Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Good Beginning intro to The Firm
Comment: I started doing the "Firm Basics" again along Leslie Sansone after not exercising regularly for a while. This series teaches proper form, and is a good intro to the "The Firm". While it is probably too easy for high-intermediate and advanced exercisers, it is definitely great for beginners. I plan to advance further with other "Firm" workouts. I feel they offer the best all-around fitness program and you can grow with it. I wish this series was offered on DVD.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not just for beginners!
Comment: It's true that this is probably a more challenging workout if you're a beginner. However, I often use this workout on days when I'm just not feeling energetic enough to do one of the FIRM's more advanced tapes. I still get a decent workout, and I'm not worried about injuring myself by doing more than my body is ready to do. Also, you can use heavier weights on some of the exercises to make it more challenging.
Once you're feeling more fit and more comfortable with the FIRM, you should probably try some of the tougher FIRM workouts. Keep this in your FIRM rotation, though! It's a great complement to all of the other FIRM tapes and DVDs.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Really for beginners
Comment: PROs
- Light.
- Exercises are broken down so they're easier to learn.
- Clear and well-timed cueing with some instruction on proper form.
- Perky, happy instructors.
CONs
- I had already been exercising for about 5 weeks with the Susan Harris, Jayne Poteet, Standing Legs, and Upper Body firm videos when I tried this. I didn't even break a sweat, and I couldn't hit my target heart rate. This isn't really a bad thing but it would be more accurate to label the video "For beginners". In fact, if you're a beginner, then try this first. It'll give you an idea of what the Firm videos do and how they do it, and it'll prep you for the harder videos.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Better late than never...
Comment:
I found out about this tape while browsing a few fitness forums for a good solid beginner work that would produce results.
Well, we all know about the good reputation the FIRM has for results but this is a great tape that can prepare a beginner for any system. In fact with modifications, this workout can grow with you. Sure, it's an older video but it gets the job done and it's fun to do.
I just wish they would put this on dvd. If it does happen please Amazon, let me know.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Recommended for Beginners or Resumption of Exercise
Comment: I recommend this video for people who are new to exercise or are resuming exercise after a period of inactivity. You'll need either the tall box/fanny lifter or something you can sit on that is approximately 14 inches in height, as the tape uses it for hover squats and lateral rows, as well as leg exercises and some arm work. Also needed is a dowel or mop (I use a piece of PVC pipe I found in my basement) a set of light weights, one heavy weight (lateral rows) and a set of medium weights.
I returned to consistent exercise about a year ago and slowly worked up to resuming use of The Firm videos (I was one of the original Firm Believers who pre-ordered and pre-paid for the videos before they were produced). Two of my favorites are The Firm #4 - Time Crunch with the divine Susan Harris and Kai S. and The Firm Maximum Body Shaping with Tracie Long (who lives up to all the hype).
I bought The Firm Fat Burning Video thinking it might be a good workout for a light day, but didn't feel like I got much of a workout - didn't break a sweat. However, I liked the routine -and found it fairly easy and fun to follow and felt the instructors were pleasant and gave good cues. Like most Firm workouts, they alternated aerobic activity (in this case, low impact) with (very light) weight work (the least weight work of any Firm video I've done to date) and lunges/dips with the dowel. The abs routine was fairly brief - I think the box said 3.5 minutes.
If you want to start using The Firm videos, I'd recommend you begin with this one before tackling some of the others, as I find most of the other Firm workouts to be some of the toughest and most intense of those I've encountered.
|
|
