Customer Reviews

The Firm - Firm Parts: Tough Tape (Classic Workout Series) [VHS]

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a Firm user since 1991. I have all of the full body tapes (then called Vols. 1-6), the Firm Strong Body and Strong Heart tapes, and all of the Firm Parts tapes. As far as I'm concerned, there are no better work out tapes on the market. I was disappointed with the Firm Tortoise and Hare tapes - I like to work out when working out and dance when dancing; I didn't like the mix - so was really pleased when Tough Tape (an edit of the Tortoise and Hare tapes featuring the warm up, box and dumbell portions, squats, lunges, upper body, and cool down - was introduced. It is now my favorite tape and were it not for the fact that I feel compelled to work in my other Firm tapes (which is a good idea, as outlined by the Firm), I would do Tough Tape solely for weeks on end. Tracy Long is powerful and extremely motivating. The Tall Box, squats, and dumbell moves are incredible and results are fast and lasting. As with all Firm Parts Tapes - other than 5 Day Abs and Sculpted Buns, Hips, and Thighs - there is no ab section. However, as I need ab work in every workout and am not good at popping in the 5 Day Ab tape after a Firm Parts workout, I simply do abs during the first set of pushups in the tape. I find that 16 pushups is enough for me and I've gotten some abs in. As the Firm advises before every tape, take it easy the first few times. Don't use weights your first time and, by all means, start off with a short step up box and low weights. If you plan to continue working out, you have time to move up in step up box height and in dumbell weight. I think that it's extremely important when doing the Firm, or any workout, to realize that you can make modifications to meet your exercise needs.

I do strength training (free weights and machines) at the gym, but this is the tape I frequently reach for when I don't have time to drive to and from the healthclub. You will need a barbell, a "tall box" (13" tall step), and multiple free weights for this tape. If you don't have a barbell, you can probably modify by using just the free weights.

This is an intense weight training program that works both the upper and lower body. It will also get your heart pumping, so there's a mild aerobic effect as well. And, as is true with all FIRM productions, it is beautifully produced. Tracy Long's cueing is arguably the best in the fitness industry, and she provides plenty of form pointers for beginners. But I recommend this tape for intermediates/advanced weight trainers.

I own 13 Firm Tapes. I started using Firm Tapes when they first came out (before I was married). I am 37 and have two children, ages 5 & 2. After my daughter was born in 1999 I was so out of shape. I gained 50 pounds with each pregnancy and lost all the weight after my first pregnancy, but did not lose it all with my second one. I was a devoted Firm believer before my children came but I eventually had become lazy and tied up with other things and did not want to work out. A few months back I tried a no carb diet and lost weight fast but it did not last and I still felt out of shape. I eventually realized diet was not good and had to change my way of life. I had 20 pounds to lose yet till my ideal weight. Well, I hate aerobics so I decided to use my older Firm Tapes two months ago. Well, let me tell you, I was working out 4 times a week the first month with them and eating healthy, but not depriving myself and lost 5 pounds. Then I decided to try a new Firm Tape and ordered the Tough Tape with Tracie Long. THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST (MY MOST FAVORITE) TAPE I HAVE DONE OUT OF ALL FIRM TAPES!!! I have been using it a month and lost another 5 pounds. The butt and leg work is excellent! Those are my major problem areas. I am no longer a size 10 and am so happy! Everyone notices the results and my husband is always complimenting me on it. This tape does not bore me and I feel great afterwards. I cannot imagine not weight training with these tapes again, especially this one. I only use it 2 to 3 times a week now and I still am getting results and I do no other form of exercise. It burns fat and gives you great looking muscles. My pear shape does not look pear anymore. Tracie Long is an excellent instructor. I am so glad they put out a Firm Tape that just sticks to the weight training with no aerobic bouncing around. This tape will make you a Firm believer!

This is the first weight training tape where I had all of the necessary equipment! You'll need weights (obviously) but only 3 pairs at the weight you feel comfortable using - you can use an optional barbell for some of the exercises, but I don't, I just use my dumbbells. You'll need a tall step (12-14") but I use a trunk that I have, and you'll need a chair (or the tall step) for bicep curls. YOU DON'T NEED A WORKOUT BENCH! The tape concentrates on the thighs, arms, bust, back, and buns. There is no abdominal section or any work on the calves, but to really concentrate on time the time crunch (it only takes about 42 minutes), abs can be done on other days. The instruction is step by step, but without all of the constant talking, and you can tell the instructor Tracie Long is working hard too. Since she goes step by step, she also gives you enough time to get prepared for the next exercise, which other tapes don't do (Denise Austin's Totally Firm), and then you're rushing to get the next equipment. I would highly recommend this video! It is great for all fitness levels - just use higher weights for the more advanced.

This tape is worth the sweat. You don't have to have all the equipment to use it. I use a milkcrate for my step, and I use 3 and 5 lb hand weights throughout (I just pretend they are barbells). :) I have BICEPS for the first time in my life, and I have only used 5 lb weights so far! The only reason I give it 4 stars is because there are no abs and the stretching segments aren't that great.

I just tried this tape for the first time. Since it's a Firm Parts tape, it's cut from parts of original Firm workouts, in this case, The Tortoise and The Hare. It's an extremely well cut tape, and with added sections of Tracie Long explaining where you need to be, so it doesn't seem disjointed at all. This tape is great for weight-bearing exercises. It does have many (6 or 7 I think) sets of leg presses, which require a 12-14" stool and weights. Since Tracie Long is such a great instructor, you really feel like you can do all the work on the tape even though it does seem like a lot to me (a beginning to intermediate exerciser). I would totally recommend it to anyone who wants to work on definition in the thighs and glutes. There is also a lot of good arm work as well. And it's just over 40 minutes, making it ideal when you want a quicker workout.

I bought this tape before I knew anything about The Firm--I was looking for a new way to exercise, a friend had recommended exercise videos, and it was on sale. It was way too difficult for me at first (I'd never done aerobic tapes and I was about 65 pounds overweight) but I have grown to love it. It's probably the most effective lower-body workout I've ever done. Take it very slow if you're overweight or have weak knees. It took me a month before I could do this tape at even 75 percent intensity, but I'm glad I stuck with it. The results are worth it!

This is a tape that really makes you sweat! The instructor moves from exercise to exercise, and from muscle group to muscle group, at a rapid pace. The cuing is excellent, and the perkiness level kept to a minimum. What really got me to buy the tape in the first place, though, is the fact that aside from weights no special equipment is needed (you can safely use a chair instead of a tall box).

The main reason that this tape does not get 5 stars from me is that it does not target a few of the muscles, most notably the abductors and adductors for the legs. Still, the Firm manages to crunch in a heck of a lot into this brief, all-around session. I definitely recommend it.

I've been working my way to more challenging tapes, and this one is amazing! What I like the best is the fact that you don't need to invest in a whole bunch of stuff to get started, I had some weights and something to step on and it works great!

I also like the fact that Tracie is not one of those chirpy, rah-rah instructors who can't shut up - she knows her stuff and leads you through the tough moves without annoying you.

The moves are varied and intense, you are really working your muscles with this tape and you feel the results from the first time you use Tough Tape. I recommend it and I will be buying other Firm tapes to mix my workouts around.

I found "Tough Tape" here on Amazon, as I searched for a tape to take the place of the gym I just stopped working near. This is the BEST exercise video I have ever seen. If you are looking for dancing &/or aerobics, go somewhere else. If you want a workout that equals what you get with a personal trainer, this is IT. Tracey will warm you up, then work your quads, glutes, and arms till you're ready to drop, then she stretches you out. Like everyone mentions, the only weakness is the lack of AB work. Beginners are best advised not to complete the entire workout section of tape the first time (fast forward to stretching when you've had enough).