Customer Reviews

Turbo Jam Beachbody 5 Rockin' Workouts

5 star:		(261)
4 star:		(51)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

Cardio Party was the first Turbo Jam video I've tried. I was looking for a fun kickboxing workout, and overall, I was not disappointed. The workout wasn't as dancey as I had expected--there are occasional brief interludes where you are encouraged to move to your own beat--but the entire atmosphere is more akin to a dance club than to a workout studio.

This workout is about 43 minutes long, and I realy liked how it was broken down: each chapter is a 6-7 minute segment that is separately choreographed, so once you are done with that segment, you move on to a new routine. I have provided an overview for the moves contained in each segment below (times are approximate, and I didn't necessarily include *every* move):

Warm-Up, 4 minutes. Charlene begins by warming you up with each of the 4 basic punches (jab, cross, hook, upper) and simple side steps. A few moving stretches are included towards the end.

1st cardio segment, 7 minutes. As with most of the segments, you'll learn two combinations which you then connect together. The first combination consists of "wheel" (a standing side crunch) combined with cross and hook punches. This combo connects to a march with alternating knee lifts and then double knee lifts to either side; at the end, Chalene changes the march to a jog.

2nd cardio segment, 7.5 minutes. The first combination here consists of a partial squat to either side; side kicks are then added to the squat. Building on this, you'll do the squat/side kicks, then squat front and back, add front/back push kicks, and then add knee lifts with front/back push kicks. Last comes a move Chalene calls a "twist"--you'll move front with jab-cross-jab punches and then do a knee lift, first just on the one side but then on both sides with arms added in. The entire sequence is then repeated to the other side.

3rd cardio segment, 7.5 minutes. You'll start here with speed bag, adding an upper cut to the end of the move and then adding a front knee/back kick. After doing two knees to either side, you'll add in "Tai" punches--slow punches and blocks to the front while in "horse" stance (straddle squat).

Turbo, 1.5 minutes. For the turbo, a siren goes off and you kick up the intensity, doing jogs and hopping knee lifts. However, two of the women in the large class always do a low-impact version of the moves.

Water break, 30 seconds. Following the Turbo, there is a pause allowing you to get a drink of water, although Chalene encourages you to keep moving during this time.

Recovery Dance Party, 6 minutes (but for some reason, this segment continues partly into the next chapter). I didn't really notice much difference between this and the other cardio segments; after a brief freestyle dance at the very beginning, Chalene moves back into kickboxing combinations. Here, she does cross, hook, and uppercut punches to one corner, speed bags to repeat in the opposite corner, and then does "zig zag" knees--basically, a side crunch combined with a knee lift to one side; eventually, a back kick is added on as well.

Final cardio segment, 4 minutes. This is a quick segment performed entirely in horse stance. First, you do a front speedbag followed by quick cross punches. Staying in horse stance, you do a high-low punch to the side, then add zig zag knees; for the last couple of reps, Chalene does a hop when doing the knee lift.

Aerobic cool-down, 3 minutes. Chalene describes the moves in this section as "finesse." There are some arm swings to the front plus some low front and back kicks, but everything is performed at a slower, more relaxed pace.

Stretch, 1.5 minutes. Here, Chalene borrows from Tai Chi and talks about focusing your energy; she does just a few very brief stretches such as a hamstring stretch.

Overall, this is a high-intenstiy workout that is mostly low-impact--there are a few jacks/hops thrown in here and there, but as previously mentioned, two of the participants always show funky, low-impact alternatives. The mood of this workout is definitely high energy, and the music is loud and upbeat, with a few recognizable songs (eg, a very fast version of "Busta Move"). Also, there is a countdown bar at the bottom of the screen which lets you know how much time is left in the current segment as well as previews the upcoming moves. If you enjoy kickboxing but are looking for a style that's more fun and funky than serious, this might be the perfect video for you.

Additional comments about the instructor: Chalene is clearly enthusiastic and has a ton of energy. She makes frequent comments to say that she *knows* you are having fun, and there are several points where she bursts out singing along to the moves. I would say that she's pretty over-the-top, but I didn't find her to be annoyingly so.

You may have heard that Charlene's cueing is poor; she actually *does* cue, but I wasn't always sure what she was talking about. For example, she cued "twist," which turned out to be a punching move. If I had done her "Learn and Burn" video first, I'm sure I would have found it much easier to follow along with this workout, but as it was, I was able to pick up the combinations pretty quickly the very first time through.

You have to keep doing it! I watched this informercial for months before finally caving. I looked up many, many reviews online and I have seen almost no negative feedback.

I love the music: There's none of that horrible canned 80s Muzak-with-drumtrack you find in so many workout DVDs. It's all clubby, highly danceable music; I'm sure it would be even more fabulous if you're lucky enough to have a good home theater/stereo system.

Chalene is just as peppy and cute as you'd expect, but she is by no means the "cheerleader" type. She does push, and she does encourage. But throughout the workouts you'll catch a glimpse of the Chalene you don't see very much in the infomercial: sassy, goofy and maybe a little bawdy (but not at all in an off-putting way). She's truly a wonder to behold, and entirely likeable: you don't ever get the sense that she's a phony.

I loved kickboxing, but after a while I developed a raging case of plantar fasciitis and couldn't continue kicking with a wave bag. This workout delivers a lot of hard-kicking, tough-punching fun but with none of the physical contact you might find in a traditional kickboxing workout. You also get a lot of dancy moves, which mixes things up and makes for a much more interesting workout.

I've purchased many workout DVDs and videos over the years, and I have never found one that really pumped me up like this. It's a ball to do, and although I've only just started my third week on the program, I'm finding my pants looser, my muscles tighter and my mood lifted.

Highly, highly recommended.

I was totally skeptical when I bought the DVD set and even let it sit on my shelf for months because I thought it looked too hard. I've tried other beachbody workouts, but this one is by far my favorite. I do Turbo Jam everyday and love it! I never used to love to exercise, but now that I've found something I love, exercise is not drudgery.

One of the nice things about it is that the workout can be more or less intense by whatever degree of intensity you want. If you are just getting started moving, you can do the slower workouts such as Burn, or the 20-Minute Jam before heading into Cardio Party.

I wish I could put 10 stars instead of just 5. I would highly recommend this workout to just about anyone. I have shown it to several friends (done the workout with them) and they have all bought the DVDs. I haven't shown it to one person that didn't love it.

As for results, I've been doing TJ for 7 weeks now and I've seen: 12 lb weight loss, 7% reduction in body fat, and 16 inches off my bust, waist & hip measurement. Amazing!!

This DVD set has 5 workouts. 1) Learn and Burn 25 min), 2) 20-minute workout, 3) Turbo Sculpt(40 min), 4) Cardio Party (45 min), and 5) Ab Jam (20 min). The DVD set of two has a learn and burn segment which covers learning the 11 moves which are designed for low-impact, high cardio and high ab reduction. Then there is a workout segment of about 15 minutes on the first burn segment. The 20 minute full workout is on the same DVD and another segment of a full turbo sculpt workout using hand weights of about 40 minutes is also included. On the second DVD there is about an approx. 45 minute workout Cardio Party (intensity to high intensity) and then another workout program of approx 20 minutes of a crunching ab and obliques workout.
I started with this program a few weeks ago and have lost pounds and inches in just a few short weeks. I'm not new to the fitness world and so catching on to these powerhouse workouts wasn't difficult. I love the fact they are not high impact on the legs and knees. The moves are animated and hot, but not damaging to your joints. I continue to use the Cardio Parties, and the Ab Jam routine even in my advanced workouts so don't think this is a lightweight program. The activity is all intense to high intensity and can be adjusted according to your own abilities.

People have complained that they don't know when Chalene gives the ques for the next sequence - well maybe they need to go back to the beginner steps of the learn and burn segment to get it. Who cares what the next sequence is called or if Chalene ques it just right? If I had the sound turned all the way down it wouldn't matter - just watch the moves, do them and lose weight. JUST DO IT. It's that simple. This is a great beginner set with lots of room to grow into advanced workouts such as Cardio Party and the Ab Jam included in this two DVD set. I do the Ab Jam workout every day as a warm up and then move onto one of the Cardio Party DVD's for the 40-50 minute workout. Other Cardio workouts by Chalene's Turbo Jam are Cardio Party mix 2, Cardio Party mix 3, and one of my absolute favorites, Punch, Kick, and Jam. I love the Turbo Jam workouts and me, with an extensive martial arts background, wanted a brightly colored change from the violence of the martial arts. This workout doesn't remind me of martial arts, even though the moves appear similiar. It atmosphere is anything but violent and the crew are smiling and upbeat, even through their sweat and althetically trim bodies. Some of the women in this DVD set are amazing and you can see their personal successes on the extras in this DVD set including Mindy who lost 45 pounds and Ana-Rita who lost 75 pounds. This is the real thing folks, and you will definitely have fun and lose weight. It's a wonderful workout program without feeling like I'm in a smelly boxing gym. I went from a size 7 down to a size 3 in a few short weeks. I'm a size zero now! I love the workouts, the brightly colored background and up beat music and the clean good workout fun of the crew and Chalene. She's one of the best motivational instructors in the world and gets you going! See my reviews on other Turbo Jam products.

I am big girl (about 100 pounds over weight). I have a VERY hard time working out. I didn't want to do it. Not to mention, I really wouldn't be able to keep up. So, I thought...

I had these videos for about two months before even trying them. They were in my, One day I will do it, pile. Well, last Monday, I decided to try it out. After all; I have read so many reviews on how people lost weight and felt better and so on. This is by far the best workout video I have EVER tried. I have been workout almost every day since. I took off 1 day in a week and a half! I'm not even doing it to lose weight anymore. I really just like the way I feel afterwards.

I decided to pop in my Tae Bo DVD the other day, just to switch things up. I had to shut it off about 5 minutes through. I was bored! I popped in Turbo jam and finished my workout.

Seriously, this is definitely worth the money. It's fun and I think of it more as a good time rather than a work out. I don't feel I HAVE to do this, I actually WANT to!

There's a few different reasons why I love this video...

1 - It's actually fun. Sure before I actually start doing any routine I kinda drudge into it, but as soon as I start moving I love it. Although I'm not a fan of the music if I were to just hear it on the radio, but for a cardio routine, it's great. It's bouncy and really let's you get into the dance aspect of turbo jam.

2 - I'm the kind of person who needs to excercise everyday, or I'll just flat out stop. With this I can do that. I can do the 45 minute cardio party if I really wanna work out, or simply the 20 minute one if I just wanna keep myself going.

3 - Yea, you lose weight, and you gain and sculpt muscle, but what really surprised me is that it changed my overall body. I'm a generally muscular person, but this shaped it in a more slender and feminine way. What got me even more excited was that I used to have broad shoulders, after using turbo jam for only a few weeks, I already saw that they weren't as masculine and line backer-ish. I feel comfortable in dresses and tank tops because I'm not self conscious about my shoulders anymore.

4 - I've become happier with myself. Sure I look better which helps, but it seems that since turbo jam is a lot of dancing and taebo-esque moves, I'm more flexible and more, I suppose loose, is the only other word to describe it. Basically, I'm not as stiff.

5 - And come on, nobody can say a good endorphine rush after excercising doesn't make you happy. Chalene says on the 20 minute video that this is going to be the best 20 minutes of your day...and at first it sounds cheesy, but it's true. You feel better after excercising. and you'll be even happier after seeing how your body changes.

And if that isn't enough, the girl that first told me about turbo jam...so far she's lost 45lbs. and that doesn't even take into consideration how much muscle she's gained, which as you know, weighs more than fat.

As the been chubby since I was a pre-teen gal now turning into the sexy, comfortable with her self, looking better every day gal...All I can say is buy it. You won't regret it.

Turbo Jam is awesome! I was an avid runner of 6 miles a day, which caused me to lose a ton of weight. I loved it but my knees couldn't handle it. Since I'm young I needed something that exerted a lot of energy. I tried yoga, and a lot of other strengthening techniques but they didn't work. I saw Turbo Jam one Saturday morning and decided to try it out. The commercial said, "1000 calories in an hour!" That's what I needed to hear!

My first episode, I woke up very sore. I was shocked because "I'm a runner and we can accomplish all things!" Yeah Right! Chalene kicked my [...]. I've been doing Turbo Jam for a few months now and it really works with my schedule. I never really have time for the Cardio Party but I do the :20 mins workout every morning and evening. And when I have time I add the "burn" portion of the "Learn & Burn".

This work out is for everyone. All ages, all sizes! My abs have been flat but NEVER toned... until now! My legs were in good shape but now they're very defined. AND GET THIS... I haven't picked up a single weight and my arms are SO toned. (I do a like 10 pushups after every workout.)

It's true: "the more energy you put into it, the more you get out." Even though I've been doing it for months, over time I have increased my energy input (jump a little higher, swing a little harder, etc.) and I still get sore.

I bought the complete set on ebay for $45 this summer after seeing the infomercial a million times on T.V. and have used it everyday since then! Before Turbo Jam, I used SLIM IN 6. And to be honest I found it to be so boring. Watching 3 people do the most boring exercise won't keep you motivated! I've tried so many workouts and nothing has ever been able to keep me going throughout the entire workout, let alone to continue using it on a daily basis like Turbo Jam!

I love Chalene's enthusiasm!! She's great at boosting your energy just when you think you're too tired to continue. I have always been slim, but that's it, just slim. I wanted to put on a little more muscle and tone up. This workout does just that. Not only is the workout fun, but the music is too! There really isn't an easier workout out there. Chalene DOES give enough cues. Once you get into the routine you won't even need her to tell you what's next. Predictable, but not boring!

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Learn & Burn - This segment of the set will help you learn the moves you'll need in all the workouts.

20 Minute Workout - When I first started this program, it was key to do the 20 minute workout and gradually build up the energy and ability to do the other workouts. After you're well into the program, the 20 minute workout becomes the workout you use most when you're short on time. The moves are easy and fun!

Cardio Party - Now this is where the fun is at it's best! My favorite part of Turbo Jam is the Cardio Party workout. It definitely gets your heart rate going, but not too much. You'll sweat and burn tons of calories! It's full of kicks, punches, squats and other movement which is great! It's definitely helped me build up the strength I needed in my arms, legs, and abs. It also features the best music!

Turbo Sculpt - Once you've started to build up muscle, you'll need to sculpt them to look lean, toned, but not bulky. When I first started this workout, I had trouble in my knees and shoulders. I was shaky and fatigued. Time builds strength and that's what is most important! Turbo sculpting is slow and less energetic than the other workouts, which is the whole idea. Features my favorite cast member Bryan Wangen ;)

Ab Jam - My other favorite of the set. I love working on my abs and this workout is wonderful for doing so. I enjoy the floor part best, partly because I feel it most. Though the standing abs section is great for your obliques and entire core! Also features my favorite cast member Bryan Wangen ;)

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For beginners, modification isn't a problem. Everything is broken down and soon or a later you'll be a pro! I do this workout in a small room, so there is no need for lots of space. Chalene motivates you all the way through which is awesome! I can't wait to try the new Turbo Jam Maximum Results. Overall, I couldn't recommend this workout more if I wanted to! It's the perfect workout.

Over all I like the Cardio Party Segment better than some of the workout segments. The music is better than most workout videos and the moves are good. Learn and burn is not too difficult to follow. However, once you get to the 20 min workout Chalene doesn't give you a lead in count or cue you very much for the next move. When you are trying to follow along with her combination moves the camera pans away from Chalene and then zooms in on someone in the back doing the high impact version or the low impact. You get lost during the combination because the camera is shifting the focus away from Chalene while she is doing the move. Sometimes it zooms in on various cast members and you can't see what the move is supposed to look like. If you have been using the video for a good while that would be fine but while you are trying to learn it is frustrating. The Cardio Party is better and she doesn't have so many combinations. It focuses on the 11 signature moves but there again she doesn't give quite enough cuing for new users and the camera pans around and zooms in and out a little more than is necessary. I don't care for all the special material that shows her blasting her kids out of the car with loud music. It plays between segments whether you want it to or not. Just a little interview about how she got into fitness would have been enough.

Turbo Jam is the reason why I lost significant weight for the first time ever! Chalene makes working out so much fun. What makes this DVD so great? Well, there is dancing, kicking, boxing, cardio, and strengthing. And to top it off. There isn't some generic music to work out with. The music was taken from artist like Young MC, GAP Band (Love that Party Train Jam), and other artists, as well.

The workout is so much fun, and you don't have to worry about the public watching you. You're in the comfort of your own home, and she takes you through the moves. Chalene keeps the energy high, and she is having a lot of fun on the DVD, too. You do the routines everyday, you will learn them easily. They are not difficult at all.

I highly recommend this workout! Work out whenever you want, no rush, no gym. Get it and feel good about yourself.