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46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good workout, but not my favorite., October 1, 2004
This review is from: The Firm: Calorie Killer (DVD)
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.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very, very fun, May 26, 2004
This review is from: The Firm: Calorie Killer (DVD)
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
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
may burn calories... but..., May 28, 2005
This review is from: The Firm: Calorie Killer (DVD)
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.
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