This workout has already been broken down, so I am just going to add my own opinions, and provide a comparison between the original Strong Bear and the remake. I am reviewing this workout after having done it several times through the years (albeit not consistently). This is the original version of Strong Bear which is very similar to the updated Strong Bear from WHFN (led by Keli). Out of all of the WFHN remakes, I would say Strong Bear has the least changes from the original, although I do enjoy both. Tracie works out alone in a small area (similar to the other original Fitprimes), with an oriental rug, lots of mirrors, a tall wooden step, dowel, ankle weights, and shiny chrome dumbbells. The music is super but the production quality is fairly low on this, there are not many bells and whistles but I think the music makes up for it. Like all Anna Benson productions, the music is carefully synchronized to the exercises.

The workout clocks in at about 57 minutes and like the title would suggest, is strength oriented although it does include some short (also strength-oriented) aerobic intervals. Like most of the original Fitprimes (in comparison to the newer WHFN), there are many subtle but challenging tweaks throughout which make the originals a little more challenging. Tracie did have several very thorough form pointers which really makes the original unique from the newer version, most notably using the negative space in the leg press – Tracie really encourages you to go as slowly as possible (and allots time to do so), which makes my legs work a LOT harder! Also, some of the other exercises are just a little different from Keli’s or in a slightly different sequence, working the muscles a little differently. For instance, in the 4-limb section towards the beginning, Keli would have you do a military press with releve, whereas Tracie has you doing a military press with a squat at the same time – a little more difficult to execute. But the overall music, choreography, and other exercises in that tune are the same. It’s those minor differences that you wouldn’t really notice unless you’re familiar with both versions, and which really add up by the end of the workout.

The strength exercises included upper and lower body (and some combinations and functional moves) but I would say it is the legs that are worked the hardest, especially the inner thighs. I don’t think I have any other video that works the inner thighs like the original Strong Bear. Tracie has you use ankle weights starting at about the 35 minute mark and you keep them for the rest of the workout. Keli suggests using ankle weights towards the end, but does not demonstrate it, so I don’t really feel like it’s the same at all – also, the exercises are organized just a little differently so Tracie can use the ankle weights during some of the standing segments too (most notably the side kicks, ouch!).

One of the things which I definitely liked better in the WHFN remake is the short yoga stretch, with deep lunges to stretch the hip flexor. Keli has these at the end (makes sense to me) but Tracie has them right after the warm up, which doesn’t feel like the best use of my time. But the yoga tune is only about 2 minutes so it’s a very small quibble. I noticed they did this in Crunch Time too, and I’m glad Anna changed this in the newer versions.

My other small quibble is that Tracie really skimps on ab work, the floor work is mostly dedicated to inner thighs (which was great but the inner thighs were also worked ad nauseum standing up – I’m all about inner thigh work but felt like they worked enough already!) So I took some of that time to do some freestyle ab work to even things out.

Final thoughts: I am a huge Anna Benson fan so I’m glad to have both versions (and actually use both versions). As I mentioned, I like Tracie’s more advanced take on the exercises but I also enjoy the high production values of the remake. The WHFN remake is more widely distributed so it is probably cheaper, so for that reason I would probably recommend the remake for those who were only to get one of the versions. Either version is great for those who love Anna Benson workouts, functional fitness, and/or AWT workouts, and using the tall step. You can make this workout easier or harder depending on poundage (and your own conscious muscle engagement during the exercises) but overall I would rate it mid-high intermediate. Overall Grade A!

Instructor Comments:
Tracie Long is one of the most talented instructors I’ve worked out with. Admittedly I enjoy her Firm, Fitprime, and TLT days better than her newest (Longevity), but I think it’s mostly aesthetics for me like the music and exercises more than her instruction, which is always full of excellent form pointers and good cuing. She speaks clearly and is down to business, but still has a friendly demeanor. In general I know I’ll like anything that she puts out, and Tracie is big on functional fitness, which I love!

Emily B.