The Firm: Cardio Split 1

Nancy Tucker, Allie Del Rio, Jen Carman, Carissa Foster, Dale Brabham
Year Released: 1999

Categories: Circuit Training (cardio and weights)


I just worked out with this video for the first time and had a great time with it. It reminds me of what I find lacking in the new Firm videos: vibrancy! Cardio Split is colorful and vibrant, not spare and homogenized like the new Firms. The music stands out more--it's not just a background beat. I don't think either the lower or upper body section is long & intense enough to be a complete workout on its own for me. I found the aerobics to be a good, balanced mix of high and low impact. I must say I love (and miss!) the Firm's close-up shots that really show the movements in detail. This is especially great for someone like me who's a bit near-sighted and doesn't want to worry about eyewear. I wish more videos made use of close-up shots like this. (If I want a blurry long-range view of someone I can go stand in the back of an aerobics class at a gym.)
I wasn't impressed with the yoga-inspired cool down. It was unique, but the stretches are held too briefly. However this is a common flaw and doesn't bother me much.
This is not the most intense Firm, but it's great fun and a solid circuit workout. (And of course you can always "heavy up.")I think this will be in heavy rotation for me!

Lynnee

05/01/2002