Firm for Life (Hardcover)

by Cynthia Benson (Author), Anna Bruni Benson (Author) "Hello-we're Anna and Cynthia Benson, creators of The FIRM, America's #1 exercise videos..." (more)
Key Phrases: ten workouts, starchy carbs, carbohydrate percentage, South Carolina, Work Scheduler, Jane Fonda (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Timed to meet the New Year's Resolution demand for diet and exercise books, these two titles present programs aimed at two distinct audiences. The Bensons, creators of the best-selling The FIRM aerobic exercise and weight-training videos, outline a sensible program of eating based on the food pyramid, as well as their renowned workout. With a crusading spirit that will appeal to women looking for a jazzy package, the pseudonymous High Voltage, on the other hand, presents an energy program that eliminates flour, salt, and sugar from the diet and focuses on commitment to regular exercise. The book includes recipes in addition to exercises, but the bulk of the text is a pep talk that should inspire any couch potato to get moving. Both programs will be effective if followed conscientiously, but the Bensons' approach will be boring to some, while High Voltage's relentless good cheer will turn off others. Most public libraries will want to buy both.?Susan B. Hagloch, Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, Ohio
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Great workout for anyone.  Very motivating.  Excellent and easy to follow."
--Shape

"Add this great new book to your roster of motivation-fuelers. . . . You'll learn how to eat and train for a lean, healthy body by keeping a food journal while you work to change negative thoughts into positives. The remarkable book also includes advice for raising self-esteem and teaches us how to make exercise an automatic habit. Keep it on your bedside table and read it when you need an extra boost."
--Fit magazine -- Review --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Broadway; 1st edition (January 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767901746
• ISBN-13: 978-0767901741
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,083,060 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth the money, May 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Firm for Life (Paperback)

I've found many of The Firm's excercise videos to be terrific. When I saw this book at the library I checked it out, hoping it would be as well done as their excercise tapes. Boy, am I glad I didn't buy it! It shocked me how much time they spent criticizing other people's excercise tapes. They obviously have some serious resentments against Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons (Kathy Smith was also criticized.) They were even putting down eighty-two year old Jack LaLane (they admired his muscles, but basically said they thought he was gross looking! They said his skin was too crepey and he should probably wear more clothes. I mean the guy is 82!) The diet information for vegetarians was way off. They were actually telling vegetarians they have to make sure to combine certain foods (i.e. beans and rice) to get complete protein in the diet. Wrong! This is a myth that was dispelled about thirty years ago. I've been a vegetarian for fifteen years now, and believe me, I NEVER worry about food combining and I'm in excellent health. The one good thing I will say about the book was that I thought the excercise information was interesting. Unfortunately, this is only a small portion of the overall content (and there are better books out there try "Strong Women, Stay Young"). So, I would tell people to just stick with The Firm's tapes, and ignore this book. Or do what I did and just get it from the library.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as bad as I thought it would be, August 15, 2002

By	dnk "dnkboston" (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Firm for Life (Paperback)

This book is infamous in some circles. The black thong underwear reference has brought many an online chuckle. I had heard so much about this that I HAD to buy it when I saw it.

Honestly, I did not think the book was as bad as it has been made out to be. It gives some solid references to the origins of the Firm, how the original Volume 1 was produced and a glimpse into what their workout philosophy is. Also, although they fall kind of flat with their prescriptions about diet and appearance, there is nothing in there that hasn't been said by many diet and appearance books in the last few years. FYI- the recommendation for black thong underwear is based on 1) their statement that you should wear black year-round (this has been in MANY appearance guides) and 2) the fact that a lot of women complain about panty lines. It's not that controversial.

I was put off by the bashing of Richard Simmons and Jane Fonda, and frankly, a little residual jealousy seemed to motivate it. Also, I was shaking my head at the full page of Oprah references- yes, she is a classic yo-yo dieter, but they could have been a little bit more charitable. That is perhaps the biggest problem in their book: they have a number of good points to make, but their biased and undiplomatic delivery makes it hard to take them seriously. Finally, I was very disappointed at the small number of exercises in the book (12 strength, 12 stretches, 4 "cardio minute" moves). Of all of the information they put in, this is what I would have liked to have seen the most of.

Regarding the new Firm Direct website, the Benson sisters are, supposedly, no longer directly affiliated with the Firm.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Though reviews were bad I bought it and was not dissapointed, May 14, 2002

By	Carissa Sanders (Idaho Falls, ID) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Firm for Life (Paperback)

After reading all of the negative reviews on this site I was very hesitant to purchase this book. I figured I'd look it over for a half hour, say "Yep, they were right, it [stinks]" and put it with my pile of never read books. Fortunatly, when the book arrived I was very interested in the content. I carried this book with me for 3 days straight and read it cover to cover, and some sections, such as Firm Fuel, I read through several times.
I found it to be very motivating, and while some concepts presented were not new(the benefits of eating whole foods over refined) the information was put forth in such a way as to make it seem real to me, and something that would be of grave consequences to my health if I were to ignore it. Some things however were new, such as eating small amounts of lean protien throughout the day coupled with complex-carbs, (every 2-3 hours)so that the muscles can rebuild effectively.
I thought the method bashing was minimal, considering how built up other reviewers made it. I was very impressed with the Benson sisters' and also many instructors' insistance that your lifestyle be balanced and exercise not be out of porportion in it's importance.They say to "Be well rounded: Make time for work, play, family, healthy eating and exercise" It was an overall great investment, and really motivated me to take it a step further, though the videos alone were very effective. This book just may motivate me to be FIRM FOR LIFE.