Rating: 
Summary: Awesome workout!!!!
Review: I recently purchased the DVD set-this being one of the DVD's. I was kind of nervous because I usually do Karen Voight-but this is a really challenging workout. Good mix of cardio and weights-the squats are killer, so I know my legs will be toned and fabulous. I just started the series, but I know that I will see results soon. As for the Fanny Firmer, you really do need it-a regular step didn't seem to work for me. Can't wait to do the rest of the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Might be a decent workout, but...
Review: I'm an avid fan of workout DVDs, and I just got this one, never having bought a Firm DVD before. What a disappointment! The first 5 minutes of the DVD are an advertisment for "The Firm" products...and to be sure, you have to have each and every one to follow along with this workout. I don't have the double-decker Fanny Lifter, I don't have the Sculpting Bar (or whatever it's called)...I just have myself, some dumbbells and an urge to workout. That's not enough for this workout.
Rating:
Summary: Great surprise for a long-time Firm user
Review: I've been doing Firm workouts for nearly two decades, consistently comparing every tape to the original Susan Harris/Volume 1. I love this workout -- it's young, fresh and vigorous. The instructor has excellent queing and, like Susan Harris, focuses on technique without sounding militant. I like the pace and I like the moves. The lunges are effective, but a little softer on the knees than the heavy-weight, deep-knee lunges of the original Firm tapes. A good mix of cardio and sculpting. This trio of tapes (BSS2 -- they introduce the sculpting stick) are some of the best I've seen from the Firm in years.
Rating: 
Summary: Good workout
Review: My favorite Firm workout so far-- I wish Emily Welsh had more Firm videos available! Originally had this on VHS, recently bought it on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Equipment was aggravating, steps hard to follow
Review: NOTE: This series revolves around the use of their 2 pieces of equipment. You might feel sort of left out seeing them use theirs if you don't have them. However, I think you could get by using a mop or broom handle in place of the sculpting stick and an ordinary exercise step that you already have. I didn't think the fanny lifter and stick were quite worth their high costs either. I found that grabbing and putting "out of the way" the sculpting stick as well as dis-assembling it and re-assembling it annoyed me. I was also greatly annoyed with having to move the fanny lifter and then retrieve it as well as taking it apart using half and re-assembling it. This may not sound demanding, but it really irritated me. The exercises were not synchonized for convenience. In other words, why couldn't they have me take apart the stick at the end so that I wouldn't have to put it together again?! Or why couldn't they do all the exercises/ moves that required a certain part of the fanny lifter together so that it wouldn't need to be almost constantly moved, retrieved and re-assembled?! What I REALLY and chiefly hated about this workout were the dancy aerobic segments. If one has almost "two left feet" and is not gifted at learning moves easily (like a cheerleader/dancer), this will be hard to follow (all Firm BSS2 were somewhat). I PREFER for the new moves or next moves to be explained to me BEFOREHAND not in the middle of the current move. If I have to completely stop and rewind or slow down to figure out the moves.., my hearbeat, of course, slows which is NOT good in the midst of any workout like this. I hate to have to stop moving because they added in a move I wasn't expecting. I guess I am spoiled from TaeBo and Winsor Pilates: where all new movements are explained/ demonstrated adequately before the reps begin. Some people may not have such trouble as I did catching on to the moves. As for the positives, these "felt" effective both during and the next day. Never got to actually see as I'm returning mine. These were difficult yet doable and lenghty. Music was fair. Emily was a good instructor- motivating without being irritating. There was a nice stretch and cool down. Wanted to give this 3 and a half stars, but was not possible. Overall, I just didn't think this is a workout I'd look forward to. It is quite important for me to not be annoyed and rather to have some fun while working out which is why this whole series ultimately gets the thumbs down from me. If you "catch on" easily and don't mind the equipment "hassles," you probably could make this work. Still, heed my warnings.
Rating:
Summary: Good but room for improvement
Review: Overall, this to me was one of the better FIRM DVDs; I was not impressed with the others I have tried so far. The workout was good, and the Fanny Lifter really does work you. I liked the mix of exercises, but changing equipment constantly was a bit of a distraction. Suggestions to the FIRM powers that be: 1. Have your instructors do more reps of new movs before moving on to something new.
2. Try to incorporate the Sculpting Stick in for more than balance.
3. Make your DVDs where it is easier to move back or move forward to different sections like those of Tamilee Webb---it is really annoying not having this feature.
Rating:
Summary: Work wonders
Review: The only thing that this workout needs when you are doing it is some good company to exercise along with you, otherwise from that, this is one killer workout.
I was considering spending some money that i didn't have and going to the gym, but a friend of mine loan me this dvd and i am hooked, i am sticking to the 10 day regime and see what happens. Right now i am on day five and i have seen results. This is one dvd i WILL recommend. i am about to buy another one or two of The Firm and let you guys know about it.
Rating:
Summary: 90% good, 10% not told
Review: This DVD is fun and CRAZY!!! Workout moves really fast so I have to be on your toes...or have the "pause" buttom ready to stop and setup. I did the program yesterday for the first time following the beginner instructor and today my thighs and inner thighs are a tad sore....which is good...it was what I was wanting. The only negative thing I can say is that the decription of the DVD both on the packaging and on Amazon does not tell you that you need a Sculpting Stick and preferably the Firm's Butt-Blaster steps which are taller than normal steps. I had to run out and purchase these items after starting the DVD and realizing I didn't have them. They also ask for 3#, 5# and 8# weights. Luckily I had those, even though the beginners some times do not use them at all. So, make sure you have these items. The cost was low, but I still had to make a trip to go buy them. ENJOY...this workout is the cardio/muscle sculpting tool I've been looking for. Plus, you don't need alot of space. KUDOS!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is a great workout! Never boring and very thorough. It's tough enough but not so much that I can't complete it. Emily's enthusiasm is infectious.
Rating:
Summary: I'm a Firm fan
Review: This is another effective Firm workout that is both challenging, fun, yet doesn't aggravate my bad back. My only beef with this workout is that the instructor, Emily, keeps saying "whoo" throughout the workout. Ease up on the fake-sounding enthusiasm. But the workout itself is great. I definitely recommend the Fanny Lifter with all these new tapes. This tape doesn't rely on the Sculpting stick too much so you could get away without it and not lose much effect.
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