The Firm: Body Sculpting System 2 - Calorie Killer

Rating:
Summary: Good workout, but not my favorite.
Review: I got this DVD as part of the expansion set for the BSS2 along with Firm Abs and Upper Body Sculpt. Don't get confused by GoodTimes' packaging--this is the same Calorie Killer that came as an add on to the Body Sculpting System 2. It's been repackaged as "Fast & Firm Series Calorie Killer" for the retail market. You'll need the Fanny Lifter, but even though the workout calls for the Sculpting Stick, I view it as optional. Use light dumbbells instead. (You'll see why later in my review.) It's a good workout, and a bit shorter at 40 minutes than some of the others. Don't worry, though--you'll still have worked up a good sweat by the end.

However.

I don't care for the way she has the viewer straddle the step by just tapping down and up on the same side without alternating feet. It's a good way to trip, espeically if you are fatigued. I am a veteran of step aerobics and am in good shape, but I have almost taken a couple of really scary spills while doing this move on the 8" step. Nancy also appears to be at a loss as to how to use the sculpting stick effectively. At one point, you're stepping onto the fully assembled 14" fanny lifter and alternating the stepping up with a bicep curl, leaning the stick from side to side, and then bending at the hips, just holding the stick. The other instructors that use the stick seem to have a better grasp of how to use it to enhance the workout instead of just carrying it around. She also mistakenly reverses her "go right/go left" instructions several times, something I've seen almost all of the instructors do on my Firm DVDs. (The Firm's penchant for doing everything "backwards" confused me a lot at first, since I've never had an aerobics instructor do that before.)

On the other hand, the choreography is fun and varied. I like the addition of sports drills like the football run and the shuffle/shoot the basketball moves. The boxing is just complex enough to make you feel really accomplished when you master the hop-turn move.

This is a good DVD, and I highly recommend picking it up to flesh out your collection of Firm DVDs. It's just not quite my favorite.

Rating:
Summary: A Firm Favorite...buy it and enjoy!
Review: I have been using the Firm Body Sculpting System for 10 months. I really like the workouts. This one is my favorite! Nancy Tucker is a wonderful instructor who will lead you through a full-filled, sweat-drenched workout! I think she created a unique and fun workout. She is my favorite Firm instructor. You will not regret purchasing this workout!

Rating:
Summary: I just love it..
Review: I have Many of the Firm Tapes and this one is top on My list. This is not for people just starting out. it is long and hard.. However if you are looking for a video to add to your collection then this is the Firm Video for you.. Watch the Video first before you actually try to do it. you will find that you pick up much of the steps that way..


Rating:
Summary: Very, very fun
Review: I have to say first that this is one of the funnest cardio workouts I've ever done in my life. The music is great and the moves will blow you away! There's everything from step work to low impact moves to tall stepping on the "Fanny Lifter" and all of it is fun. There were some complaints about the cueing. Nancy Tucker has never been my favorite Firm instructor. Her voice is a bit dull but that has never ruined the actual workout experience for me. I found no difficulty following her through the first time (perhaps because I'm used to doing the Firm workouts), except for one spot during step aerobics where she failed to tell you what to do. It still trips me up. But don't let that stop you from buying it. It's great, intense, fun, just a marvelous cardio invention. Keep them coming, FIRM! Kitka

Rating:
Summary: I've got to add this to my collection!
Review: I rented this DVD just to try it out and now it must become part of my fitness DVD collection. It is very fun and the time flies by. It is 45 minutes long, yet it seems faster than some of the 30 minute workouts I own.

Calorie Killer is led by Nancy Tucker. Nancy is not the most personable instructor at first, but she really grew on me. The best thing about this cardio workout is the variety. You will not get bored because she combines low-impact aerobics, step aerobics, and even sports drills. This workout uses the firm fanny lifter and sculpting stick. If you have a step of any sort and a broomstick or body bar, you could substitute those.

I am an intermediate/advanced exerciser and so I completed the workout but I was definitely drenched in sweat and "asassinated some calories", as Nancy puts it! A beginner would want to take it slowly, but there is an instructor who demonstrates beginner modifications, so I wouldn't say a beginner shouldn't buy this.

Rating:
Summary: Too Easy
Review: This is one of the easiest The Firm videos I've seen. It's tough to even work up a sweat unless you add your own steps in-between the choreography. It's very slow. I wear a heart rate monitor when I work out and with most interval workouts (including The Firm) I'm at 150-170. With this workout, I'm barely at 138. I only use this one when I've really pushed myself that week and want something easy. This would be a good pick for someone wondering about The Firm. Easy introduction.

Rating:
Summary: Be very careful about ordering from The Firm
Review: We have dealt with this company on a couple of occasions (giving them the benefit of the doubt the second time). To date we still have not received the videos that we ordered (though they assured us they would arrive by Christmas), but they have charged our credit card. Their customer service is severely inadequate and failed to provide any answers (other than giving us a tracking number for a product that has yet to be shipped). We will not work with them again and warn others that dealing with this company may cause them similar problems.

Rating:
Summary: Calorie Killer is guilty as charged!
Review: When I finally graduated up to The FIRM workouts I wondered if I would ever be able to perform the exercises correctly and fluidly because they moved so quickly and the choreography seemed a little confusing, nevermind challenging. Today I am the proud owner of 15 workouts and Calorie Killer may just be my favorite. There is only one segment where I still feel like I have to read Nancy's mind because her cueing is off - but oh the joy when you get the routine down and keep up with the pace. This workout is strictly cardio and lots of fun. Beginners, don't be intimidated! It might take some practice, but you will learn it and love it. Prepare to sweat and reap the rewards. A definite must-have for your fitness arsenal.