Customer Reviews

The Firm - Maximum Body Shaping [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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"

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.

I have owned this video for a couple of years, it was formerly called Maximum Body Sculping. The only thing different about this video now is that it has a picture on the cover and it sold in stores. The instructor, Tracie Long, is the most informative instructor the Firm has and this video is no exception. She explains each move and even occassionally shows what not to do. If you keep moving you will get your heart rate up with this video, though the only "aerobic" portion is a short series of kicks and plyo jumps. I alternate this with more aerobic videos. This tape may not be difficult enough for extremely fit people but it is a good beginner/intermediate tape. For someone who has never lifted wieghts before, Tracie Long has another Firm body shaping tape called "Firm Basics Sculpting with Weights" that I started with until I became more knowledgable about correct form and then I moved on to this one. I highly recommend it, the moves are basic, uncomplicated and you can make them easier or more difficult depending on your fitness level. Although the class is primarily women, I think that men will enjoy it as well. There's no aerobic dance-like moves. As a former couch potato I can say this video has helped me to become stronger and more body aware than I have ever been. You will need equipment: 2 or 3 sets of dumbells a 14-17 inch stool and a workout dowel (not necessary but I find it helps with balance so I can focus on the muscles I'm working), and a mat to do floor work.

This is a really great Firm tape!! I love it and do it over and over without getting bored. I'm seeing great results, and would recommend it to beginners to the advanced!! I hope to see more like this out from The Firm. The Firm tapes are the only tapes worth doing!!

Weight training is the KEY to weight loss. Forget diet food forever and begin training with this tape!! They say you will see results in 10 workouts and I believe you will. In a month, I have gone down one pant size without dieting. You will get firm if you put forth the effort!
I highly recommend this tape and have been telling all my
friends to purchase it!!
Great job FIRM!!!

Being more than 200lbs and not loving to exercise, I never thought I would love this tape like I do!!! I felt extremely clumsy and would die if anyone saw me doing this video when I first started...but I stuck with it and like it promises....... IT WORKS !!! I have been doing the video for one month now, and I refuse to weigh myself (scales are for fish) but my clothes are looser and I feel much better. I think this video is good for beginners, just do as much as you can ... when I started I could only do 2 pushups, now I'm keeping up with Tracie. The results will encourage you to keep it up. Perhaps advanced would not like it, but as a beginner... I highly recommend it!!!(I use two 3lb weights, a broom stick and a shorter version step which you do need for the video.)

I loved this FIRM video, mostly because of the very cool and tough abdominal set on the end and the interesting, but challenging seated oblique work. I think this was a relatively easy video for me, but I have been exercising for four years to The FIRM and nothing else. I'd consider this a weight tape, which I do in combination with a cardio tape. It's a lot of fun, but the sequences seemed easy to me because not a lot of heavy weights were used for some of the movements, like dips. I think the hardest segment for the upperbody consisted of bicep curls and upright row paired together in a hard set with heavy dumbells after leg press. Also, the pushups were harder than some other sets from the FIRM. The tablework also seemed easy since no ankle weights were used, but you can used them like I do if you want. Just pause the tape to put them on and take them off. This is a great workout, and I would recommend it for anybody- advanced to beginner. Beginners may need to modify some moves to make it easier, and advanced may need to really pyramid up to make this video hard.

This was one of the first Firm videos I have ever done along with Body Sculpting Basics with Susan Harris.I was given this tape as a gift for Christmas about five years ago.Back in those days I didn`t even workout like I do know.I weighed 250 pounds and was depressed.I would eat fast food and other high fat foods.I decided to do something about it.I started doing workout tapes,walking,and dieting.I started alternating Body Sculpting Basics with Susan Harris and Maximum Body Shaping with Tracie Long.
This tape means business,I mean it.It is tough,but so effective.I do tons of workout videos now,but this is one of the first I started with and it wasn`t easy.It is one of my regular videos now.Tracie long goes through series body building.Lunges,dips,great upper body work and more.You will need the fanny lifter for leg press and climbs.You will also need a set of dumbells,I use 3-15 pounds.You will also need a broom handle for balance.Beginners should start with light dumbells like I did at first.Beginners should not go down as deep on lunges,dips,and squats.If you keep doing this tape you will work up to more advanced movements and heavier weights.This is great tape.It will make you look thinner,and make stronger fast.I do a lot of tapes and love them,but the Firm workouts are still my favorites.This is one of my favorite Firm workouts because I first started with it five years ago.Today I am 80 pounds lighter thank to strated with this workout.You will love it.

I've been working out with videos for a few years now. This video is a good workout but I didn't feal that I dot enough cardio workout with this video. It does work the upper body quite well. I have other firm videos, like the Firm Total Body which I always come away from fealing like I've had a good workout. This is definately for the beginner to immediate level.