This workout has already been broken down, so I am just going to add my own opinions. I am reviewing this workout after having done it once (the same day I received it – I waited forever to catch this one on Amazon!) The updated Crunch Time from WHFN is my all time favorite workout EVER, so I was excited to try the original for an extra challenge and because I love Susan Harris (of Firm Volume 1 fame).

WOW this one is tough. It clocks in at 45 minutes, and like many original Fitprime workouts in comparison to the newer WHFN workouts, it is very similar to the remake, BUT Crunch Time has enough differences (and many cleverly challenging tweaks) to keep it interesting, feeling new and different. Actually a lot of the exercise tunes were sequenced differently, and some tunes had entirely different exercises, that it really felt like a different workout! Which is great, because some of the other remakes (like Strong Bear) are just about exact to the original which makes it sort of boring. (In my opinion, no reason to get both the old and new Fitprime/WHFN).

Even with Susan as the lead, I wasn’t sure how this would measure up because of how much I adore the WHFN Crunch Time. While I still love the remake more, I was astounded at how the original really kicked my butt hard! There were three four limb aerobic sections (one of them replaced a kickboxing sequence from the remake, which I missed, but the 4-limb work is tough!) I used 5-6# dumbbells for these sets, and will probably only use 5# for future use because 6# got to be exhausting. There was an additional cardio/endurance tune (completely nonexistent in the remake) of standing oblique and outer thigh extensions (with ankle weights) that was really quick, intense, and fun! That was a major bonus! The tall box climb set was somewhat different, the stomps were the same but she jumped on the tall box. I liked the move but did NOT feel secure using the Fanny Lifter so I would recommend caution. I felt like the tall box could/would easily topple at any moment. The hopscotch segment used plyo jumping squats instead of skaters, which was fine with me.

Many of the strength segments were the same, with subtle (and more challenging) differences. The lunge/bicep curl set used single arms alternating with both arms instead of completely both arms in the remake; the tall box press did not incorporate a knee lift like in the remake; the triceps/good morning segment was harder in that you had to balance on one leg with the triceps kickbacks instead of standing in the remake. The arm work was clearly more extensive in the original, which I thought was great, because the remake is somewhat weak on the upper body. The original had two sets of heavy French press instead of one, the 4-limb sections were longer and more extensive, and the yoga set incorporated several triceps pushups which was sort of glazed over and shortened in the remake. The plie sequence worked military press, upright row, AND biceps instead of just lat squeezes in the remake. I used 12# bells for the heavy strength work (arms and legs) and I would not recommend going any higher than this, due to the compound moves and functional fitness feel.

The warrior pose yoga work was at the beginning of the workout instead of the end, which I didn’t think made sense logistically. I like stretching the muscles after they have worked hard and are more pliant. However the floor work for the core was at the end in the original, instead of the beginning in the remake (to me the end would have been preferable), so I suppose both Crunch Times have their own quirks and nuances. The core work was similar (if not exact) as the remake, but Susan had you put on ankle weights, so the original was more intense. The final stretch was more traditional and athletic than the ashtanga(sp!) yoga that the remake featured. The warm up was nearly identical, with aerobic-speed chair pose variations and rib cage shifts.

One notable difference between the original and remake is that the original is not “woo woo” – most of the moves are the same (or similar) but Susan does not use the names for some of the moves, like the crouching phoenix, or being able to feel your “wings” or “build out of your foundation” or using the “fire breath,” or some of Tamela’s joking like “calling all muscle fibers” and that sort of thing. I actually enjoy the woo woo but it is hardly a deal breaker. But for those who don’t like Tamela’s quirky attitude, you will probably appreciate Susan’s more professional personality. Susan does make a comment at one point about the workout being better than dieting, which reminded me of her Firm Volume 1 days!

Like the remake, this workout is definitely FUN and the music is awesome. I really like the variety of moves and get a great sweat with both volumes. But the original has so much more intensity, and more balanced upper/lower body strength work, that the exertion is comparable to a classic Firm workout (except shorter) in my opinion. The original was definitely TOUGH where the remake is more just fun than anything else. However it wasn’t so tough as to develop a dread factor, definitely doable for anybody in the intermediate spectrum. With heavier weights (up to 12# bells for the strength and 5-6# bells for the 4-limb cardio) this is definitely high-intermediate for sure – whereas the remake is intermediate at most, even using the same poundage. The original would be preferable for somebody who cannot do high intensity because the only jumps were in the hopscotch segment (the remake has much more jumping).

The production quality is just adequate…the remake’s quality (all of the WHFN DVDs) is definitely better. The set is small (only Susan, no background exercisers) and sort of bare, somewhat colorless and not interesting to look at, but the camera work is fine and the instruction and music of course is excellent. I am usually pretty picky on production values but I love Anna Benson workouts, and the filming, while not stellar, is still okay (not poor quality) so it is only a small deterrent. Actually I worked so hard in the workout that I barely noticed the barren background. I have the DVD version and it is very well chaptered (every tune gets its own chapter). I would highly recommend this workout to anybody who enjoys Anna Benson productions (and original Fitprime workouts in particular), AWT workouts, combination moves, 4-limb aerobics, and/or functional fitness workouts. Grade A!

Instructor Comments:
Susan is wonderful. I loved her in Firm Volumes 1 and 4, and would have loved to see her make more workouts. Even 20 years later (than her classic Firm days) she is still an inspiration to look at and she still has all of the qualities of a great lead. She speaks clearly, gives good cues and form pointers, and has a professional and down to business, but still enthusiastic and warm, personality.

Emily B.