Customer Reviews

The Firm - Firm Parts: 5-Day Abs (Classic Workout Series) [VHS]

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This video helped me regain my flat stomach after giving birth to 2 babies in 20 months! I started the video about 6 weeks post-partum, and I saw results immediately. I started out with Day 5, which is the easiest workout, and kept repeating it every day until my abs were strong enough to do the rest of the tape. What really helped to lose the post-baby "pooch" was to do 2-3 of the workouts back-to-back.

The video keeps its promise of visisble results in ten workouts. I have been using this video for over a year now and I love it. It consists of five different workout ranging from six to nine minutes. I usually do Days 1-3, then take a day off. Then I continue with two more days and then another day off before I start over. Day 4 is VERY TOUGH, but it works. You will have strong abs. Throw in exercise and healthy eating and soon you'll have a nice, flat stomach. Love this tape. Everyone should own it.

The variety in this tape keeps it interesting. It's the best short tape I've found for abs, especially the lower abdominals. There is not detailed instructions on positioning, however, so it may not be for those just beginning to work out.

I've tried several other ab workout videos, and while I would rate them as "okay", I found this one to be "fantastic"! The nicest feature is that it provides 5 different workouts, where most other tapes have you perform the same 8 or 10 minute workout every day. As it claims, I began to see results after just ten days of use! In fact, I just purchased "More 5-Day Abs" because I liked the first one so well!

I starting buying the FIRM tapes back in 1989 when they were fifty bucks a pop. I added this as soon as it came out. At first, I was disappointed -- there's nothing new in here; all of the 5 - 9 minute ab segments were cut from the long workout tapes I already owned. However, once I started branching out into other tapes, or skipping the FIRM total body workouts all together, I became much more dependent on this tape. It's so easy to find 5 - 9 minutes to workout; I can do these right after I roll out of bed (even with my jammies still on), and the exercises are so familiar I can keep my eyes closed & still make it through them while I'm half-asleep. I don't know that my abs look any better, but they sure feel strong -- and I NEVER have the backaches that I used to have ten years ago. The best part about this is that it's so short (and effective), it's hard to find an excuse for skipping it. Two of the five segments require a FIRM "step-up box," a stool used in the FIRM workout tapes. Frankly, anything in the 12 - 20" range that you could prop your feet up on would be effective. I've got the whole array of FIRM step-up boxes, but on occasion, I'll just use a chair seat when it's most convenient.

I definitely agree with the ky reviewer that Stud Boy, our "personal trainer," whose role is to introduce each of the five segments, is a bit much. He does add comic relief -- My sister (who also owns the tape) & I have been known to call each other or comment while trying on clothes (using a Tracy James New Yorkish -- I guess -- accent "Remember, you won't be able to see your firm new abs until you get rid of that ugly layer of fat." I find him an amusing annoyance, tolerable for the fifteen or so seconds he appears on each segment.

I don't have the second abs tape, but I'll definitely get it. Although I haven't done so many of the FIRM tapes lately, I do own at least twelve of them (collected over twelve years -- ); I've discarded many, many, many other tapes over the years (Denise Austin, Jane Fonda, Jazzercise, Kathy Smith, . . . ). They were enjoyable, but I got to a point where I didn't want to do them any more, and off they went to Salvation Army. In contrast, I've never discarded a FIRM tape -- the early ones, in particular, really are good and for some reason, much less boring than other tapes. This is the only ab tape I own now -- I used to have Abs of Steel ab segment tapes & a Joanie Greggains ab tape -- but this is the one I would always do -- and which I definitely prefer. Now if I could only get rid of that ugly layer of fat . . .

I've tried several workout tapes targeting abs, and while they have all been decent, this is without a doubt the most useful I've ever had. The workout is intense and uses a technique called 'muscle confusion' to get the most out of the exercises. When I first started, I couldn't even get through one seven-minute workout. Within two months, I could do the entire tape in one sitting. I'm starting to look more like the guy on the cover (he just introduces the segments -- don't get your hopes up, ladies). If you only buy one tape for abs, this is it!

Anyone wanting to get that "six-pack" look would do well to buy this tape. I recommend that before you actually do the exercises, you watch the tape from beginning to end to familiarize yourself with it first. It moves quickly and is a tough workout. After 2 minutes you feel the "burn". But just imagine having washboard abs!! It's great and I swear by this company's products!

I found this video both fun and effective. Results were seen within 10 workouts as promised. I also found the workout inspiring. The fact that all workouts are 8 minutes or less was also a plus!

This is an awesome workout for the abs - even though you are only doing 5-7 minutes of ab work daily, it really makes you feel like you are working hard! And the results are amazing. Highly recommended.

This is definitely a good investment at the price--all of the workouts are good and relatively challenging (Day 4 is a killer, but I love it) and short enough to fit into a daily routine. You won't have a six-pack after only a few viewings (that's dependent on diet as well) but you will have a flatter stomach and a trimmer waist after a few weeks. Why not try it?