Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Good Times Video
• VHS Release Date: December 11, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005T337
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #26,989 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Uses both new, proven fat-loss methods: combining aerobics and weights gives three times the fat loss of aerobics alone and "Interval Training" uses an "up-down-up-down" heart rate patter, which gives you more fat loss than "steady-state" aerobics (with constant heart rate). By doing upper-body and lower-body on alternate days, "Cardio Split" boosts results in two ways: prevents over-training (each half of your body gets a 48-hour rest between heavy workouts) and delivers fast results (well-rested body parts can work harder.)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent workout / Not overly difficult for Intermediate, February 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Firm - Total Body - Cardio Split [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I love all the Firm tapes. I use this one in my rotation often. If you have the Firm's Super Cardio (which is a tough pure cardio tape) and the Firm's Super Sculpting (which is a heavy all weight tape), Cardio Split is clips from both. The tape is divided into an upper body workout and a lower body workout. You can do them separately, or do the entire tape for a full body workout. The tape runs just under an hour. I am an intermediate exerciser and I don't find this one over bearing. It's just challenging enough for me...very doable and I feel great afterwards. Another great tape by the Firm. I have to have them all!!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good workout, interesting mix, May 8, 2003

By	M. Smith "cenmad" (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Firm - Total Body - Cardio Split [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a decent compilation video, although I'm not familiar with the Firm workouts it's compiled from. I own most of the other Firm tapes, and this one has slightly more updated music and outfits, and some of the moves are unlike those in other tapes (curtsey lunges, planks, and hover leg-presses, for example). Definitely good for variety.

The tape is in two segments: a 24-minute lower body workout followed by a 27-minute upper body workout, which can be done together or on alternating days. You defnitely work your legs to fatigue in the first segment, and heavy weights mean the same for the second. I'm not sure if I like this better than alternating upper/lower, as in other Firm workouts, but it's nice for doing shorter workouts on alternating days.

The first workout starts with a warm up and brief stretch, then goes into squats, lunges, leg presses, etc. Although the workout is light on cardio segments, my heartrate stayed well within my target zone throughout this segment. The back of the box doesn't mention it, but you need ankle weights for a short series of standing thigh work. You'll also need a 12"-14" step for the leg presses and a shorter step (4"-8"). You finish this segment with a very brief cool down, but if you're continuing to the next segment, you can just keep your movements bigger.

The second workout starts with a very brief warm up. Then it moves into ab work on the floor, which I thought was awkward -- I'd prefer to do abs at the end, so my heartrate stays elevated. The ab work is decent, but not too strenuous. Then follow cardio and sculpting intervals, and you'll need a fair amount of equipment: 2 lb. ball or dumbell and at least two sets of weights, plus an optional 10-lb. barbell. I use heavy weights in place of the barbell and a dumbell instead of the ball, and it works fine. The box says you also need a board, but I have no idea why. The workout ends with a quirky cool down sort of stretching sequence, but I skip that and do my own stretches.

Like some other Firm tapes, this one emphasizes some muscles a little more than others. The back and shoulders are worked very well, as are the glutes. Biceps, triceps, abs, and inner/outer thighs get a little work (use heavy poundage to make these better). There is no chest work except some inclined pushups, however, and I do wish they had some of the targeted toning for the rear that's on other tapes.

Overall, this tape is on par with Maximum Body Shaping or Time Crunch Workout for intensity. It's not a beginner tape at all, though, or even a tape for those new to the Firm. The moves are unusual, cuing is fast, and you have to change equipment very quickly. I'd recommend this tape only for those familiar with Firm workouts who want a little variety.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for a kick-start!, February 17, 2004

By	Issa "Dancingviolet1010" (Portage, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Firm - Total Body - Cardio Split [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I wasn't really sure what I was getting into when I purchased this video, but I knew that I enjoyed many of the other FIRM workouts and figured this one would be no different! I have to say, it definitely lived up to its reputation.

This video is split into two sections--one which focuses on the lower body, and one which focuses on the upper body. Each one is approximately 20-30 minutes long. You can either do each half on alternating days, or do the full workout. I like the versatility this offers.

You'll need several pieces of equipment for this video....a box to step up on, ankle weights (if you desire them), and a barbell, although I substitute putting weights on my shoulders, which works just as well.

I'm really impressed with the lower body segment, and use it often. True to the packaging, it's not so much of a toning workout as a cardio one. It REALLY gets your heartrate up there! I am not really sold on the upper body portion, although if you're aiming to do the whole workout at once, it's nice to have ab work early on in the upper body portion to rest a bit from the cardio work. If you're just looking to do the upper half, though, it's kind of annoying.

Overall, however, I would recommend this video to anyone for a substantial cardio workout that also helps you to tone major muscle groups. It's a must for any FIRM exerciser's collection!