18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grunting is good!!, June 11, 2004
This review is from: The Firm: Aerobic Interval Training [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I think this is the hardest tape I've ever done by far, and I own many Firm tapes. Ms. Bergman is an excellent instructor because just when you are ready to give up, she gives you that extra "get tough", or "power! control!" that keeps me motivated. This works your entire body into "muscle exhaustion" and you will see results in ten workouts or less. Beginners may not like the format of the tape, but do NOT use weights at first. Remember to do what you can and work up. I started with either no weights, or two pound weights and am now up to ten pound hand weights and 2 and a half pound ankle weights. The brilliance of the original Firm tapes is that they never can get boring. Just add more weight! Also, I found more results using this tape because it is interval training. My heart rate never drops to normal in the hour long workout. A great way to burn fat and lose weight.
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36 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful! So good I wont even buy non-FIRM videos., August 16, 2001
This review is from: The Firm: Aerobic Interval Training [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I now own a lot of FIRM video's - and they're all great - but I chose this one to review because it was the first one I bought and I used it exclusively for months, until I bought a few more.
I bought this video because I gained a lot of weight in college - eating fast food for every meal can do that. I was wearing a size 14 when I started using this video 2-3 times a week. I don't cook, so I also sabotaged my efforts by still eating a lot of fast food. Despite all the McDonald's I still went down to a size 8 very quickly. Now I wear a 4 or 6, but that took a little longer.
The biggest drawback is the same thing that makes this video so great. I lost weight quickly. It can be expensive replacing clothes - even my rings became too big. I also got stretch marks on my hips from losing weight too quickly.
The only FIRM videos I don't recommend are the FIRM BASICS. They're for beginners. If you are a beginner, I recommend saving your money and just take breaks as needed and add weights slowly using the TOTAL BODY workouts.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Gold Standard, February 1, 2005
This review is from: The Firm: Aerobic Interval Training [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This workout is still the gold standard of video workouts. Yes, it has a dated look and some of the hokey aspects of the early Firm workouts (e.g., the contrasting outfits, the silly introductory section, etc.), but it remains the most effective way to get into shape fast and stay toned all over. Thanks to this and other Firm workouts, I've remained in great shape for over fourteen years and through two babies, and now am a size 4 -- even smaller than in college! Not only will you look good, but you'll also be strong, feel tough, be able to carry small children around all day, and be ready for outdoor activities of all kinds. You could get in great shape using this workout alone, but you might want to alternate this with the Super Cardio workout for extra cardio, since this workout uses aerobic intervals rather than a long aerobic section.
If you have problem knees like me, you need to be _very careful_ doing this workout, because it is chock-full of high-impact aerobics, squats, lunges, dips, and tall-box leg presses, and has an extensive section where you move around wearing ankle weights. But I've found that this workout strengthens and stabilizes my knees and ankles so that my problems are diminished. Plus, all these exercises lift up your butt like nothing else.
Back in the early days of the Firm, they felt they needed dancers and actresses as lead instructors, for reasons that escape me. Sandahl Bergman is by far the best of this bunch, as she has a real personality and gives good instruction on form. Her encouraging remarks like "let's get tough" are helpful when you need them.
My only worry about this workout is that my videotape will someday wear out and I may not be able to get a replacement. I'm seriously thinking of buying a back-up copy now.
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