The FIRM

[luvmydogs]

HI Jen! Glad you're enjoying MCB + Abs! It's becoming one of my favorite videos! Are you interested in some heavier weight training with bursts of cardio mixed in? My favorite Firm video is Complete Aerobics & Weight Training, which combines weight work with bursts of cardio in between to keep your heart rate up. I just love this tape! If you're just beginning with weights, you can use none at all or light weights to start. You can always heavy-up from there if you need more challenge. They also use the fanny lifter and sculpting stick, but you can substitute free-weights for the SS if you don't have one. Like other Firm videos, it took me a while to get a hang of the steps--don't give up! Cardio Sculpt is also weights with aerobic burst sequences video. You need weights and the FL for that. I try to alternate strict cardio tapes with AWT (aerobic weight training) tapes to maximize my results, and to let my muscle groups recover. Muscle recovery time is essential for muscle building. I hope I'm not confusing you--I am just really into The Firm workouts because I've seen such great results from them! Feel free to ask if you need more info. and I'm sure others will have more suggestions for you!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I really appreciate your help...i just started and dont have the fanny lifter or scuplting stick..you cant buy JUST them around here and if u can, they are so expensive..college student here haha...but im trying everything i can..i especially need to work on my abs...do u have any other suggestions for abs? thanks

 

[luvmydogs]

Hi Jen! Oh, I understand the "college student" thing very well! Let me ask you, do you have a track, swimming pool or weight room at your school? And if so, would you be interested in any of those workouts? That way you wouldn't have to concern yourself with purchasing equiptment. I don't know if that's an option for you, but I thought I'd throw it out there. I know I've gotten several exercise videos from Ebay for incredible prices, so maybe that's something you could check into. Have you ever heard of Walk Away The Pounds (WATP) tapes? It's a home walking program that you can do in your living room w/o a lot of space/equiptment. The videos come in one to four-mile options. If you get a video with 4 miles, she'll tell you when you've completed the 1, 2 and 3 mile sections so you can stop there if you choose (actually, I think she breaks down the workout by miles on all her tapes). When I started my weight loss program, I used those and quickly built up my fitness level. You don't have to use hand weights, but I did to add intensity. I think there is a set you can buy that comes with weighted balls. I don't use these tapes anymore because I prefer the challenge of the Firm, but those may be an option. As for Abs, Firm has a video called Ab Sculpt, which is @ 30 min. (give or take) of just abs/core work with some back strengthening thrown in. I've only used it a few times (I should do more ab work, but don't!), and I thought it was a good ab workout. Just some thoughts...

 

[Blueeyes101817]

hi again..thanks so much for all of your help..i actually dont live at school and come right home after class so its tough to hang around all the time...I always hear people talkinga bout the WATP, and i think i may have to go buy that..the ab workout sounds great...im trying to work out my whole body, but definitely working on abs the most since its almost bathing suit time!! thanks so much again..really appreciate it

 

[sm4987]

Hello. I'm doing the firm also. I just did the body sculpt. Who says working with weights isn't working out?

 

[ZerasPride]

Sheree - I just added back the body sculpt to my routine - did the upper body yesterday and I am still feeling it. I almost didn't do the ab sculpt today because I was still feeling a little sore this morning. I try not to over exert myself but I was feeling a little better this afternoon so I did abs.

I love the FIRM work outs! They can be so addicting. Isn't body sculpt just great?

 

[MelanieC]

Hi Lisa,

I haven't tried Body scuplt yet. Just bought the original BSS system last week. I did do Cardio sculpt today though! WOW, I felt all new muscles being used. I liked that one!

Hi Jen,
I agree with Kim about Complete Aerobics and Weight Training. That is a great video. Its fun and really gives a great workout!


Ok everyone, I am going to start a new thread. I really don't know what to call us, but I am going to start this weeks as Wishing for FIRMer Fannies. We can change it later. When Lisa posted that it really made me laugh!

See you in the week one - WISHING for FIRMer Fannies thread!!

 

[ZerasPride]

I'm honored (and a little embarassed) that you picked that name for the first week's thread. It won't hurt my feelings in the least if you guys come up with a better name but thanks for picking one of the goofy names I came up with!

Melanie - Cardio sculpt from BSS1 is my favorite work out! I did it this morning and started using the 8 pound weights - Wow!!!! What a difference that makes. I do love it though. Let me know what you think of body sculpt when you try it.

I'll see you all on the new thread!

 

[Suzy Mouse]

I just purchased a set of Firm dvds this weekend. I was thinking of returning them because they all seemed to be working on the abs. I guess it's the way the titles are. SO...thanks for everything you have written here. I am no going to be keeping them and attempting to start working out!

A name for me....FIRM Believers!

 

[sueg]

FIRM is definitely not just for ABs. I think that the FIRM has greatly reshaped my butt and shoulders/upper arms. Many of the tapes have an AB section, but it is usually the shortest segment of the workout. You can focus on certain areas of your body, but I think that using various FIRM tapes offers a great "total body" workout. (I'm starting to sound like the informational!)

 

[ZerasPride]

I agree with what you said Sue.

I also think BSS1 is better for beginners or those who have not worked out with the FIRM before. I borrowed a friend's BSS2 DVD set and watched it. I turned it off and thought to myself how fortunate I was to have BSS1 because I don't think I would have even attempted the FIRM if all I saw was the second edition. Just something for any newbies to consider. BSS1 has a 55 minute cardio work out, a 25 minute ab work out and a work out for upper and lower body - that I don't think works on abs at all. They are very nice and I plan to use them until I hit onederland then I might consider buying BSS2.

 

[MelanieC]

Yep, I agree. The ab work is only 6-10 minutes long. Usually about 6 minutes. I used to hate ab work, but I actually encourage you to try them. I seem to love ab work now, and can feel a huge difference in mine.

I can definately see where BSS1 is easier to learn than BSS2. I stood there laughing when I first did BSS2 the first time. I keep thinking, are they crazy! It was very funny.

When you start out, just do as much as you can do and use little or no weights. Work on form and the moves. Then you can add weights later.

 

[bicker]

I think they really hit on something with BSS1. Remember, the Firm had been around for a while by then. There were systems before "System 1". And they were as difficult to pick-up as I believe BSS2 is. BSS1 is really a gem.

 

[sueg]

Bicker, If you like BSS1, you might like "Super Body Sculpt" w/ Stephanie Corley. I don't plan on buying BSS2 due to the sculpting stick & some of the comments about BSS2 that I've read on these Bds. So I was delighted when I stumbled onto Super Body Sculpt. I needed a new tape for some added interest & this one fit the bill. Three segments: Upper, Lower & Ab. During the week, I do Upper & Lower for a less than 40 minute AM routine. SGG

 

[cinmell]

Are there sets where you can buy the dvd's with the fanny lifter and stick? I haven't seen any. Thanks!

 

[MelanieC]

I think only from Collage video and FIRM direct. Only on BSS2. I have only seen BSS1 with either the stick or the fanny lifter.

Collage



FIRM Direct

 

[bicker]

Originally posted by sueg
Bicker, If you like BSS1, you might like "Super Body Sculpt" w/ Stephanie Corley.

Yup. Love it.

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

Count me in! I love the FIRM! What does BSS1 and BSS2 mean??

I have the three set tapes before they came up with the stick. I have the fanny lifter...can't imagine trying to do the workout without it!

I've been stumbling on my workout routine since I started a new job. But hopefully with this thread I can get back to business.

 

[MelanieC]

BSS means Body Shaping System

1 is the first set (BSS1 or BSS) It is the set that you should have
Ab Sculpt
Body Sculpt
Cardio Sculpt

There were 6 add on video's to the orginal BSS system
Body Sculpt Blaster
Cardio Sculpt Blaster
Lower Body Sculpt Vol 1
Lower Body Sculpt Vol2
Super BOdy Sculpt
Super Cardio Sculpt

BSS2 is the last infomercial with the sculpting stick
Total Sculpt plus ABS
Complete Aerobics & Weight Training
Maximum Cardio Burn plus ABS

There were 3 add on videos
Calorie Killer 1
FIRM Abs
UPper Body Sculpt

BSS3 is the newest one about to come out

3 main video's

and 5 add on video's.

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

thanks! Now I see that I have BSS1...didn't realize there are add on videos...I'll have to check that out!