Customer Reviews

The Firm - The Firm Cross Trainers: Firm Strength [VHS]

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While I am still a sucker for the "old-school" FIRM Volumes 1-6 (silly hair, pastel leotards and all), I have to admit that I LOVE this tape. Although the FIRM folks preach about "muscle confusion" and encourage alternating tapes, I often let this be my "Strength Day" tape two or three times in a row. It's a killer workout--lots of those leg presses and squats we hate--but it passes my "do I feel like I am stronger/healthier/more fit when I finish?" test with flying colors. Though it doesn't play this up, I think the tape is really great for your thighs--my quads and hamstrings are significantly more defined since I added this to my tape collection. And don't sweat the aerobics--they're kind of dinky but at least they're short, so use them as a time to space out and clear your mind before you have to get refocused on the weights. And--always an important factor--Pam Cauthen (the instructor and a former class member from FIRM Classic Volume 6 with Jayne Poteet--how sad is it that I was able to spot that?) is really good...not too manic and perky but not a gymbot, either. As other viewers have noted, you'll need weights (which you should be using anyway, whether you do The FIRM or not), at least one (medium-high)step (they use two, but I just use a great sturdy 14" footstool for the whole thing), and a towel to do all of the exercises.

I have been using this video consistantly for over a year, 2-3 times per week on average. It consists of easy to follow low-impact aerobics with a great weight-lifting routine mixed in.

In the last year, it has become my favorite workout. I have seen a complete makeover in my body composition. As far as weight loss goes, there has not been much of a change, but the change is from fat to muscle. Everyone I know has asked me repeatedly how much weight I have lost. Honestly-- not much. It's just that I have developed muscle where there once was only fat.

I feel wonderful, and I know most of my progress is due to this video. I have recommended it to several friends and relatives.

Use your imagination! What makes you think you can only get a step up box from The Firm?! Buy two step stools at Target - they have a 9" and a 14" (in the hardware dept.)

Anytime they use a barbell you can always use dumbbells.

The Firm will actually sell you a towel with their logo on it if you can't find one around the house!

The newer videos use a dowel for balance. I use the pole that screws on to the paint roller. (A broom or really anything that helps you keep your balance works.)

Don't spend all that money on expensive step stools - use your imagination!

By the way - the video is one of my favorites - and I own >20 Firm videos.

This is a great workout, and it contrasts well with the cross-trainer cardio tape (Buy both!). For several years (yes, I said years, because both tapes were originally sold only by mail-order from South Carolina) I've been using a pair of contrasting Firm tapes for 3-6 workouts per week. First it was volumes 1 & 2, then 3 & 4, etc., but these 2 tapes are the toughest and show the best results. The routines are easy to learn and just about every muscle group gets a good workout. At first the movements seemed slow and more upper-body oriented, but the results are fantastic, and when you alternate with the cardio tape (which is faster and more lower-body oriented), you'll be pleased. I wish I'd discovered The Firm tapes earlier, because I used to ride my bike over 5,000 miles per year for recreational exercise, but my body (shape) looks better now in my early 40's than it ever did during my late 20's and all my 30's. (And I can eat anything I want, which wasn't always true).

I bought this video (and Firm Cardio) from reading reviews on Amazon, and let me tell you, the rave reviews were right! This is a great workout, a good mix of a lot of weight lifting, some aerobics, and floor work. The two areas this video works on a lot are triceps and inner thighs, both areas that I think a lot of us would like to work on. The instructor is not too perky and does explain a lot of the moves well. I like this one better than Firm Cardio, but the two of them together do provide effect workouts. Having done each of them 3-5 times, I already do notice the difference in appearance of my thighs, arms, and butt, and also feel like my flexibility has increased. These tapes are a great buy because you can increase the intensity by using heavier weights and ankle weights.

This is a great workout. I alternate this with Firm Cardio, as recommended, and I love them both. I like this instructor a lot, though she cues incorrectly a few times, but is generally very accurate. My first Firm tape was Low Impact Aerobics and although that is also a tough and effective workout, the cueing is awful and I almost gave up on the Firm. I'm glad I didn't, because with Firm Strength and Firm Cardio I feel strong and in the best shape of my life.

Firm Strength (formerly called Strongbody) is an excellent workout approx. 1 hour long. Firm Strength is one of the Firm's crosstrainer tapes. It was designed to be alternated with another tape Firm Cardio (formerly called Strongheart)to maximize results. The workout is at an intermediate level. Led by Pam Cauthen, the workout starts with a warmup/stretch and includes 10min. of aerobics, 32 minutes of bodybuilding, 8 min of abs/thigh work and a short final stretch. The Firm usually uses lavish sets in their videos. This setting is a beautiful library, darker than some of the other sets but lovely. Pam gives good cueing and has just the right amount of enthusiasm! Equipment needed includes a tall step up box for leg work, aerobic step, dumbbells. Ankle weights and barbell are optional.

If you want/need a great tricept workout, this is the video for You! I still feel the burn! As with all "Firm" Workouts this one is just as classy as the others. Pam Cauthen is the instructor and she is one of the best. If you want a great all around workout get this video along with its partner "Firm Cardio." You won't be sorry!

I have what seems to be a full library of Firm tapes and this one is one of the best. It is fun and challenging and provides results for a strong and shapely upper body without the bulky look. If you haven't tried the Firm yet, you are wasting your time with other videos and even the gym. If you are new to exercise, do not be discouraged, try these tapes without weights until you master the moves. You will not be sorry you did.

The Cross Trainer Firm Strength video is an excellent choice for working out. The workouts are tough and challenging. The next day I felt the work in all parts of my body. I took one month off from working out and boy, does my body feel it. I enjoy the workout because it's effective and just the right amount of time. I would recommend this video along with Five Day ABS to serious people that want a great workout. As a certified aerobic instructor, The Firm videos are great teaching tools as well--which adds variety to my classes. I truly enjoy the workouts--I find myself looking forward to working out at home without the bother of a gym. At home I can work at my own pace and not feel like all eyes are on me. It's GREAT!!