Cheap The Firm: Cross Trainers - The Tortoise (Video) (Firm) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Firm: Cross Trainers - The Tortoise

Designed to work on alternate days with the HARE work-out (which I reviewed separately) this workout emphasizes slow moves with heavier weights. If weight work does not appeal to you (although it should, for overall fitness) then don't bother picking up this one. In this hour-long video you will use weights for thorough upper body sculpting as well as for the lower body (in lunges) and you will also use the tall step box to shape and define your lower body. Naturally, you need equipment - you will need weights 5-8lb dumbells for beginners (the cast uses a barbell but you can use dumbells) and two step boxes - tall (10-14 inches) and short (about 4 inches).

This workout is spiced up with short (and relatively easy) aerobic sequences to ballroom music. You will get your heart rate up to the cha cha, the tango, the waltz and others, complete with curtsies at the end. Weird? Maybe. But this may also be the exact weird thing you need to have a blast while getting some SERIOUS work done. I personally loved it.

The workout starts with an unusual ab work sequence in the beginning. This is different from traditional workouts where this is saved for last, but unless you just can't "stomach" starting out this way, this shouldn't bother you. Tracy Long cues flawlessly. She also gives instruction on proper form and is generally motivating but very professional. She does not yell at you to get that lazy butt off the couch - she assumes you take fitness seriously and don't need to be reminded of how rewarded you will feel once you are through. Susan Harris, the original FIRM instructor also makes an appearance in this cross trainer series, and leads you through some of the moves.

You alternate between working with weights and then doing some light aerobics to different ballroom tunes. The choreography (using the short step box) may seem complicated at first, but after several times you will follow it with ease. This tape will NOT teach you the ballroom dances - it is just a work-out to ballroom music for variety. If you can't stand ballroom but want to cross train try the FIRM strength and cardio series - same concept.

The weight work will be as difficult as the weights of the dumbells you use. Beginners can do this with no weights - still, this is a pretty advanced work-out. Intermediate to advanced exercisers will probably enjoy it more.
The work-out ends with more ab work and with a good stretching segment.

This workout is different and unusual - but EFFECTIVE. If you want results this is one to get. And if you are a woman and are worried about the body-building theme here, don't dispair - it is very unlikely and almost impossible that you will become the new Miss Hercules by doing this regularly. Chances are you probably won't even get to be as muscular as Tracy Long (maybe if you work VERY hard and use HEAVY weights) - but you will gain beautiful muscle definition, a toned look and you will lose weight.

Overall I give this work-out 5 stars because no matter how you may like or dislike the set, make-up, music, instructor, ballroom theme or anything else - the bottom line is that this is an excellent work-out for the body. Well researched, well executed, well cued - and is a lot more fun than weight work at the gym - at least to me.

Wow, what a long review I've written :D Did not realize I had that much to say...

Slower workout, don't be deceived
This video ranks up there, as one of the Firm's toughest, right next to Body Sculpting Basics and Low Impact Aerobics. It works the lower body very well. I'm impressed that when you watch the video you don't think it's not that hard, until you do them. I've been using the Firm videos, exclusively, for four months. The progress that I've made by making healthy choices in eating (not feeling hungry) and working out, I haven't seen since my younger years. I've lost 5 dress sizes. This video will only enable me to achieve more results. This video is an excellent workout.

Excellent Workout
When I first viewed this tape, I hated ballroom the music for the aerobic step parts. I was intimidated by the fancy footwork in those step parts as well, I thought I'd trip all over myself. I was not too eager for the long sets of leg presses...and I avoided it for about two weeks. It didn't take me more than one workout to get hooked on it though. I really like it now. Even the music has gotten better for me, and the fancy footwork is really fun. There is only one aerobic part, the "charleston" that I entirely skip simply because I don't like it. Nothing wrong with the cueing or the instructor, I just don't particularly like the routine. So I do something else instead or just skip it and move on to the next part. It's only a few minutes long and won't make or break the rest of the workout.

The Tortoise and the Hare are crosstrainers that work oppositely. So, the Tortoise uses slower music so that you can use heavier weights (At my current level, I can use up to 15-lbs with dumbells or a 35lb barbell and weights for military presses and biceps curls, squats, etc). Among other things, there are two long sets of leg presses on a 14-inch box (or a box height that is best for you based on your current level), a set of weighted squats and a set of weighted dip-backs, and relatively long sets of upper body work. So the workout is as challenging as you make it for yourself, and it's emphasis is on muscle sculpting. In other words, a beginner should have little problem doing the workout with light or no weights as he/she progresses. The advanced should get good results with heavier weights and proper form.

The Hare, it's corresponding crosstrainer, on the contrary, is faster and its emphasis is on cardio work. It has several fast aerobic sections on a 6-inch aerobic step, and the heaviest arm weights (during the aerobic sections) will probably be only 5 ot 7-lb dumbells, ok, maybe 10lbs if the segments aren't too fast for you. Then there are two sets of lighter weighted leg presses, and like 12min of ab/hip/thigh floorwork. So you crosstrain by alternating the two tapes so that your body does not get too used to (or too comfortable) doing the same thing. Plus when you do the heavier work, you can recover while doing the lighter work the next day.

I really like the setting of the old FIRM tapes. The settings are light, airy and IMOHO very well produced. I like the "class" setting more than I like the single lone instructor, but that's just me.

The music varies thoughout and with such a variety, there is something for everyone.

The instructor is strong and motivates me to do my best work. The cueing is very good as well, especially with the fancy footwork. The instructor is very experienced and her demeanor is professional and inspiring. I really don't take too well with the bouncy cream puff types, and really appreciate the "just do it" instructors who don't gab in between stuff, or sound like minnie mouse, etc. But that's just me. Everyone will find their own motivators.