Turbo Jam - Fun Workouts to Melt the Pounds Off

An infectious beat can make just about anyone move, just choose your style be it dance, electronic or hip hop. This is the driving force behind Chalene Johnson's workout video series Turbo Jam.

I am a skeptic when it comes to exercise videos, miracle cures and losing 20 pounds in 10 days. It is unrealistic and disappointing, not to mention a great reason to switch the television to something else and give up.

When I saw the infomercial for Turbo Jam (I must admit I am addicted to infomercials, far more than hit television shows) I was intrigued to say the least. I saw people who claimed to be uncoordinated who had fantastic results and when I heard the videos were set to upbeat music, I was hooked.

I still held off on ordering. I have been disappointed in certain other programs before and I didn't want a repeat, especially a repeat that cost $60. So like most people, with a new year approaching, I felt an itch to do something about my deteriorating health. I picked up my card and ordered the Maximum Results program.

Now, from the beginning, I had researched Beach Body, but had not found an alternative company to order from. I read mixed reviews of Beach Body. Most reviews were bad, unfortunately. That was one of the main reasons I held off on ordering. But I also know some people have unrealistic customer service and delivery expectations, so I took a chance.

Now, when I first ordered the website was difficult to navigate and there was an annoying video box that would play every time you come to the site. There were no audio controls, so I had to turn off my computer speakers, but that wasn't a big deal. What was a big deal was when I actually ordered, I received an error message. I was told to resubmit my order. Instead I called their customer service to see if my order went through. I was told to call back in four hours or to talk to an online chat representative. In four hours I tried the chat. Besides being incredibly rude, the person on the other end did nothing but make me sit for 30 minutes while they were "listening" to my two sentence problem.

So naturally I called. I was informed my order did go through and that I was right to not resubmit my order. I asked if I was on any auto-enroll programs (I read on review sites Beach Body often auto-enrolls you in programs without coming out and saying it. Not a very honest practice in my opinion.) and I was informed I wasn't. I would recommend checking, just in case.

Then the hard part was over! I just had to wait 5-7 days! Oh, did I say five to seven? Right, it was actually slightly over two weeks. But with the holidays I expected a bit of a backup in the post offices.

I have been informed since this fiasco that QVC sells Turbo Jam and they are much better with customer service and delivering on time. If anyone were to want to order Turbo Jam, I would highly recommend going through anyone but Beach Body.

With the problems with Beach Body, I was slightly discouraged when I received my DVD's. But upon opening the package, I was pleasantly surprised. On top of my "free gift" of Beach Body workout sampler with their most popular workouts, I also was given a measuring tape. They are cheap, sure, but the attention to detail was nice. Most people don't have a measuring tape (I did, but having a second is nice!) so I liked the touch.

I received the weighted gloves, two DVD's and the 10 day jump-start planner, as well as a regular workout planner.

I was once again excited to try this upbeat workout, so in the morning (it was delivered late in the evening) I popped in the DVD, strapped on my gloves, and grabbed a water bottle.

I must admit, with each new video, I am flopping around and running out of breath. I feel so uncoordinated, but the second time is better, and by my third try I just about have it down. The workouts are never boring, and just when you think you will need to stop doing those jabs, you move on to something new. It raises your heart rate, keeps you moving and it really is FUN! The music gets in your body and you cannot help but to groove along with Chalene and her crew.

The workouts all are shown with two of the leaders doing modified, low-impact moves that will burn calories without being rough on your joints. This is particularly useful for "jumping-rope" because it allows you to keep up the intensity without your feet leaving the floor. If you live in an apartment, would like to keep your knees intact or just want to exercise while a little one is sleeping nearby, low-impact is the way to go.

I would without reservations recommend Turbo Jam as an amazing way to quickly burn calories while feeling like you are dancing. You don't need special equipment, a large space or dancing experience, you just put it in and go! I am not far into this, but I am already losing weight and feeling more energized, and I look forward to exercising every day even if I am off time. As Chalene says, "Even mistakes burn calories!"