Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Bmg Video Label
• VHS Release Date: September 12, 1995
• Run Time: 45 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303284035
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #335,812 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally something that works!, June 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Firm: Upper Body [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is the first video I've used that has really worked my arms. Being short yet thin, my arms have always tended to be flabby. This is the first time I've been able to notice muscle definition and I am really enjoying looking good. I can now wear tank tops without feeling self conscious. I feel like I get a good workout and I still enjoy doing it. It's not boring. I don't do the aerobics, etc. at the beginning. I skip that part and get right down to business. Just the arms. I feel great!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little choppy but overall a good workout., March 27, 2002

By 

Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Firm: Upper Body [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video is a compilation of several other Firm videos, so there are different segments taught by different instructors. The overall effect is somewhat choppy, but they have added 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 of the compilation is that the tape is relatively short, so you get a wide variety of upper body work packed into a time-saving video.

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. I found this to be difficult at times but expect that it will become easier with practice. However, I would recommend that beginners view the tape before participating. Another caution for beginners is the frequent admonitions by the instructors to use heavier weights. At the start of the tape, they do emphasize that the workout is for EVERYONE and that beginners should stick with light weights, but throughout the actual workouts, you get almost a feeling of peer pressure to use heavier weights.

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. Other reviewers have mentioned that few biceps exercises are included, which is true, but I did not find this to be a problem since biceps are covered so thoroughly in other videos (and are worked out naturally throughout the day as well).

The date on this tape is 1994, but the workout clothing worn appers like it's from the late 80s. The jazz-type music was upbeat and encouraging if a little loud. I found the instructors to be slightly patronizing at times (eg, "It's hard, isn't it?") but also inspiring--it was obvious that they were really working and pushing themselves, which you don't often see on exercise videos. And the workout IS tough--all those pushups are a killer--but the instructors make it through, which made me feel like I can too. Overall, this was a good tape that I'm looking forward to using more often.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tough but not a total killer, January 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Firm: Upper Body [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This tape is assembled from all of the upper body exercises from the "FIRM Classics" series. Basically, it boils down to a series of bicep exercises, french presses, push-ups, and lat rows. I think it might be a bit too short (30 minutes without the stretches) to really pound your upper body into shape the way you might want, though I suppose you could really boost the weight levels to maximize the benefits. If nothing else, it pairs up nicely with a more aerobics-based workout, allowing you to give your legs a break for about half of your workout session.