YOWSA!!! The FIRM has just ICED their cake!!!! They have added to their #1 high quality videos a KILLER of a cardio workout that will ROCKET your heart rate right up there!

Before I get into my review however, I want to make a few comments on the filming.

With most Firm tapes you "join" a class for a workout. Though the instructor may "change off" with another, you are in the same room with the same students, etc. These tapes are different. As the instructors switch off, some of the students and props change. Each instructor probably filmed an entire class. Then segments from these were linked together to create these videos. They are different from the Firm Parts videos, however, in that there is no guest host making comments between sections. Because the transitions in the new videos are so smoothly done, and the backdrop is so famliar you still have a one class feel with no downtime and no uneasiness during the instructor changes. The only blooper here was, as Barb pointed out in her review, at the beginning of CCI when Dale says prepare for stabilization and the next instructor says almost immediately get your tall box!

I found the instructor transitions smooth and preferred them to the awkward changes in Fat Blaster BUT I would have enjoyed keeping the same students etc. so I could feel like they were getting tired with me!!! Yes indeed when the sweats rolling down my face, I want to see it rolling down theirs!!!

It will be interesting to see if other tapes evolve from the filming of these.(I hope so!!!!).

Carissa begins the warm up with a standing ball workout. The BALL was FUN!!! I really loved working with it!!! Though only 2 pounds it does work the muscles and aids in providing a nice range of motion stretch. Though a soccer ball might work. A soccer ball weighs 12 oz and is not as heavy as the OOOF Jr. I do feel substitutes could be found however. But I did love the little OOOF Jr. and I know from learning about it, that it will be a very long lasting piece of equipment.

I thought Carissa's leotard top was neat, very pale lime green and very sheer, worn with black briefs. Carissa has a youthful Jen Carmen type voice, lets move her voice says. As opposed to the measured tones of say Jayne Poteet. Her voice fit the quick movements in the warmup. By the way she also has very beautiful long legs which make one work harder (to get them also!) I really love the warm up. The ball provided a GREAT change of pace, from the usual move left, hand up etc.

Next Dale takes over with a short ab section. The new ab movements consist of swivelling type motions that are INTENSE and really TARGET the GUT! I loved the movements!!! It was a very short section, though. I would have liked longer ab work, as that is a problem area for me. Dale does not have 6 pack abs. She packs a case!! Her abs are absolutely ripped! She has a deep, no nonsense voice and is determined to whip you into shape! After some short box & 4 limbed aerobics led by either Dale or Carissa it was Tamelas turn.

Tamela has the facial expressions and twinkle of a new Firm Video Fitness Star. Like Jayne Poteet (one of my favorites) Tamela really relates to the camera and you feel like you are in the room with her. She does the little eye rolls and makes the quips, "That was fun". so well and so effortlessly that you feel like she is watching you and applauding your efforts!!

I think that Cheryl covered the movements in each segment in her review in depth. But I do want to say a few words about the movements. Mainly the FIRM has DONE IT once AGAIN!! They have updated some moves and added new ones that are fun and effective to make for a WODERFUL CARDIO BLAST! I loved watching and trying to copy Dales neat, muscular body as she did the "ski". This is a side to side jump with your elbows going up in the air, mimicking a skiing motion. LOVED IT!!! And Carissa's ball warmup was pure FUN! Tamela's box aerobic section was truly a JOY!!! There are lots of new movements that will INTENSIFY your workout pleasure here!

As far as the choreography goes it is not too complex but just the right amount so it stays lively and fun. I really enjoyed it. As far as intensity. THIS IS INTENSE!! As an intermediate exerciser, I had to modify some of the hi-impact moves to keep up (quite a bit!)! The music was lively, perfect for the workout and to add to the pleasure one of my favorite exercisers was doing a GREAT job as a member of the cast!! Hi Fitbabe!!!

All of the Firms tapes, even the ones made years ago seem fresh today. And this tape will be as I said earlier more ICING on the FIRM CAKE! Cus its DELICIOUS!! It's FUN!! It keeps your INTEREST!

And ROCKETS your heart rate right up there!!

Lee

Lee Mellott