Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Bmg Video Label
• VHS Release Date: April 1, 1997
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304396023
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,871 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent work-out with ballroom music., June 25, 2002

By 

JANMC - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Firm Cross Trainers - The Hare [VHS] (VHS Tape)

For those of you new to the FIRM workouts I start out by saying it is hard to go wrong with a FIRM tape. These tapes are for serious exercisers and deliver the results they promise.

This particular work-out is one of the later work-outs in the FIRM series. It is part of a cross-trainer set and is best used in conjunction with the TORTOISE workout. These are meant to complement each other - the Hare emphasises fast moves with light weights and the Tortoise emphasises slow moves with heavy weights (Women - don't worry, you WON'T bulk up doing any of these, you will just gain beautiful muscle definition and a toned look). The Tortoise and Hare are designed to be done on alternate days to give your body maximal cardio and strength benefits. But they are excellent work-outs on their own as well.

The Hare, being one of the later tapes has great cueing from Tracy long and very safe moves. The work-out is about an hour long and is done to an unusual choice of ball-room music in the background. You will exercise to a tango, cha cha and others. This is NOT a tape for learning these dances. The music is just for different variety from the usual jazzy music found on work-out tapes. If you do not like classic ballroom music, this tape may not be the best for you - although it is still a great work-out. You may want to try the FIRM Cardio and Strength cross trainers instead.

You will need some equipement for this work-out. A set of dumbells (it is good to have at least 2 sets - 3 and 5 pounds for beginning women) and two step boxes (or one with an adjustable height). The heights that work best for the step boxes are 4 inches for the short one and 10-14 inches for the tall box. Once you have the necessary equipment you are ready to go.

Tracy is a great instructor and the moves are not hard to follow. After the first couple of times you will be able to do them effortlessly and have lots of fun. You will work your entire body in the hour and also maintain a good heart rate for cardio.

This work-out can be quite tough and is good enough for intermediate to advanced exercisers. It is however also a GREAT work-out for beginners who want to get more serious about their fitness level and want to advance. Beginners can do this workout without weights and pausing and resting as needed. They will quickly advance to the next level, and the results will be much better than those you will see from typical "beginners" work-outs. This tape is easier to do than the classic FIRMS (volume 1 through 6) and is therefore a better choice for beginners who want to advance to "serious FIRMS".

All in all, I would rate this work-out a perfect ten. Very well researched, brilliantly executed - a classic. But note that you may not like it if you hate ballroom music, if you dislike "serious" instructors who are not enthusiastic balls of energy but rather calm and professional, or if you simply faint at the idea of exercising for a full hour.

For serious results though, this is an excellent choice.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun and effective workout!, August 18, 2000

By 

"julies_27" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Firm Cross Trainers - The Hare [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Whenever I have one of those days when I don't feel like doing anything, I reach for this workout. I would say it's one of my favorite. It begins with a warmup and great stretch (one of the Firm's best). Then it goes into about 30 min of what the Firm calls "ballroom aerobics." Don't be put off by that title, because I'm about as choreography-challenged as possible, but I was able to master many of the moves by the second time I did the tape. Some of the aerobics are on the floor using hand weights, and some are using a short (I use a 4") step. There are also two tall box (12-14") sections. Then there is a tricep muscle building with weights small section and the rest of the action is on the floor. This video has some of the best lower body work from the Firm including table work, adductor and abductor work, and bridge work. This floor work really gets your lower body in fantastic shape. I cannot recommend this video enough if you are looking for something fun and different that really helps to get you into great shape.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the FIRM's best, April 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Firm Cross Trainers - The Hare [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I've tried most of the firm workouts and find this one to be oen of, if not, the best. It's upbeat and entertaining. I never watch the clock while doing this workout. Instructor Tracy Long is an encouraging leader and has a pleasant voice on top of that. Over all, one of the best firm videos out there! You CANNOT go wrong with this tape!