Renaissance Periodization Review – Why Join?
Renaissance Periodization is an online training program that promises to give you a scientific approach to training and nutrition provided by real trainers and professionals. Here’s our Renaissance Periodization review.
What is Renaissance Periodization?
Renaissance Periodization is an online training program that gives you exercise or nutrition advice in exchange for a subscription fee.
That advice is provided by qualified trainers and coaches. These coaches take pride in using science and the “best information in the fitness industry” to make informed decisions about your health. Here’s how those personal trainers explain their program:
“Here at Renaissance Periodization we’re all about making sure that you have the best information in the fitness industry about all things diet and training related…. Renaissance Periodization was founded with the understanding that science is the surest path to the truth, and in this field, to results.”
With that in mind, CEO Nick Shaw and his team of trainers promise to use the power of science to help you exercise and eat smarter to become a healthier person.
Programs start at $525 for the 3 month training plan and $575 for the 3 month diet plan. You can scale up to 6 and 12 month plans or order combination training.
Renaissance Periodization Programs
Renaissance Periodization does not offer cookie cutter diets or training programs. You don’t get just one pre-built diet and exercise package. Instead, you’re paying for customized advice built for your unique needs and body goals.
The trainers at Renaissance Periodization can design programs for all of the following groups:
— Strength Athletes: Like those who do CrossFit, weightlifting, powerlifting, or Strongman programs
— The General Public: “Individuals of all ages seeking enhancements in health and appearance”
— Physique Competitors: Bodybuilding, figure, fitness, bikini, and physique competitors
— Athletes: Anyone who participates in team sports, strength sports, combat sports, endurance sports, and other athletic activities
Basically, if you’re committed to getting in shape or achieving some type of athletic goal, Renaissance Periodization can help you reach that goal.
After signing up for Renaissance Periodization, you get diet and training advice from qualified individuals. Here’s how RP explains its trainers:
“You’ll be working with either a PhD caliber coach or a world champion/record holder (sometimes BOTH), or RP’s CEO/Founder.”
You can view qualifications for these individuals at the official RP website. The company’s consultants include an Olympic weightlifting consultant and strength and conditioning consultant with a PhD, a combat sport consultant and sport nutrition consultant with a PhD, and others with combinations of MS, PhD, MD, and other degrees. All of these individuals also have their own pages where you can learn more about their background and qualifications.
When you’re following an individualized program, you’ll proceed through diet or exercise training while being closely monitored by one of these professionals. These professionals will monitor your weekly progress and make any necessary adjustments to your training program. Your job is to update your trainer twice a week, although RP sets no limits on the volume or frequency of contact between you and your coach.
Any time you have a question, you can email your coach and get a timely response.
Renaissance Periodization Rates and Plans
RP offers the following rates and service packages:
- 3 Month Diet Plan: $575
- 6 Month Diet Plan: $950
- 12 Month Diet Plan: $1400
- 3 Month Training Plan: $525
- 3 Month Combo Diet Plus Training: $750
Payments for all of the plans listed above are made upfront. However, RP also has month-to-month plans where you can get continuous diet or exercise support month after month. Those plans include:
— Month by Month Diet Plan: $295 for the first month (listed as currently sold out on the RP website)
— Additional Month Diet Coaching: $195 for each additional month
— Month by Month Combo Diet Plus Training: $315
What is the Renaissance Diet?
If you don’t want to sign up for the RP individualized training programs, then you can sign up to learn more about The Renaissance Diet, which describes itself as “a scientific approach to getting leaner and building muscle.”
The diet was created by members of the RP team, including Dr. Mike Israetel, Dr. Jen Case, and Dr. James Hoffman. It’s available in the form of an eBook priced at $37.
Dr. Israetel has a PhD in Sport Physiology and works as a professor of Exercise Science at the University of Central Missouri, where he handles the nutrition of top athletes in strength and physique sports. He describes the diet eBook has a way to “help you perform better and get the body you want.”
The book is a comprehensive guide on how to eat better while supporting an athletic routine. It promises to explain how much to eat, what to eat, when to eat, and all other things you need to know about eating healthy.
You’ll learn which supplements actually work, which diet myths are just myths, and how to balance your macronutrients to support bodybuilding goals.
Unlike many “fad” diets, the Renaissance Diet doesn’t emphasize one specific food rule (like cutting out carbs or avoiding eating grains). Instead, it encourages dieters to eat a variety of foods. This keeps the diet interesting and increases the chances of success.
One of the core parts of the Renaissance Diet is a meal plan that tells you when to eat every meal of the day, including the types of food to eat at each meal. You can view a sample meal plan here.
That meal plan recommends lean protein sources (tuna, salmon, shrimp, scallops, chicken breast, turkey breast, lean beef, etc.) veggies (broccoli, spinach, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, green peppers, etc.), healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, canola oil, nut butter, etc.), healthy carbs (whole grain bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, etc.), and workout shake carbs (Gatorade, lemonade, fruit punch, Kool Aid, or any fruit juice).
You’re also told the amount to eat with each meal. Your first meal, for example, is a protein shake with 20 grams of whey protein in water. You drink that when working out then have a 50g carb workout. Your breakfast is 3oz of any lean protein source, one small handful of green veggies, a half serving of healthy fats, and 50 grams of healthy carbs.
By following this diet program (or whichever Renaissance Periodization diet program you’re given), you can support your athletic goals and become a healthier person.
Other Renaissance Periodization Products
Renaissance Periodization offers a number of digital products available for purchase online, including all of the following:
— RP Auto Diet Template: $99 (prebuilt diet designed to last 3 months to keep you eating healthy and gaining strength)
— RP Powerlifting Hypertrophy Templates: $98 (similar to the Auto Diet Template but designed for powerlifters)
— The Renaissance Diet eBook: $37
— Scientific Principles of Strength Training: $47
— Renaissance Woman: $36
Who Made Renaissance Periodization?
Renaissance Periodization was created by founder and CEO Nick Shaw. Nick’s About page describes himself as a competitive powerlifter and bodybuilder who “has had the opportunity to work with numerous national level physique athletes as well as world class strength athletes.”
Nick himself does not have a medical background or PhD. He has a BA in sports management. However, as mentioned above, most other members of his team do have PhDs in a wide range of fields.
Nick has also worked as an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and has “multiple years experience training and designing diet programs” for professionals in Manhattan.
Should You Sign up for Renaissance Periodization?
Ultimately, Renaissance Periodization appears to be a high-quality online training program led by qualified individuals who are actively working in their fields. The program seeks to support your athletic training with high-quality fitness and nutrition support.
Although it’s primarily targeted towards intermediate to high-level athletes, the programs can also be customized to meet the needs of ordinary people who are simply seeking to get in shape. The pricing is in line with what you would expect to pay for an online nutritionist or personal trainer – it’s less than paying for someone in person, but a fair price for online support.
