tried firm for the first time...

[planningchick]

and I can only do like twenty minutes without falling over. truth be told, i have absolutely no coordination so I had to pause, figure out how to make my body do what they were doing and then continue. i feel really good and i was sweating up a storm, which is rare for me, but twenty minutes and I was done. now for you firm devotees, should i try to finish it tomorrow or wait the appropriate rest days? thanks!

[becky]

I'm a klutz when it comes to learning dance steps or aerobic routines. Whenever I get a new workout video, I watch it at least once before trying to do the moves. And if there are weights involved, I go through one run without them.

The FIRM has several different video workouts. My favorite is the Interval Training. The cardio parts are uncomplicated (which I really need) and the strength training parts are designed for any level of fitness (you choose how heavy/light). My first few times, I couldn't get through the whole hour, but I gradually worked up to using heavier weights. The stretching and cool-down were very effective in preventing soreness. The results were visible in a short time.

I live in a tiny apartment now, so I go to the gym to work out and my FIRM video is the one I miss most-it never got boring.

Go slowly and keep at it; you'll get it.
Becky

[Sari]

I was doing the Firm tapes myself and finishing them, however not without paying a price.
since it is a high tempo, big effort tape I wasn't doing it right all the time and compromised quality for the sake of completing it.
I would recommend you don't finish it.
build up to it.
take a day break in between those tapes and add a few minutes each time.
make sure you follow the instructions fully and if you feel sloppy I would recommend stopping immediately.
the damage you might incure will definitely outweight the few extra minutes of excercising.

good luck
I moved on to easier tapes and am doing them longer and focusing on Form.

[katey925]

I also have the firm workouts. While I was able to do them about 2 years ago, I am at about 15 minutes now. They are really challenging, and take some getting used to. I plan to do as much as I can for now, and build up, making sure I don't compromise proper form. Hang in there, the workouts are great, and as others have said, you will get it if you stick with it. Good Luck! Kathy

[girliepurple]

I absolutely love love love The Firm tapes!!!

I have been doing them for about 3 years now, started out with some that have been around since the early 90's, then bought the fanny lifter and have 9 tapes that go with that now. It was very hard at first, with the fanny lifter, once it took me an hr. to do a 30 min. workout, because I had to learn all the steps, and the names of their moves, etc., I was sooo frustrated and crabby but determined. Now I love all the tapes I have, I can work out almost every day, switching from higher impact one day to maybe just strength training another, and I have definitely seen results. If it weren't for my Firm tapes I would be a lot heavier. I love how they combine cardio with strength training, on every tape.

Take your time learning them, eventually you will know all the moves and keep up with the girls. For now proper form is key, even if you don't do all the reps. Depending on my mood/ day/ TOM, etc., I have trouble keeping up / they're a breeze! I am always challenged using them.

Good luck, keep it up!

[prismsun]

I definitely don't think of Firm dvd's as beginner exercises. I'd already done some WATP and Denise Austin before I gratuated to them.
But I have to say , once you know what you're doing, you can modify routines as you need to.
In the beginning, don't use weights. Don't do a full squats when just starting out. In time, you'll be able to do it all.
The thing is not to get so frustrated with the complexity of it all. It will be so worth it.

[mylikeit]

I agree with everyone above -- it's important (IMHO) to work up gradually with the Firm. Better to be sure not to injure yourself or overdo it (you're more likely to stick with an exercise plan if you don't overdo it). Do spend the full time on the warm ups and stretches. Limit your reps, use light or no weights and otherwise adapt the strenuous parts. It's perfectly fine to do 1/2 the tape at a time. I, too, struggle with the choreography when learning the tapes. It takes me a really long time to learn them and sometimes I just don't feel like "learning" a new tape. But sticking with it means that eventually you'll get it. I have found these workouts to be incredibly effective. I've been Firming since late December and have lost one clothing size in that time (without losing weight, so I figure I'm building muscle/losing fat)! Love it!!!!

[ema2two]

I tried them a year ago, when I lost my primary exercise of walking 50 minutes to work 4x/week, due to a move, and needed to find a new way to have activity in my life on a regular basis. I bought a new TV and VCR/DVD and set myself up an exercise room with the Firm BSS2 and BSS. Previously I'd supplemented my walking with Strong Women Stay Young (strength training==I strongly recommend it, no pun intended) and WATP when I couldn't walk. I used an elliptical one day a week when I work at a different site and couldn't walk there, but had use of the elliptical on the premises.

I hated the Firm. I found them disjointed and couldn't figure out the steps. Unfortunately for me, I didn't dig out my SWSY or WATP tapes, or try other things. I just didn't exercise for a year while struggling to get my baby weight off.

In December, I joined Curves. I loved it and felt great. Then I had to miss a planned workout, so I dug out the Firm tapes and tried again. I couldn't believe how much more reasonable they were. Still challenging, but no longer impossible. I still had trouble with the choreography on some of the cardio sections, but I just decided to fake it and keep moving and keep my heartrate up until I figured out the steps, and focused on my form in the weight work. I got better at them as I used them more, though I quickly developed certain tapes I preferred because I had mastered the choreography.

Lost the exercise room to renovations, so I'm holding off on the new TransFirmer. Would love to get a hold of the original tapes, but I can't figure out what they're called to try to find time.

Long story short--listen to your limits and work up to it, but stick with it and you'll get there.

[w8lossmom]

I absolutely love the firm!! My advice is like everyone else's. Don't sacrifice form to keep up or finish a workout. Go slow and do as much as you can. I sometimes have to pause the workout to drink water and catch my breath and then I pick up from there. Don't get discouraged, you'll be surprised how quickly you improve.