I've been doing the FIRM's Strong Heart and Strong Body for a while now. Recently, I temporarily traded them with a friend, so I could try out her copies of Tortoise and Hare. I haven't done Tortoise yet, but here's what I think of the Hare.

Tracy Long is a terrific instructor. She gives well-explained form pointers and good cues. She is in great shape! I love her choreography in Strong Heart and Strong Body, but I don't know what she was thinking when she put together the Hare!

The Workout: Although I love this instructor and am a diehard FIRM fan... I don't like this workout, and I really don't like those bizarre ballroom aerobics. They don't feel natural and they don't challenge me aerobically. I even used an eight inch step instead of the recommeded four inch step they use, but my heart rate never went up to an aerobic level. I didn't even break a light sweat! I thought the point of The Hare was to give a faster more aerobic routine. I was disappointed!

One nice thing I will say about the Hare... I did enjoy the floorwork at the end. It was more varied than most of the FIRM's standard floorwork.

I probably won't do the Hare again... in fact, I already miss my Strong Heart tape (after only 2 days)!

Christine Letsky