Customer Reviews

Firm: 5 Day Abs [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have used this VHS for years and have rarely become bored in the workout. The five short, but intense workouts, range from 4 to 8 minutes. Each workout focus on upper abs, lower abs and obliques but with a slightly different variation or rhythm. You can increase the level of difficulty on each workout by using ankle weights.

Within two weeks of consistent work, I have seen noticeable difference in my abs. Additionally, as you become stronger, the exercises are still difficult as you continue to push yourself.

However, the guy at the beginning of the tape is really nasty and cheesy.

OK, this thing is one of the funniest workout videos I've ever seen. Being a guy, I've never done any of the Firm series before, but I guess most of them are similar to this one.

The sets, music, production values and demeanor of the hosts are hilariously cheesy, like Sheena Easton doing a Cinemax "adult" film. I honestly had to quit my first workout because I was laughing too hard.

However, this is a VERY serious ab workout, especially for a man who's got some muscle (and therefore some weight) in his legs. These things make me hurt in a really good way. The single tape has five different routines, so I can't imagine them getting boring. I cycle between this and 8 Minute Abs, and find them to be a great combination.

You won't lose fat with this tape (or with any other ab workout alone), but you will certainly shape your stomach nicely. Great value, both exercise- and humor-wise, for the money.

I am glad I've worked out with Tamilee Webb before doing this Firm video. To me, she is the "master" of form during ab workouts. The instructors move too quickly in this video from exercise to another. I find myself sacrificing form for reps. Not good when working abs! What's with the guy at the beginning of each segment?! UGH!

The reviews here too concerned with the out of date fashion/music etc.,

Combined with working out this is an EXCELLENT ab tape. You will see results if you use this once in the morning and once in the evening six days a week. The only area lacking is the lower ab, but doing more of the extended leg lifts shown in the video will remedy that.

This video is a collection of 5 days of short ab work outs. They are ab sections taken from the classics of the Firm (Vol 1 - 6) This is a great supplement to any workout that doesn't include ab work or doesn't include enough of it. This is especially good to use with some of the firm videos that came out in 2002 that do not include any ab work.

I only wish there were more workouts on this one tape, but I guess you can get The Firms - More 5 day abs if you need variety.

The workouts on this tape are great. You only have to use the tape for less than ten minutes a day (the workout times vary from about 6 to 9 minutes) five times a week and you will see and feel results. The only major drawback to this video is that the production and set-up are totally cheesy. For no apparent reason other than to avoid appearing too feminine to male purchasers there is a hunky muscle-man (from either Long Island or Queens, judging by his dipthongs) who does the 30-second set-up to each workout and a corny little "thumbs up" encouragement at the end of each routine; I suppose this counteracts the fact that all five workouts are led by female instructors with the larger percentage of the people doing the workouts in the video also being women.

True to the genre, there is a god-awful score accompanying each workout, composed, presumably, by the illegimate love child of Yanni and Kenny G. At least it isn't "montage music" from 80s action movies... do we really need another second-rate Survivor knock-off?

One pitfall to watch out for, though, is the instructions Mr. Long Island gives you prior to the workouts. Apparently he is mildly dyslexic: he will tell you, for instance, to put your right foot on your left knee, and then you will observe the workout instructor doing the exact opposite as soon as the workout begins. If you are not careful to do the opposite of what Mr. Set-Up Dude tells you, you will wind up working one side of the muslce twice and ignoring the other side altogether each time you do the tape, giving yourself a lopsided 3-pack instead of the coveted 6-pack that this tape promises.

If you have very little time and a bad lower back, this is the best video to integrate into your life. It's only 5-7 minutes per day and if you do it every day (different workout each day), you will DEFINITELY notice stronger abs and better posture. It's amazing how quickly it goes, and yet how much impact it has. It's one of my top 3 overall. Good luck!
Nita

i like this tape. as much as i groan complain during the workout i have been doing this one for about 3 weeks now and notice great results. the guy is stupid, disregard his left/right leg instructions. just follow the instructors and you will be just fine. i would have given it 5 stars if they had gotten someone else as a 'host' for this program. some of the music is not great, either, but all in all this program will give you stronger abdominals.

OK, I'm a pig. I bought this because the guy on the cover LOOKS hot. However, all he does is introduce the segments, embarrasingly badly. The exercise portion of the video turns out to be exerpts from other FIRM videos, led by women in cheesy aerobics outfits.

The exercises, however, are very serious. You feel them for days, and you'll be lucky to get through the routine the first time.

So, a good workout tape, but a deceptive marketing campaign!

I used to use this VHS all the time, however, it eventually wore out. I'm glad I was able to find the one tape without having to order the whole set.