The Firm: Volume 3: Aerobic Interval Training

Sandahl Bergman
Year Released: 1989

Categories: Circuit Training (cardio and weights)


This is one of my favorite Firm videos. The choreography is high impact (which I don't mind) and more interesting than the other Firm tapes except the Hare and the Tortoise. Yes, I like the music too. I use this tape so often that it's nice to have rather bland but upbeat music that you don't get sick of.

This is a good introduction to the trademark step up box. I've noticed some reviewers find this tape too easy, but you can always add more weight if you find it so. I prefer the way that Sandahl does one-arm French presses, to the two-arm technique used on the other Firm tapes which I find too stressful on my lower back.

Regarding some comments I've read on this website about the early Firm tapes being "too sexy" and looking dated, I have to admit that that's why I actually prefer the early Firm tapes to the later ones. I think the sort of sexy presentation of the earlier Firm tapes is what sets them apart from other exercise videos. The later Firm tapes offer pretty much the same fare that you can find anywhere.

I'm thinking that the reason that the early Firm instructors tend to have a "sexy" approach is that these tapes where made during the eighty's and early nineties when most women were still afraid that they would "bulk up" and look and walk like a man if they dared to lift more than 5 pounds. I remember the first time that I saw Susan Harris on Volume 1, lifting what looked to be 15 pound dumbells doing military presses. I thought "She's so tiny, and she's lifting that much weight with perfect form!" That really inspired me to lift heavy weights.

Today of course, most people (not me) seem to prefer a more androgenous, serious jock look and manner from their video instructors. But who knows, that look might seem dated in ten years.. (Maybe then reviewers will be commenting on this website that the hot videos of today took dated, because the instructors look too jock-like and androgenous.)

Instructor Comments:
Contrary to the other comments I've seen on this web page, I really like her. She is very graceful in her movements and she really seems to like what she's doing. I find her very inspiring.

Flossie

04/14/1998