Customer Reviews

The Firm Wave Kit

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

In the last six months I was diagnosed with a condition that prevents me from doing intense cardio ( I have sarcoidosis and a tumor in my lung). I bought the Firm Wave as an alternative workout, being unable to run or do an ellipitical machine. The program guarantees results in 10 workouts. I am just on my 7th and have lost 2 inches off my bust, 2 off my waist and 1 inch off my hips. I enjoy the program and the variety.I also love the calendar included, telling you which workout to do on what day and the meal suggestion plan.

On the downside, I do think the warm ups are way too fast to get the moves down immediately. I wish they would have taken things at a slower pace (Hence the 4 star rating, not 5) If you stick with the workouts, you will catch on. My favorite disc is the speed slimming sculpt. I also like the Rock your Buns Off disc that you buy separately. You will need light weights to perform the workout. I am almost 40 yrs. old and this program has given me hope that I can get my body back. All in all, it is a nice at home workout that is cheaper than a gym membership.

I hadn't worked out in a couple months and was putting off starting this program thinking it would be brutal like some programs I've done (Jillian Michael's 30 day shred for example- working out does not have to be so punishing). Now that I have started the Wave, I am thinking that it is perfect for my situation- someone who wants to get back to working out and is dreading a real grind. I can see myself doing this for 4-6 weeks and building back up my endurance and muscle strength and then moving on to something more challenging and less boring (I am not bored yet, but can see how someone would be if they used the program for a while). I also added a few bike rides and walks in with the program and I feel really good! It is definitely not for advanced exercisers. It is a start up program for people who don't work out or have been out of the routine for a while.

I was hoping to feel some big difference in my body by doing this workout, but unfortunatly did not. If you are new to the firm or excersise this may be the ticket for you, it does have alot of fun moves and it is short enough to keep you coming back. As a firm believer it comes nowhere near the level of intensity of the transfirmer box, or the more recent DVD's with their high energy cardio I love. The claims about engaging your core on the wave may be true but I personally did not see any big difference.Please don't take this the wrong way because i love the firm just not this new system.

Who can't resist The Wave after seeing their infomercial? The Wave itself is cool. However, the DVD's are poor. They tell you that if you are new to watch the gal doing the same thing in simple form, but then rarely show that person (doh!). Also, I got The Wave to use The Wave itself, not to dance around it. The videos use The Wave more as a step than as a 'wave'. And, they spend a lot of time dancing around it - very irritating. Many people buy The Wave expecting to use the 'wave', not as a step or something to dance around. Also, my abs were not getting a workout. I have to do additional ab workouts after the video.

I do love the moves where they actually use The Wave as a wave. But, those moves are few. I am an avid exerciser, and consider myself fairly fit, which is also why the DVD's kind of stink. That being said, if you learn some of The Wave's 'wave' moves, and incorporate them into your own workout, as well as creating some of your own, you will probably be much happier. (Doing squats with a kettle bell on the wave, FUN! Lots of ways to incorporate The Wave into your workout). I have been doing Body for Life for over two years, and it works. However, my workouts were stale and I really wanted some zing and pep. While The Wave is cool, the DVD's will not give you the workout you need if you already exercise regularly. Also, you will not get much of a workout if you are staring at the TV with your mouth open trying to figure out how they are doing those dance steps around The Wave. Sure, you do get used to it and sort of keep up with the fast changing steps, but by then you've already surpassed the videos and need more intensity anyhow. Oh - and the gals wear black pants, making it even harder to see the dance steps.

I would probably give this item more stars if it had a better set of DVD's with it - and if it actually used The Wave as a 'wave' more. I think people that's the reason people buy this - they want to use the 'wave' aspect of it, not as a step or something to dance around.

Like many of you I saw this on tv and decided to purchase it.
I can say that after only four days of eating clean, doing the wave, and weights I've already lost two inches off my waist. YAYYYY!!!

The first time I got on this thing I wasn't sure if I'd be able to use it.
My coordination was REALLY bad.
But after only four days my balance and my comfort level with The Wave has really improved.
The workouts themselves are fun. Maybe a little hard to keep up with but that's ok.
Here's a hint for everyone who has trouble with some of the moves, I know I do.
MAKE UP YOUR OWN.
IMPROVISE.
Just keep moving.
I know some of these models are doing human pretzel moves that make me look at the screen and go "WTF did she just do?"
That's were I just start my own move until the model gets back to something I CAN mimic.
I would give The Wave five stars except for a few minor points.

Squatting on The Wave really hurts my lower back, so I've had to improvise on that part.
And my final complaint is this, and I hope nobody is offended by this.
Why is The Wave marketed to women only???
I'm sure I'm not the only guy to use The Firm products.
P90X has both genders represented equally as do most other cardio products.
I know I'm being kind of a baby here, but I emailed The Firm and asked them if in the future they could have both genders represented equally in their videos.
They responded promptly and said my email would be forwarded to the appropriate party.
Does this mean things will change in the future for The Firm?
I hope so.
It really doesn't do any good for any company to alienate anyone regardless of who they are. Everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of their product.
Those minor complaints aside.
The Wave is fun.
It's effective.
I give it my recommendation.

I was reading all the other reviews and am amazed that they are not all 5 stars. I've been working out for years and am in good shape. My muscles are strong but since my last baby they have several layers of fat over them. I have to workout at home because I have 6 children. I have gotten so bored with the traditional workouts. Slim in 6 has been my favorite and produced the most results but I am just so bored with it!

I absolutely LOVE the wave. All my muscles burn while working out and I feel so good when I am done...like the time I spent was worth the effort! It's also different from lunges, squats, etc. My core is engaged the entire time and since my core muscles are sore I can feel what I am working and it is all over! The time goes by so fast!

[...]

I've just been working out a few days but I know I will lose weight with the wave. I'll write more in a few weeks and post my results.

This is great!

I came to Amazon looking to sell my Wave system - and was surprised to see that the system was cheaper than purchasing it from The Firm. If I had purchased it on Amazon I would have saved myself about $6 on the system and $20 in shipping + what I will have to pay to return it as The Firm does not pay to have you return it!!! It also took them over a week to process my order and another week for it to arrive and this was what the web site called 'express shipping'. If you think this kit is for you, please buy it here and NOT from The Firm.

With that being said, I have to say I can't stand this system. I agree with another reviewer who stated how could you resist after watching the infomercial??? They show you actively using the Wave and it looks like a great workout. What you end up doing in reality is dancing around the thing on the floor, walking over it, using it as a step or straddling it. All of this at a pace so fast my heart rate goes up more out of frustration than because I am getting a good workout. I will admit to being uncoordinated, so a lot of fancy footwork just kind of leaves me exasperated. I know it is not necessary to do all that to get in a good workout and calorie burn. I get an INTENSE workout from Jillian Michaels Banish Fat Boost Metabolism workout and even from the classic Firm workouts all WITHOUT any fancy footwork or frantic pace. I will also admit to being one of those people who seem to be addicted to the Classic Firm workouts even with the dated outfits and corny music. I get a great workout and see real results. I have tried a couple of the modern Firm workouts and really don't like them but I thought the Wave would be different. Wrong. And out $30 on shipping costs!!!

Things I liked about the Wave? Riding the Wave, Cresting the Wave, etc. That seemed really cool, but a very brief part of the overall workouts. I liked the 10 minute Abs workout, but only because it was the one DVD that involved actually spending time ON the Wave. But I won't keep this thing around just for that.

Things I disliked about the Wave? Putting my hands on the slick plastic to do push-ups and even walking over the thing. My hands always slid and even with a good traction workout shoe my foot slid going over the Wave a few times. The frantic pace of the workout doesn't always leave time to make sure you have your foot firmly placed in the center of the wave which never caused me to 'flip the wave' as the instructor said, but I did slip off the stupid thing. Dancing around the Wave - why do I have it if I am going to dance AROUND it? Straddling the Wave - seriously? I have short legs and this was ridiculous. All the dance around it-flip it on this side-straddle it-flip it on the other side-flip it again...I felt like I spent more time moving the Wave around and flipping it over than I did working out.

I will stick with Jillian, Classic Firm, Slim in 6...anything but this.

I read some of the reviews where people were complaining that the whole workout wasn't on the rocking wave part of the equipment. Personally, I like the fact that they fully utilized the piece of equipment as a step, as a wave, and as something to "dance around" (other reviewer's words). I think a workout would be somewhat monotonous if only one part of the equipment was used. Besides, many people can't afford a piece of equipment for every new kind of movement someone decides is the latest thing, so the versatility of this piece is appreciated.

What level is this at? Well, if you are severely overweight (this equipment handles up to 275 lbs.), or are new to working out, this may be a bit difficult for you to keep up with the dvds--just do what you can and overtime it will get easier. If you are an "average" or moderate exerciser, this probably is at your level. This level of exerciser also probably appreciates the fact that both strength training and cardio is incorporated into the workouts as they often don't have the time to spend doing hours of each in separate workouts. And if you exercise 2 hours or more hours a day, seven days a week--well previous reviewers have indicated it is "too easy" for them. So, advanced exercisers may wish to avoid this, or they could try it and then post/brag about how easy it is. :-)

Amazon did appear to have the best price on this which is why I purchased from them. Remember to check into shipping and handling costs if you order from another site--it could make this equipment a whole lot more expensive than you thought.

I am a huge fan of The Firm Step / Fannie Lifter, etc. system and was very excited about this new piece of equipment. It's a good idea...if only they had more ideas on how to use it. The 50 minute video contains more dancing around the piece of equipment than riding it or using it to workout. For those of you who know what real burn feels like from their step system, you will be dissapointed. Yes, it can be fun, but not the workout you are hoping for. Also, I'm 5'2 and one of the exercises has you straddling it lengthwise. I barely make the stretch to effectivly continue that bit in one of their sets, and I'm in shape. I can't imagine someone close to my height not in shape or smaller effectivly working out that set.

The Wave is my first experience with The Firm and I love it. I consistently burn 400+ calories using the Rock It Off DVD or a combination of the Speed Sculpt and Cardio Express (I have a heartrate monitor and am a 5'7" 172 lb female). That's just as many or more than I was burning going to the gym and I feel like I've had a better cardio workout and added strength training. The moves are very fun and I was able to get the hang of what is going on in a couple of workouts. I really enjoy using it and it stores easily under my couch.

I only have a couple of complaints. The Wave creaks. I don't know why but it bugs me. Another thing is that I hate that the cardioweights that they use are part of another kit. I would like to find these separately. Right now I just use 3lb weights. Other than those two things I would definitely recommend this to my friends and family.