I don't even know if people check this site anymore, let alone read reviews for a workout created 30 years ago, but maybe there are other strange young people like me who grew up with moms that owned Firm videos and actively use and adore them. My mom had all six on VHS when I was a kid, and being an early riser all my life, I used to wake up when she did and watch her do the tapes. Somehow it didn't bore me. I would sit and watch the screen, and then watch my mom struggle through and occasionally smile at me when our eyes met. I've always been into working out, and I began to do it in earnest starting at age 12. Back then it was for mostly problematic reasons based in needless insecurity (I've never been overweight my whole life, but 12-16 year old me would've told you otherwise. She was a silly girl.), but it's a useful habit I now embrace primarily for my overall wellbeing. Now I'm 22. I'm in shape. And being able to do this workout with full weight is my metric for determining how in shape I am. Seriously. It's THAT good. Whenever I came home on break from a semester of late nights, little sleep, and belly full with the ghosts of Domino's Pizza past, I knew to get back into form I could simply combine classic Firm workouts with running and a sensible diet and have baby abs in 2 weeks, it's that easy (for me personally, a mesomorph with a high functioning metabolism). Now I've graduated and have my own place, this is still amazing.

If you are on a budget, have no fear. From FitnessFavorites, the DVD is $19.99. The cost of equipment is about $40 plus shipping (I don't use the 2x4, but getting wood cut from Lowe's is super cheap if you want it) for a set of 3, 5 and 8 pound weights. I have yet to do this workout with ankle weights (lol I'd die) but those I imagine wouldn't cost you more than $10, for 2-5 lbs each. The space required is super minimal, you could do the whole thing fully on a yoga mat. It's about an hour, so you will have to make time for it, but it's so worth it. You'd probably spend an hour getting to the gym, doing a 30-40 min workout and getting back home, so you may as well stay home and fill your travel minutes with exercise and save on the gym membership. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Just a thought.

As for the workout itself, you definitely should do it without weights or if you must with light weights first. It is HARD, especially if you make it through the whole tape. Like I said, I still haven't done this workout with ankle weights and I've had in my workout regimen for about 6 years now. I'm no bodybuilder, but I'm pretty strong so that's saying something. If you are new to working out and weight lifting, I would advise you train with someone who knows proper form so you can self correct as you perform the moves on this tape, since some are just not OK anymore. There is a point right before the first weight work section where she rolls up while holding heavy weights. They also squat incorrectly. I think those are the only issues with form throughout the tape, there may be some more. Again, if you've been working out at least a little bit, you should know how simple moves are performed and common safety rules.

The cardio is simple running in place, nothing to write home about. Weight work is good, standing leg work is kind of tough. It can be tough keeping up with the speed of their squat routine, which could technically make it part of the cardio, but then you're also holding heavy weights. It's hard, like I said. The floor routine, jesus wept. You'll cry tears of pain, your butt will sweat tears of joy. There is an ad the Firm gym put out with Susan Harris on all fours and it says "Happy Nude Rear." They ain't playing. You can google it or look on Pinterest or something. Simple stretch; I have a personal stretch routine I do after all workouts, but the one is the video is decent enough. You may as well go all the way to the end to do their corny hip rotation dance, celebrate completing the workout!

The music and outfits are outdated blah blah blah whatever. Isn't 80's stuff cool now anyways? Pretty sure I can claim hipster status by using this thing. I'll get one of those leotards and wear it to 24 hour fitness and take a mirror selfie and put it on Instagram and get at LEAST 17 likes. My point is who cares. You're in the privacy of your apartment, do the damn tape. There is much more about it worth crying about, believe me (like the donkey kick section, you'll see. You'll FEEL.)

Instructor Comments:
Susan is an ectomorphic goddess of sunlight with a voice that can command a phalanx of squatting angels. You'll cry and she'll say "Keep going! Feel it!" and then you'll do just do the darn thing. I find the breathy, pornographic claims a little unfair, because there is no other way to sound when you're basically putting your body through hell (heaven?) and back. YOU try speaking while performing lunges ad infinitum with a smile on your face. You'll pass? That's what I thought. She cues just fine; her form is of the time but decent enough. Again, correct yourself if necessary. It's nice to know you're not the only one breaking a sweat!

Deliandjam