Customer Reviews

Firm: Calorie Killer [VHS]

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

 

 

I got this DVD as part of the expansion set for the BSS2 along with Firm Abs and Upper Body Sculpt. Don't get confused by GoodTimes' packaging--this is the same Calorie Killer that came as an add on to the Body Sculpting System 2. It's been repackaged as "Fast & Firm Series Calorie Killer" for the retail market. You'll need the Fanny Lifter, but even though the workout calls for the Sculpting Stick, I view it as optional. Use light dumbbells instead. (You'll see why later in my review.) It's a good workout, and a bit shorter at 40 minutes than some of the others. Don't worry, though--you'll still have worked up a good sweat by the end.

However.

I don't care for the way she has the viewer straddle the step by just tapping down and up on the same side without alternating feet. It's a good way to trip, espeically if you are fatigued. I am a veteran of step aerobics and am in good shape, but I have almost taken a couple of really scary spills while doing this move on the 8" step. Nancy also appears to be at a loss as to how to use the sculpting stick effectively. At one point, you're stepping onto the fully assembled 14" fanny lifter and alternating the stepping up with a bicep curl, leaning the stick from side to side, and then bending at the hips, just holding the stick. The other instructors that use the stick seem to have a better grasp of how to use it to enhance the workout instead of just carrying it around. She also mistakenly reverses her "go right/go left" instructions several times, something I've seen almost all of the instructors do on my Firm DVDs. (The Firm's penchant for doing everything "backwards" confused me a lot at first, since I've never had an aerobics instructor do that before.)

On the other hand, the choreography is fun and varied. I like the addition of sports drills like the football run and the shuffle/shoot the basketball moves. The boxing is just complex enough to make you feel really accomplished when you master the hop-turn move.

This is a good DVD, and I highly recommend picking it up to flesh out your collection of Firm DVDs. It's just not quite my favorite.

I have to say first that this is one of the funnest cardio workouts I've ever done in my life. The music is great and the moves will blow you away! There's everything from step work to low impact moves to tall stepping on the "Fanny Lifter" and all of it is fun. There were some complaints about the cueing. Nancy Tucker has never been my favorite Firm instructor. Her voice is a bit dull but that has never ruined the actual workout experience for me. I found no difficulty following her through the first time (perhaps because I'm used to doing the Firm workouts), except for one spot during step aerobics where she failed to tell you what to do. It still trips me up. But don't let that stop you from buying it. It's great, intense, fun, just a marvelous cardio invention. Keep them coming, FIRM! Kitka

While I love THE FIRM's workouts, this was not one of my favorites so far. Calorie Killer was not simple to follow; and I have little trouble following aerobic/step routines.

While the floor aerobic sections definitely get your heart rate up, I find the ease of transitions of movements, for maximum effect to be somewhat lacking. Some people may enjoy this video, but some of the moves were cumbersome and uncomfortable in their given patterns.

You also need their fanny lifter and stick for this routine as well.

The bonus is that you get a 30 minute quick calorie burner if you're in a hurry.

When I finally graduated up to The FIRM workouts I wondered if I would ever be able to perform the exercises correctly and fluidly because they moved so quickly and the choreography seemed a little confusing, nevermind challenging. Today I am the proud owner of 15 workouts and Calorie Killer may just be my favorite. There is only one segment where I still feel like I have to read Nancy's mind because her cueing is off - but oh the joy when you get the routine down and keep up with the pace. This workout is strictly cardio and lots of fun. Beginners, don't be intimidated! It might take some practice, but you will learn it and love it. Prepare to sweat and reap the rewards. A definite must-have for your fitness arsenal.

I rented this DVD just to try it out and now it must become part of my fitness DVD collection. It is very fun and the time flies by. It is 45 minutes long, yet it seems faster than some of the 30 minute workouts I own.

Calorie Killer is led by Nancy Tucker. Nancy is not the most personable instructor at first, but she really grew on me. The best thing about this cardio workout is the variety. You will not get bored because she combines low-impact aerobics, step aerobics, and even sports drills. This workout uses the firm fanny lifter and sculpting stick. If you have a step of any sort and a broomstick or body bar, you could substitute those.

I am an intermediate/advanced exerciser and so I completed the workout but I was definitely drenched in sweat and "asassinated some calories", as Nancy puts it! A beginner would want to take it slowly, but there is an instructor who demonstrates beginner modifications, so I wouldn't say a beginner shouldn't buy this.

I have been using the Firm Body Sculpting System for 10 months. I really like the workouts. This one is my favorite! Nancy Tucker is a wonderful instructor who will lead you through a full-filled, sweat-drenched workout! I think she created a unique and fun workout. She is my favorite Firm instructor. You will not regret purchasing this workout!

I rented this DVD to see if I liked it. I am a FIRM fan and regularly do the BS2 series. I was looking for something to mix-it up a little and add variety, and that it did! I like the fact that it moves much faster than the videos that come with your set. I definitely work up a sweat with this one! Some of the step moves are a little confusing at first, but if you stop moving and WATCH the first time (instead of trying to keep up and tripping all over yourself) you can pick it up pretty easily.

Nancy Tucker leads this 45 minute video along with 4 fellow Firms master instructors, including Alicia who shows beginner/low impact modifications. You will need the Firm's Fanny Lifter, though a regular step and stool will do if you don't have one. They also use the Firm Sculpting Stick, again if you do not have this you can use a broom or mop handle, along with some light dumbells. Although you could skip the weights too if you choose.

This video has nice variety, aside from the warmup and cooldown, there are 2 step segments, 2 low (or higher) impact segments (one of them uses the Sculpting Stick) and 2 tall box segments which use light weights and/or the Sculpting Stick, plus the Fanny Lifter. The routines are fun and easy to follow, although there are some cueing errors, most notably in the last step segment which tends to throw me off, otherwise Nancy does a decent job leading. I would consider myself to be intermediate level and I breezed through most of the workout pretty easily, the exception would be the first tall box segment where you use light weights, it really got my heartrate up there and was a bit challenging for me. There is also a brief toning segment at the end using the Sculpting Stick, sometimes I will skip this section just to shorten it up as by this point I have already gotten in 30 minutes of cardio.

Overall this is a fun video, good for days that you don't want anything taxing but still want a decent cardio workout. Recommended.

I have Many of the Firm Tapes and this one is top on My list. This is not for people just starting out. it is long and hard.. However if you are looking for a video to add to your collection then this is the Firm Video for you.. Watch the Video first before you actually try to do it. you will find that you pick up much of the steps that way..

I love The Firm! I own lots of The Firm videos and use them nearly everyday. This one is my least favorite. I don't have the Sculpting Stick & am not interested in purchasing it. I have The Fanny Lifter, The Firm Box, and my weights. In my opinion, the Sculpting Stick kind of seems like an additional piece of equipment you have to buy that you really shouldn't need in order to get a good workout.
I found myself tripping up a lot with this video.