Turbo Jam

Chalene Johnson
Year Released: 2005

Categories: Boxing/Kickboxing/Martial Arts


I had posted my impressions after previewing the TJ workouts. I have updated these impressions after doing (or, trying to do ) several of the workouts.

I want to stress that I had never seen a Turbo jam or Turbo Kick workout or Chalene before.


Very good:
- The music. The music is why I took a chance and bought these. I wish it was louder!
- I love standing ab work and these have it all over the place.
- Some fun moves.

Good:
- Chalene. I was glad to see that she has a nice voice. Her personality is energetic and enthusiastic. But, not obnoxious.

Not so good:
- The Set. Boring, low-budget and non-descript. (I love the P90X set.)
- The Costumes. I work out at home, so will admit to no concept of current workout fashions. These outfits were, in general, ugly. They seemed ill-fitting and unflattering. Some of the women needed better breast support.


Bad:
- Cueing. Late, bad or non-existent. Being impaired in so many ways, I need excellent cueing. DH watched these with me (NOT always a great idea.) I mentioned my concern about the cueing. He said, "What cueing? She ISN'T cueing." I tried Turbo Jam "Learn & Burn". I got the moves down fine. I then attempted the TJ "20-Minute Workout". I was not able to follow her ABYSMAL cueing. A few days later I tried "Cardio Party". I only lasted about ten minutes before giving up. Chalene does this workout as if it is a live class of experienced Turbo Jam exercisers. Which was not in the least helpful for someone like me who was new to the moves. Very frustrating!

- Form. Well, it's not supposed to be REAL kickboxing, is it? I mean, like you would use for self-defense? It is for fun and fat loss. Maybe it is different in the Turbo Kick live classes.

- Form Pointers. Not enough for me. I have been spoiled by Aaron Lankford and Kathy Smith, who seemed more aware that not everyone is familiar with kickboxing moves.


Odd:
- Chalene says it time to drink some water. Then she runs over to the side of the stage and pretends to drink water from a bottle. It was very odd. Why not just drink some water?

General:
- There is some whooping. I hate whooping in general. (Cathe's Boot Camp is an example of whooping that makes me want to strangle someone!) Yet, with the great music and the fun moves in TJ, it didn't seem annoying.

- DVD "issues". I played them on my Toshiba in the living room and they played fine. The Pioneer in my workout room is older and more fussy, but they played fine on that as well.


The workouts were too hard to follow and made my knees sore. That is the death knell for any workout.

Instructor Comments:
Please see review.

Alta

09/16/2005