Fitness Videos - The Firm, Tae Bo, Or Turbo Jam?

I want to get one of these systems, but I don't know which one is best! Tae Bo and Turbo Jam look similar, and The Firm looks like it really gives a great workout too...any input? I don't want to spend $100's of dollars, my hubby would throw a FIT!:o

Well, I am partil to The Firm and WHN workouts. I tried Tae bo and hate it. I do not like Billy as an instructor and the constant talking and counting.
I have not tried TJ, but saw the commercial and know off the bat I would hate it (though I do want the abs for the standing ab work only.)
I have used Firm workouts off & on since they put out the first 3 and have always had great results and FAST results. I have moved to WHFN (Fitprime & Kickbutt) workouts which have more of a core training, weight training feel vs/ cardio endurance. those are workouts that the more effort you put in, the more you get out of them.

I felt that way too about spending a lot of money. As a matter of fact, I didn't tell my husband I ordered my Turbo Jam until it came. It turned out to be a really good purchase. I've been doing it for a month now and have had great results.

I have never done Tae Bo or The Firm so I can't really compare. From what I understand, Turbo Jam is dancier than Tae Bo though. I don't have a lot of rhythm, but it's a lot of fun.

Good luck on whichever you choose!

I like the Firm tapes because I do see results, it's just hard to maintain for me. I can psyche myself out when I know this tape is going to be 45 minutes:devil: ..LOL! So if you can do the tapes according to the schedule and do them the whole length of tape the pounds drop off!:carrot:

I like Tao Bo. I think Billy Banks is very motivating. I wanted to get Turbo Jam but heard some bad things about their customer service.

I'm also partial to The Firm. I've only had it for about a month now...but I have been loving every minute of it! Some of the aerobic and step moves are still a little difficult for me....(I have two left feet)...but every time I do a tape....I grasp a little more of it. I am just starting my fourth week (had to take a week off for a nasty stomach flu bug)...but I re-checked my measurements and I've already lost a half inch off my upper arms..yahoooo!!! I feel so energized and my muscles feel like they are getting stronger..big time! I messed up on my WW big time this last weekend...but I didn't gain anything back...I stayed the same!!! I'm convinced that the increase in muscle mass is helping me to burn fat more efficiently. I have the transfirmer system..(the newest one)....and I love it..but I'm already looking into older tapes so I can switch it up a little eventually. I've heard lots of great things about many of the older tapes too.

I did Tae Bo for a week and I didn't care for it at all. I don't know what it was...Billy just isn't my style I guess. My sister loves TB though.

I haven't tried turbo jam...but I must admit it looks fun....other than that..I guess I can't comment.

Good luck with whatever system you choose. Let us know how it's going.

Hugs

I've used Firm off and on since High school (14 years) and the times when I kept to it, I lost. In recent years, I prefer the gym and video workouts are only supplementary. I tried Tae Bo and thought it was good but I think the Firm offers a good all around workout and uses your muscles to get you to a cardio workout.

I have tried all 3 workouts, and I love both the Firm and Turbo Jam.

Right now, I am using Turbo Jam, and I am loving it!!! It is a fun, upbeat and sort of dancy workout. You really sweat, even the 20 min workout, which is great when you are crunched for time.
I also have the firm, and I can tell you that it takes a little while to get the hang of all of the moves (I have 2 left feet), but WOW, can you feel how much you have done the next day!!!

I have been switching back and forth between the 2 every other month, and can honestly say, you wouldn't go wrong buying either one. Billy gets really annoying after just a few workouts, and I would not recommend his workouts personally. He just wasn't motivating enough for me.

Good luck to you, and I hope you'll have fun with whatever you buy

I have only done Tae Bo so I can't really compare. I almost purchased some of the The Firm tapes but I don't have a step and alot of their workouts use the step and I think some other equipment too. I don't room for alot of stuff in my apartment....I still havn't figured what to do with my stability ball it's just sitting in the middle of my bedroom lol.

I am thinking of getting these turbo jam dvd's for something different. I like tae bo....but it can be intense for me since I have just started and no video is fun for me if I feel like I can't keep up. However I am going to keep with it because I know my ability will improve.

everyone seems to agree that they like both the turbo jam and the firm videos i havent seen them in any stores do stores carry them or are they only an online thing?
:carrot:

I don't know about The Firm, but you can't buy Turbo Jam at a store. You can only get it at BeachBody.com. Their shipping prices are a little high, but the workout is worth purchasing. People say that Beach Body has bad customer service, but I haven't had any problems with them so far. I've done all my ordering on line though, so I haven't had to talk to a representative.

Good Luck!

Firm can be bought at stores and online at a variety of places. I think they had an infomercial kit a couple years ago? It included step and a few videos? I think QVC sold it and a few other places. You might just want to search for "The Firm" on amazon.com and see what shows up.

I have done all three (heck, I own all three) and would rank them as follows:

#1: Turbojam- so much fun, goes quickly, good music
#2: TaeBo- fun, but a little 80s style (billy's outfits crack me up), hokey music
#3: Firm- the tall box made my knee hurt, I did see results, but had a longer recovery time between workouts.

Hope this helps!

I love both Turbo Jam and Taebo (more specifically, Billy's Bootcamp w/resistance bands). I actually alternate between the two during the week.

I've never tried the Firm but always wanted to.

I'm using Billy's Bootcamp at the moment and I like it. I would like to know if anyone has tried Kathy Smith's Project You. Is it an effective workout. I'm trying to decide between her's and the Turbo Jam.

Great thread. I've also been thinking about these as well. I can't do Billy's Bootcamp, his moves are too complicated for me. Are either of the Firm or Turbo Jam such that you're not doing floor exercises (I really don't like doing those)? Also, which of the 2 (Firm or Turbo Jam) have less complicated moves to learn? I'm coming from the Walk Away the Pound tapes, which have pretty easy moves to learn, but I feel I want to kick it up a notch and burn more calories (but still use the WATP tapes from time to time).

I'm 55 and I'm in pretty good shape. I can do the 3 and 4 mile WATP tapes with no problem and sometimes I'm cranking it on my treadmill for up to 3.5 miles at a time.

Thanks!

Rather than ordering the entire series, I was thinking maybe I would just get 1 or 2 of the really good cardio calorie burners that do not include floor exercises. Can anyone recommend which ones would be good for that? (I was thinking I'd just get 1 or 2 off Ebay).

Thanks for any recommendations, I really appreciate it!!!

I'm getting ready to order the Turbo jam dvds this week. I'v heard nothing but rave reviews on it so far. I used Tae Bo when I was preparing to go into the navy in high school. I lost about 30 lbs in 5 months. I tried the firm but really didn't care for it. It was kinda boring to me. As far as where you can buy these items......seriously check ebay. The turbo jam set is on there or you can buy them seperate. Its the only place that I could find the turbo jam cardio party 2, which I've heard is hard to find. Tae Bo and The Firm older versions can be purchased at most walmart stores.

I have only done Tae Bo so I can't really compare. I almost purchased some of the The Firm tapes but I don't have a step and alot of their workouts use the step and I think some other equipment too. I don't room for alot of stuff in my apartment....I still havn't figured what to do with my stability ball it's just sitting in the middle of my bedroom lol.

I am thinking of getting these turbo jam dvd's for something different. I like tae bo....but it can be intense for me since I have just started and no video is fun for me if I feel like I can't keep up. However I am going to keep with it because I know my ability will improve.

Firms do require dumbells and some a weighted stick and all the new ones require the Fanny Lifter. I live in a 1 bedroom apt as well, and when I lived at hgome all I had were the weights. These can be learned without the step and you will still get results. For the cardio on the box, mimick the moves sans the box, for leg press substitute dips (aka backward lunges.) The weighted stick is easitly subbed with a rubber tipped dowel or a broom or mop to help keep your balance.

Rather than ordering the entire series, I was thinking maybe I would just get 1 or 2 of the really good cardio calorie burners from Turbo Jam that do not include floor exercises. Can anyone recommend which ones would be good for that? (I was thinking I'd just get 1 or 2 off Ebay).

Thank you for your help!!! :carrot:

I think the only one I get on the floor for is Ab Jam and maybe it's the Lower Body (I've only done this one a few times so I can't remember). It's hard to recommend a couple because I like them all. Chalene recommends that you try them as the workouts come out so to start with the originals and go from there. I would try the Learn & Burn and 20 Minute and then one of the Cardio Party's 1 or 2 - I can't say which of those is my favorite because it is whichever I'm doing. HA

Rachelle

I do Turbo Jam everyday and I like it. The music is upbeat and it's one of those where the more energy you put into it the better the workout. If I'm really tired I put less into my punches and kicks but at least I still sweat. I love the 20 min cardio workout and the strength training workout. You only have to get on the floor for about 9 minutes of Ab Jam and 5 minutes at the end of the strength training. Which is good for me because I hate floor work. I also have Power 90, but find Chalene's video to be more motivating. I haven't done The Firm for years, but when I did it worked well for taking off the weight. Though, I think that any video will work well if you do it everyday. Maybe I will try The Firm again after I'm an expert at the new Turbo Jam videos that just came out. After all, no matter what video you do, you have to try something new at some point.

Those 3 workouts are my favorite. I started with Tae Bo (Capture the Power) with the weighted balls which I loved 'cause I definately saw a difference in my arms but I did get bored with it. Then I moved on to the Firm with the transfirmer. I liked it 'cause it definately lifted up my fanny but it hurt my knees & the recovery time was long. I'm now doing Turbo Jam. I started it on 1/30 & have been hooked. I just got my new set of dvd's last week & am starting them today. I love the music & the energy & you definately work up a sweat. I can't really see myself doing anything else... for a while anyway. When I started TJ within the first week I lost so many inches from my waist & hips that I just couldn't believe it. I'm definately a TJ girl!!! :carrot: :carrot:

Turbo Jam will be available April 25th on QVC. I would recomend getting it from them instead of Beachbody.

You can get the newest version of the firm at most targets for about 40 dollars. They sell Tae Bo as well.

I couldn't find that info anywhere...where did you get ur info ? I didn't see it on QVC

Chalene will be on QVC April 25th at 10:00 a.m. EDT. The show listed at that time is called 'Problem Solvers'. It isn't listed on the guide yet but someone mentioned that it might not show up until the day before (the 24th).

Does your local library have any of these tapes? Or can they get them for you through an interlibrary loan? That way you could try them for yourself before you buy.

I have used all three programs over the years. I am currently using Turbo Jam and really like it. The music is really motivating. All three are good workouts and very effective, if you stick with them. Turbo Jam can be more dancy than the others but it doesn't have to be. Chalene shows you alternate moves that are not as dancy. I will say that Turbo Jam may take a few times through to get all the moves but the workouts are very motivating. The moves in The Firm (for the most part) are easier to follow but the workouts can become boring really fast.
If you aren't planning to purchase the entire set, I would recommend any of the Cardio Party workouts from Turbo Jam as well as the Ab Jam video.
Hope this helps.

I'm officially going back to using my Firm tapes!! I had some weightloss when i used them before, but I was trying to do Yourself Fitness CD, and I couldnt keep on it!! So I'm going to wake up and hour earlier before class and workout! Wish me luck!:carrot:

Hi! I found this thread a little late...BUT...I own all three video sets! Yes, all 3!!

*Tae Bo* It's a good kickboxing workout, but i just didn't really like it.
*The Firm* I love these workouts. They are awesome. The recovery between workouts is a little tough and moving the step around can be kind of a pain, especially when you don't have a lot of space to work with, then it takes a minute to figure out how to set the step up!
***Turbo Jam***I love this workout!!! It's so much fun! The music is awesome! You don't need a lot of room and it's easy to follow. The sweat just rolls! It's great. It's got kickboxing and dance! I just love it! i did the 10 day kick start challene and lost 4 lbs. and 5 inches in 10 days! If i would've eating a bit better, i'm sure the results would have been better!

I vote Turbo Jam!!

I have tried all three. I did not like the Taebo...I do not remember why exactly, but I know that I had the workouts for a few days - and gave them away. I did not find it fun, or motivating.

I am not in really good shape so the Firm is to much for me. It is to fast paced, to many changes in the routine.

I LOVE Turbo Jam. It is fun. There are something like 8-9 basic steps - which there is an instructural part for. It is a little dancey but not complicated. The music is upbeat. The woman who does it has a good attitude - and is not annoying.

My vote is Turbo Jam!

I just realized I never answered the main question.

I have all three workouts. I started with the firm about 3 1/2 years ago when I first added strength workouts. They were okay but I never did see results. I had the first set and then the set with the two steps - never got the third because I heard people didn't like the stick very much. I have thought about buying the last set with the transformer but haven't yet. I moved from the Firm to Cathe Fredrich for strength training and step aerobics. The workouts were nice because they were shorter but I don't think I got my heart rate up enough in that short amount of time to see a difference in my body.

Tae Bo - I have done for seven years - although not too much of it since I found Turbo Jam. I sold all my advance live tapes years ago after I had a shoulder injury and was doing just basics until they came out with the resistance band workouts which I do like a lot - I saw more definition with the bands then I have with free weights for some reason. The Fat Blasters are my favorites.

Turbo Jam - I absolutely adore, love, cherish Turbo Jam. It is different then Tae Bo. Last week I did a couple of Tae Bo workouts which I haven't done in a long time - and I can't explain how they are different. Tae Bo is more athletic I would say. Turbo Jam can be if you want it to be - like Cardio Party 3 is more athletic I think but it has a fun factor so you don't feel like you are working out. I burn more calories with TJ then the other two. After 3 years of seeing no difference in my body, I have finally started to lose weight but most important of all, I started to lose INCHES!!!!!! I pick TJ more then any other workout.

So what did you end up picking out???? Everyone is so different, like you can see just from the responses you have gotten. Instructors that others really like, I find annoying (Kari Anderson comes to mind) yet I don't mind Denise Austin (I can tone her out very easily) but most people can't stand her (I used to workout with her tv show (then her two shows). Best of luck in finding what works for you - as long as it gets you exercising and you enjoy it, that is the most important thing.

Oh - another good one for weights is Jari Love. Collage Video is a good place to check out other workouts as you can see I think it is 60 sec. of videos - not alot of time but you might be able to tell if a instructor will work for you. I don't have her new workouts yet as I'm waiting for them to sell for a lower price at other places. I just have Get Ripped.

Rachelle

I want to get one of these systems, but I don't know which one is best! Tae Bo and Turbo Jam look similar, and The Firm looks like it really gives a great workout too...any input? I don't want to spend $100's of dollars, my hubby would throw a FIT!:o


I haven't tried "The Firm", but I love Turbo Jam. I never was a big fan of Tae Bo, but that's only because I have martial arts training and found it to be more like kickboxing than anything else, which I didn't want.
I like Turbo Jam so much more because it's more fun because of the mix of dancing and tae kwon do, some of the workouts are long, but everything goes by really fast. Plus I don't think I have ever sweat so much while doing a workout in my life.

Good luck!

Thanks to everyone for the responses! I FOR SURE want to get Turbo Jam, I just need to get the money to get it. I do have 1 tae bo DVD that I do, and I love it (tae bo cardio), but I want Turbo Jam so so sooooo bad!:)

I have the really old first VHS Taebo Workouts that came out and have almost worn them out. I like Billy Blanks, he's motivational, and the moves are not difficult. Great cardio workout, and muscle toning, and it doesn't require any equipment, which is a perk! I got some newer Taebo Live tapes. They're ok for switching it up, but I don't like them as much, maybe that's just old school.
I also have the Firms series with Fanny Lifter (the two tiered step thing...) and I don't have two left feet and it's sometimes difficult to do the moves, because they move very fast and don't leave any time for moving from station to station. For example, moving from floor work to step work, to ab work and back again. I found that frustrating. HOWEVER, I got the best results in the world from the fanny lifter and the Cardio Sculpt tape. My backside has never looked so good. Buyer beware though, you need to get a set of weights on your own as all the videos use them and the workout is pretty strenuous. But they do modified moves for beginners (i started with these) and then you can move up.
Sorry, never tried the Turbo Jam, but they look good on TV.
Anybody tried that Yoga Booty Ballet thing?? It looks ridiculous on TV, but you never know...

Becca, I have the Yoga Booty Ballet Live series and I like them - I try and do one workout a week - it's usually my fifth workout after doing Turbo Jam for four straight days. It's nice, something different. I don't get my heart rate up as high but I like that - it keeps me in my zone a lot longer. I think I burn about 350 - 400 calories according to my HRM. I don't care for yoga or pilates too much but I like these. Hope this helps some.

I have Project You but I got bored with it right away so I did add on some other Kathy Smith workouts. I used this after I had my surgery last year and it helped me slowly build back up with exercising. I should try some of the workouts again and mix it in with my Turbo Jam. I did like Project You a lot better then the Slim Series. But with the SS, I just gained inches in my arm - I didn't lose a pound or any inches.

Rachelle