The Firm Express: Turbocharge

Alison Davis
Year Released: 2010

Categories: Circuit Training (cardio and weights) , Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance , Total Body Workouts


I am a big fan of the Firm (from the BBH-era all the way through the Firm Express series) and while I waited for a bargain, could not wait to get this series. I am a BIG fan of the short (30 minute-ish or less) intense, HIIT-style workouts, and these do NOT disappoint! The exercises are sort of all over the place (I would not recommend these for any serious strength training) but are fabulous for short cardio routines, even the strength workouts. Each workout in the system effectively gets your heart rate up and makes you feel like you really got something effective done in just 20 minutes. I tend to add 3-4 minutes to the end to stretch. Like all Firms, there is a high production value, and I like how the instructors are somewhat coordinated (their outfits), and the backlighting changes color for the bursts (which also have an on-screen timer). I don’t like that the FE workouts are each on individual DVDs (so there’s 13 DVDs in the system – excessive!) and wish they would have put each cycle on one DVD so you could mix and match. There is a Gaiam ad at the beginning but isn’t excessive. I think my only other complaint would be that the warm ups (thankfully not the cardio or strength as much) can be unnecessarily complex, but I am choreo-challenged and still follow along fine.

I would rate all of the FE workouts in the intermediate range, maybe high intermediate depending on poundage used (but you can’t go too heavy due to the combination moves), and I often sub the bursts with a harder exercise to get my heart rate up more. They are definitely great to add on to another workout or to use on a day that you’re short on time. I have not done the system as designed and just use the workouts as a standalone or add-on. I really get a lot of use out of these and have paired them with lots of other workouts. They are so fun and short! I would definitely recommend these for anyone who enjoys short, high intensity workouts.

The Turbocharge cycle (the third cycle in the system) is led by Alison with two background exercisers. One of them is supposed to be a modifier but they don’t generally modify, in my opinion. The cycles are supposed to be progressive but I think they are generally consistent in intensity.

All of the FE workouts have a brief (about 2 minute warm up) followed by brief cardio and/or strength intervals and four sets of bursts. Each set of bursts is 8-seconds of a high intensity exercise followed by a 12-second recovery. Each workout ends with a very short (inadequate) 1-2 minute cool down and stretch.
I don’t tend to use the Turbocharge cycle as much as the others because Alison seems to be more fussy/choreographed than the other cycles. Which is a disappointment, because I like her choice of exercises – she uses kettlebell swings, a lot of plank work, and just generally more creative moves than the other cycles (which I also really enjoy). I find her strength workout to be the least fussy, and my most used of the cycle. But you really have to watch her closely to make sure she hasn’t moved on to another move, or morphed the exercise into something else. With that said, they certainly aren’t un-doable (I certainly haven’t ripped the DVDs out of the player in frustration) and I should probably do them more often, to master the routines. I think it would be rewarding.

Instructor Comments:
I like Alison as an instructor (I like a lot of her Pink Firm workouts) but as I mentioned she uses more choreography in these workouts than I think is necessary. Not that it matters, but of all the FE instructors, I think she wears the cutest outfits. She is definitely inspiring!

Emily B.

09/02/2013