Customer Reviews

Firm: Super Body Sculpt [VHS]

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Stephanie Corley is one of the best of the new Firm instructors. Like most Firm instructors, she cues moves and changes very well. However, unlike a good number of them, she manages to be motivating without being condescending and uses a lot of clear visualizations.

The workout, designed by Corley, is efficient and hits everything. Those who want the more traditional Firm approach incorporating multi-body part moves (e.g., bicep curls as you squat) or mixing upper body and lower body exercises (e.g., lunges followed by lat rows followed by dips) will be disappointed. This is more "gym style" in it's approach, working Upper Body, Lower Body, then Abs. However, within each section, Corley mixes body parts. So within Upper Body, you would work triceps, then biceps, then triceps, then back to biceps. With a change in lifting tempo (1 up, 1 down, then 2 up, 2 down, then maybe a 3-count pulse), it's unlikely that you'll be bored though.

I always find that if I heavy up on the Firm leg exercises I get into my aerobic training zone. This was no exception. Mercifully, however, this workout only has two sets of the famous tall step leg press and only (I believe) 1 set of lunges and dips each. You'll be working, but you won't be dying. It's worth noting that all of the exercises in the Lower Body section are standing- if you want floorwork, look elsewhere.

The abwork is a nice, short mix of traditional ab crunches and some Pilates-inspired moves (leg pulls, leg lowering). Probably my least favorite section (I'm not a fan of traditional ab work), but nothing wrong with it.

A tall step (12 to 14 inches) is required, particularly for the leg presses. I use a sturdy stool. The 6 inch step is used here to aid in the lunges and dips, but if you've lunged before without a step, you'd probably be fine. Those with not so great knees (like yours truly) will probably want to use the 6 inch step.

Each workout includes a warmup and a stretch. This is a great tape for those who are consistently short on time but want to get in a thorough sculpting workout.

If you are purchasing this item, you will either need to buy a "Fanny Lifter" or use your own step in the best way you can. I think you really should have the equipment they recommend as I could not do part of the video without it.

If you have any knee problems, skip this completely. We are talking about a knee intensive workout. Squats, lunges and lots of aerobic moves. This is definitely an intermediate workout with the weights. Beginners can do the exercises without the weights.

You will break a sweat while doing this workout. That is for sure. It is fast paced and the three segments seem to go by in no time at all.

You need three sets of weights - 3, 5 and 8lb dumbbells.

There are three workouts which do have enough of a warm-up and cool-down segment so you can do them individually when you don't have 40 minutes.

Workouts:

Upper Body
Lower Body
Ab Workout

Stephanie Corley leads this workout that has yes, not one, but five instructors.

Calorie Burning Workout!

~The Rebecca Review

he Firm is just simply one of the best workouts for the money, and when you consider the price of joining a health club, it's downright cheap. Add to that visible results in 10 workouts (which I have seen) and it's worth twice the price. My only problem is, at 5 feet tall, the steps (when stacked) are hard, but I pull through. Over a month or two, you'll be glad you persevered. I hate cardio, so this one DVD has given me the results I desire without having to jump around. I break up my workout into three days so I stay motivated and don't give up - lower body one day, upper body the next, and then abs. By the time I've done one full three-day rotation, my entire body feels stronger. I've gone from a size 10 to a loose size 8, and my goal is to hit size 4 by summer. Starting so early in the year, it's gonna happen. If you've never tried any other Firm videos, this a good one to start with, hard enough (with additional weights) for a more fit trainer, and just simple enough to get a coach potato into the zone. And if you've got the courage, do what I did. Take out your digital camera (and a tripod, if you have one), take a picture of yourself from all sides (not sucking in the stomach), do The Firm, then take another photo in about 3 weeks. When you start to see the definition in your stomach, butt and thighs, that will keep you motivated more than any of these quotes! I stick my new "after" photos on my refrigerator once a month; I'm so proud! For anyone who's said this is too easy, up your weights. This is a workout you can almost NOT grow out of. Ultimately, I think this is a fabulous workout for women who don't want to be bulky, but long and lean.

I've done this workout many times and I've come to really enjoy it. It's broken into 3 sections: 1) warmup, upper body, stretch 2) warmup, lower body, stretch 3) warmup, abs, stretch.

Some people will do upper body, lower body, and abs on three separate days, so the individual warmup will benefit them. But I like to do total body in one day, so I found the individual warmup for each section unnecessary. I only do the first warmup. I'll either fast forward the other two warmups or take that time to rest.

This workout is definitely not in The Firm tradition of compound exercises, i.e. squats into shoulder presses or lunges into bicep curls. Each exercise is done isolated, which is my kind of strength training style.

The upper body section goes by quickly. Pushups, lat rows, bent over rows, shoulder presses, side and front lateral raises, French presses, tricep kickbacks, bicep curls to end it. The most unique exercise is the bicep curls done sitting on the fanny lifter. You bring the dumbbell up halfway, not all the way up like the traditional bicep curl. That was different and refreshing.

Lower body is tough - all those squats, lunges, and step-ups on the fanny lifter. The squats and step-ups seemed endless because my thighs were so tired, but at least that means the workout was effective.

Abs are pretty good. Crunches, obliques, bicycles, planks.

What I really like is how Stephanie tells you to either use light, medium, or heavy weights for each exercise. "Squat to get heavy weights." That's a great idea. I like being guided in that way.

Stephanie as an instructor is soft-spoken and quiet. She's not a dynamic instructor, but that doesn't mean she's dull. She still cues well and says reasurring things like "that's tough," which I find myself nodding in agreement.

Everyone wears purple tops and black bottoms. When I first did this workout, I was disappointed by the boring music. It wasn't exciting and rocking like I expect from a modern video. It sounded more like background music. But it's grown on me, and some of the exercises actually match the music, especially during the abs section. The set is all white. The floor is light colored hardwood or laminate flooring. It is modern but unfortunately lacks character. Not a big deal though. As long as the workout is good, that's all that matters.

Overall, I really like this video. I like the gym style of doing one exercise at a time and doing total body on one video tape.

I am a lover of The Firm. I have had fantastic results with their videos, but this one I find very disappointing. I did not feel worked out afterward. It is broken up into 3 sections working the upper body, lower body and abs separately. It does not have the advantage of the other Firm videos that do more in less time by working the lower body along with the upper body. After each section, I thought "Is that it?!" However, if you are really short on time or just beginning, this workout may be great for you. It is extremely beginner friendly and can be easily used in 15 minute sections. If you want a wonderfully intense workout and can exercise for a full hour, try "The Firm Body Sculpting Basics". Another great one that takes only 45 minutes is "The Firm Maximum Body Shaping".

If you have any knee problems, skip this completely. We are talking about a knee intensive workout. Squats, lunges and lots of aerobic moves. This is definitely an intermediate workout with the weights. Beginners can do the exercises without the weights.

I think you really should have the equipment they recommend as I could not do part of the video without it. You will break a sweat while doing this workout. That is for sure. It is fast paced and the three segments seem to go by in no time at all.

You need three sets of weights - 3, 5 and 8lb dumbbells.

There are three workouts which do have enough of a warm-up and cool-down segment so you can do them individually when you don't have 40 minutes.

Workouts:

Upper Body
Lower Body
Ab Workout

Stephanie Corley leads this workout that has yes, not one, but five instructors.

Calorie Burning Workout!

~The Rebecca Review

I have been using the Firm Body Sculpting system for about 4 and half months. I have really seen some good results but wanted something new to work out to. I recently purchased this video about two days ago and worked out to this last night. This is one of the best. You will get lower and upper and ab work all on this one tape. I agree with some of the comments I have read about some of the older firm tapes which I have purchased that the instructors are not friendly and the music is kind of cheesy but this video has great music and instructors. If you want a total body work out this is the tape. This will be my favorite for some time.

Ok, I have the worst knees in the world and this workout is FINE! (someone said to skip this workout if you have bad knees) Recent research has proven that for maximum fat loss one needs 25% cardio and 75% resistance training. This tape is almost perfect for that! (See Business Plan for the Body)

This tape is divided into 3 sections, each 15min. I try to do all of them at once and it is exhusting!
Each muscle group is worked to resistance and there is no time wasting dancing around!!!
I use this tape on my body sculpting days and alternate it with cardio and the newer body sculpt with abs. I would do only this one on my sculpt days but you know that "muscle confusion" is important!
The entire body is worked, including abs. Also, you can adjust this workout by increasing or decreasing your weights.

Ths is the first Firm video led by Stephanie, and I think she does a good job. She is pleasant, encouraging and has an inspiring physique which I hope to have one day. Stephanie is joined by 4 fellow Firm Master instructors including Libby who shows beginner modifications. You will need a Fanny Lifter or step or stool and assorted dumbells.

This workout is split up into three parts, upper body, lower body and abs. Each part is about 15 minutes, and it hits all the muscle groups well in a short amount of time. In the upper body section there are pushups, one arm lat rows, double arm rows, bicep curls, hammer curls, french presses, tricep kickbacks, front & side deltoid raises and military presses. In the lower body section you will do 2 sets of leg presses (16 reps each leg each set), lunges, a squat/reverse lunge combo using the step, and a few sets of squats, some with count variation or added steps. Lastly there is a short ab routine. Each section also contains it's own warmup and cooldown, so you are really short on time you can choose to do just one of the segments. I usually do the upper and lower body sections together, others who do that might be annoyed by the lower body warmup, but I find it a lot of fun so it doesn't bother me.

I wouldn't call this workout easy, it really packs a punch in a short time. I consider it one of the tougher Firms I own, but it isn't so difficult that you won't be able to finish it. It is short but you definitely feel you have worked when it's over. For those looking for short strength workouts, I highly recommend.

I don't like being "forced" to do an hour long workout but I find that I can do it. I've finally whipped my butt into shape with this video without feeling exhausted afterwards. This video works all the major muscle groups, mostly to fatigue, especially my triceps and shoulders which tend to be my weakest areas. It seems a bit light in the back work, but then again it's difficult to build back muscles with dumbbells alone. For those of you who hate pushups, fortunately there aren't too many of these. I couldn't get these results with the older Firm videos I tried, maybe because I can't get myself to stick with it for the long haul. You don't need to kill yourself for an entire hour to get into great shape; it's all about the method, not the time. Interestingly enough, I actually have the motivation to go through all the segments (total 40 minutes) and then do my cardio workout (adds another 1/2 hour). The DVD is segmented into upper body, lower body, and abs. Remember, you can always increase your weights when they become too light.