Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32533 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-03-06
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Colour, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 52 minutes

Customer Reviews

Actually delivers visible results
THE EXERCISES: Watched this through first time and was initially disappointed as the moves looked very easy, HOWEVER...actually doing the DVD completely changed my mind. The reasons? Well, it starts off with a few minutes warm up that is not overly strenous but does get you warm. It then consists of segments - Cardio 1, plyometric 1, going up to 3 of each, folowed by a cool down. For those who don't know what plyometric is, think Davina's DVD's and the interval training...basically short physical exertion moving on to a short weights section. Each segment is around 8 mins long, so this means the time flies. The 'cool down' is the Abs sesction and is deceptively effective...and TOUGH! Don't be fooled by the title! The instructor is excellent at telling you what to do in advance and the camera work is good so you can clearly see all of the moves. There is also a beginner's modification. I personally did not like the Cardio 3 section as I found it a little too "two-left feet" for my taste, but I just repeated the Cardio 2 section as a replacement.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: You will need weights, they define these as light to medium, and medium to heavy. I've been doing these with 1kg weights (or use filled water bottles)as I put on muscle easily and being only 5 foot, am paranoid about this. However, I am purchasing 2 kg weights to add a little more difficulty to the moves.

RESULTS: The DVD's claim to show visible results after 10 sessions, so the real issue is, does it? Well, for me, I have muscly thighs and after 6 sessions, I have lost 3 quarters of an inch from each, so the instructor's claim that it will give you lean thighs IS correct. (The alternating squat lunges with a hop to each is an ABSOLUTE killer!) I have also seen that where my back used to bulge around my bra, this is also disappearing. I am personally highly impressed with the cool down abs section as especially around my sides, I can feel the firmness that wasn't there previously.

OVERALL: This is my first Firm DVD and I am impressed. I previously really liked the Billy Blanks Tae-Bo workouts (and still do!), however, I am now a fan and have purchased the Firm's Core workout DVD on the basis that Alison Davies is the instructor (will post a review on that once tried). However, as I am only really interested in results with the minimum amount of effort required (yes, I am essentially lazy)I have to say that this blows Davina's DVD's out of the water on the basis I find it motivating, and actually works. I am not a fitness freak and struggle to a. exercise at all (especially being an unfit smoker, and b. I get very demotivated if I cannot see any results quickly. For the superadvanced fitness junkie, this is probably not the right DVD but for the average joe, regardless of fitness level or actual size, my view is that this is a very good way to kick start the weight loss for summer. I imagine that combining this with pilates sessions would probably be the perfect way to really lose weight and streamline the body. Seriously, I've tried a LOT of exercise DVD's and I really do recommend this. If you have a multi-region DVD player, just buy it. You won't look that attractive sweating away while doing it ~(and yes, I DO sweat every d*mn time)but just buy it. Enjoy!

Brilliant - great workout
Phew this is a brilliant DVD! - I was really impressed. The only DVD I stick to is Pump it Up and I havent managed to find anything that works me as hard as that does, until I found this one ! - Its not complicated, its basic and she works in a kind of circuits type way. It gets your heart racing and your muscles aching. I'm really impressed as I have bought about 30 DVD's in the past couple of months and none of them provide me with a simple but high energy fat burning workout. Most of them are silly dance moves so if you have two left feet - you stand no chance ! - this is great and the instructor is the best I have seen. She tells you exactly what you are doing in good enough time so you arent left behind. BUY IT NOW.

This will get you into shape
If you only buy one excercise dvd, get this one. It is absolutley fantastic, and will get you into shape. You will need a pair of handweights and off you go to the warm up. Then it is on to 3 alternating plyo and cardio routines and the final section before the stretching is an ab workout done standing and on the floor. The moves are very basic, no dancer's coordination needed. But the moves are hard, lunges combined with leg lifts and hand weights, jumpin jacks and so on. Lots and lots of jumping and your heart rate will rocket up there and you will be sweating. There is however a lady who does some modifications if you can't keep up the high intensity for the entire workout. This workout includes cardio, strength training and stretching for your entire body, so you do everything in one go. And best of all it is only 52 minutes.

The instructor is fabulous and cues really well. I particularly like her southern accent. Buy this one. You won't regret it.