Chalene Johnson Turbo Fire - Week In Review

Since I am doing several Turbo Fire workouts within a week, I will do a combine review of that week's workouts.

First a little about the set up, the Turbo Fire system is broken down into a series of Fire (aerobics) workouts, HiiT workouts, and toning workouts. The number in the title is a rough estimate of how long the class (workout) is. Each workout features a modifier and each workout is led by Chalene Johnson. The Fire workouts feature a combination breakdown option (called new to class) that you can select to learn the moves more slowly. This does make the workout longer.

I started my Turbo Fire workouts on Tuesday with Fire 60 Class. The Fire 60 Class actually clocks in at 56:58. It features several kickboxing dance based combinations and it has two drills repeated two times each and it has 2 finales at the end. Each of the drills are approximately 68 seconds. I like this workout. I did not get bored even though some of the combinations are slightly on the repetitive side. Chalene did an excellent job in selecting the music and there is lots of energy throughout the whole workout up until the very end.

Saturday, I continued with the Turbo Fire workouts. The first workout
I did was Lower 20 Class. The Lower 20 class clocks in at 21:09 and it features the lower body band as the resistance tool.

This workout is short but intense - some real burners. Most of the exercises are for the hip. The hamstring and quadriceps are also targeted. There is a standing section and a floor section.

I followed Lower 20 with HiiT 15. HiiT 15 is awesome. It clocks in at 16:27 and it packs a lot in in that time - including a warm up and cool down. There are three drills repeated three times each. The first and third drills are 35 seconds each and the second drill is 36 seconds. Prior to the each drill, Chalene marks through each move to give you an idea of what you are doing. Then the siren starts and you are off.

When I first did this workout, I thought the pace was very frantic. One of the reasons why I waited to review these workouts was because I wanted to see if that perception would hold up and it didn't. I didn't feel rush. Although I do think trying to execute each move fully is hard to do. HiiT 15 is a good get in and get out workout.

I followed this workout with Core 20. Core 20 clocks in at 20:08. The first 1/2 of the workout is standing and the second 1/2 of the workout is floor based.
These following are notes I made the first time I did the workout and I totally agree with my previous statements:

Chalene states "we are working all the muscles groups that define the core - abs, back, and hips". Chalene uses the tubing in this workout. I am not a fan of the tubing and found the tubing used in the standing section cumbersome, but I did like the way Chalene used the tubing when we went to the floor. The floor section using the tube reminded me of the type of work done on pilates machines. Other exercises included are standing oblique crunch and a series of planks exercises that included leg raises. Overall it was okay

I finish the Turbo Fire workouts with Stretch 10 (actually 12:28) Class. I like the Stretch 10 class. The stretches are very basic with some yoga thrown in.

The stretches emphasize the muscles you use when doing Turbo Fire.

Fire 60 - 4 1/2 stars

Lower 20 - 4 stars

HiiT 15 - 4 1/2 stars

Core 20 - 3 stars

Stretch 10 - 4 stars