Customer Reviews
Emily's the best 
2008-05-07
I own 30 or so workout videos, and this one is my favorite. I agree with some of the other reviews that this workout, as presented, may be a little much for a total beginner at first- just adjust the # of reps and the weight until you're stronger. No problem. I did not find the moves to be hard to follow. Of course, it gets easier each time. Also, I replaced lunges with another move b/c my knees and lunges just don't mix. Anyway, eventually I could do this whole workout and more, in only a few months. You'll be surprised how quickly you progress, if you work out regularly. Also, I made the investment of the stick and the Fanny Lifter (pretty cheap off eBay) and was very glad I did. Again, substitutions are fine if you want; but remember a mop or broom weighs next to nothing while the stick weighs 8 pounds (I think) so you're losing resistance if you go that route, and may not see results as quickly. Also, a household stepstool is not going to be as safe, IMHO. You've got to be able to put your entire weight on the stool, on one foot sometimes, without worrying about tipping over and injuring yourself. So if you get only one thing, get the Fanny Lifter. Your legs and backside will look really good if you use this correctly. It's sturdy and durable and I love it.
(One more thing. Watch out for your ceiling fan. Learned that one the hard way.) ;-)
Let's face it, most workout videos have similar moves. There's only so many ways to lift a weight and do cardio in a small space. The reason I love this workout is mainly b/c Emily is such a good leader- likeable, enthusiastic without condescension or over-perkiness, and she tells you what to do next on the last rep of the previous exercise, so you can keep up. That is extremely helpful. Also, I love the music. It is a great motivator to me - if a workout video has cheesy music I won't use it, no matter how effective the exercises are. Of course, everybody's tastes differ, but give this one a try. I have this video to thank for losing 30 pounds and 4 dress sizes within a year. I've bought many newer videos lately to switch it up, but I keep coming back to this one.
Not My Favorite Firm Workout 
2008-01-19
I am new to the firm workout series. I am a runner/martial artist so I usually do these two activities for exercise. However I have been looking for videos that have some strength training aspects to them to round out my total fitness. My favorite firm videos so far are Super Body Sculpt and Supercharged Sculpting. This video was too much aerobic not enough weights. If you like the combo of the two activities then it is a decent choice. The ab section was good and the instructor didn't annoy me. However, I thought the use of the sculpting stick was pointless.
Fun Total Body Aerobic Weight Training Workout 
2007-09-09
I would rate this workout as a solid intermediate to low advanced. I would rate a Cathe Friedrich strength workout as an Advanced. This is a very fun with no dread factor true AWT workout. Emily is very personable and cues quite well. The pace of the workout allows for the exerciser to up the weights. The reason I find this workout so fun and effective is because it includes a little of everything and at the end I feel as though I've had a good total body workout. This workout includes some step routines, hi-lo, strength and floorwork. The variety is very motivating to reach for this time and again. The music is good. While the set is not as elaborate as The Firm Classics it doesn't take away from the workout. Everyone looks as if they are enjoying working out and this adds to motivate you to do the same. Of this series the other workout I also enjoy is Allie's Maximum Cardio Burn. Both of these are a favorite of mine.
Great Workout! 2007-08-23
I am startled that some people find this video to easy. I am an advanced cardio exerciser (5 days/ week 40-60 minute sessions) and I follow the advanced Firm rotations. I consider myself to be at an intermediate-advanced shape.
I do NOT have a sculpting stick, I have the TransFIRMer, and I found this video to be very challenging and HEART PUMPING! The trick to any FIRM workout is to really push yourself. Do you think the girls in the videos got so fit and sculpted using 3-8 pound weights? I don't! I busted out this video using 5-20 pound weights.
The heavy 4-limb at the beginning of this workout is 4-limb work at its best. I was truly huffing and puffing. Throughout the workout, any time the instructors used the stick for "balance" and held one dumbbell in their hand, I grabbed both dumbbells and really felt the burn.
I loved Emily as an instructor; I thought her cueing in cardio segments was right on. I found her cardio segments to be more fun than other FIRM instructors (I am a huge kickboxing fan). I did find the transitioning to be tough to keep up with, but there is a tiny little button on the DVD played labeled "pause" and I am not afraid to use it! I think that being challenged from quickly going from segment to segment when learning a new workout is a good sign, so when you are comfortable with it, there will be less waiting around for explanations.
My only problem with this video is doing chest work on the ground. I usually pull out a stability ball for other FIRM workouts, but Emily combines the chest exercises w/ tricep pushups, which need to be done on the ground.
All in all, this is so far my favorite Cardio + Sculpt workout!
Still a winner! 2007-08-07
I bought this DVD over a year ago and I still use it at least once a week, as part of a 4 - 5 day exercise program. I consider it to be low impact but I am dripping with sweat when I'm finished. There is very little jumping involved but the workout comes via the step and sculpting stick. Even the equipment is worth the money. Emily Welsh does mix up her left and right cues at times, but it's really no big deal. This Firm workout is one of four that I own and I like all of them. I sweat hard with all of them and they make me feel like my hour was well spent. Keep your water bottle and sweat towel close by because you'll barely have time for a sip or a wipe between routines. The music matches the routine and it all flows perfectly, in my opinion.
Too easy 2007-07-08
Exercise impresarios The Firm present this fine program that will guide you through a fat-blasting and muscle-shaping regimen. This workout features forty minutes of interval training geared toward body shaping, with chest and ab routines along with stretches and even some new, low impact kickboxing.
Great body workout 2007-04-11
Great workout, you cover every area of your body with intensity. No body part is left alone. Most workouts sometimes you feel as though a body part was neglected, not this one. A great buy that converted me to the Firm Series.
One of the longest Firm workouts but one of the best 2007-04-10
Enough people have given this video a glowing review that I probably don't need to add my voice as well ... but in case anyone needs more convincing, buy this video! I own nine Firm videos and this is probably my favorite.
Emily does a fantastic job and this is absolutely one of the hardest Firm videos -- but it's also one of the most fun. More than any other Firm video, this one leaves my muscles (especially the legs) feeling like jello by the end.
Emily keeps things moving along, which is really key, especially since the workout comes in at just over an hour long. Just when you think you can't possibly take more of a certain exercise, she moves you to a new muscle group. Her cardio and step segments are very fun and help the time go by very quickly. This is one video where I feel like it's over not too long after I've begun. The step moves do take some getting used to but I've had a harder time learning moves from other videos (such as the "box step" from Allie Delrio's Transfirmer video -- I've given up on ever getting that right and just march in place instead).
A quick word on The Firm in general: I have been doing The Firm off and on for about five years and religiously for the past four months. It is an awesome exercise program and has helped me improve my fitness enormously. It actually is fun, and it's efficient enough that you will see results quickly and thus remain motivated to continue. In the past four months I have made absolutely no dietary changes and yet I have lost almost ten pounds. I think this is especially significant because I have gained a lot of muscle, which weighs more than the fat I have lost.
If you are new to The Firm, expect to not finish a workout the first time through. Just watch the video and walk in place until you are comfortable and then pick it up again. The good news is that a) it works, b) you'll get used to it and be finishing workouts in no time (for me it was less than two weeks), and c) because it's so tough, you can continue using these workouts for months and even years without plateauing. Good luck!
Just a Beginner 2007-02-13
I bought this and tried it out today. I have been using The Firm Fanny Lifter for only 3 weeks. I enjoy the 3-in-1 DVD that came along with it, but I needed variety. Talk about a good cardio and weightlifting workout. WOW!! I am not what people would consider overweight, by any means, but if you are looking to tone up THIS is the DVD for you.
The cueing is a little shaky at times, but overall it is excellent.
Great workout that continues to challenge me! 2007-01-10
The FIRM is without a doubt the best workout series I have ever used. My best friend got me started with it and my cousin has even become an instructor at their studio in Columbia, SC!
I have owned Complete Aerobics and Weight Training for almost three years, and I continue to find it challenging. The aerobics portions are fun and invigorating, and the weight training leaves you feeling stronger.
Besides enjoying the FIRM's effective choreography, I find the cuing in this series very easy to follow. The instructors never suddenly throw something new at you. You always have plenty of time to prepare for the next move.
I'm pooped by the end of the hour, but I know I've done something great for my body.
