The Tortoise is part of the Firm's Crosstrainers Series. This video alternates with the Firm's Hare video (which uses light weight with fast moves) and the Tortoise uses Heavy Weights with slower moves. This crosstrainer series also introduces exercisers to ballroom aerobics. The total video is about an hour long using heavy weights for biceps, triceps, tall box leg presses, squats, lat rows, military rows, etc, and using ballroom aerobic steps for the aerobics (on the box) such as the charleston, the tango, and the waltz. I will be the first one to admit the I am NOT a lover of ballroom aerobics and this is what initially kept me from purchasing this tape for the longest time. I am also not the smoothest dancer in the world. I ususally like exercise videos that have more athletic than dancy moves. But I must admit that this tape really surprised me. I love it - ballroom aerobics and all. The strength training is great. Tracie Long is an excellent instructor and I now see why she has so many fans. At first I thought it was a little strange to have ballroom aerobics in a tape that uses weights but I found it to be a pleasant change from the ususal hard, base music on most aerobic videos. If Tracie can teach me these ballroom steps, she can teach them to anyone. The Firm says that beginners and advance exercisers can use this tape and I agree. But I would not recommend beginners starting off using weights with this tape. Advanced exercisers can also get a great workout by just going up on the weights which is why I love the Firm. All you have to do is up the weights. I don't think you can ever outgrow their tapes. Don't be like me and let the ballroom aerobics scare you. Give this tape a try and I think you will glad you did.

Tiffanee Saunders