Thursday, August 11, 2005

People are hot for Turbo Jam!

I haven't seen this much anticipation for a Beachbody product since we launched P90X -- and P90X had two years of behind the scenes build-up to create the buzz.

Ever since word got out to the hardcore aerobics and video fitness set that we were producing a line of videos with Chalene Johnson, my email box has had at least ten requests a day for the product details, launch date, etc. So, this is it - the official pre-launch notice... Monday Aug 15th the site goes live to take orders for Turbo Jam.

In case you wouldn't know a Turbo Jam from a traffic jam... Here's the "skinny":

A year ago we were contacted by Tony Kerry, a great guy who is part of the management at Script To Screen, one of the leading infomercial production companies in the universe who produced our Kathy Smith and Yoga Booty Ballet shows. His wife was taking classes called "Turbo Kick" from a spark plug of a woman named Chalene Johnson, and he thought it had potential as an infomercial. Chalene wanted to turn her popular combination of kick-boxing, dance, and meticulously remixed music, into a comprehensive video program to be sold on TV. I think Beachbody was one of four on the list of prospective partners. They sent me a package of material to look through in order to consider it. The key in the presentation was a blue binder that was a real page turner; over fifty of the most impressive before and after photos and success stories I've read from any fitness system - ever. People who had lost 30, 50, 80, and over 100 pounds were gushing about this mix of music and movement, and in particular their devotion to the program's creator, Chalene. And when I popped a VHS tape of Chalene demonstrating some moves, I knew there was something special there.


Let me put it this way; if you combined Kelly Ripa with a ripped fly girl and Billy Blanks and turned that combination "up to 11", you'd be getting close to Chalene's enthusiasm, infectious rhythm, and crisp delivery of moves... A natural for video. We set up the meeting to discuss turning her Turbo Kick success into a program called "Turbo Jam".

We loved Chalene at first sight. I think she liked us (she says it was because we wear jeans at the office). But she still had other companies to visit - including some that absolutely did NOT want to see Beachbody get this one. A month or so into the discussions, I could sense things getting off track. One of the competitors was promising a big budget for music and the same director that launched Richard Simmons into infomercial megafame. All I could do was play it straight and let the chips fall where they may. So I promised Chalene my next born child. (Kidding!) Actually, I promised Chalene that we would do our best to live up to licensing and creating the quality of music that sets Turbo apart from everything else, and assured her that when it comes to focus on the fitness and weight loss market, no one was going to pay as close attention as Beachbody. Making Turbo achieve her vision is a real priority - because her vision is incredible. Ultimately, I think it was a close decision, but my "next born" promise sealed the deal. Chalene committed to Beachbody, and we committed to create a program with her that would be as addicting as her live classes.

And here we are... The team nailed it. This is going to be a monster. We broke the bank on music, licensing awesome popular music like "Blame it on the Boogie", "Baby Got Back", "The Roof is on Fire", "Mama Said Knock You Out", "Busta Move",and a bunch of others. On top of that, Chalene is the ultimate perfectionist - she remixed everything in marathon recording sessions so that every key move in Turbo Jam has an accent; every burst of intensity has a driving beat. It's like, perfect.

But it's not all about fun and music (or is it?). It's also about results -- We were so impressed with the weight loss results of the test groups we did to validate the product (like, over ten pounds in ten days. Yes. Truly.) that we commissioned a university study to compare the calorie expenditure from an hour of Turbo Jam to other activities. Check it out: Walking = 343, Pilates = 445, Running = 537... and Turbo Jam came in at a whopping 705 calories an hour. Some people in the test group even topped 1,000 calories in an hour! That's like burning off a quarter pounder and fries from one workout! Like I said, this is gonna be a monster.

So if you're one of the couple hundred people who have been emailing me, asking "when! when! when!", ask no more... Monday Aug 15th, the next sensation in Beachbody fitness get unleashed. Prepare to have fun. Prepare to get fit. Prepare to go Turbo!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much for the release date Carl.I am a international costumer and yesterday I sent a mail to Ariel Insurriaga to order TJ and other BB workouts. I could not wait.




Mariángeles

Carl Daikeler said...

You're one of those "can't waiters". I hope you love it. It's so fricking funky. Let us know what you think!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the update. I am so anxious to buy Turbo Jam and all the more with your excellent discription. I love the pictures! Chalene looks too cute for words! I know so many other people who are have their credit cards hot and waiting for Turbo Jam! Look out August 15th!!! BeachBody will be B-U-S-Y!!!

Anonymous said...

WOOHOOO cant FREAK"N WAIT... staying up late with credit card in hand ;)

Thanks... sounds like a blast !

Anonymous said...

;) You rock! Can't wait to try this one out!!

Anonymous said...

Recent rumor says this wont be available for a few more weeks??? I thought August 15th was it??? Any new info would be great! Weve waited long enough. =(

Carl Daikeler said...

I have an oath from Neil who runs the web dept that we're in final stages of Q/A right now - TJ will be taking order by noon PT.

Anonymous said...

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!

Anonymous said...

Chalene is awesome! and Turbo Rocks! She *will* change lives.

Laura.J

JD (Jennifer Driscoll) said...

Any word on when the TV airings schedule will be updated on your website to include TJ?

Can't wait to hear about even more success stories after people get their hands on TJ!! It will be amazing!
~JD

Carl Daikeler said...

No word at this point. We have a fairly extensive round of testing to complete which can take up to 90 days before we start to publish the airing schedule. But I'll see what i can do to expedite that as we see results from testing.

Carl Daikeler said...

Turbo Jam is NEVER ENDING! It's more traditional than Power 90 or Slim in 6 -- use it as long as you like, and we will endeavor to produce new videos to keep you challenged and entertained - Turbo Style!

Similar to the first answer -- the testimonials have done Turbo training for varying lengths of time. The ten day results were just that, ten days - but the substantial weight loss testimonials have been working out with Chalene's program for years.

Bottom line is - the program is intense, and awesome -- if you stay consistent you will see results fast. There is a calendar in the program - one is a four week program for beginners, the other is a four week program for advanced.

And on your last question, no one has mentioned it to me today, and I appreciate the reminder!

Anonymous said...

I knew you guys were about to release a great kickboxing, upbeat workout program, but didn't know when. Just got the e-mail from Beachbody & am so excited. I use Debbie's "Slim Series", but don't always have 50-75 minutes to workout. Kickboxing is my favorite class at the gym. Just bought Billy Blanks new Tae Bo Boot Camp and will return it tomorrow. It's horrible. Billy Blanks is upbeat & intense, but his counts are always off & he talks so much that the workout doesn't flow. I know I can always count on Beachbody to put out a top notch program & I've been waiting for one like this. I'm buying today. Thanks!

Carl Daikeler said...

That's great Heather - we're glad to have you as a customer!

I don't want to bask Billy Blanks or Tae Bo -- that thing was really a revolution.

But I also think Chalene is in a league of her own. She just makes you feel good while you work out with her. Tons of heart, and a great sense of humor (wait til you see the "Jam'd" segments where she pulls practical jokes on the cast and crew. It's a funny little attempt to give the community insight into her personality.)

Anyway - let us know how you like the series!

Carl

Anonymous said...

Heather,

I love Billy Blanks and I think his Bootcamps are really intense although I would consider them more toning oriented rather than cardio oriented workouts. Billy Blanks really started the kickboxing workout craze so he's in a league of his own.

However, I also just bought Turbo Jam because I know Chalene's workouts are more cardio focused and that is what I want. Intense cardio! I know I'm gonna enjoy Chalene as well.

So, there is no need to compare Billy with Chalene or vice versa. And there's no need to diss either one too! :)

Kimberly J.

Anonymous said...

Carl,
I love Turbo Jam! I got it from UPS on Thursday and have done the Learn and Burn three times and the Abs workout. I can't wait to work out again tomorrow. This is a terrific addition to the Beachbody family. I love everything Beachbody. Keep up the great work!
Mariah

Carl Daikeler said...

Thanks Mariah -- I love it when people love Beachbody. But mostly, I love it when people are motivated to keep pushing play!