The Firm: Basics - Fat Burning

Stacy Millner-Collins, Jen Carman
Year Released: 1997

Categories: Circuit Training (cardio and weights)


All three of the FIRM Basics are excellent beginner/intermediate level videos. The Fat Burning tape has more cardio than the other two tapes. All the cardio segments are low impact. If you are new to aerobics, the FIRM Basics series will make it very easy for you to learn common aerobics choreography. The instructors always spend time demonstrating good versus bad form. They also spend a good amount of time teaching the moves at a slower pace, before moving to a faster tempo.

The strength portions of the include squats, lunges, dips, pushups, curls... most of the standard stuff. The workout is followed by a nice stretch.

The FIRM has filmed their Basics series in their classic "mansion" set. The cast is made up of both men and women of all different age groups. The music is kind of strange (but in a good way). In fact, I think I like the music in the Basics series better than any music in prior FIRM tapes. I especially enjoyed the song played during the last segment of low-impact (the segement with the hip-presses and cha-chas)... it was kinda funky.

The FIRM Basics series uses a 14-17" stool, several sets of dumbells, and a dowel/mop handle.

Anyways, I really enjoyed this workout, and will recommend it to any and all beginning exercisers!

Instructor Comments:
Both instructors in the video are wonderful. They both give ample form pointers and cue well. Jennifer Carmen leads the cardio segments of the video, while Stacy Milner-Collins leads the strength and stretching portions. Jennifer is the more upbeat of the two, but Stacy comes across as very polished and classy. They both are in great shape.

Christine Letsky

01/12/1997