Customer Reviews

The Firm: Aerobic Interval Training [VHS]

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This was my first Firm tape. I bought it after doing TaeBo for months. I thought I was in great shape but this tape really challenges me. Not for beginners! But if you're in good shape and you want to be in great shape, this is the workout for you. You'll need ankle weights, at least two different size hand weights (3 - 10 pounds), and they use a step. You can use a low footstool or chair. It's not too 'dancy' for those of us who with 2 left feet. Buy this tape and use it at least every week and you'll get in great shape fast!

Madre des Frijoles, this is a rough exercise program. The other FIRM programs I have are terribly difficult, but this one seemed to go on forEVER. Since I've been using the 5-Day Abs tape and the Tough Aerobics tape for years, I had an inkling as to how difficult this tape would be, but honestly, by the end of it I was praying for death.

They tell you at the beginning of their tapes not to use weights the first time. How stupid am I? Very stupid. If you are a 180-pound 22-year-old Army Private coming home from boot camp, DON'T USE WEIGHTS THE FIRST TIME. It's that hard.

You can make this routine easy by not doing all the reps and using light weights or none at all, but it is still VERY LONG. Keep going until the end though. Oo, the sense of accomplishment.

Sandahl Bergman appeared in "Conan the Barbarian", not a great film, yet I'm still a bit sentimental about her. She does a fine job, but honestly, the woman is a work-horse. I'm sure she's older and stringier, by now, but when she made this video she was prime real estate; and she forges through this very lengthy routine like a warm spoon through a pint of Blue Bell.

Did I mention this work-out video is long?

Yikes! o_O

About three years ago I was 30 pounds over weight. I bought this video as well as another one by Red Book. I started with the Red Book one (it was easier) and advance to this one. I'm still using it three years later. It's the cornerstone of my weight and aerobic workout and I do it about once every two weeks (I do about four to five workouts a week and like to keep things varied). Since I began my workout regime I have bought may Firm titles and enjoy them. This is by far the best and I see the best results when I've done this one. I've also tried other workout videos and nothing compares to the Firm. You really do see results quickly.

HAVING MANAGED A FITNESS CLUB FOR 20 YEARS, AND I HATED WORKING OUT AT THE GYM, OPTING TO WORK OUT AT HOME. I FOUND THIS TAPE AND THE SERIES OF FIRM TAPES TO BE BY FAR THE BEST TAPES FOR HOME FITNESS. THEY ARE EASY TO FOLLOW, AND PROVIDE A COMPLETE WELL ROUDED WORKOUT. I GAVE THIS PARTICULAR TAPE TO A FRIEND TO TRY OUT AND NEVER GOT IT BACK, AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ONE IN THE STORES TO REPLACE IT. DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR YOU CAN'T BEAT THESE TAPES, I WOULD RECOMEND A FINANCIAL INVESTMENT IN THESE OVER ANY HEALTH CLUB ANY DAY.

I liked the video, but when I did it I hadn't exercised a lot before so it was pretty hard to do. I was out of breathe, and even when your trying not to work too hard, it's pretty tough. It's hard to do, but the video has a lot of variety which makes it less boring to do. It does feel like you are working out, though. This is what I call a hard day's workout. On the days that you really want to kick your workout up a notch, this is the tape to do. I can completely see how you can see results in the first ten workouts. I bet you could even see results in half that time. It's a tough workout, but if you don't mind working hard or putting extra effort into your day, this is the workout for you.

I workout an average of 4 to 6 times per week, generally to a Firm video (altho I've thrown in a few Cathe Friedrich all weight training vids for good measure), and whenever I need a "kick in the butt" I pull out the old standbys - The Firm Volumes 1 through 3. Sandahl is a fun kinda sexual instructor and the "aerobic interval" phases leave me refreshed and energized. I do this workout with heavy poundage and find it really gives me a good fanny lift as well as hitting the ole hip flexors. I wouldn't suggest it for beginners -- I do think one should have a solid grounding of weight training before attempting a Firm (or at least one of their earlier videos) -- but the genuis of the Firm is that they never grow stale. 15 years after the making of this workout, it still packs a great punch!

This Firm video is one of my favorites. Because I have a slow metabolism due to a thyroid condition, it is very hard for me to loose weight, and this workout exceeded all my expectations. It is challenging and you can make it as challenging as you need by increasing the weights. I have lost weight and I have seen my body change by doing this and other Firm workouts. I definetely recommend The Firm.