Note: This review was based on just a preview of the tape, I have not done the actual workout yet. I know a lot of people have been curious about this series, so these are my initial impressions.

This video is part of the new Firm Body Sculpting System kit, which includes three videos: Cardio Sculpt, Body Sculpt, and Ab Sculpt, along with a 3-in-1 step called the Fanny Lifter. All three videos have the same 5 cast members, who are introduced as master instructors: Jen Carman, Allie Del Rio, Lisa Kay, Christa Suggs, and Libby Heath. Libby always shows the modifications for beginners.

I think I like this tape even better than Cardio Sculpt, and I really liked Cardio Sculpt a lot! Jen Carman is such a great leader, so enthusiastic and such great form.

The color du jour for this tape is green. The cast all wear different styles of lime green tops with black bottoms. The background has green lights and the fans are lit green. No mats again, just wood flooring. I always liked the greek statue set, but I can see that they are trying to appeal to a new audience that might find the old set "unusual". The set is very professional looking and pleasing. As in the other tape, the only props are the Fanny Lifter and a selection of dumbbells. I noticed no one had chrome dumbbells, everyone had the hammertone kind. I have decided the leads must get paid extra every time they use the word "Fanny Lifter" during their instructions.

Jen introduces the cast. They each smile and some give a little wave. I noticed that although they are all beautifully made up, the look is more natural than previous Firms (no heavy mascara or thick pancake). No one sweats and their clothes remain stain free throughout all the workouts.

On to the workout. It is about 48 minutes long and is all weight work other than the warmup and cooldown. Jen says it can be divided into two workouts by just doing the first section, which is "lower body, for the thighs and butt", or just the second section, which is "upper body, for the back, chest, shoulders, and arms". There is a stretching section between the upper body and lower body portion where the screen says "Cooldown for Lower Body, Warmup for Upper Body", so you can go to that section and still get a warmup for the Upper Body if you're just doing that part. If you're doing both, it's a nice break.

Please note that I use the words step and box interchangably, sometimes in the same sentence! In any case It takes too long to write Fanny Lifter! Tall box means both blue and purple steps together.

Warmup (6 minutes) - Fast paced choreographed section that seems like a typical cardio interval from a cardio/sculpt tape. Stretching is worked in too.

Lower Body section:

Squats with weights, hovering over tall box (whoops, I mean Fanny Lifter)
Hover squats sequence

Remove and use just purple step for long lunges and dips sequence. This is a long set that totally fatigues one side at a time. You lunge forward onto the step with weights on shoulders. After the lunges you then step onto the box with the lunging leg and do dips off the back with the opposite leg (so you are working the same leg.) You repeat the lunges and dips, this time with pulses, still working the same leg. Then you do alternate lunges and dips working that same leg. Before moving onto the other side, you straddle the box for a plie series with weights resting on your thighs. These are done slowly and really work the thighs. Then you repeat the entire lunge and dip sequence working the other leg.

Reassemble the tall box for a leg press sequence, with weights hanging by sides. You start wiht both legs on top of the box and lower, working the right leg. Then a hover squats series over the box (hover and stand, hover and sit, hover-sit-stand-sit, hover for 3 count, etc). Then you do a second set of leg presses for the right leg, this time starting with one leg on the floor and raising up.

New move: Side Lunges. You remove the purple step and use just the blue step this time, placing it to your side. Facing forward with weights on shoulders, you step to the side onto the blue box, standing foot on floor stays facing forward, lunging foot on box to the side (picture a fencer lunge). One side only.

Reassemble box and do leg presses for left leg this time. Then step down and do squats with side leg abductions (raising legs to either side, with deep squats in between). Then squats with foot taps on box. Then you do the second set of leg presses for the left leg.

Repeat the Side Lunges on the other side: remove purple step and lunge onto the blue step. At this point Jen lets out a "whoooo". No wonder!

Cooldown Lower body/Warmup Upper body (6 minutes) - Jen used the purple step a lot here, straddling it for arm reaches, hands on it for pushups, foot on it for hamstring stretches. She even lay on her side on the floor and rested her elbow up on it for quad stretching (where you reach behind and grab your top foot to bend your top leg). No cardio portions here like in the lower body warmup.

Upper Body Section:

Double lat rows - Reassemble tall box. Sit on box and lean forward with weights for double lat rows, moving elbows up and back.

Hammer curls - still sitting on box.

Double lat rows again, this time start with palms facing back and end with palms facing forward.

Pushups - turn tall box diagonally and put hands on box, fingers facing in.

New Move: Jen calls this "Clean and Press". It's various combos of Bicep Curls and Millitary Presses, done standing. First bicep curls, then military presses palms out. Then alternate military presses, then alternate bicep curls. Parts of this series reminded me of Cathe's "crazy eights".

French press with varying tempo, (standing)

Shoulder work sequence (long and tough) - sit on box and use light weights. Front delt raises, then up-to the side-to the front-then down. Then side and down, then side-front-side-down, then side-down. Stay seated and combine weights for french press, alternating and together.

Triceps kickbacks - kneel on floor and lay chest over tall box. Do triceps kickbacks alternating and together. Jen says you are "sculpting your sexy arms". Finish with delt raises to the front, still laying over box. Stretch.

Chest work - Lie on floor with knees bent and feet on box. Do chest presses, together first, then alternating arms. Then chest (pec) flies.
Cooldown (5 minutes) - Sit on box for hamstring stretches and other seated stretches for chest, arms, legs. Then standing stretches.

Like Allie in Cardio Sculpt, Jen ends with a few "nice job" comments. "The more muscle you have the more fat you'll burn", and "Keep up the good work". Fade to black. No dork dance, no leaping and clapping.

I think this is a great workout. The music is typical instrumentals, and seemed to fit nicely with the movements. I think the older Firm tapes had more variety and more memorable songs, but you'll be sweating so much with this one you probably won't even notice!

Marie B