This is an intermediate level workout. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most advanced (such as Cathe's Intensity Series), Firm Total Sculpting is a 6-7, in my opinion. It is a well-balanced workout, in that you work every body part equally, and there is some hi/lo, step and plyo mixed in between strength sections. All the sections are short, and there are not a lot of reps or sets of any exercise.

I really like the Firm stick. It is a nice piece of exercise equipment. While it is not essential for doing this workout, I found the stick enhanced it. The ends come on and off easily, to form 2 light dumbbell-style weights. The bar is very useful as a balancing tool on the lower body work, and feels comfortable to grip on the upper body work. Some of the movements require a light bar, and a 9 pound bodybar would probably work.

The entire workout is about 55 minutes long. The warm-up was fast with lots of squats and dips (back lunges), and side to side movements. The workout consists of all the usual Firm exercises, hover squats, tall box climbs, squats with dips, but there are some variations using different counts, such as a slow 4 up, slow 4 down, 2-2, 3-1 and pulses, which made the movements more difficult. There are push-ups done on the stick, which did not feel comfortable to my hands. There are also triceps push-ups on the Fanny Lifter, with the fingers turned in, which I thought were very effective. The ab section incorporated the stick, and had some interesting movements, especially for the obliques. I would have liked the ab section to be longer. The stretch segment at the end was good, incorporating some yoga-style moves.

The sets and outfits are nondescript and the music is tolerable at times and awful at other times. If the music was better, I think this workout would be more enjoyable.

All in all, this is a good workout if you would like to do a little bit of everything, but not too much of anything. I give it an A-.

Instructor Comments:
Jen Carmen does an adequate job instructing this workout. She looks good, although she is not as defined as in her past tapes. Her personality comes across as Firm-like (scripted) but pleasant.

Abbe