10 Things I Love About Turbo, Part 1

1. The music! This has so much to do with how much you enjoy your workout! It makes all the difference. I remember walking out of a fitness class because I could not STAND the music! Turbo Jam is upbeat and motivating and it makes it not feel like work... as much.

2. Chalene! I love this woman! Even if I didn't think she was the bomb as a person, I would still love her as an instructor. So positive and motivating, funny and genuine. You see her make a few mistakes but her confidence never fades, yet she is not arrogant. She is the kind of teacher you would walk across hot coals for (never screechy or inane).

3. 8 more means 8 more! It drives me crazy when instructors say "8 more!" and then at the end of the 8 they proceed to pound 8-32 more out of you. If you do this to me, you have lost my trust forever. And if you lose my trust- how can I give you my all? Chalene never does this and everything is absolutely even on both sides.

4. The Moves! I love kickboxing, from way back in the Tae Bo days. I used to haunt classes at every gym in my chain in town! I had favorite instructor and favorite spots- I was loving it! And the moves- it was like you were in a martial arts film! But then everything changed and choreography meant 32 jabs, and now were going to do 32 blocks, and now 64 jumping jacks, and hey, how about this move that isn't really an uppercut but that is what we're calling it, and now let's do- oh, say, 32 front kicks, now 32 more, and I lied- 32 more. With Turbo Jam, I am back in that Martial Arts film, bad dubbing and all, throwing my best kicks, mixed in with punches, and occasionally shakin' it because that's the type of ninja I'd totally be.

5. The Cast! These are real people. They don't all have perfect bodies. Some are old, some are young. A nice variety of people and modifications. And Anna-Rita, I love that girl! She makes me want to work harder. You really get a sense that they enjoy and believe in what they are doing, and the spirit of fun is infectious.