Customer Reviews

The Wave by The Firm Basic 4 DVD System

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

 

 

I ordered the wave and I absolutely LOVE it! The moves can be difficult to learn, but its well worth it to keep trying until you get it. I have used many of The Firm's systems and I love this one the best because its very low impact on my knees. I've had to stop using the fanny lifter due to knee pain and I've not had any issues with the wave. I started noticing a difference in my body very early and that's not easy now that I am approaching 40 with a metabolism in slow-mo! The workouts do move very fast, but they are short and intense and its over before you know it. I too have had issues with ordering direct from the Firm - long shipping times and overcharges. I ordered from eBay and received my order super fast. Try to order from Amazon or eBay and try the system. It's really awesome!

I used to do the Firm tapes all the time. Just started getting back into them, and saw the Wave advertised. With some encouragement from my husband I purchased this and I am so glad I did. What fun!! I have seen a difference in my body, and especially my mood. I am a mom of 8, and just turned 40. I had let myself go a bit. Decided it was time to get healthy again. Started doing Leslie Sansone, which I really enjoyed, and then switched to the Firm. I love the Wave, as another review said, this is easy on the knees. Time just flies with these workouts. I can see a difference in my mid section.

I purchased the The Wave by The Firm Basic 4 DVD System directly from The Firm. The Wave is fun. BUT beware, I just received a box of DVD's from The Firm, billing me $39.85 for 3 payments. When I called The Firm they said I agreed to this subscription when I purchased the Wave. I told them there was no information provided when I placed the order that I was also agreeing to this subscription. The company has agreed to cancel the subscription and let me return the DVD's, but they would not send me the postage for the return. Beware when ordering anything from this company. They practice deceptive selling.

Update as of Sept. 5, 2009: I see I did neglet to comment on the product itself. The Wave is fun to use, and has helped me build up my core muscles. The DVD's are good and offer lots of different ways to exercise using the Wave platform and bands. The Wave base is sturdy and looks as if it will last forever. I like that you can slip the exercise bands through the platform for more variation in resistance exercises.

This is the third Firm system I've bought, and I'm really enjoying it. Of the previous 2 systems, one I really liked, and the other I hated. So far, The Wave is my favorite. I bought this one through Amazon, and had no issues whatsoever. I do have to add that I bought my other 2 through The Firm, and had no issues there, except for their hard sell on their vitamins and members club.

The Wave definitely takes a little bit of time to master, but you can feel it working your core at all times. Also, it feels lower impact to me than some of the other Firm systems (no climbing up and down a 14" step!) The videos have full length and express versions, so if you're pressed for time, you can still get a good work out. The workouts are fairly quick (nothing over 40 minutes), but you trade off short workouts for working out 5 days a week. Since I work out when I'm at lunch, works great for me. As with all Firm workouts, lots of lunging, knee lifts, and squats. You'll definitely feel it the next day.

A couple of things...the booklet that comes with the system has a workout rotational calendar for Beginner and Intermediate workouts. Apparently, an Advanced workout exists, but the booklet tells you to go to The Firm website to get it. However, as far as I can tell, you can only access it on the site if you're a member of their club! I don't know if I'll ever get to the advanced level, but that seems rather unfair to me. Even if you bought through The Firm, you'd have to notice that it wasn't there before your free membership ran out to get it. Also, they don't give you a lot of time in between sets to get a drink of water. If you do, you'll miss the first couple reps of the set. Remember to stay hydrated!

On the whole, I'm very much enjoying The Wave. I think it will definitely help me accomplish my goals, as long as I stay motivated!

UPDATE: I used the wave system for about 4 months, and while I'm not quite sure how much weight I lost (I didn't have a scale), I enjoyed it and my clothes were fitting better. However, I was getting a little bored, and asked for some Jillian Michael's DVD's for Christmas. I'm not sure I will go back to the Wave. I'm getting better results with Jillian's DVDs. Some people are turned off by her personality, and if that's you, then you'll probably like the personality of the instructors on the Wave. But if you're considering both, I'd go with Jillian...better results for less money!

I also bought the wave and they charged my credit card about $25 above what my order total was for "additional shipping cost". Of course they never emailed me or called me when they realized they needed more money for shipping and I didn't authorize this additional charge AND, might I add, I was already paying about $40 s/h which I found to be excessive in the first place. I had to call my credit card company to get my money back as they would not refund it. Someone really needs to inform them they are not allowed to charge people's credit cards for whatever amount they see fit esp AFTER the order was calculated and paid.

So yes, beware ordering directly from the wave, they are deceptive in their ordering process and I will NEVER order from them again. Love their products but they need a lesson in customer service.

Oh, and I should also add, it took me over 2 months to get my entire order.

I paid about $120 for this system and it consists of 2 short workouts and an instructional dvd - NOT 3 workouts! There is the 10 min instructional, a 30 minute cardio and a 40 min sculpting. I think they charge WAY too much for this system! The workouts aren't even that awesome. Get the Cardio Weights system from The Firm - it's less costly and a much better workout - it has 4 workouts - some are almost an hour and none are only 10 minutes!

Today is day 2 of using the wave system (bought it off their website, so now I'm scared from the other reviews) and I have to say: it's a great workout. I'm sweating within minutes, my muscles are sore, and I find myself cursing at the cute Southern instructors as they encourage you during the workout.

My two "concerns" if you will with the product right now is that the DVDs are at a quick clip, so I'd recommend watching them first and slowing down the steps (unless you're used to their videos and know what they're doing) - otherwise, you may find yourself doing what I did: shouting "hold on!!", hitting the rewind button, watching the step and then jumping back into the workout.

The second "concern" is that the wave has been "crackling" when I rock on it. I don't see any damage or cracks, so I'm hoping that it's just the product adjusting to being used. It does have on there that its made to withstand 275 pounds and I'm under that, but still...it's a little worrisome.

Otherwise, if you enjoy their other products, you'll love this one too.

I bought my product from the 800 number on a TV infomercial, and while I had to say "NO" to half a dozen "offers" before I could finish the transaction, I did not have any problems with overcharges or shipping - got my Wave in 5 days. The first thing I noticed on the DVD's is they are definitely not geared to beginners - in any sense. The beginner video says "Nancy" will be doing modified moves for beginners - but they don't identify who Nancy is; you finally figure it out because she's not holding weights. And she is out of the picture the majority of the time. The "normal" video frame includes 3 women doing the moves, none of which is the beginner one. This is the case with all 4 of the different videos. They cut to the beginner occasionally but for the most part you don't see her until they have gone through the moves several times. Really irritating for someone who is truly a beginner. It would have been so easy to have the "beginner" model being one of the 3 women in the main frame. And a small thing, but in 3 of the 4 videos, in the beginning of the videos, the words don't match the mouth. Again, a small thing but extremely irritating!

As for the product itself, I like the "balancing" concept - it strengthens the knees and does force your body muscles to work just to maintain your balance. I like it for that reason. I also sit or stand on it and rock while I'm watching TV - not following any of the moves, but it is a mini-workout without even trying. However, they do far more moves with the Wave upside down and stable on the floor - using it like a step - then they do with it in the wave position. If you have a step, the workout isn't that different. And if you are truly a beginner, I doubt if you will see major changes in 10 workouts like they advertise, simply because it takes about that many times to figure out what they are doing and to even begin to approach doing it at their speed.

I wish I would have read the Amazon reviews before purchasing it. I go to Amazon reviews a LOT for different things, but this was strictly an impulse buy and I didn't think about checking it out. Knowing what I now know, I would still purchase it but would have bought a used one through Amazon for a lot less and been just as happy.

I have been doing this workout for about 3 weeks now and I absolutely love it! First let me say that I've never done this type of workout before. I usually do regular weight training at the gym doing old school squats with the bar or deadlifts and bench press but I really like this workout. I was really looking for something which included weights into cardio routines, and I found it with the Wave.
Things I liked:
- the workouts are great for me and really get your heart rate up, and keep it up for a good length of the workout. You can even see the instructors really sweating and even shaking a little during some of the exercises!

-The step really ads to both the cardio and toning aspects of the workout. I still find myself struggling thru some parts of the routine (which I LOVE)

-I also like that you can use resistance bands with the Wave and add resistance that way. I have just ordered 2 more dvd's for the wave in which they use the bands and I can't wait to try them out.

-I love the setup of the dvds. I usually do the Speed Slimming Sculpt (which is the shorter version of the workout) and then add the Express cardio of the Rock it Off dvd and the Express Abs DVD. I'm trying to work my way up to doing both dvds in their entirety. I really like that I can pick and choose the portions of the workouts that I want to do, especially if I'm short on time. I can just do the cardio portion/chapter of the dvd and maybe add the quick 15 minute abs dvd if I choose.

The dislikes (well not really dislikes just some things to keep in mind before purchasing)
-I have read in some negative reviews that it's slow paced or boring or not as intense. This may be true for a very advanced user. I personally find it very challenging. Especially if you really pay attention to the instructor and concentrate on your form. Like, when they tell you to keep your weight on your heel or to tighten your belly to support your back. Form is everything, quality is better than quantity. If you're having trouble keeping up, then just rewind it until you get the form right!

-Another thing I've heard in negative reviews is that it is hard on the lower back or the knees. True, it is kind of rough on the knees and lower back. However, (going back to my previous point) form is everything! Squats and step exercises are naturally rough on the knees ESPECIALLY if the form is not correct. Once I really started paying attention to my form my knee and back pain went away. When squatting on the wave make sure that your knee stays behind your toes. Listen to the instructor, it really does work. When squatting or doing some sort of move that requires you to bend over with the weights, make sure you tighten your stomach it really does support the lower back and helps to avoid a back injury. With that said, the Wave can be rough on the body but I really do think that having proper form during the exercises does help to avoid pain or injuries in the future, but I think that's with any exercise.

-Another "dislike" is that it may be a little short on upper body work. The pushup part where you walk it from side to side of the wave is intense but I think they could add a little more upper body. As a whole I think it does try to incorporate bi's/tris/chest in, but it may just be me since I'm used to doing regular weight training with more upper body and more weight (it only uses up to 8LB weights).

In general, I am very satisfied with this piece of equiptment, I really hope they come out with more dvds soon! Also, as far as seeing results, I have noticed a diference. I have lost inches in my waist but I've lost more on my hips and thighs. I definately recommend this product.

Well, my experience with the FIRM started a couple years ago when we (My sister and I) wanted to start doing some cardio work-outs. We found The Firm: Cardio Dance Express with Master Instructer Alison Davis-Mclain. I am not as coordinated as my sister so I only did the Jive work-out (Just a helpful hint for others). So that's when we were introduced to the FIRM. I looked at their website a while back and saw the WAVE being advertised. I watched the commercial for it and was hooked! I put it on my Christmas list and said, "If this is the only gift I get, I'll be SO happy!". SO I got it and it has been nothing but fun since! It comes with two work-out dvds (I did not get my off of Amazon. I think you get more with this deluxe edition) and one dvd that shows you the basic moves. I bought Reebok 3lb weights to go with my work-out and they add the perfect challenge. It's not to hard but I still have to work for it! I feel a great burn in my thigh and core area. It's a great toner. I would say though that The Speed Slimming Sculpt is really a 'work-out'. I mean, I am starting to sweat at the end but it's really more Strength training. I thoroughly enjoy doing the WAVE! I would definitely recommend it! Some people have said that their WAVE's crack (I guess?). But I haven't had any trouble with that.