Customer Reviews

The Firm - Total Body - Maximum Body Shaping [VHS]

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I love this workout video! I have many exercise videos...many of which are Firm tapes, and I have to say this one is one of my favorites. It has a nice pace - never gets boring, and it's TOUGH. Also, it's 45 minutes long which is the length I like best (I get bored with tapes that are one hour or longer). You get a great workout with weights combined with aerobics and every muscle gets a thorough workout. This workout requires light to medium weight dumbells and a step/box. I would not recommend this tape for beginners....I am intermediate to advanced and I found it very challenging.

If you are looking for a hardcore work out video, this is it. It is not boring, and the instructor is there step by step for each exercise. After using only less than half of the tape, I was out of breath and needed to take a break, and the following 2~3 days I had problem going up and down stairs. I think if you're a beginner, take it slow and allow yourself lots of time in between each workout for a full rest so you don't hurt yourself.

This tape is approximately 45 minutes long and is rated for beginner to intermediate exercisers. The tape is focused on weight training and has very little cardio work. That being said, I love this tape because of the instruction Tracie Long provides. She is a great teacher, constantly demonstrating proper and improper technique. Her timing and cueing for upcoming moves is excellent. You do not need to watch this tape 5x to catch on to the moves.

This tape becomes less challenging as you get in better shape, but you can always increase the weights you are using. I have also added ankle weights to increase the difficulty now that I am getting in shape. Tracie moves quickly thru a variety of exercises. There are no long sets, which can be a good or bad thing, depending on your fitness level and personal workout preferences.

Overall, I like this tape because of the instruction and the simplicity of the exercises. I just keep coming back to it time and time again.

I started using the Firm tapes back in the late 80's. I had stopped using them for a couple years, but got back in the swing of things this year. I wanted to buy a newer one to get caught up on the latest exercises. This tape has quickly become my favorite so far. This is a well rounded workout that emphasizes all major muscle groups for arms, legs and abs. Each exercise provides intense focus for the targeted muscle group. The instructor does a good job and the the music is motivating. This one is actually fun! If I only have time for one workout in the a.m., this is the one I will do.

This workout is my absolute favorite - not only of all my FIRM videos, but of all of my many many fitness videos (although I must admit, I only do the FIRM now). I prefer "original" video productions to the few firm videos that are spliced together from other tapes, and this one is nicely produced. Tracie Long is a great instructor. The moves are simple (but not easy!) and you don't waste time with missteps or flat-out stopping to get the moves right. This is a good bridge for exercisers who want to move out of the "basics" series, but are still not "advanced." The abs section is tough, but pretty short (a good thing, right?) Hope you enjoy it!

I have Kathy Smith, Gilad and Denise Austin tapes and get bored with them. This one I love. The reasons I love it are you can watch it over and over and don't have to listen to "cute" comments or "overtalk". Its a get down to business and I'm not here to entertain you routine. I was a little nervous thinking it would be too hard, but it wasn't. I'm an intermediate exerciser and found it to be a little challenging but not so much so. Time goes by quickly and you get an all over workout. You can "grow" with the tape using heavier weights. I'm glad I purchased this one!

This is by far the best toning and shaping video I have done. If you are serious and want to use weights in your workout then this it the tape for you. The instructor is very good with showing you both the right way and wrong way of performing the exercises and explains the moves and what muscle group they target, which I find very, very helpful and beneficial. I highly recommend using a lighter weight the first time you do this tape and gradually increase the weight. I also highly recommend using a "Fanny Lifter" and don't think you would get as good of a workout without one. Every single body group is targeted in this video, from arms to legs and everything in between. It's not aerobic, as other reviews have complained about, however you will get your heart rate up and break a sweat! Also, BEWARE because the day after you do this tape you may not be able to climb stairs!

I have a large collection of Kathy Smith tapes because I like her upbeat personality, her tapes are fun and she is much more appealing than Denise Austin, who tends to be a little silly and her workouts don't seem to do much for the body. While shopping around for yet another Kathy Smith tape, I read reviews about this and other Firm tapes. This was my first Firm tape and I am sure I will be buying more. The instructor is clear in her instruction and her cueing is precise, letting us know in advance what she'll be doing so we won't miss a beat. I like the even pace and the setting is calming and not distracting. The routines alternate between weights and squats/lunges with some easy floor legwork, then there's a very brief but effective abs routine. Before you know it, it's time for the stretching and cooldown. You will work up a sweat without having to jump around, and you will feel it slightly in the muscles of your thighs and arms the next day. Just remember to give your muscles at least 36 hours rest before doing this or any weights work again.

This tape is great. I absolutely love the variety. It covers the whole body in about 45 min!
What really appeals to me about the tape is the breaking up of muscle group concentration. This really prevents boredom and getting burned out. This is especially good because this tape truly exercises the concept of "muscle failure." Tracie will have you to do a million leg presses. At the end of that set you are really dreading doing the same thing on the other leg. Fortunately, she has you go on to do an arm exercise instead or work the leg muscles in a different way. By the time you have to come back to the leg presses on the other leg you will have forgotten you did them on the first leg.

Tracie is an extremely professional and efficient instructor. She is not bubbly like some of the other firm instructors, but I think her personality really works for this predominantly sculpting tape. (there are about 2 cardio segments...primarily there to curb exasperation and to have a little fun.) Her cool attitude, smooth voice, and votes of confidence really help you to get through the long reps.

As for the form and cuing: Tracie has amazing form and good cuing. All of her movements are smooth and calculated. She never wobbles or jerks...she is in complete control of her body. She often shows you what not to do in an exaggerated way which is helpful. Her cuing is perfect. I always feel prepared for the next movement.

Great tape. I would recommend this tape for beginner/intermediates like myself. I am sure the level can be changed by eliminating or using heavier weights.

One thing that the tape is lacking is the video coach at the end of the tape. I usually liked to watch it after exercising to assure me that the firm is the best exercising method. Also the information on the amount of fat you gain and the amount of muscle lost if you don't do weight bearing exercise really motivated me to stay on the program. Now the tape just says go the firmdirect.com for more information. The only thing there is advertisement for the newer generation of firm tapes that I don't really like. :(

Buy this tape! :)

I am VERY happy with this video. It is the first FIRM video I have ever tried and it is excellent! Because I have heel problems I cannot do any aerobic activity. This tape combines very fast weight training segments which get my heart racing! This tape is VERY HARD. I still cannot go all the way through without stopping a couple of times to catch by breath. But it is very effective! I feel great afterwards. You do not need any special equipment to do the tape. I have free weight dumbells, which you will need. They use a kind of stool in this tape, but I subsitiute a steping stool I have. For the squats and let kicks the have a kind of broom-like stick to balance on, but I just use my chest of drawers to balance. Traci Long is an excellent instructor. This tape moves along very quickly. I can recommend it to anyone. But give your self time to be able to get through the entire tape.