The FIRM: Body Sculpting Basics

Great dvd! I have the original video and I am upset they got rid of some of the commentary/examples on how to strengthen your calf muscles by having a person straddle you to place extra weight on your body. I am not trying to be funny and I am not lying. It was the most hilarious thing I have ever seen. I wish that they had included this in the DVD.

I have always heard that the best workout is the workout that you’ll actually DO when it comes down to it. for me that means that the act of getting to the gym is usually such a chore i usually use it as an excuse to not work out at all. i’ve been getting annoyed with how little i’ve been using the gym and i remembered the workout my mom used to do all throughout my childhood and really the first workout that made me fall in love with fitness, this ancient workout from the firm! i was absolutely thrilled that the dvd was available on amazon and when i received it it was exactly as i remembered :)it is a cult classic for a reason, you’ll become addicted to its vibe and music. even though it may seem cringey at first, you have to give it a chance and you’ll see it pays off!the instructor has always reminds me of a barbie doll, and the other exercisers make it look fun, LOL. as for the dvd itself it has a long intro like 3-5 mins that i am not able to bypass on my dvd player but it may just be mine. The case has a very low quality look to it, see from the photo i posted that the images on it looks like a printed piece of paper. that doesn’t affect the quality of the video, im so happy with it! give it a try!

I just finished doing this video for the first time in many years and can feel the pleasant warmth in my muscles, just like the good ol' days! 20 years ago I owned the first five volumes of The Firm workouts on videotape and used them religiously; after my son was born I joined a gym but returned to my trusty videos any time I couldn't get to the gym (summer vacations and holidays - I'm a stay-at-home mom).I tore my meniscus in my right knee last summer and couldn't run for a while on the treadmill at the gym, my go-to quick cardio routine, so I went hunting around the house for my old faves when I realized I had dumped them a couple years ago while clearing out old videotapes. I was bummed and checked Amazon and was thrilled to see I could get these workouts on DVD, and for less than half what I paid 20 years ago - yay! I ordered volume I because I knew instructor Susan Harris, always my favorite, was reliably clear and enthusiastic in her instructions; I have pretty good rhythm and am fairly fit for my late 40's, but have never been good at watching an instructor and following along quickly, and I wanted basic, straightforward weight-lifting moves I knew how to do and could modify for my knee like lunges and squats - I don't go as low at first and don't use weights.Well I'll know by tomorrow how sore I will be, and if my knee can handle this, but it was wonderful, as always, to get that jolt to my fitness routine that these early Firm videos have always given me. I see they have multitudes of more recent videos, and I'm sure they are great and have their fans and followers, but I can and would highly recommend this gem to younger and older exercisers looking for a tough but adaptable program that is safe and effective, even after 20+ years. The one caveat would be the floor abs routine with all the traditional sit-ups; I know recent research had found these can be harmful to the back and core work (like the plank) is considered safer, and I will take special care to note any pain in my back and modify as needed. Otherwise, highly recommended for those looking for a workout that can really make you sweat while allowing for increasing weights used for those in better shape already.

This is an older video from the 80's I guess. I remember doing these workouts when I was younger. I no longer can do some things like the jumping and I can't go as long, but I can still do the basic moves with weights. By the way, they suggest using light weights and I am able to keep up. I only go about 15 minutes at a time, but hey, any little bit a movement counts. We must continue to move!

I have been using this video since at least 1995! It works every area on your body including lots of cardio - absolutely love this!

this video came out in 1986 and I was born in 1993, but I grew up watching my mom do the firm classic workouts in our basement. it's like watching an old favorite movie, I know all the cues and all the music! I started working out to these two years ago when I was 21 and I was shocked at how hard they were, and I was using the lighter weights! it's true, you really have to start out easy and work your way up the weights. You'll also be very sore the first few times you do it, but it only lets you know that it's working! please stay with it and it will get easier. I alternate between this video and volume 3 five times a week, and they are great for kicking your ass while helping you build strength to increase the weights you use. I'm proof these work, because I now use 12 and 15 lb weights and 5 lb ankle weights. These have helped me develop my delts, biceps, triceps, last, quads, glutes, etc. It truly is a total body workout. I am more confident in my body than ever and I feel stronger every time I do these. I cannot sing their praises enough.The 80's style may turn some people off, and I can't testify to that because I was introduced to them when I was very young so I'm used to it. However I find if you overlook the hair and makeup you will not regret starting this video, because it will immediately be a must-do in your exercise regimen. The combination of cardio and strength training will give you the results that most people are disappointed they don't get with hours on the treadmill. and Susan Harris is one of my favorite instructors - she is encouraging without yelling or being annoying. This really beats any class I've ever taken. Get this video, you will be so glad you did!