Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Good Times Video
• VHS Release Date: October 7, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000C0FC1
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #317,154 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good series of exercises but a little hard on the beginner., January 2, 2004

By 

Calinae (North of Denver) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Firm: Maximum Cardio Burn Plus Abs [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I am a big Firm fan and the quality of exercises in this video stay in line with the Firm's quality production. I do not have or use the stick or fanny lifter but instead use an alternate balance/bar from my bowflex) stepstool and dumbells.
My biggest complaint though minor is the queuing. I really appreciate an instructor who can call a move in advance for you to prepare to do it. I don't have to have much notice but I found that this instructor missed queueing the student for a smooth transition into the next series on a few occaisions. I have been doing step and aerobics since before the step was invented and usually pick up an instructors queues quickly and easily. I am sure with more practice on my part I will overcome this minor flaw. I will continue to use this video and recommend it to anyone who has moderate experience and one who enjoys the circuit-type changes that make for a challenging yet achievable workout.

Pluses:
Quality exercises and good form instruction.
Excellent filming.
Thorough workout.
Interesting and doable many times.

Minuses:
Queuing could be better.
Not many wide views of other participants/instructors.
Feels VERY rehearsed(I don't mind a little extra banter to detract the mind from the body's labor).
A little bit complicated for the beginner but hang in there.

BUY IT, YOU'll LIKE IT!
I have a suggestion for the producers.. I have the DVD version and this would only work for that media.. Film the same work out and separately record a beginner intermediate and an advanced workout/participant. Still show group shots though. Allow me to pick the perspective I want for the session. This way the beginner would watch mostly from the perspective of the beginner and could progress in different sessions through the intermediate and advanced views.This provides not only variety but levels, a new concept for the home exercise video.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this workout, June 23, 2004

By 

Jessica L. Caisse (Danielson, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Firm: Maximum Cardio Burn Plus Abs [VHS] (VHS Tape)

All of the System 2 Workouts are great. This one is a great, effective cardio workout that does not use handweights just the Sculpting Stick. Allie is always a great instructor. Easy enough to follow, definitely works up a sweat.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fanny Lifter Still Key to Success - But Sculpt Stick Helpful, December 5, 2003

By 

Smootchez "smootchez" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Firm: Maximum Cardio Burn Plus Abs [VHS] (VHS Tape)

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 a broom w/removable stick. 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.