The Firm Parts: Tough Cardio Mix

Lisa Kay, Nancy Tucker, Allie Del Rio, Pam Meriwether, Heidi Tanner
Year Released: 2000

Categories: Floor Aerobics/Hi-Lo/Dance


This parts tape is easy to learn; the steps are not at all difficult, so you quickly become familiar with the routines and can put plenty of energy into them. (Melissa F. has broken down the tape, indicating where the segments originally came from.) An advantage of FIRM aerobic routines is that you don't need a large workout space. The music is very upbeat. I really enjoy the cooldown, with its classical music. It makes me feel so graceful (I live in hope). Having the step aerobics and the floor aerobics separate so you don't have to move your step back and forth, as in many other FIRM workouts, makes this one flow well and helps keep my heartrate up (although some days I wouldn't mind being interrupted by a guest instructor!). There are some high-impact moves, but I modify them to low impact and still get a good workout. I'd say this is an intermediate to advanced workout, depending on how high your step is and whether or not you do the high-impact moves. I don't have many step aerobics videos (I prefer floor aerobics), and the ones I have are beginner/int. level. I find The FIRM's step aerobic routines intense enough for me with my step at 5", and I don't mind that they are fairly simple and repetitive. The variety of instructors and changing settings seem to make the workout fly by and keep me interested. I know some people are getting a bit fed up with parts tapes because some segments are being used quite a lot. For the moment at least, I'm still happy with them (I also have four of the Classic parts tapes). I enjoy finding favourite routines from original tapes, and the chance to see snippets from tapes I don't have.

Glynis van Uden

04/14/2001