Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Live / Artisan
• VHS Release Date: December 19, 2000
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000053VCE
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,384 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Firm: Maximum Body Sculpting illustrates a perfect marriage of weight training and aerobics that can achieve optimum results. This 45-minute workout combines cardiovascular intervals with weights for a supercharged workout that doesn't miss a beat. Instructor Tracie Long's direction is both inspiring and thoughtful as the major muscles are trained through a series of basic (but not easy) exercises. Correct form and body alignment are given great attention throughout each phase of this program. Beginners and first-time weight trainers can benefit from this informative lesson on safe and effective weight lifting, yet all fitness levels will be challenged by the intensity of this interval format. Several doses of squats, lunges, and pliés work the lower body while pushups, curls, and dips strengthen the upper body. This program is far-reaching and there is not a muscle that goes without notice (or without work). The combination of aerobic and anaerobic work is rounded out with abdominal exercises and isometric floor work for the glutes and thighs. Participants will need a 12- to 16-inch step, a dowel (brooms or mops can be used), and a variety of weights (the program suggests 5 to 8 pounds for women and 5 to 15 pounds for men). The Firm presents an effective approach to achieving personal fitness goals because it delivers a one-two punch with this cardio-weight combo, and it doesn't neglect education or safety in the process. --Olivia Voigts

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strength training for short attention span folks like me:), April 12, 2001

By 

Melissa P. Cooper "kymissyin" (Indianapolis, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Firm - Maximum Body Shaping [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I'll admit it. I've never, ever had a very long attention span when it comes to strength training. And besides, I'm busy. I exercise to live, not the other way around. If I can find a routine that'll get the job done in 45 minutes as opposed to an hour, guess what I'm going to do. That's why I'm so glad the FIRM came out with some shorter tapes to complement the longer volumes from the Classic series and the Cross-Trainers.

This one, like Volume 4, mixes up the exercises circuit style, so you're not just working one body part at a time ad nauseum. The variety is good, and the music is, too. Much more jazzy-style stuff instead of that carnival stuff from the earlier FIRMs. You'll hear the theme from PBS' kids' show "Kratts' Creatures" as well as snippets from the "Nutcracker."

This tape is even more fun than FIRM 4. And I hate to say it, but much of it is, I think, unintentionally funny. The cast sometimes seems to be reacting to cue cards--they're serious just like I am when doing the weight work. Then all of a sudden during the little aerobic breaks, it's like someone held up a sign that said, "insert ecstatic smiles here." And I'm thinking to myself, "come on, gang. This isn't the Donna Richardson Party Hour." Tracie is such a joy to watch and emulate. Her title of Master Instructor is well-merited:) She does crack me up with her deadpan delivery of that "here comes the happy couple" line when it's time to combine the dowel lunge with the dowel dip. Speaking of which--I love those moves--though I use my handy-dandy whisk broom instead--and find that I can lunge deeper and really hit that hard-to-get-at spot at the top of my leg. The tall box presses leave me begging for mercy, even though I'm only 5'1" and do them with my Reebok step at 10 inches. The aerobics are very different from those in previous volumes--not as dance-inspired. Instead, the FIRM's jumped on the martial arts bandwagon, and you punch and kick your way to fitness here:) They're kind of fun, but then again, when I think of yucking it up, I don't think of the FIRM's aerobics. They're more function than fun. And that's truly OK in a strength workout.

While I don't buy the shorter FIRM workouts for their superior aerobic training (that's not their strength, no pun intended), my heart rate stays up there, particularly if I go as heavy on the weights as possible without losing proper form. The working pace here seems a bit slower than in the classic FIRMS, so I think it'll be relatively safe to increase weight sizes significantly and still use this tape.

And one last thing. . .given that I still want to do the Temptation Walk from Donna-Mite every time I hear one of the soundtrack songs on the radio. . .I'm selling my ticket to the Nutcracker this fall. They'd throw me out of the theater for sure :)

This one gets an "A" from me.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT Video, December 28, 2000

By 

LovesMusic - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Firm - Maximum Body Shaping [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video is a great video in a long series of equally excellent exercise videos created by The Firm. The workout begins with an invigorating warm up and stretch, and then immediately moves into strength training, and closes with ab work and a final relaxing stretch.

This video is great because it works all of the major muscle groups, making it a total body workout. In addition to this, the exercises are cued very well by Master Instructor Tracy Long, who leads this video with motivating confidence.

I highly recommend this video to anyone, from the novice to the advanced exerciser, as it adapts easily to anyone's fitness level by simply increasing or decreasing the poundage used when doing the tape.

This workout is definitely a favorite of mine, and a real "MUST HAVE"

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great video from the Firm!, March 17, 2001

By 

"jtshotone" (Vancouver, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Firm - Maximum Body Shaping [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This 45 minute workout will definately work you out! :) As is the case with all of the Firm workouts, you start off with no weights and increase gradually. By doing this, you can start off as a relative beginner (I would recommend at least 2 months of other forms of exercise if you are brand new), and work your way up. This is listed as a beginner to intermediate video ... I agree with that. But even an advanced exerciser would enjoy this tape for a lighter day when they are feeling tired.

To use this video, you will need dumbbells that range from 3 to 15 pounds, a dowel (can be purchased at a hardware store or at the Firm's website - or a broom or mop handle will work), and a Fanny Lifter/tall step. To purchase a Fanny Lifter, go to the Firm's website and click on the Firm Store, or call 1-800-THE-FIRM.

This is a well-rounded workout that works all major muscle groups, and many you might not have realized you had! :) Great for sculpting your body for swimsuit weather.

Tracie Long, one of the Firm's best instructors, leads.