The Hubs and I greet each other in funny ways. He’ll say “Hideyho Neighburrito”. I’ll say “DJ” and he’ll say “Pump this party.” We are so weird. Anyway, I thought I would divulge that little nugget because I was going to start out the post with “Hideyho” but I thought some background information was necessary.
So last week I told you all about my awesome elbow injury! Well, not to worry, it has not slowed me down one bit! Well, it’s slowed me down a little. I can’t lift any weights but I’m still able to do a lot of cardio. In fact I’ve been doing TurboFire! I know you probably think I’m crazy because it’s full of punches and other arm movements that you think would be ridiculously bad for me to do with my elbow but because this type of fracture requires movement, I actually think that TurboFire helps. Although, let me preface this entire post by saying that I am scaling back my intensity slightly in the sense that I normally use full range of motion with my arms and that just isn’t possible at this time. I also am extra careful not to do anything that could potentially cause me to fall and aggravate my injury further.
All that being said, I find my injury to be a blessing in disguise because I’m actually using a lot of the modifications AND since the schedule for TurboFire extends way beyond when I should be fully healed, I’m excited to see how my cardio, strength, endurance and flexibility increase from before injury to after injury. So even though I’m not using TurboFire for weight loss, I am using it to improve my fitness level back to where it was before my injury. How awesome is that!?
So let me back up a bit and tell everyone who is unfamiliar with TurboFire that it is a program based on kickboxing and some dance, strength and flexibility. It’s intense cardio training and the program recommends that you have a base level of fitness before you get started. The program incorporates High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). HIIT involves pushing yourself to close to your max for a short period of time and then recovering and repeating this interval several times. Most of the HIIT classes range from 15 to 25 or 30 minutes. The idea is that you only need to do short workouts because HIIT gets your heart rate up higher, faster. HIIT has been shown to boost your metabolic rate and improve cardio performance.
I bought TurboFire waaaaay back when I purchased Jillian’s Body Revolution. I had to choose between the two programs and I chose Jillian’s because it was new to the market. Good thing I did since I totally would not be able to do Body Revolution right now with my injury.
So, I’m in my third week of TurboFire and here are the workouts DVDs I’ve done so far:
Thoughts So Far: I really love my Turbo Jam DVDs so I was really excited to try Turbo Fire because I heard it was more intense. I love that there are so many DVDs with so many different options and the HIIT workouts are really intense. The regular kickboxing DVDs are on par with some of the Turbo Jam DVDs but that could be because I always use these gloves when I do Turbo Jam. They are each 0.75 lbs and they up the intensity of the workout. I have not been using them with Turbo Fire because of my elbow. I think I’ll use them when my arm is healed and see how the classes compare.
I also LOVE the flexibility DVDs because so many programs don’t spend enough time on this and it’s really important to overall fitness and to staying healthy to be able to continue with the program. I liked the toning DVD that I did but unfortunately I can’t do anymore at this time so I’ll have to reevaluate at a later date!
Readers, have you ever tried Turbo Jam or Turbo Fire? Do you like kickboxing? Have you ever exercised through an injury?
OH! And I have the winner of the Be More Yogic Giveaway!
Vicky H!
The Detox, i am a new yoga teacher and other than practicing on the go, it be nice to get ideas to create a nice class based on what I am learning
Congrats Vicky! Send me an email at myownbalance at gmail dot com to claim your prize! 🙂
* Please note that I was not compensated for writing this post. I purchased TurboFire with my own funds and I’m talking about this because it is a subject I’m passionate about!
Joi @ Rx Fitness Lady
August 27, 2013Um ….YES! I only teach a kickboxing class..let’s see…3 times a week! I’m in love with this post and your pictures are fierce! I haven’t tried this but thanks for the exposure. I think I like the flexibility component too. We are finding commonalities 🙂 Take it easy recovering, you look ready to totally unleash the beast!
FitBritt
August 27, 2013Thanks Joi! If you teach kickboxing you would love these workouts! I taught kickboxing when I was in college and I wish I had known about these workouts for inspiration!
Anna
August 27, 2013I’ve tried Turbo Jam and it’s a ton of fun! These days though – I have thin walls and floors and my neighbors would literally kill me if I were doing any of those high intensity moves at 5AM, so for now it’s just the gym 🙂
FitBritt
August 27, 2013Yeah this is not a quiet workout! 🙂
Charlotte @ Commitness to Fitness
August 27, 2013That kickboxing photo of you is so hard core!! so glad this elbow issue isnt slowing you down! i used to lovve kickboxing, this post makes me want to go sign up for a class!!! (i would do it in my own apt, but you know, with the space issue, i’d take out half my stuff with one kick 🙂 )
FitBritt
August 27, 2013Haha! I can almost picture you taking out everything in your apartment!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
August 27, 2013You and your hubby are so funny. 🙂
I’ve been curious about Turbo Fire and I had no idea they had so many options for workouts! I enjoy kickboxing and this looks like a lot of fun. I may have to get me a copy after I finish my 10k training!
FitBritt
August 27, 2013I definitely recommend it! It’s a great DVD program!
Kalee
August 27, 2013I’m so glad your elbow isn’t holding you back from getting in a good workout! 🙂 TurboFire is one of my absolute favorites!! I’m actually mixing it with Combat now because I just can’t give it up lol. Luckily the HIITs are short enough to squeeze in on a short Combat day 🙂
FitBritt
August 27, 2013That’s so hardcore!! 🙂
Jillienne @ ChasingRaspberries
August 27, 2013Turbo Fire is no joke! I was introduced to it at the IDEA World Fitness Convention last month. I was actually fortunate enough to workout with Chalene Johnson and she kicked my butt! I’ve never been so sore in my life!
FitBritt
August 27, 2013Oh I am so jealous you got to meet Chalene! I would love to meet her! I want to go to IDEA!
Kimberly {Manifest Yourself}
August 27, 2013I got the TurboJam DVDs years ago…and they are sadly collecting dust. 🙁 I need to bring them out again. I really love Chalene! I follow her on IG.
FitBritt
August 27, 2013I think Chalene really makes the DVDs. She has a really upbeat personality which helps motivate you. I really like the Turbo Jam DVDs!
Holly
August 27, 2013Turbo Jam is an excellent and fun workout! I want Turbo Fire based on your review!
FitBritt
August 27, 2013Turbo Fire is really fun and the HIIT workouts are hard!
Allie
August 27, 2013Love those kicks and jumps girl! You look fierce!! I have never heard of this but I used to teach cardio kickboxing and I loved it!! This is def going on the “list!” Thanks:-)
FitBritt
August 27, 2013Absolutely! If you taught kickboxing I think you would really enjoy this!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat
August 27, 2013I’ve heard of Turbo Fire, but I never took the plunge and purchased it! Thanks so much for this review because it totally makes me want to buy it now! In fact, I’m going to put it on my Amazon wish list and once my foot is all healed up, I’m going to be buying it.
FitBritt
August 27, 2013Glad you like the review! I’ve been wanting to try it for awhile so I’m glad I purchased it.
Melissa Burton
August 29, 2013Those moves look scary to someone with a back injury like me but I could use some Turbo in my life.
FitBritt
August 29, 2013You would have to be really careful with Turbo Fire. It’s a lot of core movement so I wouldn’t do it without your doctor’s permission.