Customer Reviews

The Firm TransFIRMer

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I did the Firm workouts for years and always loved them. They were definitely the most effective workout (along with private Pilates) that I've ever done. It's true that working with weights is absolutely essential to a high metabolism and shapely muscles--especially as we get older. Don't think that you have to "lose weight and THEN do strength training." Proper strength training (if you're consistent) will help you lose weight!

That said, a few years back, I did start to stray from my Firm workouts for awhile. When I tried to get back into them a few years later, I found that I wasn't crazy about the newer DVD's that they put out, and some of my older ones, although still GREAT workouts, were a little too dated (talk about the high-cut white leotards and matching leg-warmers!!). AND I had done them all so many times already.

Then I saw the TRansFirmer advertised and thought I'd give it a try. It really is the best piece of equipment! It's light, easily changes from one position to another (unlike the last step/fanny lifter combination they made that was IMPOSSIBLE), and feels very stable and solid while you're working out with it. And the DVD's are great. The instructors are awesome, I never found myself getting annoyed, and I always work up a sweat. It really is the best of the Firm, but totally updated and fun. My favorite so far of the 4 that come with the Transfirmer is the Supercharged Sculpting with Pam. It's fairly short (unlike this review!), but very thorough and fun. Allie's great as well. I remember her as being one of the students in many of the old Firm workouts.

Anyway, I've never written a review before, but I felt compelled because I really have to applaud the Firm. They really nailed it this time. After doing it maybe 6 times, I can already feel (and see) my strength and muscle shape coming back. It's also helping me with my other workouts (Pilates and S-Factor) because of the strength I'm building. I look forward to new DVD's to go with the TransFirmer. I love it!!

To those who are new to step as I was, don't get frustrated! The footwork may seem very fast and confusing at first. Just keep doing it; the steps WILL come to you eventually. At that point you will really begin to enjoy all that this series has to offer. The longest of the three videos has a 55 minute running time. The other two run for 45 and 35 minutes. I'm amazed at how quickly the time goes!

This is the most enjoyable workout I've ever done. I find that I am not sore the next day because of the adequate warm ups and cool downs. However, watch that non modified "side plank" move! To avoid strain, your body must be perfectly aligned, with the elbow directly beneath the shoulder and the feet perfectly parallel, aligned and on top of one another.

The Transfirmer series features CALM, polished instructors, accurate cueing, good music, correct counts, adequate warmups and cool downs, weights, aerobics, upper/lower body work, abs AND stretching in ONE pleasant session. There is a thoroughness and consistancy that I have found to be missing from many other exercise videos.

My ONLY complaint is the bulkiness of the Transfirmer. There's not much time allotted on the dvd to move it from one position to the next. Because of its size and the rubber stabilizing treads, you must lift it to move it rather than drag it. This could be helped by placing handholds or holes on the sides units to make them easier to lift. Once positioned, it's also critical to make sure that the two units are joined properly so that you don't go flying! I'm getting quicker at this, but I still miss the first few reps sometimes.

Please note that for maximum effectiveness you will also need to purchase a set of 3, 5, and 8 lb dumbells. I prefer weights with longer necks as many exercises require you to place the weights on your shoulders.

I've tried many of the most popular exercise videos. This one is BY FAR the best. The claims are true. Done as directed, you will see and feel a noticeable difference in your muscle tone and definition after the first ten sessions.

I purchased the TransFirmer almost one year ago and have been faithfully working out with it ever since. It is by far the best workout I've ever done. The Firm is difficult in the beginning, but by sticking to it I've reaped some awesome results. I lost almost 30 lbs in 6 months. I went from a very tight size 12 to a very loose size 6. Sometimes I even fit in a size 4. You have to be willing to stick with this and set your mind to learning the steps. My clothes were looser within the first 3 workouts and by the 10th workout I'd lost 8 lbs. I've weighed the same as I do now, but could barely squeeze into a size 8. With the Firm I've gained precious muscle and am now smaller than I've ever been my entire adult life, even though I've weighed less than this. I'd been a skinny fat person and now the Firm has made me a truly fit person.

I feel I've found my workout for life. I'm 39 years old and have exercised off and on my entire life. I'm in the best shape of my life. The aerobic weight training is so efficient. The Firm is the only exercise I need to stay in great shape.

The FIRM Supercharged Sculpting workout is a highly stylized workout with electronica, artistically designed sets and a clean, sleek mood. This is a combination of traditional weight training with aerobics using the necessary TransFIRMer. Most of the exercises are recognizable as traditional exercises like plank or sit-ups and squats.

The lunges seem easier to do with the TransFIRMer, although weights are used throughout most of the exercises to give them a little more edge. The workout is followed by a brief stretching segment, but if you want to totally relax, there is a "Bonus: 8-minute Stretch Workout."

This set also includes two additional DVDs: The FIRM Ultimate Calorie Blaster and The FIRM Aerobic Body Shaping. If you have any issues with your knees, you may need to try various workouts to see which ones you can manage. I found the Ultimate Calorie Blaster DVD was hard on the knees.

"The TransFIRMer was designed with multiple uses in mind and has 5 different configurations to take each workout to the next level." ~ pg. 6

The TransFIRMer can be positioned in five different ways to increase the possibilities:

6" TransFIRMer - The green section can be used alone
8" TransFIRMer - The blue section can be used alone
14" TransFIRMer - The blue and green sections used together
Side-by-Side TransFIRMer - The blue and green sections placed next to each other
Incline TransFIRMer - The green piece fits into the blue piece for a convenient and stable incline.

"You can adjust the intensity of the workout depending on how high you step." ~ pg. 7

The workout booklet has some interesting rotation calendars so you can plan out 21 days. There is also a section on healthy eating tips, an eating plan, 21-day diet plan, list of 100-calorie snacks and list of 200-calorie snacks. A substitution list makes the diet easier to follow especially if you are eating out and want to still keep to the diet plan.

For years I couldn't do the FIRM workouts because I kept forgetting to buy the equipment, but now with the step at home I can try out most of the new workouts and have fun working out. The 2-piece step is also easy to arrange and is very sturdy. The low-impact exercises work well with the step and the incline is used for push-ups, cardio, arms and ab exercises. If you are buying this step to also use with other workouts that use a step, they say that is not recommended.

~The Rebecca Review

The transfirmer does wonders. After having a child I didn't think my body was capable of ever looking how it did before I had my son. But I can honestly say I feel and look better now than before.

I didn't expect to see noticeable results quickly because I started the program without the use of weights and couldn't complete the dvd's but I kid you not, 2-3 weeks later I couldn't keep my hands off my thighs and rear end! My husband couldn't stop either. It totally transformed my body. I couldn't stop touching and looking because it felt completely different than it had ever looked and felt, even before I had my son. I couldn't believe it was me!

But more than that I had more energy so I was able to do more things like jog around the neighborhood with my 8 year old and have him tire out before I am even really started.

Before this workout I was doing Gilad workouts, he's great but I've never in all my years seen results like this ever. The firm does workouts geared toward women and our troubled areas.

I LOVE THE TRANSFIRMER!!!!!!!!!

I have been using the TransFirmer and the DVDs that came with it for a little over a month now and I'm addicted!! And let me tell you, that's not normal for me!!! My husband is wondering who I am because exercise and me haven't been good buddies like this!!!

I can't say enough about how great this makes you feel! It's hard and kicks [...]and I couldn't feel better about that! It comes with a 21 day rotation and they incorporate the workouts and rest days. I love the rest day concept....even on a day that I'm not doing a workout, I know that things are happening to help build muscle!!

The first few times doing one of the DVDs can make you feel like you have two left feet, but keep trying and in a few viewings you start to get the routine. I'd rather have that than a beginner intro each time that would drive me crazy once I've gotten the routine down.

The instructors are great and the music fits. I don't find it annoying and it fits the movements really well. Three different instructors lead each DVD so you get a nice rotation of personalities. They all are great!

So, how is it going after this first month, you ask?? GREAT!!! I'm stronger, have more endurance, I feel more coordinated and fit...after a month!!!! Yay!!!!!!! After each workout I'm a sweaty mess and I love it!! Cardio and weight training are a great way to look and feel your best!!!

If you are looking to commit to a good, strong workout that will change your body, I highly recommend the TransFirmer!!!!!

I finally caved in and bought the transfirmer system with 4 videos plus I bought jiggle free buns and arms to go with it. I have been doing this program for about three weeks and can say that I feel FIRMER indeed. I don't follow the meal plan that they suggest either and have almost lost one dress size and my clothes are fitting better.

The Transfirmer system is basically a step system. If you have done step workouts in the past then you will have no difficulty becoming acclimated to the system. However, since this is a much higher step, you will experience more muscle burn (especially if adding weights). Interlocking the two "steps" keeps the Transfirmer from sliding around during lunges - like my old step did. As someone else mentioned, this is a very sturdy piece of equipment and I was impressed with the quality of it. You can use it for any step workout.

The videos concentrate on getting the job done and are borderline boring at times. The instructors don't offer the perky motivational conversation or explanations on how muscles are being targeted like Kathy Smith and Denise Austin. This may be a plus though, because after repetitive use, that kind of chatty conversation can become annoying. The exercises are heavy on lunges and squats with and without weights. They also offer modifications to use until you can build up to your maximum level. These workouts were refreshing because they mix and match low-impact floorwork with step training and weight lifting. So you never get that jittery feeling after jumping up and down for 45 minutes like with other step workouts.

One more plus is that these workouts do not take alot of space. I gave this sytem five stars because I think it is offers a great approach for longterm fitness and diet.

I have been a Firm Believers since 1987. While I do like the Transfirmer Kit, it is by any means the old Firm. The choreography can seem a little tricky, to help in this area do all the step work on the floor until you are familiar with the foot work. Don't use weights, especially if you haven't worked out in a while or have never worked out. Trust me you will still see results! After doing each DVD about 4-6 times, then incorporate the weights and Transfirmer. Again, the foot work is fancy for those of you not accustomed to the Firm or Step Aerobics, but with practice you will definitely get it (even my 11 yr old uncoordinated daughter has gotten the steps and my husband has managed (with me laughing in the other room) to get the steps) JUST PRACTICE!

If you feel that it is still too much for you, I would like to suggest that you try the Firm Body Sculpting System 2. Even go to ebay or here at amazon and look for the older Firm Tapes (some of which are on DVD now).

I do caution you, that the old Firm is not for the faint of heart. Especially the first Firm Video Body Sculpting Basics or Volume 1. You will however, see results. Whatever system you have by the Firm. Just work with it. And also look for Videos/DVDs by Tracie Long - a tough but effective instructor.

As someone who has struggled with slow metabolism/throid issues and yo-yo dieting for the majority of my life, I really didn't think I could ever get my pre-motherhood body back. Well, this is starting to prove me wrong. I started using the TransFIRMer system in March 2007. SIX WEEKS later I had lost 3 inches off of EACH thigh, and I went from a size 14/16 to a size 8/10. Note that I was also following a low-cal, low-fat, low-carb diet along with that.

The blurb from the editor really is on the mark -- it WILL work muscles you never even knew you had. Because the workouts alternate between aerobic activity and weight training, I don't get bored and the 55-minute workout DVD that I use just flies by. I also don't get the complete fatigue that I get when I use a "regular" aerobic or other workout DVD that doesn't switch things up.

So far I have ONLY used Allie's Aerobic Body Shaping workout with my kit -- the others were a little too hard for me to follow right off the bat. Allie was much easier to follow than the other ones for me, although I am going to get them out again now that I pretty much have this workout memorized. Once you understand the "lingo" of how aerobic instructors call things out and prepare you for the next moves, it'll become old hat to you. Don't be intimidated because you are telling yourself, "I'm not coordinated" or "I've never done aerobics". This IS a great system, and if you stick with it and watch your diet, it WILL work for you -- of that I have no doubt. I hate to sound cliche and all info-mercially on everyone, but I am serious when I say if it works for ME, it will work for anyone.

BTW, I have kept off the 30 pounds that I have lost since March (that's what I lost in the six weeks). I am now working on losing my last 25 pounds. Even my five year old has noticed and has told mommy how good she looks now! I bought a pair of Victoria Secret "butt lifter" jeans, and when I put them on they not only slipped right on, but for once in my life my butt didn't need any lifting! Now my mom has their workout stuff on her Christmas list.

I've been using the TransFIRMer for two weeks now and I am really impressed and excited about the results. I had been doing Taebo about three times a week but wasn't receiving the results that I wanted (toned abs, hamstrings, hips, and thighs). I have to say that with TransFIRMer, so far I have lost 5.5 lbs. and problem areas are becoming really toned. My belly fat is not hanging over my jeans as much as it used to and this is only the beginning!

The workouts are very challenging but they will definitely pay off. If you closely follow the three week meal plan and the workout rotation calendar, you WILL SEE RESULTS. I've purchased other FIRM workouts since then because I love their body shaping approach with the use of weights and and cardio. You cannot go wrong with the FIRM!