Why I love The Firm

Just wanted to update everyone on my "The Firm" sucess! I love this program, it makes you feel so strong and starts to "lean" you up so fast! In just one month, I lost 1/2 inch everywhere except my calves where I gained 1/2 inch, which is good b/c my calves are on the slim side. I also lost 4 pounds, it doesn't seem like all that much, but I can tell in my clothes. The best part is a co-worker commented on seeing that I was slimming down, she said she noticed my pants are fitting differently, ( more room in the thighs!!!! HORRAY!!!! Just where I needed the most help! ) I recommend this for anyone who wants to firm and tone up... just check it out pleeeeaaassseee.... The Firm (http://www.firmdirect.com ) PEACE! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[HOTCHOCOLATE]

You go Girl!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm going to set up a work-out schedule for next week with my collection of THE FIRM videos.

[brownrelaxedhair]

Caramela,

Congrats on the bod success so far!

How does The Firm compare to Tae Bo Get Ripped in terms of intensity level? do you work out as hard or is The Firm more or less challenging?

I recall you used to use Tae Bo once (which I now have).

Also, with the daily exercising, how are you coping with the hair? are you washing/COwashing after each session and air drying or rollar setting still?

Thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I think that the firm is so much more challenging than any other workout I've done. It's HARD, but the results you get are awesome.
I am doing shampoo washes 2x a week and conditioner only washes the other days I workout. You'd be amazed at how sweaty I get! Then I'm just scrunching and letting it airdry, it waves up quite nicely.

[brownrelaxedhair]

Thanks Caramela, your hair routine sounds somewhat similar to mine.

I'm amazed to hear that The Firm is actually MORE challenging. Whaaaaaaa? I didn't think it got any worse than the Advanced Tae Bo! which really kicks my [censored] /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Thanks for the input. One final question: Is the Firm like a step workout that uses hand weights?

Thanks.

It's not really like a step aerobics workout if that's what you mean. It's very intense body sculpting. You do lots of lunges, squats, leg presses, back work, arm work & shoulder work. It's awesome. You use the fanny lifter for a variety of things. There is one step aerobics-like segment in one of the tapes but that's just one of the many things you do w/the workout. I am hooked!

[brownrelaxedhair]

Thanks it sounds very much like a body conditioning type of work out using weights to sculpt.

Keep up the good work!

[sassygirl125]

I'm jealous!
I used to loooove The FIRM! My body really changed for the better with those workouts. But re-occuring shoulder/neck problems made FIRM workouts impossible for me. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
If you have any tapes with segments led by Tamela Hastie or Dale Brabahm (sp?) look for the only black woman in the background. That's me! Really--I'm not kidding.
Very short hair! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I don't know the names of the tapes because they changed the names three or four times. And the segments were spliced into a bunch of other tapes. At least nine...
And I only got paid for two! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[Supergirl]

Alright Girl!!!!!

What is your workout schedule? Like, what tapes do you do and on what days?

I think you should be like our "Firm Club Leader at LHCF." All of us FIRMERS can check in with one another and keep each other accountable. What do you think?

Supergirl, I only have the three tapes & fanny lifter ( body sculpt, ab sculpt and cardio sculpt) .... my sched right now is :
m- cardio sculpt
t- ab sculpt & step aerobics
w- REST
th- body sculpt
f-ab sculp & lower body sculpt
s- REST
sn- ab sculpt & yoga

[Supergirl]

Thanks Caramela. That is awesome that you are so consistent with your workout. That is inspiring. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[lala]

Hello Everybody!

I'm new to the forum, but I had to put my 2 cents in on the Firm. I am totally hooked on the Firm. I work out at least 5 days/wk and have gotten in the best shape. I have about 21 tapes and the fanny lifter. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs to lose weight and for toning flabby body parts.

*Sassy125 - I think I saw you on the Firm Cardio or Upper Body.

[Leigh]

Wow Lala. I have a lot of the old tapes. But not 21. Thanks for stating which one's you use Caramela. I've been thinking about getting those since they came out.

Leigh

[HOTCHOCOLATE]

Welcome to the board---LEVIE /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif,

I've got 16 Firm videos, 1 Jane Fonda, Walk-a-Way the Pounds, Power 90, 4 T-TAPP, and 5 CATHE FRIEDRICH (she's good). I guess you can call me a video junkie, also /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

[lala]

Karen,

Thanks for the kind welcome. I am not only a PJ, but a VJ. I can't seem to get enough of a good thing. My fav Firm tapes are Super Sculpting, Body Sculpt, Cardio Sculpt, Cardio Split, Fat Blaster and Ab Sculpt (in that order).

[vevster]

I used to do the tapes also but I had recurring knee/shoulder stuff going on also. I just GAVE away a All my firm tapes.

[sassygirl125]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
*Sassy125 - I think I saw you on the Firm Cardio or Upper Body.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think that was a woman named Kelsie. I wish I looked that good! I was in some of the newer tapes. Sorry I don't know the names. Like I said, they changed them a couple of times before they were sold in stores and at collagevideo.com They also edited the segments into several other tapes. I was in either Cardio Burn or Bust &amp; Butt and maybe Super Cardio...

[NAY007]

caramela (and everybody who use the firm tapes)

first of all congrats on you being so consistent!!
my question is did you order the whole thing for like $90, so you have the accessories or can you do the workouts on the tapes without having the steps??
i am always going to the gym but there are days when i am just not in the mood to leave the house so i was thinking about buying some tapes too.
but i know i will need some weights or steps or something.

thanks, nay.

Nay, I actually bought my 3 tape set and fanny lifter as a package from Target for $79.99. It doesn't come with weights but I actually already had some, so it worked out fine.

[deon19]

I also purchased tthe frim tapes and Fat Blaster and Body Scuplting . I just did the Fat Blaster for the first time today and I enjoyed the tape and how it change between the cardio and weights. Before using that tape I have been do 60min Tabeo adv and that NO Name Tape by a Ms Fitness America,and tht help me out a bit. I took my measurement
last month and on Satuday I will go to get measure for my Brides Maid Gown SO I HOPE I LOST SOMETHING IN THS PAST MONTH!!!!!! Peace and Blessing and I hope everyone will reach there fitness goals for the new year /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Julia]

Wow, hearing from all you Firm Enthusiasts is really encouraging. I asked Santa for the Firm for Christmas and I got the three video pack with the fanny lifter. How happy am I! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I have not started yet but I definately will because I have a lot of work to do...

My husband ordered it over the net and paid like $91 Cdn. for it!

[Chipmunk]

I have the firm too!!! It's great...now all I have to do is exercise daily /forums/images/graemlins/look.gif

[brownrelaxedhair]

For those interested in trying The Firm and not sure which to get, I emailed a girl from another board who went from a size 12 (post pregnancy) to a 4. I've seen pics of her. She looks AMAZING. I asked her advice on which she'd suggest using and here's her reply below (ps. this is based on me asking for challenging workouts). Also the website she quotes is really good. You get to see mini previews of the videos too which helps a bit:



Wow! Thank you Karen! Well, you're the first advanced exerciser I've given recs to, so this is nice! Now I can recommend the workouts that I do at this point!

First off, order from collagevideo.com. They're excellent, only charge $4.99 for shipping and you'll get your items in a few days instead of weeks.

You do need the Fanny Lifter step. It's an important part of the FIRM for all of their videos. The FIRM categorizes their videos into cardio, sculpt, and cardio+sculpt. Some tough, fun videos that I like:

cardio:
-Super Cardio Mix (DVD)** I highly recomment this tape. They DO use a ball in two segments but I use a 3 pound dumbbell turned horizontally between my hands just like I was holding a ball. It works fine and I have no plans to buy a ball.
-Cardio Burn (has some light toning at the end but is mostly cardio)

sculpt:
-Super Sculpting **
-Body Sculpt - in the kit I mention below
-Standing Legs (for lower body)

cardio+sculpt:
-Total Body Shaping Mix**
-Cardio Split**
-FIRM Crosstrainers Strength
-Body Sculpting Basics (this was their VERY first video, so it's totally cheesy 80's but it is a fantastic workout if you can get past the cheesiness!)
-Cardio Sculpt** (from the kit I mention below)

Another option for you would be to get the Body Sculpting Kit ($89.95 on their site) that comes with the Fanny Lifter, Body Sculpt, Cardio Sculpt and Ab Sculpt. I like the videos and it would give you the Fanny Lifter. You can get a great cardio tape like Super Cardio to go with your sculpt and cardio+sculpt tape and you'll be set! But I do love Total Body Shaping Mix!!!

If you don't want to shell out the money for the Fanny Lifter, you can go to a hardware store and pick up a 13-inch Rubbermaid Step Stool Toolbox for about $16 and use that for your "14-inch" step. But you'll also need a 6-inch and an 8-inch step stool too...Rubbermaid makes those too. Your equipment changes won't be as fast, but it will do!

If you're only going to get a couple of cardio+sculpt videos (since that's what you mentioned), I recommend Total Body Shaping Mix and Cardio Split. But I still recommend that you get Super Cardio Mix. My reason is that FIRM cardio isn't traditional cardio. They mix in weights, the step and floor, so you get great results!