The FIRM - Cardio Sculpting Balls: Cardio Core Fusion Review

The FIRM - Cardio Sculpting Balls: Cardio Core FusionRebekah Sturkie, 2007

This is a 55 minute mostly cardio workout led by Rebekah with 4 background exercisers. Emily shows the beginner modifications. The set is the white room with the (fake) city view windows. For this workout you will need the 2 two pound sculpting balls that come with the dvd. The dvd has 2 shorter premixes on it; a 30 minute all sculpting workout, and a 30 minute core cardio workout.

This workout really has a functional feel to it. Its obviously not heavy (or even close) sculpting BUT you can get some lower body, body weight work in. There are a fair amount of lunges and dips so if you really go deep into the move you can feel it. The upper body really cant be worked w/ the 2 lb balls because there really arent enough reps. You could easily use dumbbells for the majority of this workout if you wanted to up the strength work. I actually used heavy dumbbells in the last strength set (the one with the "X marks the spot move").

The cardio work is solid in this w/o! Especially if you add in plyos & do all the advanced moves throughout the dvd. She does some squat thrusts, a side jump, soccer drills w/ the balls on the ground. Lots of good stuff here.

There is a lot of core/ ab work in this one. Some crunches but a lot of standing ab work. She includes lower back work too which is always nice IMO. Lots of functional moves like picking up the ball off the floor.

I would rate this a higher intermediate with the option to up or down the intensity if you want. I really like the workout. Its fun and unique and def worth picking up. You can use the balls in other workouts as "boosters" and get use out of them too. Rebekah is a good lead and cues well. All the moves are athletic-nothing dancy or complicated.