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91 of 93 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is it worth the money???? ABSOLUTELY!!, February 22, 2008
I HATED EXERCISING. But, I'm getting a little older (early 30s), and I finally realized that it's time to lose some weight and do it the healthy way!! I came home from work one morning and saw the infomercial for Turbo Jam on television. I thought this might actually be...dare I say...FUN exercise???
I did a little research and read from many sources that purchasing it directly from Beach Body is a nightmare (credit cards overcharged, horrible customer service, no one speaks English), and I was a little dismayed. I saw that here on Amazon, the cheapest I could find the "Maximum Results" was over $100 with shipping! I was getting frustrated now. Well, I reluctantly went to Ebay (fearful of the increasing number of knock-offs and fraudulent sellers) and found this complete set for $68 (including shipping=).
So, when the set arrived, I opened it and thought, "Geez...not a lot for my $70..." -- two separate DVD cases, some little blue weighted gloves, some books, and a tape measure. Hmm. Had I been taken? Great. Another exercise fad that got my money. But...wait...
I took the time to look through everything before passing judgment. There may have only been two DVD cases, but I found that there is a comprehensive instructional series (the "Learn" part of the "Learn and Burn") which instructs the "Elite 11" moves (on which the entire program is based). The chapters are set so that if you didn't quite understand a move, you hit the "back" button once, and it will take you back to the beginning of that particular move (not to the start of the DVD). Well, at least that's the case with my set! Following the "Learn" is the "Burn", which takes the moves you've just learned and speeds them up just a bit. The moves are slowly integrated into a workout of just under 20 minutes. The first time I tried it, I was a little frustrated. The second and third times, I started liking it. By the fourth time, I had it down, and I was HOOKED. ME...THE HATER OF EXERCISE=0
Next is a 20 minute workout to burn a LOT of calories when time is limited. Again, first couple of times are a challenge. After you get the hang of it, it is just fun.
Still, in the first DVD case is the Turbo Sculpt, which is 40 minutes of "slowed down" toning; Cardio Party, which is 45 minutes of high energy aerobics; and Ab Jam, which is 20 minutes of, well, ab work. After the first time of doing these, I found muscles I didn't know I had!! I felt it the next day, but in a good way.
Finally, the second DVD case has "Punch, Kick, & Jam." This REALLY kicks up the workout...especially when you add the resistance bands (not included, but very inexpensive) and those little blue gloves. Obviously, this one tires me out a lot more, but, again, it's always in a good way.
Your instructor in all of this is Chalene Johnson. When I first saw her, I thought, "Okay...you're going to annoy me." WRONG!! She's cutesy, but NOT in a way that makes you want to slap her around!! She's actually quite fun and motivating. She seems like one of those people who would add to the energy of any room by just walking in. She's positive without being too cheesy and fake.
I have to say that I was quite impressed with the music. I've done TONS of exercise videos, and oftentimes, the music is an afterthought. Here, it is obviously a main focus in the production of these videos. It's energized house music that really does make it seem like..well...a party!
The DVDs include some "behind the scene" stuff, meeting Chalene and the cast and a little more on their lives. Sure, it's a little fluff and self-promotive, but after the workouts, I found that I was actually interested in this. Seeing them all as "real" people made me like them all a little bit more.
So, making this long review even longer...
The "books" included the Turbo Results Guidebook and Turbo Slim 10-day Kick Start.
The guidebook has some really good information in it. Again, it breaks down the "Elite 11". It's in a little different way (obviously. it's in a book.), so it does help to see it explained even further than in the instructional video. It also gives food recommendations for both your diet at home and for dining out. While I don't follow it to the letter, it is definitely a helpful guideline.
I have to say that I haven't tried the Turbo Slim as of yet. I haven't found QUITE that much motivation quite yet. However, in reviewing it, it doesn't look "un-do-able". It outlines ten days of eating and exercise (and the foods can be interchanged if you'd like). The claim is that one can lose up to 10 inches in 10 days. Again, I can't say for sure how this works. Maybe I will eventually try it, and I'll update my review.
In conclusion, I don't work for Turbo Jam, and Chalene isn't my cousin or anything like that. I wrote such a lengthy review because I want people to know exactly what is offered in this set. Every exercise program has its downfalls, and maybe I'll find more in this series after a few more months of doing it. But I've fallen off the wagon so many times because I've gotten bored or annoyed. I've been doing Turbo Jam 5-6 times a week since I've gotten it (even doing two or three of the workouts at a time) because it really is just that enjoyable! I can feel myself getting stronger, and I can see my clothes fitting better. When I'm done doing it, I feel fatigued, but not "dead". After the initial fatigue, I really do feel energized to do more with my day. I'm 1/3 of the way to my "goal weight", and I'm confident that I'm going to get there.
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