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The Firm: Total Body - Body Sculpting Basics [VHS]

The Firm: Total Body - Body Sculpting Basics [VHS]Director: Mark S. Henriksen
Actors: Susan Harris, Tad Abrams, Patricia F. Allen, Jodi Rae Ambrose, Suzanna C. Blackwell
Studio: Live / Artisan
Category: Video

List Price: $14.98
Buy Used: $5.89
as of 9/2/2010 23:40 CDT details
You Save: $9.09 (61%)


New (2) Used (27) from $5.89

Seller: hljjwood
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 171 reviews
Sales Rank: 25

Format: Color, NTSC
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 60 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1

ISBN: 1568120044
UPC: 723338011035
EAN: 9786301413220
ASIN: 6301413229

Release Date: May 16, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
Interval workouts incorporate a variety of activities that are powerful and short in duration. These intervals create an anaerobic workout that forces the body to adjust to variations of intensity and motion. Interval training has the real potential to burn fat and build strength. The Firm: Body Sculpting Basics utilizes these same aerobic and anaerobic components to create a 60-minute workout that promotes strength and stamina. Instructor Susan Harris presents simple dance-style aerobic combinations and weightlifting techniques that are sure to make you break a sweat. This video is somewhat dated (lots of '80s-style leg warmers and traditional dance aerobic movements), but the content is so stellar that it would more appropriately be coined as a fitness classic. Pliés, squats, and split-leg lunges work the major muscles of the lower body, while lateral raises, curls, and push-ups concentrate on the upper body. Light weights (5 to 8 pounds) are used throughout this workout, and a set of ankle weights may be helpful if you are looking for a challenge. Cueing comes quickly and Harris does not give much information on form or body alignment. Therefore, beginners should watch the informational portion of this video (the segment immediately before the workout) in order to train as confidently and safely as possible. This is a brilliantly designed program that merges weight training and cardio in an effective and approachable (not to mention quick) package. --Olivia Voigts

Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 171
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5 out of 5 stars 20 years and it's still my go-to workout   July 5, 2010
Leonore Rodrigues
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

The first time I did this workout was when I was a freshman in college in 1989. It kicked my butt and I loved it. Over the next 20 years, I've used different tapes and methods of staying in shape but this tape has always traveled with me wherever I went. I gained and lost weight a few times over the years, too, and this workout was instrumental every time I whipped myself back into shape. About 2 years ago, I was fed up with the yo-yo routine, so I finally took control and lost 70 pounds and so far, I've kept it off. Yes, I do things other than Volume 1, but I always come back to it when I want a really good, solid, butt-kicking workout.

I've bought and used Firm videos produced more recently, and I think they are fine - sometimes too easy, but I can usually increase the weight to make them more challenging. They just don't compare to the early days of the Firm, however. The interesting thing is that I also use The Biggest Loser workouts, and Jillian Michael's tapes. They're remarkably similar in a lot of ways to Volume 1. The idea of combining upper and lower body exercises, muscle confusion, raising the heart rate with weights and not just silly aerobic dancing moves...these are things that made Volume 1 so revolutionary and effective, and these are the things that Jillian Michael is doing in her "old-school" workouts. The newer moves are tweaked a little bit differently to hit different muscles, but it feels like the same principle behind it.

For me, the result of these basic, straight-forward, no-fooling-around workouts is being in the best shape of my life. I not only lost weight, but I'm more toned than I've ever been. I have always kept track of numbers and so I was able to compare not only weight but measurements, so I can tell that even at the same weight, I had dropped more inches - not just pounds - by doing these kinds of workouts.

I read some of the negative reviews that said the moves were too fast or too hard and they couldn't even get through the first workout. No one should expect to just pop in a tape and know how to do it expertly the first time through. And frankly, if you can do the workout with no problem and it's not even a little hard, then that workout isn't going to do a whole hell of a lot for you in the long run. Do yourselves a favor: watch the video all the way through once to see what to expect. Then start out without weights. If you need to take a break, then stop, but keep the tape going and join it again as soon as you can. You don't have to do every single rep of every single exercise at first. Build yourself up. This tape is totally worth it. And if you're bored with plain old running in place or jumping jacks and want dancing, then buy a dancing tape. In my experience, at least, those dancing tapes won't give you as good of a workout, though.


5 out of 5 stars the best   May 20, 2010
mp127 (lodi,nj)
I have been doing this tape for 10 weeks and i went from size 18 to a size 14. My goal is a size 8 and I know I will with the help of this tape. Get ready to sweat and do the best work out ever, every time I do this tape i cried for mercy. Do your boby a favor and buy this tape.



5 out of 5 stars Even though this workout has been around forever its still one of the best!!!   March 26, 2010
I Never Write Reviews (Chicago, Il USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

By far one of the best workouts available. I first became familiar with the Firm back in the 80's. Susan Harris is great. If you follow her cues and watch and learn her perfect form, you'll see great results quickly. It's not easy and it's not a short tape, but trust me you'll love your body in just a short time. I'm a 49 year old former fitness trainer who hasn't worked out seriously in more than 15 years and I can honestly say that because I used several of the Firm tapes (but mainly volume 1)over a period of years, I'm still in pretty good shape today. I recently purchased P90X and while it's a really good (muscle confusion) regime, I still feel like overall, for the price and specifically for women, the Firm vol. 1 is a great alternative. Ideally if you can do the P90X and the Firm vol. 1 I think you'll be good to go and will need little else to keep you in shape for ever. This tape is old but the quality of the trainer Susan Harris, the excercises and the production are great.


5 out of 5 stars The FIRM   March 6, 2010
Ann Marie Gumula
1 out of 1 found this review helpful


I love this first FIRM video and Susan Harris as the instructor. I have over the years gotten all the FIRM videos and this is the best and easiest to follow.I do this one over and over. I wish they would made a DVD of this.


5 out of 5 stars Not for beginners, but will kick your butt if you can hang!   February 25, 2010
Robyn Mcpherson
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

My mom and I have been doing Firm videos since the 90s...and this one will GET IT DONE! I also have the Firm Wave system, and in my opinion, they just don't compare to the "originals". Unlike the Wave participants, the ones in this video aren't cheesing like idiots...they are working hard (like you will be too!). Not too hot about the running parts (I just don't like running in general). But the leg work on the floor is KILLER! I do agree with some other reviews that this video isn't real keen on good form, so I would recommend you learn good form before you try this. I would also say to start with (really) light weights if it's your first time. If you try and use the weight amounts that Susan says, you will pass out! Yes, the video looks dated, along with the clothes, jewelry, music, etc., but if you are serious about getting fit and getting right you don't give a rat's behind about the way the jewelry and clothes look, get this! You won't be sorry! This is going to be my go-to video in my aim to get myself traffic-stopping right for spring and summer! This is NOT for the true workout beginner (unless you go completely weightless through the entire workout), but for the intermediate/advanced enthusiast, THIS IS IT! You WILL sweat, you WILL burn, you WILL cuss, you WILL (possibly) scream, but imagine a great body in exchange...

Showing reviews 1-5 of 171
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