Turbo Jam: Cardio Party 3

Chalene Johnson
Year Released: 2006

Categories: Boxing/Kickboxing/Martial Arts


Cardio Party Mix 3 is a 52 minute kickboxing workout. I think this workout, depending on what intensity modifications you use and if you use the weighted gloves, could range from low intermediate to advanced. A lot of the intensity comes from what you put into it.

Set: Is a loft type setting. There is a large wood floor and no other decorations except several different colored banners hanging in the background.

Cast & Outfits: Chalene is accompanied by 9 other background exercisers. I noticed that there was only one male in the video, which is different from previous TJ workouts. I recognized Holly, Anna Rita, Janelle, and Mindy from the original TJ workouts. Whereas other workouts in these new releases have the cast dressed similiarly (i.e. all the same colored top), in this workout everyone is wearing athletic wear that reflects their individual style. So the effect seems like a real class and is very colorful. Chalene is wearing a light blue plaid skort with a matching bra top. Initially, this outfit caught my eye, and not in a good way. It looked very 'cheerleader' which I thought look odd on a woman of Chalene's age. However, once the workout started, the outfit quickly faded into the background and it didn't detract from the workout.

Music: The music used is techno/dance/house type music. It has a very strong bass beat behind it that really drives it. I had previously reviewed 3T: Totally Tubular Turbo and found the music non-descript. I enjoyed the music much better in this workout.

Equipment: No equipment is needed. Chalene and a few background exercisers show the option of using weighted gloves.

The workout is broken down into 10 chapter points. They are warm up, punches, punches & kicks, core & kicks, turbo, cardio recovery, finale, cardio cooldown, finesse, and tai chi stretch.

Warm Up: If you own other TJ workouts, you will recognize that the all the warm ups are very similiar to one another. I did find that the warm up here was slightly longer than in other TJ's, clocking in at around 6 minutes. Moves include shoulder rolls, double bobs to jabs/crosses/hooks/upper cuts, knees (singles, 8's, 4's), hamstring stretch, lat pulldowns, speed bag arms & side lunges.

Punches: Starts with an upper cut-cross combo. It adds in the twist, 4 upper cuts, triple jabs w/ a cross left and right, crosses, down punches, upper cuts, triple jabs again, and speed bag. You complete this segment on one side and repeat the sequence on the other side.

Punches & Kicks: Starts with either a march/knee or run/knee-twist combo. Added on are jinga, roundhouse kick-knee, front push kick, bob & weave, and wheel. This gets repeated on the other side.

Core & Kicks: Starts with a speed bag-upper cut (exact move started a sequence in CPM1). Added on are elbow knee-back kick, row, knee/back kick alternating sides, upper cut, double to single knees, crosses and run. You repeat on the other side. Of all the segments, this was my favorite!! I got really into it and could definitely feel my core being engaged.

Turbo: Is the quick burst to push you into an anaerobic phase. My only beef is that there is so little cueing and instruction during the turbo that it's easy to watch half it go by before you can figure out what's going on. It started with jump rope to 3 knee-single knee. Added on were forward-back run to single run, 8 knees each side, side-front punches, side leaps, run up, jack back, 6 jabs left/right with a whip, and high knees. This segment ends with a 20 second water break.

Cardio Recovery: Starts with a speed bag that turns-upper cuts. Adds on howz-it w/ a jab, elbows low/high, fast foot w/ jabs corner to corner, and the twist. Repeats on other side. Chalene does a great job of bringing you down a bit and motivating you to slowly bring it back to full intensity for the finale.

Finale: I thought the music was the same as the finale in CPM1, but I think I'm wrong. Anyway, you start with quick crosses-upper cuts. You add on 2 knees, back kick-knee/kick, and heel of palm-elbow strike-twist. Repeat on other side. I really liked the heel of palm-elbow strike-twist move. It felt very powerful.

Cardio Cooldown: Is a great way to practice form on kicks and punches. It's somewhat similiar to the warm up in that you run through double bob jab/cross/hook/upper cuts again. Then you add kicks, low side push kicks, low roundhouse kicks, low back push kicks.

Finesse: What Chalene calls her stylized kicking/dancing combos. You start with a march hitch knee that becomes a march hitch kick. You add on knee-back kick, step behind step over, double side kick, single side kick, knee-crescent knee alternating sides and blocks. Repeat on other side.

Tai Chi Stretch: Again, very similiar to other TJ workouts. You have the some of the same Tai Chi moves (sinking chi, supporting heaven) and a couple of new ones (cloud arms, bow & arrow). You also have a quadriceps stretch and hamstring stretch. I really liked the music in the stretch. If you're familiar with Enigma, you'll swear it's them in the background.

Overall impressions: Even though I pointed out similiarities to other TJ releases, I found that there was enough new things (either new moves or new combinations) that made it feel fresh. But if you're someone who doesn't like any carry over of old moves into new workouts, then this workout is probably not for you. I really enjoyed this workout a lot!!! I gave it my all and it was a fun sweatfest. Turbo Jam workouts are ones I look forward to doing, and Cardio Party Mix 3 is one I know I'll reach for time and again. My grade: A.

Instructor Comments:
Chalene had a lot of energy in this workout. I personally didn't find it annoying and I really liked this at it motivated me to give it my all during the workout. She does say the occasional 'baby' and 'oh yea', and it fits with who she seems to be.

Sabine Reuter

03/26/2006