[.ca] Super Body Sculpt - the Firm -

Efficient total body workout:
Stephanie Corley is one of the best of the new Firm instructors. Like most Firm instructors, she cues moves and changes very well. However, unlike a good number of them, she manages to be motivating without being condescending and uses a lot of clear visualizations. The workout, designed by Corley, is efficient and hits everything. Those who want the more traditional Firm approach incorporating multi-body part moves (e.g., bicep curls as you squat) or mixing upper body and lower body exercises (e.g., lunges followed by lat rows followed by dips) will be disappointed. This is more "gym style" in it's approach, working Upper Body, Lower Body, then Abs. However, within each section, Corley mixes body parts. So within Upper Body, you would work triceps, then biceps, then triceps, then back to biceps. With a change in lifting tempo (1 up, 1 down, then 2 up, 2 down, then maybe a 3-count pulse), it's unlikely that you'll be bored though. I always find that if I heavy up on the Firm leg exercises I get into my aerobic training zone. This was no exception. Mercifully, however, this workout only has two sets of the famous tall step leg press and only (I believe) 1 set of lunges and dips each. You'll be working, but you won't be dying. It's worth noting that all of the exercises in the Lower Body section are standing- if you want floorwork, look elsewhere. The abwork is a nice, short mix of traditional ab crunches and some Pilates-inspired moves (leg pulls, leg lowering). Probably my least favorite section (I'm not a fan of traditional ab work), but nothing wrong with it. A tall step (12 to 14 inches) is required, particularly for the leg presses. I use a sturdy stool. The 6 inch step is used here to aid in the lunges and dips, but if you've lunged before without a step, you'd probably be fine. Those with not so great knees (like yours truly) will probably want to use the 6 inch step. Each workout includes a warmup and a stretch. This is a great tape for those who are consistently short on time but want to get in a thorough sculpting workout.

Extra Equipment Needed:
If you are purchasing this item, you will either need to buy a "Fanny Lifter" or use your own step in the best way you can. I think you really should have the equipment they recommend as I could not do part of the video without it. If you have any knee problems, skip this completely. We are talking about a knee intensive workout. Squats, lunges and lots of aerobic moves. This is definitely an intermediate workout with the weights. Beginners can do the exercises without the weights. You will break a sweat while doing this workout. That is for sure. It is fast paced and the three segments seem to go by in no time at all. You need three sets of weights - 3, 5 and 8lb dumbbells. There are three workouts which do have enough of a warm-up and cool-down segment so you can do them individually when you don't have 40 minutes. Workouts: Upper Body Lower Body Ab Workout Stephanie Corley leads this workout that has yes, not one, but five instructors. Calorie Burning Workout!

total workout!:
I have been using the Firm Body Sculpting system for about 4 and half months. I have really seen some good results but wanted something new to work out to. I recently purchased this video about two days ago and worked out to this last night. This is one of the best. You will get lower and upper and ab work all on this one tape. I agree with some of the comments I have read about some of the older firm tapes which I have purchased that the instructors are not friendly and the music is kind of cheesy but this video has great music and instructors. If you want a total body work out this is the tape. This will be my favorite for some time.

My FAVORITE firm tape!!!:
Ok, I have the worst knees in the world and this workout is FINE! (someone said to skip this workout if you have bad knees) Recent research has proven that for maximum fat loss one needs 25% cardio and 75% resistance training. This tape is almost perfect for that! (See Business Plan for the Body) This tape is divided into 3 sections, each 15min. I try to do all of them at once and it is exhusting! Each muscle group is worked to resistance and there is no time wasting dancing around!!! I use this tape on my body sculpting days and alternate it with cardio and the newer body sculpt with abs. I would do only this one on my sculpt days but you know that "muscle confusion" is important! The entire body is worked, including abs. Also, you can adjust this workout by increasing or decreasing your weights.

Excellent weight body sculpting workout:
I like Stephanie Corley very much as an instructor, this workout was a perfect length 45 min and had so many additonal sculpting exercises i KNOW will be feeling it tomorrow as much as any aerobic step workout. Excellent!