I’m not sure when one of the original “The Firm” Total Body Workout with Susan Harris was first released, but the leg warmers; outfits and hairstyles remind me of the 1980s.
Although the The Firm’s “Total Body Workout: Body Sculpting Basics,” tape/DVD may be retro, it claims to provide “visible results in 10 workouts guaranteed.”
This month I decided to test the effectiveness of various “The Firm” workouts. I dusted off my “fanny lifter,” and the series that includes “Cardio Sculpt” with Allie, “Body Sculpt” with Jennifer and the “Ab Sculpt” with Lisa.
I first heard about The Firm from my sister who had bought the Firm tapes and fanny lifter after watching an info-commercial. She bought a second set for me out of the kindness of her heart.
Like many people with old exercise equipment in the garage, she grew tired of her fanny lifter one day and decided to sell the system. Not even a year later, she decided to buy The Firm system with fanny lifter again because she missed being, well, firm.
The Firm’s latest products include “The Wave,” a speed slimming system. You are able to step, walk or rock on “The Wave.” New is not always better, but all of The Firm products have received rave reviews from my family and friends.
Here was my workout experience to see if I could get those guaranteed visible results in 10 sessions using the fanny lifter and The Firm DVDs:
Workout No. 1: I started with Cardio Sculpt which combined aerobic and some light weight training. I wore my heart rate monitor and noticed I stayed in my fat-burning zone during the toning exercises.
Workout No. 2: I decided to focus on my core by doing the Ab Sculpt. I liked the fact that this DVD was only 25 minutes long so I was not too sore afterwards.
Workout No. 3: I decided to do the Cardio Sculpt again to get a good aerobic workout. The use of the Fanny Lifter did get my heart rate pumped. Some of the exercises required the purple and blue Fanny Lifter “steps” to be put together which requires some practice.
Workout No. 4: I used The Firm Total Body Workout with Susan Harris. Incredible. She uses weights in the beginning to mostly work the upper body and then moves to a lot of floor work. This routine reminds you why you have a body. “Isn’t this better than dieting?” Harris asks at one point in the DVD. You can’t help but agree even as your legs burn.
Workout No. 5: I used the “Body Sculpt” DVD with workout instructor Jennifer. This workout seems more focused on weights rather than cardio but my heart rate still remained in a fat-burning zone. She keeps it interesting.
Workout No. 6: Ab Sculpt.
Workout No. 7: Cardio Sculpt.
Workout No. 8: Body Sculpt.
Workout No. 9: Total Body Workout.
Workout No. 10: Ab Sculpt.
Results: After 10 workouts this month with The Firm system, I lost 5 pounds and five inches.
Favorite: I have to say the retro DVD with Susan Harris was incredible for toning the legs and hips. But equally impressive was the “Cardio Sculpt” routine which offered both toning and aerobics all in one.
Bottom line: Thumbs up.
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