Customer Rating: 
Summary: Jan
Comment: The Firm - Total Body Toner
I found this to be an excellent workout that seems to go quickly. The instructions are clear. You can feel the results immediately.
I have bad knees, and there are lots of lunges in this DVD. I find however if I am very careful I can do most the excercises.
I would suggest to watch the excercises before doing them. When I tried watching the DVD while twisting, I hurt my neck! This is probably true for any workout and not a reflection on this DVD however.
I would definetly recommend this DVD.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Love It
Comment: I LOVE these new Firm DVD's that are back to the basics - cardio + sculpting, with just simple hand held dumbbells - none of the gimmicky stuff that is expensive and awkward and sometimes shameless (hello, "sculpting stick" - i.e., just a means to make money). Maybe Gaim, who now owns the Firm, is responsible for this back-to-the-basics move, and I am extremely pleased. It's simple, and it delivers. I think the workouts are much more fun to do when you're focusing simply on your body and the weights - not lugging around a fanny lifter, a bench-press thingy (can't even remember the gimicky name for that), or an unnecessary sculpting stick. I always thought the Fanny Lifter seemed a little dangerous, too...it works your legs REALLY hard, to the point of loss of muscle control, and you're teetering precariously on top of these stacked boxes...for someone like me who has to be precise and careful with her movements due to a repaired ACL (knee ligament) from an injury years ago, this is not the way best way to go. Furthermore, the Fanny Lifter always got my knees (both of them) - crunching. Literally. Making an unpleasant crunching sound. Ahem.
Nonetheless, I've stuck with The Firm over the years, because I've tried so many different brands and instructors, and The Firm seems to me to be the most efficient, effective, straight-forward, pleasant, uncomplicated (despite the use of a couple of the tools mentioned above, which aren't nearly so bad by a long shot as some of the needless fancy-footwork utilized by other instructors/brands), and un-embarrassing (barring their now nearly obsolete 80's videos with big hair and weird outfits; these are EXTREMELY hard, and long, with heavier weights and millions of reps, but they were rewarding because of it [and they focus entirely on cardio + weights too...but I think these videos were probably simply TOO HARD for the average exerciser]).
Anyway. As for this particular DVD, I am really happy with it. After a long pause of NOT doing DVDs, I am in average shape, and mainly need to shrink a bit and tone up. I find this DVD challenging enough that I feel worked out when I am through, and am sweating lightly while working out, with a light - medium raised heartrate (which is the best zone to be in for burning fat). My muscles feel tired when I am through. HOWEVER (and this is key), I don't feel so exhausted that I don't look forward to doing it again the next day. I also love that this new series seems to focus on a 40-45 minute workout (I have 3 of the new series, including this one). Perfect amount of time. Feels much more do-able. With these new DVD Firm series, it is the first time in a LONG TIME that I have worked out many days CONSECUTIVELY - I am really happy about that. Otherwise I tend to be a sporadic exerciser. So that is probably what I love most about this new series - it is challenging, but I feel that I CAN conquer it, and CAN look forward to doing it again tomorrow.
Finally, I love that they incorporate a few oldie-but-goodie moves that I've seen used on some older videos by different instructors, namely, the embarrassingly-slightly-creepy Brad-Somebody from the Look Great Naked series and Tamilee Webb from her individual sets of Great Arms, Great Legs, Great Abs series. Both of these instructors had these really effective sculpting series....only problem is, it wasn't incorporated into an entire workout. They were for 15 minute bouts of sculpting, focusing on one particular area.
Whew. So. Bottom line: thanks, Firm, for keeping it simple, modern, safe, effective, professional!
Customer Rating:
Summary: One of the best Firm dvds
Comment: I LOVE this workout dvd. Allie is my favorite Firm instructor to begin with, and she is great on this one. Her cueing is excellent, great use of weights (which I love) and a fun overall workout. No use of the Fanny Lifter here, or any of its permutations, but still an excellent all around workout.
Customer Rating:
Summary: My absolute favorite exercise video
Comment: This video is the perfect length and it gives you a decent cardio workout while toning. I love how they get your upper body and lower body working at the same time. Very efficient.
Customer Rating:
Summary: This workout is FUN
Comment: Nothing beats a good FIRM workout. Especially one that doesn't need a lot of added equipment.
Even though I am now 53 I'm still in great shape and this workout is challenging, moves right along, is fun, and only takes 40 minutes. When I'm done I really feel like I've gotten a good workout.
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