Customer Reviews

THE FIRM - Body Sculpting System (3 Pack) [VHS]

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I recently started The Firm Body Sculpting routine and I found it to be one of the easier routines to learn. I like the instructor's way of mixing the cardio with the Fanny Lifter strength training workout.

The Fanny Lifter is the key to The Firm's success. Without the Fanny Lifter, The Firm is a typical cardio+toning workout that can be purchased at a much cheaper price. The 14" (6" + 8") step is higher than any stepper that I've ever used doing step aerobics. I felt the "good hurt" in my hips and inner/outer thighs after the very first workout. After several workouts I began to feel the difference in jeans, though I still have a ways to go to reduce by derriere. I'm also gaining definition in my arms. As long as I continue to see results with The Firm, I don't plan on renewing my gym membership.

The Firm isn't perfect. Each video shows participants at various levels. In each video not enough camera time is given to the beginner. If you purchase the DVD it lacks scene selection. The only way to return to a segment of workout is to rewind it just like a VCR. The plus over a VCR - three workouts (cardio, upper body, abs) appear on one DVD. Finally, I wouldn't purchase the DVD or tape with buying (or already owning) the Fanny Lifter.

This three-pack of workouts includes:
- Cardio Sculpt with Allie DelRio (60 minutes)
- Body Sculpt with Jennifer Carman (50 minutes)
- Ab Sculpt with Lisa Kay (30 minutes)

These workouts require dumbbells and The Firm's Fanny Lifter. For dumbbells, they suggest 3-lb., 5-lb, and 8-lb. weights to start. The Fanny Lifter is a total of 14" high, so if you have knee problems you may want to work on strengthening your legs before you attempt these workouts. The Fanny Lifter has two parts: one 6" high, and one 8" high. Throughout the workouts you use the Fanny Lifter in different combinations, a regular step will not substitute for it.

Each of these DVDs is a challenging workout. If you are new to exercising at home, you may want to start off with something easier, such as Kathy Smith's Personal Trainer Sculpting Workout or Lift Weights to Lose Weight. If you already have a foundation of strength training, these workouts are going to push you further and harder, helping you build muscle and endurance.

The Cardio Sculpt workout runs about 60 minutes. There are no special features on the DVD, only the workout itself. The workout uses 10 - 15 minute segments of strength training, mixed with 2 - 3 minute bursts of low-impact cardio exercises. The strength training includes every area of your body: lots of squats for the lower body, push-ups for the chest as part of the warm-up, 4 minutes of non-stop sit-ups for the abs, and the tricep French press. There is a 4-minute warm-up and a closing stretch. Throughout the workout, Allie guides you through stretching out the muscle groups that you just worked. This is an excellent combination of tried-and-true muscle conditioning and sound exercise principles.

These three workouts will help you to tone and condition your body. The manufacturer also guarantees "visible results in 10 workouts." Bear in mind that you have to alternate muscle groups. You cannot do total body strength training every day. So be sure to alternate lower body with upper body, or vary your routine with cardio workouts on your "off" days.

I was introduced to The Firm in 1989 and have been using their tapes off and on during the years and probably own most of them.

I must admit that my first reaction to these new tapes was not overwhelming. They didn't make me want to jump into my workout gear and get started immediately upon opening. HOWEVER, once I took the time to learn the routines and focus on the exercises, they are working well for me.

My primary purpose in using these videos is muscle tone development and sculpting. I use the Ab Sculpt video with Lisa Kay as a part of every workout. It is quick, simple, and it gets the job done. I primarily use the Body Sculpting video with Jennifer Carmen. I do not use the Cardio Sculpt video. I don't like fancy aerobic footwork and I prefer to get my aerobic workout from running. However, I must note that I got a heart monitor for Christmas and I was pleasantly surprised to see even the Body Sculpt video gives a deceptively good aerobic workout!

The Body Sculpting video with Jennifer Carmen is very effective. The tape is broken into two major sections: Lower Body and Upper Body. The lower body portion of the tape is challenging and I enjoy doing it. It contains of the lunges, dips and leg presses we have grown to love. The upper body portion of the tape is not as challenging as others, but it is complete in terms of muscle group coverage.

I personally prefer formats where the upper body and lower body work are mixed throughout the video and not broken up into two separate sections.

My favorite Firm workout tape of all time is: The Firm Cross Trainers: Super Sculpting. However, I keep these new Ab Sculpt and Body Scupt videos in my Firm video rotation mix and use them on a weekly basis.

First let me say that I have had two babies in the last two years (one in 2001 and one in 2002). My body needed some serious work. I used Firm Body and Firm Heart to get back in shape after Baby #1. It took only about a month. After Baby #2, my body was so exhausted I couldn't do anybody's tape for the first 3 months. After 4 months I started using this system and everything is coming back together. My stomach is flat, my waist is tight and most importantly for me, my hips, thighs, and behind are returning to normal. These tapes were too difficlut for me when I was extremely out of shape (6 weeks - 3 months after the second baby). But once I regained my strength using Quick Fix Total Body I needed a better aerobics and toning workout and I knew that is what I would get with The Firm. You might have to practice the tapes 2 or 3 times before getting the hang of some of the moves, but once you get the hang of it it is actually fun and inspiring. The tapes keep you moving, sometimes your muscles get exhausted, but you know they are working because you get up in the morning and you feel that wonderful ache that says "progress is being made." In two months I lost 30lbs and went from a flabby 12 to a fabulous 8. I swear by the Firm.

I think this is a perfect introduction to the Firm. But as one review stated if you are new to working out best try something like Kathy Smith. Also some may not like the moving the box around, picking up different weights, etc. all the time. All The Firm workouts are long and intense so if you are pressed for time, you might want to subsitute. BUT The Firm workouts really leave you strong so if you can invest in the time and sweat its well worth it (I'm unemployed right now and addicted to Firm workouts).

However, this set of workouts is definately not as challengeling as many other Firm workouts. The earlier Firm's are far by one of the most intense workouts I have ever done (besides trying boxing). The second volume still kicks ...!

I'm not sure why they name one of the DVD's "Ab Sculpt" since one can get a better ab workout in 10 minutes from many pilates moves. Don't get me wrong, I liked it as there are some core strengthening and stretching moves that leave one exhilirated but I would hardly call it "Ab Sculpt"

The 'Fanny Lifter' (...) is a great investment. Those with weak knees should consult theire doctor first or use the lower height steps.

You cannot go wrong with any of the Firm's workouts. These new tapes are slightly different than the "classic" Firms, but still very effective. The moves are simple, the music never obtrusive, and the instructors are very personable. You do need some equipment, but I substituted a Rubbermaid 13 inch step for years with great results.

To respond to the reviewer that said she got bad customer service from the Firm: The solution is clear -- this is Amazon.com. Just buy the tapes here and you can be sure to get these great workouts AND excellent customer service.

I bought this 3-pack because the "See results in 10 workouts" guarantee caught my eye. I thought that was certainly too good to be true, but was bored with the workout videos I already owned. It took me a while to warm up to these workouts. I didn't have the Fanny Lifter to start with and tried to substitute my regular step and a heavy kitchen chair, but soon was sold on the Fanny Lifter. Once that arrived, my FIRM experience was much more pleasant. It is a little inconvenient to take apart, reassemble, and push the Fanny Lifter out of the way during the workout, but the girls on the tape have to do the same, and after a couple workouts, you'll find you move in sync with them as they transition from one exercise to the other. I do these workouts on a three-day rotation, six days a week.
The most intense Upper and Lower Body moves are on Super Body Sculpt. You'll focus on Lower Body first; expect lots of leg presses and hover squats. You're either standing or doing squats for this section. There is no floorwork. The lower body cool down is the upper body warm-up. In the Upper Body section, you'll do some push-ups with your hands at different positions on the Fanny Lifter, bicep work, overhead presses, and exercises specifically for your back muscles. There's a short cooldown stretch at the end, but in all the Firm workouts I've used, they intersperse the stretches with the exercises so you can't skimp on them at the very end. With the DVD, you can go right to the section you want to work, when you're short on time.
Cardio Sculpt mixes some of the exercises from Body Sculpt with low-impact cardio. You don't go into as much detail on each muscle, but this workout is good because you get into a little of that famous FIRM four-limb action, and at the end, you work your abs some. This workout's a little long (55 minutes), but you get upper, lower, and abs, plus cardio, all in one shot.
The shortest of the three, Ab Sculpt, features crunches done with the fully-assembled Fanny Lifter, then with the bottom blue section, then with no Fanny Lifter. You'll work your obliques and lower back muscles as well. The exercises flow from one, right to the next, so the half hour goes by fast and your abs will feel well-worked.
Although the beginner modifier doesn't get much camera time in these workouts, you won't be a beginner for long with these workouts, and usually, the only modification is that she's not using weights or is keeping a plyo jump grounded. You don't need your eyes glued to those modifications to do the workout.
The great thing about the FIRM videos, especially the newer ones, is that once you have your Fanny Lifter (and Sculpting Stick for the more recent ones), there are a lot of FIRM videos that use that very equipment. You might have to pick up heavier dumbbells as you progress, but you'll always have a wide array of FIRM workouts to choose from to keep yourself motivated. collagevideo.com has just about all the FIRM videos known to exist, in case you've exhausted Amazon's offerings.
P.S. While I don't remember seeing dramatic results after just 10 workouts, I have seen dramatic results after a few months of using FIRM consistently. I dropped a jeans size, my abs are starting to ripple, and a little muscle popped out on my arm that I didn't even know was there before. As long as I stick with it, I can only get better results! I hope you find the same, no matter which workout you choose!

I'm not an athlete or even a person who exercises often. I bought these tapes to lose weight and they are absolutely wonderful!! They are super challenging and I can feel "the burn" while exercising with the Firm's master instructors. It took me about a week before I could actually complete the entire workout. For a beginner, the moves are difficult to keep up with on the CardioSculpt. Especially for someone like me who is not real coordinated. But, the instructors are very good about telling you what to do next, before you actually do it and how many counts of each move to do. Once you get the hang of the moves, it is very easy to follow! It took me about a week to be able to keep up, but it was well worth it. I have had the system for about 2 weeks and am following the rotation calendar suggested by the instructors. It is definitely not boring. It is designed so that a beginner could use it as well as someone who is much more advanced. The more advanced, the more weight you use and even on some of the moves, the instructors show you how to do more advanced moves and for beginners, they show moves that are easier. It is a GREAT workout!!! Definitely your moneys worth!!

I was looking for something to supplement and occasionally take the place of jogging, and these tapes have done just that. Not only do they get my heart pumping, they offer fairly intensive strength training, particularly the Body Sculpt video. For over 7 years I've belonged to a gym and just recently I let my membership expire, since I was tired of making the commute. But with these tapes, my 8, 12 & 15 pound free-weights, and the Fanny Lifter, I don't feel as though I'm missing out. Every time I do one of these workouts, I feel just exhausted enough to know I've put forth a good effort and expended a sufficient amount of energy. I'm pretty lean, so I didn't purchase these videos to lose weight, but to tone up what I have, and I've been very pleased with the results. While my weight hasn't changed much, I have a few pairs of pants which definitely feel a bit looser in the waist, and my abs, thighs and upper arms are becoming more sculpted. I've been using these tapes for 3 months and still love going through the routines on each of them. This is quite a feat for me, since I usually tire of workout videos after one week! Buy these tapes (and the Fanny Lifter) if you want a challenging, rewarding workout. You won't be disappointed!

These videos are excellent! I started these workouts after I had my first son, and I am beyond belief with the results.

If you're new to The Firm, I would recommend starting with Allie del Rio's Cardio Sculpt. It introduces you to virtually all the moves commonly used in The Firm workouts. The main reason I liked starting out with it, however, is that for the most part, she alternates upper body and lower body movements. This is perfect for beginners who are trying to get acclimated to increased physical strength and endurance: alternating gives you a chance to recover and momentarily rest the muscle groups you just worked. Then, after you've been doing this workout out a while, you'll find that you can challenge yourself by using heavier weights or going deeper with your movements. The end of the workout features a short abdominal section. Great! As always, you need the Fanny Lifter and dumbells: for this particular workout, I use 3, 5, 8, and 10's. This workout is 55 minutes long. Allie's cuing is great in this video. It's not as "scripted" as some of her earlier workouts. She seems more relaxed and confident, and I every time I work out, I enjoy every minute of it.

The Firm Body Sculpt with Jennifer Carman is also a WONDERFUL workout. Even though Body Sculpt is shorter than Cardio Sculpt, this is a more intense workout because you do not alternate between upper and lower body: you warm up, do back to back lower body exercises, stretch, and then back to back upper body exercises, and cool down. You could certainly do this workout as a beginner, but you would find it a real challenge. Don't be discouraged, though. If they can do it, you can do it. No abs featured in this one...just hard core upper and lower body. Again, this workout is intense, but the results are well worth it. This workout is 30 minutes long. It requires the Fanny Lifter and dumbells: I use 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10's. Rave reviews! This workout is a great challenge! I often do a few minutes of this workout after the Cardio Sculpt if I'm feeling particularly cocky! The dvd menu allows for you to do this entire workout, or upper/lower body only.

The final workout is Ab Sculpt with Lisa Kay. For me, this one has been the most challenging as I seldom work my abs. This is a great strength and endurance workout. This workout is also about 30 minutes long. This is probably one of the most important areas to work since a strong core upholds the rest of your body while you work out. Great workout.

Overall, I LOVE this series. These are the workouts that made me fall in love with The Firm. I have lost over 15 pounds thus far. But the main "side benefit" that I am most grateful for is the strength and endurance and overall increase in fitness that these workouts have given me. I am stronger, can do more, sleep better, have decreased appetite, etc.

I definitely recommend getting the Fanny Lifter (if you can) as opposed to trying to use substitutes. The Fanny Lifter is so perfect for all the movements (of course, they made sure of that so that you would buy it). But no sweat. It's well worth it. Give this one a try, ladies. You won't be disappointed... you will, however, be sculpted, toned, and FIRMED! Thanks for reading! :)