The FIRM: Hi-Def Sculpt

The thing with being very overweight and trying to do these videos is that sometimes it's hard to do the exercises as fast as the instructors. I can do dips and lunges just fine, but by the time I get my leg forward -- with good form -- to lunge, they're already bringing their other foot forward. This DVD takes care of all that. It goes at a slow pace, but not too slow as not to get your heart rate up. You're doing lunges at a slow rate but you're also doing weight presses over your head so yeah, you'll sweat.She starts out advising you to have light and medium weights by your side, but through the whole thing you only use one set of weights. So I guess you can decide which ones you want to use in the beginning. The instructor seems a little nervous and misses a couple cues but once you do this DVD a couple times, you'll get past it. In fact it's endearing.The only thing I miss in this video is the many reminders to keep your abs in; I like it when instructors constantly remind you of what your form should look like. For example, she reminds us to "lead with your elbow" for a couple of the exercises but I think more could have been done. One instructor from another DVD says that the plies should feel like your back is sliding up and down a wall. Things like that.All in all, the best all-over toning workout I've ever used.

I'm not really one to write reviews for things, but I feel as though these workouts deserve recognition. My first experience with The Firm was a few years ago when I decided to buy and try the Transfirmer series of workouts. I wasn't necessarily a beginner at that time, but man..those workouts kicked my butt! I then ordered the previous body sculpting series videos to rotate to avoid boredom. I had great success with them but for whatever reason, I ended up joining a local gym and the The Firm videos/step began collecting dust. Fast forward to present, a husband and almost 2 year old daughter later, I decided I needed something that worked for me at home bc trying to coordinate a toddler to your desired gym schedule isn't necessarily the easiest task (not to mention wasting so much gas). It dawned on me to re-order some of The Firm workouts, new and older DVDs; no more driving 30 minutes to the gym for me! Let me tell you, as someone who is by no means a beginner when it comes to fitness, these workouts are no joke. I got a better workout with these DVDs than I did at any class or time on the treadmill/elliptical. I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who wants to get in shape and get there FAST. I can tell a change in my body already-they promise results in 10 workouts, but you'll see it before then. Trust me. What's also great is that you can make them as easy or as challenging as you desire-increase or decrease your weight. Either way, you'll get a great workout!

This is my workout DVD by The Firm as Annie as the lead instructor. I have at least a dozen Firm videos but none of them were of Annie leading. I wondered what to expect. The workouts itself are great and I like the fact that she reiterates throughout the video the importance of form. I liked that she would have you put the weights down and stretch after working out for so long. The stretches were very short but at least it was something. It can prevent injury.She recommend medium and heavy weights. From my observation, I don't remember them switching out to heavier weights. It seems that all the crew worked out with the same dumbbell weights from start to finish. I started out using 5-pounds and I do keep at 8-pound nearby because I do not like combining weights. I prefer to just grab one heavy dumbbell, such as one 8-pound or 10-pound dumbbell to do an exercise with verses holding two of them in one hand to complete an exercise.The express workout I believe is only 25 minutes but it targets your ab more with floor exercise; whereas, the 45 minute exercises the abs but not as much as the express workout.The only con to this video is that her cuing is off and you don't realize it until you see some people are doing different moves.