Customer Reviews

Firm: Firm Parts - Upper Body & Standing

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This DVD is a combination of The Firm's Upper Body and Standing Legs workouts. There is also a bonus feature included, The Firm's Bonus Fitness Training Program. This bonus program explains the physiology behind using weights, and discusses the importance of good form in performing sculpting exercises.

The Upper Body workout is a spliced combination of older firm workouts. From the leg warmers, Greek-inspired statues, and hairstyles you will note the age of this workout - the entire look and feel is 80's inspired. The music, as well, includes saxophone and synthezied pieces that are reminiscent of the decade of big hair.

The Upper Body workout itself runs for 35 minutes. There is a total of 11 minutes of warming up and stretching, 21 minutes of upper body weight work, and 3 minutes of stretching to finish. The exercises included are multiple sets of push-ups, pectoral fly, upright rows, and more. You will need dumbbells (3 - 15 pounds) for this workout. There is no ab work included.

The Standing Legs workout is also pieces out together of older, 80's style workouts. The workout runs for 42 minutes and includes: 8 minutes of warming up and stretching, 30 minutes of heavy lower body work, and 5 minutes of stretching at the end. There is no ab work.

The Lower Body segment uses dumbbells, The Firm's Fanny Lifter, and optional ankle weights. The exercises will be familiar to people who have done Firm workouts before: lots and lots of Leg Press step-ups onto the Fanny Lifter, lunges, knee lifts, and more. This is a difficult workout, sure to challenge any level.

The DVD has a Scene Selection feature, so you can skip over any segments that you do not want to use. However, if you select "Play Workout" from the Main Menu, you are subjected to a Firm commercial each workout you use. So, if you run the entire DVD, you have to watch this commercial twice.

While I did not find the Upper Body workout terrifically challenging, I thought that the Standing Legs workout was tough and efficient. Be sure to complement these strength-training workouts with a cardio program and a good stretch to avoid injury. If you have knee problems, you may want to skip this DVD. At a height of 14", the Fanny Lifter will aggravate knee injuries, especially doing multiple sets of Leg Press.

i began using standing legs 7 months after my second child was born. i had lost all my baby weight after baby #1 without working out, but it wasn't the same after #2. i used it 2 days a week- t & th, and used another firm dvd m,w,f, and after 7 months of faithfully using it, there was a considerable difference. sure, the outfits were cheesey. sure the music is not the greatest. but i didn't get this to be entertained. that's what movies are for. i had to really concentrate on the moves and for the first month on not passing out. but let me tell you- it really worked. now after baby #3, i am excited to know that standing legs is on dvd. my first was on tape and with no vcr, i've had to make due with other dvds that just didn't cut it. i will be sure to add this to my collection but, unlike the others, i will be using this.

I've been doing Standing Legs for 20 years! It's a compilation of Firm volumes 1-6 VHS -- yes, videos. Standing Legs is the toughest "tape" I've ever done in the series. It gets the job done! Break out the leg warmers and take a trip down memory lane.

I had this product and others (Lower Body Sculpting and Five Day Abs) on VHS years ago and lost it . When I found it on DVD, I rushed to get it. I started without weights and felt the difference within the first few workouts. I'm looking to get more of the series.

I bought this DVD workout for my mom on Christmas because she had the same copy but on VCR, but it had broke, so I decided to surprise her with this new set, but instead in VCR, it's DVD! She loves it, and I'm happy with it.

Upper Body Parts is a compilation of late 80s/early 90s Firm videos, so there are various segments taught by different instructors. The overall effect is a bit choppy, but there is a separate instructor to cue the transitions, which helps a little. On the plus side, the different instructors means less chance of boredom--ie, it's more interesting to do several sets of the same exercise when each exercise is with a different instructor. Another advantage is that you get a wide variety of upper body work packed into a time-saving workout.

The Firm's philosophy is to combine aerobic activity with strength training. Although this tape is more focused on the toning aspect, frequently you are moving your lower body while working out your upper body--eg, toe touches while doing military presses--which can sometimes be a bit awkward. The exercises themselves are all very traditional--flies, military presses, bicep curls, tricep extensions, etc.--although they are often done in unique combinations and timings. Several sets of dumbells are recommended, and a few segments used either a tall or short "box", but you can substitute a bench, chair, or step. Unlike most other upper upper body workouts, the biceps receive little attention here. Overall, this is a solid, thorough workout for the uppder body, although it now has a bit of a dated feel.

Some people complain that "The Firm" instructors are cheesy ect., but most all workout videos have some annoying factor to them like that. I have had this video for about a year and a half. I got it in a four pack with the 5 Day Abs and Tough Tape 2. I find that sometimes, if my arms are tired, or have been injured in some way, I can use the Standing Legs DVD to give them a break. The same in reverse, if my legs are sore, I can use the Upper Body DVD. I think that the leg presses are tough and sometimes, its hard for me to complete this whole workout. If I feel too tired to keep working on mostly my legs, I switch to the upper body for a few minutes, then switch back. When I use this video, I only use it if I feel strong and ready for something tough! I'm always trying to remember to breathe out when I lift up the weights, and that helps make it work better and be more aerobic. I would say, if you don't maind that the people can be irritating, get this DVD. When you get used to doing the moves, you don't even have to look at the people.

I love the Firm, but I was very disappointed with this set. The standing legs consists of many fast paced, repetitive, light weight lunges. The weight is too light and the speed is too quick, compromising form, and reducing it's effectiveness. The upper body video, once again, has too many reps, with too little weight to warrant an effective upper body workout. At the end of each workout my heart rate remained low, my muscles were not pumped, and I had a hard time telling whether my muscles or my joints were fatigued from the excessive reps. Since I couldn't really concentrate and tighten my muscles because of the fast pace, I think my joints got the workout instead.

Even though this video is older it's usage is easy to follow & if you workout as planned you'll have amazing rewards.

"Standing Legs" is the best from The Firm collection, period. (It really outpaces the hurried workouts the company seems to release every week now; I do not like any of the new material.) I get a serious conditioning session as well as a little cardio each time I do this workout. I owned it on VHS for years; I was glad when they transferred it to DVD to make it more accessible for my workouts. I admit that the wardrobe is dated, but you get pass it when you are pumping the iron, doing the leg presses, and dripping with perspiration. I'm not a huge fan of the "Upper Body" segment, which is why I gave this four instead of five stars. I usually combine standing legs with a med ball or kettlebell workout to get a complete body workout.