My Review of the GGStudio Build and Balance Program

If you only follow fitness instructor Gabby George’s viral Bridal Arms Program on TikTok, you might think that she only has light-weight arm workouts. I’m here to tell you, that is not the case. I just finished her 28-day progressive overload strength program. Now that I’ve completed GGStudio Build and Balance Program and tried dozens of her other medium- and heavy-weight classes, I wanted to share what it was like and why I’m doing it again.

What Is the GGStudio Build and Balance Program?

Build and Balance is a month-long program designed to help you build strength progressively. There are several ways to make a workout more challenging over time, including increasing your weights or repetitions. In these classes, you do an initial set with lighter weights and repeat the exercises with heavier weights. The classes also get longer and more challenging as the weeks go on.

Each week includes two upper-body strength classes, two lower-body strength classes, two active recovery days, and one rest day. The active recovery classes mix gentle yoga flows with short, gentle core exercises. The program also pairs each workout with a 30- to 45-minute walk.

What Equipment Do You Need?

You’ll need an exercise mat, a resistance band, and medium and heavier weights. Some classes incorporate a bench, but Gabby shows you how to modify the exercises using a chair or mat.

I used 8- and 10-pound weights for the upper-body classes and 10- and 15-pound weights for lower body. Those are the heaviest weights I currently have at home, and they feel effective for me right now. If I’m ready for more of a challenge later, I’ll buy heavier weights.

What I Loved

I enjoyed Build and Balance so much that I’m doing it again. I’d never followed a progressive overload program before, and I liked having a clear plan for how to challenge myself. I felt stronger as I worked through the month.

The weekly schedule took the guesswork out of deciding what to do each day. I liked having upper- and lower-body workouts planned for me, with recovery time built in.

Gabby demonstrates the exercises, explains form, and offers modifications, which helped me feel more comfortable doing strength workouts at home. I felt like I had a personal trainer!

What I Didn’t Love

Because I’ve been working out regularly for a long time, some of the strength classes felt short for me, particularly at the beginning of the program. I also found that I wanted more core work than the active recovery and ab classes provided. Those weren’t deal breakers—I finished the program and immediately wanted to repeat it—but they shaped how I’m approaching round two.

How I’m Doing It the Second Time

For shorter strength days, I’m adding a GGStudio Quick Strength class for the same muscle group so I can work out for about 30 minutes. I’m also swapping the active recovery and ab classes for a dedicated 30-minute ab class. When I have time and am up for the challenge, I’m swapping the 30-minute walk for a 30-minute spin class or run.

These are just some changes I’m making to strengthen my core and add more cardio. You can also follow the program to a T, like I did originally.

What Does GGStudio Cost?

You can join GGStudio monthly for $12 a month or pay $108 for an annual membership that works out to about $9 a month. I started with the free 7-day trial and liked it so much that I became an annual GGStudio member.

Are GGStudio’s Strength Classes Effective?

I feel stronger since starting Build and Balance, and I’ve noticed more muscle definition. I’ve enjoyed GGStudio’s other programs because they make it easy to choose a workout and stay consistent, but this one has been my favorite so far.

I’d been craving a more traditional strength routine that focuses on different muscle groups throughout the week, and Build and Balance delivered. It gave me a plan I could follow at home, room to adapt it to my fitness level, and clear exercise cues. I love Gabby’s positive, bubbly, and energetic workout style and find her classes fun and effective.

I’ve taken a lot of Peloton Strength classes and used to take Callie’s almost exclusively. She and Gabby have a similar encouraging vibe, but Gabby takes fewer breaks, so her classes feel more efficient to me. I still love Peloton’s playlists more, yet when I’m choosing a strength workout, I usually pick Gabby’s.

Thinking about trying GGStudio? You can get 10% off an annual membership using my referral link. Full disclosure: I’ll receive a referral credit if you sign up, but I paid for my own membership and this review is not sponsored.