WHOOHOO!!! Is your ENERGY UP??? Cus you're gonna need it for this puppy!! Let me ask you all something. Does my review count if I had to spend a few minutes sweating/resting on the corner of the couch..DURING THE WORKOUT??? (One of my favorite modifications). This was a KILLER!! Hope Cathy doesn't take my videos away, because yeah, as hard as it is to admit, I had to MODIFY A LOT! I have no problems getting through FAT BLASTER. Which is another FIRM tape I totally enjoy. But this one!! It's INTENSE!!

The workout begins with a light dumbbell warmup led by Dale Brabham. Dale's warmup includes "ball prep" which involves pressing through the toes as you lift your heels. (The OOOF Jr. is not used in this warmup.), bicep curls, etc.

On to ab work. The ab exercises in CC1 and CC2 are different than any the FIRM has used before, and from each other. CC1 uses swiveling motions that radiate from the lower midsection. The CC2 exercises target the obliques with upper body to lower raises body on the sides. One arm is stretched straight out over the head and the other arm is bent, grasping it. Hence you feel a WONDERFUL, LENGTHENING in these limbs.

Next,Tamela Hastie takes over with tall box step ups. Your HEART RATE is CLIMBING!!

Step ups are followed by a FUN ball aerobics section with Carissa Foster. YOWSA! Running, calf pumps, hops etc. HEART RATE GOING UP, UP, UP!!! And the CARDIO work continues!!

I think the other reviewers have covered the moves extensively but I do want to add a few comments.

Though the segments on Core Cardio 2 ,overall, did not seem as high impact as Core Cardio 1 the INTENSITY level is right up there!! Individual sections on CC2, in general, are longer than CC1. On the tall box step, Tamela's box step ups in CC2 run about 2 minutes long. Carissa's tall box step ups in CC1 are about 1 minute.

The long aerobic box section that Carissa leads in CC 2 will really BLAST your heart rate right up there!!

These new videos are really bringing in some NEW ELEMENTS. I LOVE many of the new movements like the hopscotch with the ball in CC2 and the playful ski movement in CC1. I also enjoyed the dowel stretch at the end of CC2. The dowel was used in some new ways i.e. under the leg etc.

The setting is the sames as the others. The traditional FIRM classic setting so many of us LOVE! Pastel walls, oriental rugs, Greek statues and the wonderful murals. The music really works with the exercises. I love the bubbling, popping music during the box aerobic section.

There are approximately 11 exercisers in each class. In addition to Fitbabe, I think I may have recognized a few others from other Firm videos. Two males were also in the class. I like that as I think it encourages, our spouses to join in!

Ok I know I will take some ribbing for this..but I couldn't help but notice that Tamela was color coordinated with the OOOF ball! She wears a blue bra top with matching bike shorts with white piping. The blue is a match with the ball!! The DETAILS in these FIRM videos!! All in all, the FIRM has another WINNER on its hands!!!! This is MEGA-INTENSITY CARDIO!!!

Lee Mellott