertise, background, education, and more.

About the Evlo Method

Shannon

Founder

Get to know Shannon

“The ‘no pain, no gain’ methodology has normalized body-destructive fitness. Our mission at Evlo is to reverse that mindset by providing more joint-friendly fitness classes that drive lasting results.”

– Dr. Shannon Ritchey, PT, DPT

I created Evlo because, as a former physical therapist, I worked with too many people who were suffering because their exercise routine was breaking them down.

They could squat twice their body weight but not sit on a plane for more than two hours without back pain.

They could run a marathon but were afraid to play soccer with their kids for fear of injuring their delicate knees.

The fitness industry has normalized body-destructive fitness like it’s the “price” of being fit.

I witnessed clients spend thousands of dollars on physical therapy, only to return to their exercise program and be back on my table the next month. My PT services were addressing the symptoms, not the cause. And the cause was nearly always a poorly designed exercise routine.

I wasn’t only motivated by my clients’ suffering but also by my own chronic pain. In my early 20s, I was heavily exercising, lifting heavy, doing lots of HIIT, and pounding away at my body. I looked “fit,” but I couldn’t stand for more than 15 minutes because of my horrible back pain. That back pain turned into hip pain, which spiraled into shoulder pain, then wrist pain.

Eventually, it felt like I was completely falling apart. I was 24 years old. I tried stretching, dry needling, and massage… all of which provided temporary relief, but the pain would always come back.

I was consistent with my fitness routine, and I never really took a break. I thought pounding away at your body day after day was the only way to be “fit.”

After moving from Kansas City to Durham, I fell out of my routine and noticed I started to feel significantly better. Clearly, my fitness routine was creating problems in my body.

So I took a step back and did some research. I ended up diving headfirst into biomechanics, learning more than I ever had in physical therapy school.

After years of studying biomechanics, muscle function, and neurology, I have created a fitness routine that allows me to not only feel stronger than ever but to do it pain-free.

This formula is simple: choose exercises and a structured plan that have the best bang-for-your-buck, but that stresses joints the least. I no longer have chronic pain of any kind. I can golf, play volleyball, walk, run, and live my life freely without pain because I treat myself well in my exercise routine.

Not only do I feel better and work out less than I ever have, but I have slowly been able to develop more muscle than ever (even when I was consistently lifting heavy). It proved to me that when you work out WITH your body instead of against it, your body adapts in amazing ways.

Originally from Kansas, I currently live in Los Angeles (Venice) with my husband. In my free time, I love to play sports like tennis and golf (badly) and am often taking weekend trips to visit friends and family.

I earned my undergraduate degree and doctor of physical therapy from the University of Kansas. I focus my continuing education on biomechanics and muscular function. I’ve also taught yoga and fitness for more than ten years.

More than anything, I believe that with the right tools, humans are capable of incredible things. I use this philosophy in my business, my personal development, and my view of how the body heals. You’ll hear me say, “you’ve done enough,” at the end of almost every class. This phrase has become an embodiment of Evlo, and is one that I truly think can change your life.

Education:

Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas
Muscle Activation Technique Specialist
200 hour certified yoga teacher
Over a dozen fitness certifications

Payton Busker

Instructor, Head of Content

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“I am VERY thankful to know and believe that more is not better. That hard does not necessarily mean effective. And that I have done enough.”

— Dr. Payton Busker, PT, DPT

As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, former Pilates reformer instructor, meditation teacher, and Evlo trainer certified in our 200-hour teacher training, Dr. Payton is one of the most qualified and educated fitness instructors in the industry.

But beyond her long list of accolades, Payton has a talent for making you feel like she’s your friend through the screen. With her non-judgemental presence but concise and educational cueing, anyone who takes her classes feels successful and supported.

Don’t be fooled by her kindness – her classes are TOUGH. She is known for her strength and endurance, pushing you to do a few more reps than you’re comfortable with. A long-time teacher of Upper Body Build, she is one of the reasons why so many members develop their hard-earned “Evlo arms.”

Growing up in Covington, Louisiana, Payton’s version of physical activity was through sports. But after high school, she found Pilates after searching for a way to stay active. Through PT school and after, she bopped around from program to program, never really resonating with anything long enough to stick with it for longer than a few months.

During the pandemic, she found Evlo (then Levo) on Instagram and was shocked when it was the first program she could stick to for more than a few months.

She had previously had difficulty gaining muscle due to the lack of consistency or a routine that accurately targets muscles. Doing Evlo, Payton found she was finally able to develop muscle. Payton feels stronger and says, “listening to the signals of my body and my mind have become second nature.”

Payton took the Evlo 200-hour Fitness Teacher Training, auditioned to be a teacher, and was a clear fit for the position. Payton quickly developed the trust and love of the Evlo community and now works full-time for Evlo as the Head of Content. Not only will you see Payton teaching almost every weekday, but she helps to run our social media, writes excellent blog posts, helps with the Fit Body, Happy Joints podcast, and more.

Payton currently lives in Austin, TX, with her husband and two dogs. You can find her on long walks around Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin (say hi if you see her!) or on a patio with a craft cocktail and some delicious food.

Education

BA Biology from University of Texas at Austin
Doctor of Physical Therapy from Texas Woman’s University
Pilates Mat Instructor 1 Certification from Power Pilates
Korformer Certification from Kor180
SFMA Level 1 Certification from Functional Movement Systems
Dry Needling Certified through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy
Completed all primary courses through the Postural Restoration Institute
200-Hour Certified Fitness Instructor through Evlo Fitness
Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher through the School of Positive Transformation

Jess Moy

Instructor

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“Evlo is exercise science delivered in a succinct way that gets you involved in your own process of fitness and health. We don’t just tell you what to do, we tell you why we do it, and then give you the power to decide what fits your body in that moment.”

— Dr. Jess Moy, DPT

The first thing you will notice about Dr. Jess is her intelligent and confident yet calming energy. A clear leader, Jess has a way of putting you at ease with her thoughtfully created classes and articulate cues.

Jess is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Registered Yoga Teacher, but her skills go far beyond PT or teaching, which makes her both inspirational, and relatable. A woman of many talents, she is an entrepreneur, business coach, podcast host, and more.

In addition to the fitness space, building equitable business and culture became part of her entrepreneurial journey. She took her knowledge of science, research, and a biopsychosocial approach to wellness and merged it into consulting for enterprises. In helping build equitable business models and support inclusive leadership, she inadvertently supports the well-being of their teams and communities from all facets. From startups to small business owners, she specializes in supporting the new hybrid work model to make it sustainable and successful. Her motto is “progress in the small but mighty steps,” both in Evlo and in life!

You’ll often hear Jess say, “take what feels good, leave what doesn’t.” This mantra helps her students get what their bodies need out of every class. The most common comment Jess gets in her classes is, “this was exactly what I needed.”

Jess started taking the Evlo classes after searching for a way for her fitness routine to fuel longevity. As a PT herself, she was drawn to the science behind the movements. She finds relief in the fact that exercise no longer has to be grueling or something we white-knuckle through. Jess says, “…we get to define what “enough” means to us each day, which is such an important aspect of our mental health.”

Jess was born and raised in Maryland and just moved from Japan to San Diego. She lives with her husband and dog (Yogi). In her free time, you can find her dubbing in art projects, walking Yogi, exploring new local food spots, and you may spot her on her SUP board in the San Diego sun!

Education

Doctorate in physical therapy
Registered yoga teacher
Certified in trauma-informed yoga and somatic therapy

Shauna Pierce

Substitute instructor

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“Evlo differs from any program I’ve done because it’s science, and who can argue with that?”

— Shauna

Shauna is known for her creatively planned classes and her hilarious commentary. She has a loyal following in the Kansas City area for a reason – she will leave you smiling and giggling while your muscles are burning.

Shauna’s experience in life has led her to become the incredible fitness instructor she is. She studied Secondary Education in college and now teaches middle schoolers English as a second language. Clearly, Shauna has a natural gift for consolidating information and communicating it in a way that sticks. This skill comes through in her digestible, relatable cueing in her classes.

Shauna has taught group fitness since 2014, is a certified personal trainer and barre instructor, and is certified in the Evlo Fitness 200-hour Fitness Teacher Training. A jack of all trades, you may see her subbing and teaching almost any format that Evlo offers.

Not only does her education and experience make her qualified, but Shauna can relate to what many of the members may be going through. Shauna has always played sports and enjoyed being active. But after years of trying the latest fitness crazes and taking group fitness classes, she began to suffer from overuse injuries. This drew her to Evlo, as she started to feel better taking the Evlo classes. As someone who has suffered from chronic pain in the past, she understands what many Evlo members could be experiencing.

Her personal experience, cheeky personality, years of experience as a fitness instructor, and knowledge of biomechanics make her classes effective, joint-friendly, and fun.

Shauna was born in New Hampshire and currently lives with her husband and two kids in Overland Park, Kansas. A busy working mom, you can find her supporting her athletic kids on the field or fitting in a round of golf with her husband.

Education:

Certified personal trainer
200-hour Trained Fitness Teacher through Evlo Fitness

Allyson McElvain

Creative and Branding

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Katherine Andrew

Registered Dietitian

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“I quickly saw that Shannon was creating something that mimicked my nutrition and health beliefs through the lens of fitness, and that Evlo could be a platform where we help members integrate these various aspects of health.”

— Katherine Andrew, MPH, RDN, LDN

Katherine is the perfect fit for Evlo, as her nutrition philosophy mimics the Evlo philosophy. Evlo believes that the “no pain, no gain” fitness philosophy leads to burnout and ultimately isn’t effective. Katherine applies a similar lens to nutrition in that she uses education to inform food decisions but preaches that rigidity or restriction around food isn’t sustainably effective.

Katherine will teach you the tools she has developed and refined over the last two decades in her nutrition modules. She has a way of distilling decades of education and experience with thousands of clients into short, informative, applicable modules.

Katherine doesn’t believe in prescribing a rigid meal plan but rather gives you the tools to create a plan that you can sustain. This means teaching you what symptoms to look for that may indicate you need to tweak your nutrition. She’s found that this approach is much more effective since you are forever equipped with the skills to create a nutrition plan that works for your body.

Katherine started taking the Evlo classes in the very beginning (when it was still Levo). Like many, she comes from a history of measuring her workouts by sweat and exhaustion. After her first child, she experienced injuries, hormonal, skin, and digestion issues. Realizing that this method was no longer working, she transitioned to hot yoga, Pilates, and finally made her way to Evlo.

Katherine says, “the whole concept of working out smarter, not harder is pretty unique, and certainly never something I’ve found before. And yet, I am stronger than ever – imagine that!”

Katherine, originally from Orlando, Florida, currently lives in Raleigh, NC, with her three adorable kids and husband. She runs her own private nutrition practice (website below), but on the weekends, you can find her riding bikes, hiking, gardening, or adventuring in the mountains or beach with her family. And no surprise, you can often find Katherine in the kitchen playing with new flavors and using her creativity to bring food to life.

Education

Master Degree in Public Health Nutrition
Registered and Licensed Dietitian

Work with your body, not against It.

You don’t have to grind your body into the ground to see great results.

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How Evlo can change your life

“I thought I would have chronic pain for life. I’ve been doing EVLO consistently for a year without pain or injury.”
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After 20 years of exercising, I finally found something that feels sustainable for the rest of my life. I happened to stumble across EVLO on IG. At first I thought I would do multiple programs, but it became very clear EVLO was the correct choice. My body didn’t hurt after my workouts or feel broken, it actually felt better. I used to do 1-2 hours of cardio and sculpt daily and my system was exhausted. Now, I workout for less time and I have seen my body and brain change in so many positive ways. Plus, I have more time for me and my family. EVLO is about sustaining joint health and building muscle in the body and brain for long term wellness. As a nurse, I love the education, thoughtful programming, and mindful connection to the muscles and the nervous system. I have suffered stress fractures, overuse muscle injuries, and multiple back injuries from working in the ICU. I thought I would have chronic pain for life. I’ve been doing EVLO consistently for a year without pain or injury. I love Shannon’s philosophy regarding brain body connection and the constant reminder “you are enough”. EVLO is a way of life.

Roseanna H.
Nurse

“We are now safely building muscle mass without further damage and enjoying it along the way. Our joints and our minds are beyond happier!”
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My husband and I have been consistently working out with EVLO for the past 5 months. As a Physician Assistant in Orthopedics I am exposed to the wear and tear that occurs naturally as our bodies age versus the wear and tear that happens with improper form and injuries while working out. I am treating patients for a multitude of preventable conditions that I myself have always thought was the price we pay to be “fit” and “stay healthy”. My husband has been playing sports his entire life and was always taught the faster and heavier the better. Unfortunately he has had many injuries throughout the years that have led to surgery. It took us a month or two to come around but EVLO has offered us an opportunity to be fit and stay healthy without compromising our bodies. We are now safely building muscle mass without further damage and enjoying it along the way. Our joints and our minds are beyond happier!

P.S. We do Payton’s meditations every night before bed, best sleep of our lives! Thank you EVLO!!

Madison and Bryce D.
Physician Assistant

“My body was saying thank you and coming back to me.”
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“My name is Maricelle and I live with my husband and son just outside of Toronto, Canada ??. I have always been active – I love most sports and was always a member of a gym or yoga studio for as long as I can remember. After years and years of intense workouts, my knees and shoulders were in constant discomfort/pain. I remember as recently as June 2021, walking up the stairs, my knees screaming at me, and thinking, is this what happens at 44? Deep down, I knew that I should rest but could never seem to shake the excess weight off after having a baby plus the additional weight gained from the stress of multiple COVID lockdowns. And so I continued the intense workouts and so did my knee and shoulder pain.

I discovered Dr. Shannon’s IG page back in July of 2021 and joined Evlo in October of that year. A month later, my knee and shoulder pain started to subside. I also noticed that my appetite was changing and was no longer craving sugary/starchy foods as often. I incorporated more meditation (yay for 10 min meditations!) and finally by December, I started to feel my body relax. To quote someone in the Facebook group, “my body was saying thank you and coming back to me”. My cycles returned (after almost two years of being absent) and I am stronger than I have ever been (I am about to purchase a set of 20lb dumbbells!). I thought my body was done but joining Evlo made me realize that even at 44, it was anything but!

I love all Evlo workouts but if I had to pick my faves they would be: Flow + Strengthen, Burn and Upper Body Build (but lately have been loving Full Body Build and Burn).

Thank you Shannon, Payton and the rest of the Evlo team for this amazing community you have built and for teaching us the importance of gentle consistency.”

Maricelle C.

“I think the emphasis on finding what works for you as an individual instead of striving to perfectly emulate the instructor frees members to start building trust and confidence in ourselves, whereas other methods are more prone to create reliance on the coaches.”
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Hi!! My name is Hope Brandt and I’ve been an Evlo member since fall of 2021! I had heard so many great things already, but what really got me hooked was trying the side-lying delt raises one day in my normal shoulder workout- they felt so much more effective without lighting up my traps like standing lateral raises typically did. I was blown away by the efficiency and signed up to be a member that day!! What I have grown to love about Evlo is that it is so accessible; I know I can get a fantastic workout with minimal equipment in a timely manner. It completely removes all of my favorite excuses: don’t have very much time? Do a mini! Don’t have a lot of equipment? Take a F&S class! Don’t have the energy for a build class? Take a mobility or meditation class!

Something that truly resonates with me is the mantra of “gentle consistency” – as a dietitian, that’s a concept I coach my clients toward on a daily basis! It doesn’t have to be all or nothing – there is plenty of room in between to build truly sustainable & healthful habits out of self-respect instead of self-loathing.

The encouragement for members to find what works for them individually is another unique aspect of Evlo – the instructors don’t present themselves as the standard of the movement, but rather provide explanations and modifications for members to make each exercise their own. I think the emphasis on finding what works for you as an individual instead of striving to perfectly emulate the instructor frees members to start building trust and confidence in ourselves, whereas other methods are more prone to create reliance on the coaches.

– Hope Brandt, Hopewell Health

Hope B.
Registered Dietitian

“I’m in a much better place physically and mentally thanks to Evlo. No more punishing myself, just building my body up.
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I came across Shannon on Instagram a year ago during Covid lockdown. What piqued my interest was her philosophy towards exercise that we don’t need to push yourself to the brink of exhaustion to get results. I tried Evlo for a week and decided to be a full member because my body felt so good and I learned so much from Shannon’s nerdy talk during class.

Shannon and Evlo completely changed my mindset about exercise. I used to run 5 days a week plus HIIT, weights and Pilates. 1-2 rest days. My body and my joints were so tight I couldn’t do squats properly. After I joined Evlo, I haven’t run since and only been doing Evlo 5-day workout program and Pilates. I’m not stressed out anymore when I eat too much. I just stick to my regular workout program knowing that consistency brings lasting results. My body is now nimble and in great shape. I’m in a much better place physically and mentally thanks to Evlo. No more punishing myself, just building my body up.

Plub N.

“Education is the key and the knowledge brought by Evlo is absolutely like no other program out there!”
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Hello! I am an OG Evlo member, and my husband and I take the Evlo classes together! Shannon was my PT in KC before getting married. I am a lifetime fitness addict. I have done long distance running, triathlons, and lastly a very popular intense workout in KC. I went to Shannon because I was having chronic hip, glute, and back pain. She treated me and gently told me maybe I wasn’t really cut out for the workouts I was doing. No way-i could easily do the workouts, it was the AFTER that left me miserable. I wanted a quick fix so I could get back on track and felt guilty each day I missed a workout to let my body heal. Long story short, the pain came back with a vengeance. I finally committed to strictly only doing Evlo and it has been life changing. My husband and I would roll out of bed during Covid stay at home orders and do our clam shells up against the wall. I slowly started to tell a difference. I was feeling better. I still thought I had to go speed walk for an hour or so and climbed stairs when I could. Now 2 years later I am a completely different person. I find myself at the gym cringing watching trainers thinking about all the knowledge I have learned from Evlo. On days I feel tired, I give myself a break guilt free. I feel and definitely look stronger and have gained zero weight not killing myself doing cardio anymore. My 75 year old mother does it, as well as my teenage daughters and husband. Shannon and team have changed our lives and we cannot say THANK YOU enough for that! Education is the key and the knowledge brought by Evlo is absolutely like no other program out there!

Team Levo/Evlo forever!

Stacey G.

“Not only am I able to lift and carry my grandbaby without issue, I feel so much stronger, more stable and I am proud of a more muscular appearance.”
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Walking 10,000 steps a day for 4 years was certainly helping me with stamina and maintaining my weight, but at the same time I was slowly losing muscle, especially in my legs. I found myself unable to get up without support from a squat. Lifting what I could previously started to become a challenge for me. And, my body would get sore from poor posture and bad lifting practices. I also knew someday soon we would be blessed with grandchildren. I wanted to make sure I was strong enough to pick them up, hold them and play with them without issue.

Evlo was and is the answer for me! The program has been a life and body changer! I joined Evlo in September of 2020. Based on Shannon’s advice, I take 4 classes a week. I’ve stuck with it ever since and have only missed when on vacation and have considered those recovery days. It fits easily into my day and I block my calendar for my workouts.

I started with 2 pound weights and am now lifting up to 15 pounds. At first the classes were really tough for me as I hadn’t ever taken weight lifting classes in my life and my flexibility was very limited. I now flow with the instructors with little issue and adjust the exercises based on what my body needs or what works best for me. This is the only fitness program I have stuck with in my life!

The best part of it all is, our grandson, Porter, was born in October of 2021 and I am able to stand up from the ground with him (now 18 pounds) in my arms. This would never have been possible before Evlo.

Not only am I able to lift and carry my grandbaby without issue, I feel so much stronger, more stable and I am proud of a more muscular appearance. I am very grateful to Shannon for creating Evlo as it is something I can do for the rest of my life!

Susie C.

No Pain, All Gain.

Want to know more? Check out some FAQs below!

The Evlo method was designed by a physical therapist and classes are taught by physical therapists. Although your body will likely feel better doing the Evlo method, we do not treat pain or replace physical therapy.

We believe cardio is “overdosed” in the fitness industry. We have short and optional cardio and HIIT classes that will be built into your schedule. In addition to the workouts, we recommend low-intensity cardio like walking 10-30 minutes most days of the week.

Investing in equipment is an important part of the process. Here is the list of equipment we recommend to get the most out of your Evlo workouts.

An assortment of hand weights
1. The instructors use a range of 5-30lb dumbbells during class. Beginners could start with 3lb, 5lb, and 10lb weights.
Pilates ball – 9″ balls work best. Here is an Amazon option.
Resistance bands – Check out these from Amazon.
A kitchen chair or bench
Optional:
1. Gliders (or you can use paper plates, towels, or magazines)
2. Low stool – Shannon uses this one

You can cancel any time within your 14-day trial without being charged. You can also cancel before your next billing cycle to avoid being charged for the following month. Once you cancel, you will have access to the membership for the rest of your billing cycle.

In order to serve our members all across the world, we pre-record and release 13 new classes each week on Sunday at 12pm CST under “This week’s new classes”.

Foundations is our week-long program that is perfect for beginners or those wanting to ease in with slower-paced, basic, form-heavy classes. Feel free to repeat this week as many times as needed to get familiar with the exercises and classes. When you’re ready, jump into “This week’s new classes” to follow one of our regular tracks.

Most workouts are 30-45 minutes. But we frequently add to the Evlo Minis category, which are 5-20 minute workouts.

We pride ourselves on creating classes that offer lots of modifications so you feel safe and successful. However, because we can’t evaluate your individual needs, please get clearance from your doctor or physical therapist before starting our program.

We have a prenatal/postpartum track that we recommend you follow! Once you get the modifications down, you can jump into most classes and modify as needed. Please get clearance from your doctor before starting Evlo.

We don’t promote our program as a weight loss program, because we strongly believe weight loss is primarily nutrition. However, we respect all goals – and if weight loss is your goal, we recommend implementing strategies from the nutrition modules alongside the Evlo classes.

YES! Check out our beginner’s guide blog post with all the details on how to get started with Evlo.

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