Anyone use the FIRM exercise videotapes?

[MelanieC]

I sometimes do WATP, but I am going to start religiously exercising and I am looking for something that will firm all those wiggly parts of my body.

I would love to have some feedback. I know that it's going to be the TSV at QVC soon.

Thanks,
Melanie

 

[Cinderelli]

Melanie,

This is the first time I've visited these boards (awesome!). I was doing the FIRM tapes regularly (4-5 times a week) from Jan - May of this year. Then summer hit and I haven't worked out since. I plan to start again tomorrow (our kids went back to school on 8/6).

I noticed very nice improvements in my arms & legs and behind. My husband even noticed very soon after I'd started working out. One word of caution, tho. You do use weights and my program came with a large step (fanny lifter - and it really works). Shortly after increasing my weights on these fanny lift exercises, I noticed problems with my knees and had to drop down on my weights. I started with 2 lb weights, then went to 5 lb, then 8 lb and I found that my knees just could not handle the 8 lb weights. I went back to using no weights when doing the fanny lifter.

Since I am just starting again (after my summer hiatus), I plan to use weights for my arm exercises, but will not use any weights at first for the fanny lifter. In addition, I have bought knee supports to wear.

All in all, I love The Firm and think it did a wonderful job in sculpting my body. The think the thing I liked most about it was the combination of aerobics and weight training. Unfortunately, I must have weak knees. Just be aware.

Good Luck!

Lissa

 

[AlreadyexcitedGrammy]

M-
I also do WATP and treadmill and know that I need to be doing some weights, too.

I got the FIRM - Basics with Weights from library to try and I think that I will be purchasing this one. It has a lot of good exercises (this one uses a stool and a long dowel for props and weights of course)

I tried Pilates once when OhMom was here and she made it look so easy (ha) but I can do this FIRM one and can definately tell that it works parts that need firmed!!

OhMom suggested trying different ones from library and then deciding which I like before purchasing. Good idea - huh - yeah yeah yeah - your kids can have good ideas too

Good luck in finding something that you like - I think that is the key - if you like it - you will use it.

Bebr

 

[danicaw]

I was going to post this same question.
I am thinking of buying the Firm and really appreciate the feedback.

I have a couple more questions....

Do you need a lot of floor space?
How long are the workouts?

It looks like fun and I think I would really enjoy it...
...we will see

Thanks

 

[Cinderelli]

Danica,

My workout is a series of 3 tapes (I just bought this in Jan.). The first tape is a cardio/full-body sculpt workout. It runs 55 minutes. The second video is a cardio/lower-body sculpt. It runs like 45 minutes. The third is a cardio/ab-sculpt and it runs like 35 minutes. They also give you a calendar to do your workouts to. For instance, the first week, you would do the cardio/full-body sculpt 3 times. The second week, you start mixing in the other tapes. It gives you workout schedules for a 4 week cycle. Or, you could probably choose to only do the one you prefer.

I stuck to their schedule. It worked great. I need more work in my ab area, tho, so in the future if I don't have enough time to do the 55 minute workout, I may substitute the ab workout instead.

Hope that helps! I really like it and am axious to get started. Things here (sick children) have prevented me from starting on Monday like I wanted. I hope to start tomorrow now.

Good Luck!

Lissa

 

[bicker]

It never ceases to amaze me how this thing on my arm keeps growing -- they tell me it is a bicep -- never had one of those before I started doing The Firm.

 

[TigH]

Hi, Melanie!

I haven't used them, but if there is a Firm infomercial on while I am working out, I will leave that on. It's a great inspirational advertisement and I think it will work if you decide to go with it! Good luck!

 

[Christine]

I have used the Firm on and off over the last 3 years. If you can stick to it, it really works. But it WILL kick your butt!! Especially the Fanny Lifter stuff. I had the same problem as Lissa did, with the knees. I have even had my knees examined and I have nothing wrong with them, it is just a strain to pull all that weight up on the Fanny Lifter. I don't think it is damaging because there is not impact, but just be aware of it.

I have not bought any of the new Firms; however, I have heard good things about them. I bought a lot of my tapes through half.com and ordered the Fanny Lifter by itself a few years ago. You could also make your own if you are handy that way.

 

[sueg]

I have been doing THE FIRM for over a year. It has really worked for me. I have a 4 pack tape set which I picked up at Best Buy for $20. I liked it so much that I bought the three tape set w/ the fanny lifter. The tapes are varying in length so some are good for me on workday mornings & some only get done on the weekends. DH has also used them for upper body workouts. I'm writing from OKW & the bummer is that the weight room does not have a VCR & they won't let me check out the weights, from the exercise room, for insurance reasons. So I went to the exercise room & tried to do a routine from memory. Not as easy as it sounds, but its better than nothing.