Customer Reviews

The Firm: Body Sculpting System - Cardio Sculpt

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own this as part of the 3 pack body sculpting system. since I just started the 30 day rotation schedule they suggest (available on their website), I am still just using this one....

What a workout! I am a runner, and was in training for a half marathon when I got tendon issues and the doc said to cut down on the mileage. I decided to go back to workouts at home, and picked up this system. I already own my own reebok step, adn I haven't had any problems using that instead of their fanny lifter, although mine doesn't go up to 14 inches, just 10 inches, I was so sore after the first time, I had trouble squatting or sitting for 3 full days!

This is a 60 min workout that alternates weights with some low impact cardio bursts, plus a great ab section. Like I said, I consider myself to be in pretty decent shape, but this has me sweating like a pig (and in an AC room mind u).

highly recommend this as a stand alone or good cross training tape to alternate with others. would have had 5 stars, but i find the constant moving and breaking down of the fanny lifter annoying (harder to do with my step), and they don't give much guidance on form, which may be a problem for beginners.

I have been using this video on and off for a number of years and love everything about it. I don't get to use it as often as I would like to (it's long - just under an hour, and I have a baby at home!), but each and every time, I work my muscles in great ways. I never feel stronger than when I do this workout and Allie is my favorite instructor. I highly recommend this for anyone beginner through advanced. With the ability to increase and decrease the weights you use, this video can sit on your shelf forever and through all of your fitness levels! I recently started working out heavily with the Firm after a brief hiatus and after a week (only 4 workouts), my hips are down an inch, and my waist is down a 1/2". Not bad! I used this video with my new TransFirmer and had no problem adapting the exercises for the Fanny Lifter at all.

Oh - and to the people who might not feel that Allie is fit enough - ARE YOU CRAZY?? She has a great body - and has achieved the same results that most women would if they have an agressive exercise program. She is not a stick figure. She has curves and looks amazing.

Don't be fooled by the title, this is a strength workout with cardio portions mixed in. Though with this workout lighter weights may be used for some of the exercises which are more compound movements where you are working upper and lower body at the same time, such as lunges with bicep curls and plie squats with shoulder raises. This would classify as more of an aerobic weight training workout, though there are some strictly weight training exercises as well. Upper and lower body is covered well, plus there is some ab work at the end. In between the strength segments, there are 3 cardio portions, one of them is low impact, and the other 2 use a step, the last one using very light weights.

Allie Del Rio leads this workout along with 4 fellow Firm Master Instructors including Libby who demonstrates beginning modifications. She does a nice job here, very pleasant and encouraging. You will need a Fanny Lifter or stool and assorted dumbells, this would be a good workout if you are not up for a heavy lifting day.

I am just about to get this DVD to replace the video that came with my body sculpting system 1. I have used it so much that the tape is wearing out!

This workout is an excellent total body workout that will strenghten your muscles and firm you up. It is more of a weights workout than cardio workout, but combined together they pack a punch! The instructions are crystal clear and easy to follow.

A word of advice for those with weaker knees: you will most likely want to modify; that is what I do. I do my lunges without weights and use lighter weights when doing hover squats and leg presses.

first of all i'm a 100% authentic firm customer and i have been since 1998 and i resent the person that said these reviews were fake. i dont waste my time or others commenting on these DVDS to be fake, i do it cause i believe in this program!! doing these enjoyable but aerobic interval weight training workouts altho has been the toughest thing i have done and i feel complaining muscles everyday. the firm has toned my body head to toe twice twice because i was sick for 6 months and by the time i regained my health i gained the weight i had lost the first time back. but i've used this firm system to lose almost all of it now. i have a size to go. and it took me 8 months. but i've watched myself tone up. i highly recommend the Firm. even if you are a beginner like i was you can still do lighter weights and not do the whole DVD just a mix of segments working the major body parts and work up to them all like i have. you will feel stronger and happier that you commited yourself to do something good for yourself. and it IS a commitment. sure there are exercise days i dont feel like doing it.. but i do cause its a commitment i intend to keep. and you will tone on this program. at first you dont think you are, but stick with it. you are worth having the best body you can and enjoy your success. i'm not ever going to be petite or thin, but i'm working on the best body i've been given in this life and the firm helps that with good advice and fun workouts no matter what your body type is.
now on to my review of Cardio Sculpt which i just purchased and worked out to. excellent mix of fun cardio and weights. Allie Del rio is a fun informative instructor see also her other cardio DVD Maximum Cardio Burn plus Abs for a great cardio workout. This workout has more of the weight based body sculpting i like. but i can't deny that Allie's cardio videos are the few i really like and look forward to doing and are such fun and motivating but complete workouts i'm glad i went outside my usual weight training buys and got something different. i hope this review helps the true exercisers out there. Good Luck to you all starting a fitness program. it will change your life for the better.... it has mine.

I have been using the FIRM videos for about 7 years now off and on, and I am very familiar with most of the instructors. Allie is one of my favorites by far. She's upbeat but not chirpy, straightforward but fun. She respectfully and carefully shows modifications for all levels of exercisers. I also like that she doesn't make you do two sets of sixteen things right in a row so that you're hating it by the end. She WILL say things like, "This is a long set, so stay with me here," which I personally don't like because I hate hearing that it's a long set - but when you actually get right down to it, each set is not that long. Each set is relatively short (maybe twelve or sixteen reps total) but then the workout spirals back to the same muscle group eventually, so you get enough reps without burning out. Her cardio moves are fun and easy to learn, and she gives verbal cues with good timing so you don't get lost. I agree with other reviewers that this is more of a moderate toning tape with some cardio thrown in, but it does make me break a sweat and I feel that good burn all over when I'm done. I actually look forward to doing this workout, and I don't even mind that it's close to an hour long. I look forward to any future FIRM DVD's that Allie comes out with - she's a great instructor.

I like the combination of weights and aerobics in this routine. Ally keeps changing it up so that I can keep going for the entire hour. I also really like that she walks you through warm-up and cool-down activities. And best of all? I can see the results, I feel better, and actually find that I have more energy!!

Time flies when you do this workout! But don't let it fool you - this is a great, intermediate-level workout.

The warm-up will get your heart pumping in a hurry. The instructor, Allie, cues impeccably and all of the people working out in the video are inspiring. The cardios moves on the 6" segment of the Fanny Lifter are especially fun. My only criticism is that there is not enough cardio emphasis in this "cardio sculpt" video.

This is one of my favorite Firm workouts. I originally bought this on videotape and used it so much that the video is now worn out and getting warped. So I ordered it on DVD to replace my old videotape. I this is a good medium level workout - although when I first started doing the Firm I thought it was high impact. I'm getting so much stronger thanks to the Firm that I now feel like this particular work out is more of a mid to high level workout. I am a huge fan of the Firm and of Allie, the trainer on this video. I would highly recommend this to anyone! Easy routines to follow and you really do start to see a difference within 10 workouts.

The Firm Body Sculpting System 2 was the first home workout system I ever tried when I committed to changing my body. It jump-started my fitness when I was 85 pounds overweight and continued to shape my body. Cardio Sculpt was my favorite in the series and the one I used for my cardio and strength training. Throughout my weight loss, this workout remained challenging and the movements got results, especially in my legs and rear. I dripped sweat doing this workout and I would be sore for 1 day afterward or longer. I definitely recommend listening to your body if something doesn't feel right and modifying the movements to avoid injury, though, especially if you have pre-existing soft tissue injuries. You don't have to use weights if they impair your form or are too much for you at first. I did end up losing the 85 pounds through the use of Cardio Sculpt, walking, and eating less. Cardio Sculpt was my go-to workout for results I could see. I don't see it as a beginner's video since the use of weights adds more challenge to any fitness level and it has remained effective even at a healthy weight. It can take a while to learn the routine enough to switch movements and disassemble/assemble the Fanny Lifter while keeping up with the workout. Cardio Sculpt is definitely one of my favorites produced by the Firm. This workout can kick your butt, but it's worth it.