The Firm: Cardio (aka Variety: Strong Heart)

Heidi Tanner
Year Released: 1995

Categories: Circuit Training (cardio and weights)


This video is supposed to be more aerobic than SB, I think it is about the same in that sense. I do think it is a good idea to alternate these two videos, (but if you use heavy weights, still keep a day of rest between each video, I wouldn't suggest doing these everyday) as they each emphasize slightly different muscle groups.

The Firm advertises SH as having "peripheral heart action" I suspect this is one of their kind of hokey advertising claims. Supposedly, since SH works arms, then legs, then arms, then legs, the heart works harder because it has to keep switching which end of the body it needs to pump the most blood to. I'm not sure I believe that, but it does help to explain the format of the video. I don't feel as tired after doing SH as I do after doing SB, where you work the lower body for a while, then the upper body for awhile, very similar to supersets.

StrongHeart does have a bit of step aerobics on their 8" box. (I turn my regular club step so the short end is towards the TV). I think it is a bit more intense than SB aerobically, but I still think of the aerobic periods as a welcome rest between strength modes. SB does all the aerobic segments on the floor.

This is one of my favorite Firm videos. I highly recommend it.

Trish Ransom

11/30/-0001