Video Fitness

The Firm: Fat Burning Cardio Toning

Tina Smalley

I just got the kit w/ the purple bands. I really like them. They are sturdy w/ nice padded handles. I practice-previewed it and did it the next day. This is my initial thoughts based on the fact that all I wanted were new bands. I liked the workout. It was more than I expected since I wrote those 2006 FIRM workouts as just fluff. It is only 30 minutes, which is good b/c I hardly have any that are short and it's not very intense. It did get my heart rate up though.

The moves were easy to follow and I did not feel I messed up too much by doing it w/o previewing. I did not find the moves awkward (as some have said) although it did move quickly while I was trying to reposition the cords. I'll get the hang of it in no time, I'm sure. Tina did a nice four-limb warm-up. Then she did compound band moves like squats+bi's. IIRC, she also did lunges+front raises, standing rows, side leg lift+OH press on each side, side lunge+opposite side row, side leg lift+opposite tri, side steps w/ feet in bands (think Cathe fire-walkers, ouch), side bends w/ bands (for abs), seated rows & reclining sit-ups w/ bands around feet. The moves felt a bit fresh using the bands and challenging too (w/ the heavy bands) so I'm glad there weren't a lot of reps. The music was good w/ a nice strong bass throughout. I am pleased w/ this purchase. It was worth it to get a grape colored, sturdy band (that matches my other FIRM gadgets) + DVD for a bit over $10 w/ tax.

Instructor comments: Tina's cuing was good and she gave a professional presentation.

jessicavi

04/18/08

VFers are always looking for workout DVDs to take with them when they travel. This one fits the bill. I was able to do it in my hotel room in a very small space. I only whacked myself with the tubing once (which always happens to me, which is why I generally dislike tubing workouts).

There were some lower body tubing moves that I've never seen before that I liked. She used the same strength tubing for all the exercises. I was unable to do some of the shoulder exercises with the purple tubing, so you might need two different strengths of tubing.

Instructor comments: She was pleasant and clear. I didn't find anything annoying about her.

Pam L

7/28/2008

Note: this is not the title on the cover of my DVD but this video seems reviewed under a different title, and the box (with the cord) may have had a different title.

This 30 minute workout uses a resistance cord. It starts out with a cord-free warmup.

She does a lot of combo moves - lunges/side lunges/dips with overhead presses/french presses/front raises etc. - I can't remember the exact combos. There is a short AWT-like segment with lots of tiny steps to the side and back diagonal glute lifts. Maybe like a easier version of Cathe fire-walkers (which I don't have). There is some table work and some v-sit/twist stuff.

The stretch is nice. While the use of the ball in the toning workout felt a little forced, the cord is used to really good effect in the stretch here. I may pull out my cord for hamstring stretches in the future.

Like a lot of Firm, I feel this one works the lower body more than the upper body. It feels less challenging than Cardio Sculpt (but it's also shorter). It's not quite as fun as the sculpting ball workout and I think there's less ab work.

I was already happy with this purchase - I needed a heavier cord and I've used it for the routines in Basic Step/Body Fusion. The routine I've done sparingly - only 3 times. I thought I'd use this traveling a lot, but I've been traveling less. Now that I know how to fit it into the 90 day rotation I may use it a lot more.

Instructor comments: Tina looks very fit and lovely without being overly made up. She looks healthy - not too thin. She does not chatter and I find her motivating.

Coleen (cjo42a)

8/16/2008



Video Fitness copyright © 1996 - 2024 Wendy Niemi Kremer    All rights reserved