Customer Reviews

The Firm - Cardio Dance Slim Down

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I'm an advanced exerciser who loves cardio and dance. I knew going in that this was definitely not a dance video, and after I finished, I knew it wasn't really a workout video, either.

The warmup starts out with some head and arm rolls and eventually we're `dancing'. We did the mambo and we did some disco. We finished with a short cool-down, which consisted of some more dancing. Now when I say dancing, I don't mean actual dancing. Nobody I have ever known would go out in public and dance this way. Allie keeps saying everybody will want to dance with us at the club, but I seriously doubt that.

I wouldn't classify this as a workout simply because there just isn't enough cardio in it to make it so. There are no weights used, no resistance, and no core exercises, although there's some hip shaking and hip thrusts thrown in as part of the dance. I didn't really work up a sweat, and my heart rate stayed pretty low the entire time. The workout is about 32 minutes long, and it was (kind of) fun but did not feel particularly beneficial. It won't be part of my usual rotation as I like longer and much more intense workouts than this one could offer.

My recommendation is that if you are a beginner or intermediate and want a short, fun, but not intense workout, then this is for you. Even people with two left feet can get the hang of this one. If you are advanced, this video would be for easy days or if you just like to have fun and not really work out. You cannot go into this expecting an intense workout experience or to learn any cool dance moves, otherwise you'll be mighty disappointed. I'll admit I felt pretty silly at times, but I did not hate it. It just isn't something I'll do very often. My overall impression: ambivalent.

I bought this DVD with the same low expectations of it that I have had since 2002 when the Firm was sold by Anna Benson (the original designer of the workouts). The post 2002 DVDs/videos by the Firm do not have the same feel as the older ones do, and are not as hard. I do like Allie Del Rio Pointer and that is why I bought it, also I had never bought a dance excersize DVD before.

The music is terrible and frequently does not fit the dance "moves" Allie instructs us to do. There are also some moves that do not work well on carpedted floors (the "butterfly" move in the warmup is what I am referring to). It does not get my heart up very much. However....

I like this workout! On days when I do not want to work out I reach for this DVD. It is over quickly and still gets my heart up a little, and I don't have to go outside in poor weather (when we have it here). I feel like an idiot for enjoying this workout but I do. It is a keeper for me, although I agree with the other reviewer who stated that you will not be doing ANY of the moves in this workout in a club.
Allie is not going to win any dance contests with the moves in this DVD!

I love the Firm and Allie is my favorite instructor. As most people have said the video consist of a warm-up and three dance segments: hip-hop-, salsa and disco. It is not the traditional Firm carido and strength training. There are no weights or toning at all. Each segment is done in an add-on fashion. Each time you go through the routine you add on another step.

I didn't expect to learn how to dance from this video. I expected a cardio workout with a dance-flavor and that's what this is. I think it's a nice short (40 minute) workout that is great on days when I don't do the strength training. I thought it was a lot of fun and didn't find it boring at all.

If you are looking for strength training or a more traditional Firm video, this is not it. If you are looking for a light to moderate cardio workout and a nice change of pace, I think you'll enjoy it.

First i have to say that I'm a little confused at some of the reviews of this DVD. I bought it about 3-4 weeks ago and find i really look forward to it on the days when i don't elliptical/treadclimber train or weight-train! I admitt--if one doesn't put any extra effort into it, it might seem simple and a little slow, but I wear my heart monitor and find that if i put some extra "umph!" into these moves--and let my arms move and my usual dance-"flava" thru, my heart rate stays right up there in my fat-burning zone. I love her simple cues and even enjoy the non-club music. I have many, many dance DVD's--and have been disapointed by MOST of them. This one i enjoy enough to recommend to anybody who likes to dance. Tho i have to admitt--like other reviewers, i probably wouldn't use any of these moves out at the club. They're a little antiquated and kind of cheesy at times, but still fun! Compared to the obnoxious cueing on Cardio-Abs and some other hip-hop dance/workout DVD's tho-- Allie's dance DVD has become one of my favorites!

I have to admit, I was disappointed in this workout at first. It's not your typical FIRM fare. It's very dancey and badly cued. But the dancey fun of it probalby why I kept at it. I find myself reaching for this workout when I'm so sick of my fanny lifter/transfimer that I could toss it across the room. If for no other reason than to kick the boredome factor, this workout belongs on my shake it up/do something different shelf alongside of my "so-hokey-you-gotta-love-them" Yoga Booty Ballet DVD's.

I'm an advanced exerciser and I really enjoy this workout. It's perfect for those days when I want to move but not too intensely, and I've also found that once I learned the routine (which didn't take long thanks to Allie's cueing) I can really put my all into it and work up a great sweat. I also like this workout because it's a nice change of pace from other cardio workouts I've done. Having freer movement in my hips is a lot of fun and I can really feel my midsection work. This workout is also a wonderful stress-buster thanks not only to the fun moves, but also because I find myself actually laughing out loud while doing them!

I just perchased this video and had the opportunity to try it tonight. I have to disagree with parts of the other reviews. As someone with two left feet, it was difficult for me at times. (The moves aren't particularly difficult - but my arms and legs won't always cooperate without some practice!) However, having said that, Allie is very easy to follow - I always knew what was coming next and what I was supposed to be doing. A lot of exercize videos seem to assume you were born doing their moves in their order. I know that after a couple more tries, I'll be able to actually do the moves with few problems.

As for the quality of the workout - I worked out on a rather chilly evening and still found myself in a pretty decent sweat. While I wouldn't consider myself to be an advanced exercizer, I do go to the gym during the week and run a mile or more several times a week, as well as workout on the strength machines. I found my heart rate adequate, and I felt as if I really did some good for my body.

Overall, after trying this workout (yes, it is a WORKout for some of us), I really look forward to doing it again, and trying more Firm videos - especially ones with Allie. She's energetic and fun, without going overboard with obnoxious strained smiling. I would recommend this video to anyone who's tired of doing the same ol' same ol'.

While I don't think this video is as challenging as other Firm workouts, it still offers a great cardio workout and is nice for a lighter/less challenging workout day.

This is such a great routine and was easy to follow and get completely into and rock out. It's well-structured, the warm-up and cool-down segments are creative and excellent, and the dance choreography portions are thrillingly doable and allow for lots of personal expression. Allie DelRio is one of my favorite Firm instructors and I do her workouts with the step and weights and this floor routine is a wonderful break from the other routine while loosening your muscles and giving a great aerobic workout. Excellent Job!!!

The workout in its self can be beneficial on those days you don't feel like working out hard but still want to get in some kind of activity. True it is not very strenuous for advanced exercisers but I believe benefits still can be reaped from it for others. I love the instructed Allie, the music is pretty off and updated moves could have been used. "The Butterfly" come on...