Customer Reviews

The Firm - Complete Aerobics & Weight Training [VHS]

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Emily Welsh is a new FIRM instructor, but she was great! She made this complete workout fun. It's got weight training, cardio, and lots of the time they use the new Sculpting Stick to add variety.

Start out by warming up with Fanny Lifter, then launch into weight work that alernates upper and lower body exercises, a technique called PHA (peripheral heart action) training that burns more calories by forcing the heart to pump between distant muscle groups. Cardio intervals are interspersed throughout, everthing from kickboxing to step aerobics. End with four limb with the "twigs" (the ends of the sculpting stick) and then hit the floor for upper body work and an abdominal section that will change your mind about ab work! The stretch is long, relaxing, and complete- a great finish! This workout is about an hour long.

Kitka

I have had very little experience with The Firm, but lately, I've been enjoying videos that feature aerobic weight training (such as the FitPrime and WHFN series), so I decided to give this a try. Complete Aerobics and Weight Training is a 58-minute workout which combines cardio segments with cardio/sculpt intervals to give you a great workout; it's led by Emily Welsh. Equipment used in this workout includes The Firm "Fanny Lifter," a 2-part step (both the full step and the low position are used here), 3 sets of dumbbells, and The Firm "Sculpting Stick" (dumbbells can be substituted and/or you can use a wall/mop for balance).

The workout begins with an basic 6.5 minute warm-up that quickly gets the heart pumping, especially with the set of push-ups at the end. Next comes 4-limbed toning work, combining squats and dips with shoulder presses and bicep curls. Upper body only work follows, and then it's the first cardio segment, which includes some fun punches and flows nicely from one combination to the next.

More lower body work is next, this time incorporating the bar for balance--you could double up with the weights and forgo the bar, but this section is tough even with it! The stick is also used as a weight for hover squats, but I just substituted heavy dumbbells, which worked fine. The next cardio segment uses the low portion of the Fanny Lifter. Because I don't do step aerobics, I had a little bit of trouble picking up the choreography here, but still, I found the moves to be fun and especially enjoyed the kicks.

Alternating lower and upper work follows with plies and bicep curls. The stick is again used for balance leg presses with abduction. There is also triceps work with the french press and triceps kickbacks--the latter set is short, so you probably want to use both arms for the entire set instead of alternating as shown. The final cardio segment uses the ends of the sculpting stick, or "twigs," but just pick up light weights (I used 3#) and you'll be fine. Again, the moves are kickboxing-inspired, with punches, side kicks, and a fun little hop move.

The final toning work is on the floor and includes a 1-arm triceps push-up, flies, pullovers, triceps press, and chest press. The floorwork finishes with a nice abs section that moves quickly through several different crunch variations. (During this section, I recognized some of the music from the Crunch Fat-Burning Pilates floor segment.) A nice final stretch is performed mostly on the floor; Emily is thorough, but none of the stretches are held very long (although I did really enjoy the final neck stretch!). I felt great at the end of this workout--nicely worked out, but not exhausted--and I was pleased to see on my heart rate monitor that I had stayed in my target zone for a full 40 minutes PLUS had burned 341 calories.

Although one of the background exercisers shows modifications throughout, I wouldn't recommend this video to absolute beginners who are unfamiliar with weight training. However, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to more experienced beginners to intermediates looking for a fun, effective routine. I really enjoyed this workout and know that I will use it often; I will be looking to try other Firms as well.

After using the The Firm Body Building System with the Fanny Lifter,to add variety I purchased the The Firm's Body Building System I with the Sculpting Stick. System II contains three videos (Total Sculpt plus Abs, Complete Aerobics & Weight Training, and Maximum Cardio Abs) and stick only. I've tried each of the workouts several times and found the routines to be very similar to the original System routines, except it used the stick to provide stability or give a little more resistance. Because I'm short, the stick gave me more stability when doing the exercises that required me to step up on the 14" Fanny Lifter. Using the stick for stability also allowed me to do deeper squats. I found the Lift & Hover Squats to be a bit more challenging, because I wasn't use to having anything spread along my shoulders. After my first workout, I could feel the more intense workout throughout my hips, thighs, and calves.

There are several exercises in the Total Sculpt plus Abs video and Complete Aerobics & Weight Training video that requires the stick to be disassembled to use the ends as 1 lb hand weights. After several workouts, I found the disassembling of the stick was not worth my time, since the 1 lb was like working empty-handed. I now use my lightest dumbbells during this segment of the routine.

Overall, I found the stick to be an excellent source of stability, but other workout sticks can be purchased at a much cheaper price or simply use the stick from a broom or mop. I still think The Firm gives a good workout with great benefits and quick results, but it's Fanny Lifter that remains the key to an individual's success.

For the best workout at a cheapest price, if you're an original Firm user purchase this video and use a household broomstick. Those new to The Firm can purchase an entire system containing the Fanny Lifter and the Stick. Because the workout helps me to get tone and sculpt, it still deserves 4 stars.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Firm exercise program. The complete Aerobics one is my favorite. It was hard at first, but with practice I got the moves down. You keep yourself challenged by pushing harder and adding more weight. I have muscles I never had before. This is the best prgram I have ever done. I would take The Firm anyday over Tae Bo or anyone else.
If you are new to it, just give yourself time to learn the moves and keep the remote handy so you can pause to set up. I know what comes next so I rarely pause anymore.

I have to say that I don't normally write reviews like this. But every time I do this workout, I can't help thinking that I have to write a review! This workout is fun, challenging and rewarding! Definitely (like they say) after 10 workouts I noticed a difference in my body. The pace of the workout is easy but effective. And I really like Emily. She is thorough in explaining exercises and keeps you motivated! You have to get this workout - expecially if you are tired of all the other workouts you have at home now. I can't say enough - I love it!

I consider myself an intermediate to advanced exerciser and have been doing The Firm for a few months now and LOVE THIS. I borrowed the BBS 2 from a friend but from the 3 workouts, this was my fave so I bought it separately. It really is the classic combination of aerobics then weights then aerobics which is what I look for. I loved the kickboxing moves and the slightly different use of the fanny lifter with legs out to the side - a nice twist on the typical up down move. I was sweating within the first 10 mins, getting a thorough workout. A fantastic ab section too. Definitely one of my favourites.

The is the one and only Firm video led by Emily Welsh, which is part of the Firm's second Body Sculpting System which introduces the Firm's Sculpting stick. The stick is a 3-1 body bar that weighs about 8 or 9 lbs. The ends are removable which they refer to as "twigs" which are 2lb light weights used for resistance, the stick fully assembled is used for balance and stability. If you do not have the stick a broom or mop handle will do just fine. The video also uses the Fanny Lifter, but again a regular step would work for the aerobic routines and a stool would be fine for the leg presses. Finally you will need a few sets of dumbells, 3, 5 and 8 lbs are recommended by Emily.

This is an aerobic weight training workout, alternating strength and cardio segments. Some of the strength segments consist of compound movements, where you work upper and lower body at the same time, lighter weights are best for these sections. Some of these include squats with overhead presses, dips with bicep curls, and plies with bicep curls. The sculpting stick is used quite a bit in the video, for balance mainly but also allows you greater range of motion in some of the moves. You hold the stick in one hand and a weight in the other for squats, lunges, and leg presses. There is also a set of unweighted squats that utilize the stick as well. As you get stronger some may find they don't need the stick, which is fine too. For upper body you will see bicep curls, french presses, single and double arm lat rows, etc. All of the muscle groups are covered well.

Alternating with the strength segments are some fun cardio routines, one being lower impact with step taps along with some punches and jabs, low jacks etc, another segment that uses part of the fanny lifter for step aerobics, and a 4 limb section using the "twigs" for some shoulder work and some kickboxing moves. A tough ab section ends the workout before a well deserved cooldown and stretch.

Emily does a good job in this video, she is motivating, energetic and looks like she is having a great time. This is a good workout with a nice variety. I recommend it.

I really, really like this DVD. I keep coming back to it. When I've skipped working out I jump into this one since it targets cardio and weight training together. It is fast paced with the step movements which (as a dancer) I prefer. There are not enough DVD's out there for the advanced exerciser. If you are a beginner, this is not the workout for you. Also, if you do not have "The Firm" equipment you can modify. I use a stick as a sculpting stick, I have 4 sets of weights and I bought a step stool at a department store. You can also intensify or lessen the weights for more or less of a work out.

I wish there where more like this DVD out there.

This DVD is fun and CRAZY!!! Workout moves really fast so I have to be on your toes...or have the "pause" buttom ready to stop and setup. I did the program yesterday for the first time following the beginner instructor and today my thighs and inner thighs are a tad sore....which is good...it was what I was wanting. The only negative thing I can say is that the decription of the DVD both on the packaging and on Amazon does not tell you that you need a Sculpting Stick and preferably the Firm's Butt-Blaster steps which are taller than normal steps. I had to run out and purchase these items after starting the DVD and realizing I didn't have them. They also ask for 3#, 5# and 8# weights. Luckily I had those, even though the beginners some times do not use them at all. So, make sure you have these items. The cost was low, but I still had to make a trip to go buy them. ENJOY...this workout is the cardio/muscle sculpting tool I've been looking for. Plus, you don't need alot of space. KUDOS!

I agree will all of the positive reviews. I love this workout. You can always add more weight to make the workout harder. I use 10 pound ankle weights during parts of it as well. This makes it much more challenging. I have also found that straping my ankle weights to the sculpting stick works GREAT for floor work.

This workout is the best in the Sculpting System 2 group, but I really like them all. The whole kit is expensive, but the cost is so worth it. It really works and it is much cheaper and better than a gym membership. I do one workout each day and my fanny REALLY is firmer. The Fanny Lifter is wonderful. I thought that it was a waste and that any step would work. It is not true. I have been working out with a shorter step for a while without great results to my rear-end, but, now that I am using the Fanny Lifter, I am getting much firmer and starting to really look good!!! Get the whole Sculpting System 2 three tape group, get the fanny lifter and workout every day. Your shape will change!

One more comment - The whole system is wonderful for beginners as well. One person on each of the Sculpting System 2 videos does the whole workout modified for beginners.