I’ll never achieve Rachel’s iconic hairstyle from “Friends,” but during my next vacation, maybe I can work towards getting Jennifer Aniston’s figure.
The 56-year-old actress has a physique akin to that of an action star. She attributes her advanced level of fitness and toned appearance to Pvolve, a low-impact workout regimen launched by Rachel Katzman in 2017. The firm states that Aniston joined the ranks of Pvolve enthusiasts in 2021 and eventually took on roles as both an ambassador and advisor beginning in 2023.
As members of the virtual Pvolve community often refer to her, Jen doesn’t show up in any of the approximately 1,600 streaming videos available through their monthly and yearly subscription options. Instead, she primarily showcases her biceps and obliques on the platform’s site and promotional materials. Her personal trainer, Dani Coleman, takes charge of around 175 online sessions. Additionally, one can look for “Jen’s Picks” using the class filters; this curated list includes almost 40 workout routines. Moreover, the star occasionally highlights some preferred items from the Pvolve range. Among these picks, five specific pieces come bundled together in the newly launched Sculpt Anywhere Travel Kit.
If you’re not based in one of the almost two dozen cities hosting a Pvolve studio, this fitness routine can be done anywhere. All that’s required for Pvolve is access to a floor space and an internet connection. This regimen includes what they call “specialized equipment,” like the P.band, P.ball, and P.3 Trainer.
During my April journey to California, I chose to put the Pvolve travel kit through its paces. The company provided me with this set for evaluation along with complimentary access to their classes. Hence, we have “This Is ‘The Episode Where I Try to Shape Up Like Jen.'”
What is Pvolve?
The company states that Pvolve emerged from Katzman’s dissatisfaction with traditional boutique classes and studios, where the “no pain, no gain” mentality prevails. As an entrepreneur dealing with scoliosis, she collaborated with various experienced trainers, such as Coleman, to develop a milder, more comprehensive fitness approach. Their aim was a series of low-impact workouts emphasizing “strength, mobility, and general wellness,” with some cardiovascular elements included.
The PvOLVE equipment – including resistance bands and straps, mats, ankle weights, gliders, among others – plays a vital role in these exercises. While approximately 280 of the sessions can be done without this specific apparatus, most rely heavily on them. The firm offers these pieces for sale either separately or bundled together.
The travel package priced at $342.97 includes five components: the P.band and P.3 Trainer, both of which hold patents; lightweight ankle straps, gliders designed for hands and feet, along with a high-resistance band. Additionally, you get access to three months of complimentary online sessions that typically cost $24.99 per month but can be as low as $20 monthly when opting for an annual subscription costing $224.91. Everything included in this set neatly packs into a slim black neoprene bag. Should Pvolve consider feedback, adding a carrying handle or shoulder strap might enhance convenience.
The firm mentioned that it collaborates with a clinical advisory board made up of experts from various disciplines including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, sports science, nutrition, injury prevention, and obstetrics and gynaecology.
For my experiment, I sought input from a single individual: Todd Miller. This associate professor at George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health stated that he hasn’t experienced Pvolution himself, but having watched numerous online sessions, he described the exercise program as blending elements of Pilates, barre work, and physiotherapy techniques.
PvOLVE caters to adults across various age groups and genders, yet it appears particularly aimed at women from a specific era, like those who grew up watching “Friends.” The brand often highlights this demographic in its promotional content.
healthy aging study
by the
University of Exeter
, which explored the advantages of the program for perimenopausal and menopausal women. The results showed an increase in their energy levels, strength, balance, and flexibility.
Miller mentioned that individuals who exercise casually but aim to stay active during their vacations could benefit from using resistance bands for maintaining or even building muscle strength. Nonetheless, over an extended timeframe, these people would have to progressively intensify the workout regimen to prevent plateauing.
It needs to become increasingly challenging; otherwise, you’ll reach a plateau quite swiftly with this type of gear,” Miller explained. “It simply lacks sufficient resistance.
The workout
The travel kit tips the scales at roughly four pounds based on my suitcase balance. Lugging it as a carry-on was quite an exercise in itself.
One time at my accommodation in Big Sur, I immersed myself in Pvolve sessions by watching multiple videos as I munched on a cheese sandwich. To ensure uninterrupted viewing, regardless of our position—whether lying down or standing up—I had to move some pieces around in the room for optimal visibility of my laptop screen.
Once I felt prepared, I started the “Core Sculpt” session, a 32-minute workout designed to enhance my abdominal muscles, lower back, and inner thigh strength, as well as increase spinal and hip flexibility. To create enough space for all the equipment, including the gliders—essentially slick gloves worn on your feet or hands—I moved the coffee table aside. Additionally, I had the P.3 Trainer at hand; this setup includes dual resistance bands, a weight-bearing sphere, and an apparatus shaped like a triangle with elastic cords similar to those found on water skis. Since the precision mat—which retails for $99 but wasn’t part of the package—was unavailable, I opted instead for the plush green carpet beneath me.
“Why aren’t you winded?” my friend, sprawled across the bed, questioned as I lifted the small anchor from around my ankle.
Indeed, I didn’t struggle for breath as we did light cardio exercises. However, my arms felt like they were working hard during the strength training portion. I managed to keep up with the instructor until she added a plank exercise into the mix. While the sliders had trouble moving on the carpet, truly it was my core rather than the décor that needed improvement.
Feeling full of energy, I decided to add the “Full Body Sculpt” session, which lasted for 15 minutes. It was brief yet highly intensive and something I could picture fitting into an early-morning travel schedule or taking advantage of during breaks in adventure activities. Without accidentally hitting the chandelier with my hand, this workout turned out to be completely free from discomfort.
Coleman’s eight-class
Sculpt Anywhere Travel Series
Set against the backdrop of the tropical Sugar Beach resort in St. Lucia, this experience allowed me to momentarily overlook the highway visible from my window. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the “Full Body Sculpt” session lasting about 25 minutes, I had some issues with the gliders; they kept coming loose or causing me to slide uncontrollably towards the walls almost colliding with them. As a result, I decided to stop using them.
I had completely different sentiments towards the P-band. I desired additional workouts using the equipment—think of fingerless gloves linked by a resistance band—and envisioned slipping them on for a brief stretching session during a lengthy flight.
Concluding my test, I tried the “Upper Body Sculpt & Burn” session which lasted for 16 minutes, featuring Coleman in a tropical Caribbean setting once more. This workout focused heavily on building strength through targeted exercises combined with twists and jumps performed on a mat. Although I got quite sweaty, unfortunately, an old sport-related injury flared up, affecting my knee during the routine. As a result, I had to take some time off from using Pvolve.
The takeaway
If you frequently travel several times each month, Pvolve becomes a more cost-effective option compared to individual drop-in barre or Pilates classes, which tend to be expensive. However, if your usual routine involves using the hotel gym, then investing in the entire set might be overly extravagant and cumbersome for your needs.
Alternatively, consider purchasing one or two exclusive items like the P.band and P.3 Trainer that aren’t available elsewhere, and integrate these into your workout regimen. The monthly membership allows for signing up individually per visit.
I enjoyed the flexibility of exercising whenever I wanted without needing to dress up formally, unlike at a hotel gym or studio. The variety of classes meant I could always pick something that fit both my schedule and my energy levels. Alongside usual tourist activities like walking, hiking, or cycling, this made it simple for me to stay fit during my trip.
After returning from holiday, I felt fit overall but had a painful knee and bruised arms, unlike Jen who was fine.