Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Gaiam: The Firm 500 Calorie Workout Review


The Firm: The 500 Calorie Workout
Kelsie Daniels, 2008

This is a 60 minute AWT w/o led by Kelsie w/ 4 background exercisers. Tina shows the beginner modifications. The set is one of my favorites-hardwood floors w/ the (fake) city backgound view from the windows. Kelsie uses one set of (5 lb) dumbbells but I used a variety; you wont need any other props for this w/o.

Kelsie alternates cardio and AWT strength segments thourghout this dvd. The sets are a nice length, so youre not switching up every few mintues, which I like. The pace is quick in this one so it was hard to use my typical Firm-heavy weights, I heavied up as much as possible and I am quite sore today! Kelsie does not waste any time in this one, but I didnt feel rushed or lost at all.

Her cardio is straightforward and athletic (love) w/out being boring or repetitive. She builds in intensity so its easy to amp up throughout or keep it lower intensity if you choose. You will see jacks, shuffle, grapevines, front & back V-steps, ham curls, etc. She puts fun spins on some typical hi-lo moves to really keep the w/o moving along and fun.

Her strength moves are all multi muscle and I found myself not able to go quite as heavy as I would have liked, but like I said-I am feeling it today so had I heavied up-I would probably have regretted it today! She combines a lunge with a bicep curl, squats with clean and press, side lunges-setting down the weight and picking it up, etc. What I really loved about her strength segments was that my heartrate really didnt drop at all.

She closes with a standing ab section that is used to cool down before you go down to the floor for more ab work and lying chest and tricep work.

I would rate this a higher intermediate- it is more challenging than most of the newer pinnk Firms. I really enjoyed this w/o and though its 60 minutes-I wasnt clock watching AT ALL! The time flew by and I was drenched with sweat by the end. Kelsie really makes the most of your workout time here.

58 comments:

  1. I learned that Rock Solid Cardio-which I want BTY- is $9.98, Club Member Price.

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  2. I also follow The Firm on FB.

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  3. The WAVE offers over 100 total body sculpting & toning exercises

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  4. A hottie named Lindsay shows up in the video at aprox 38 seconds into it.

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  5. The clip won't load for me at work but I've seen the infomrcial enough times (it's actually saved on my DVR) to know that our very own Lindsey Lu is in it!

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  6. Already like them on Facebook

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  7. #1 Re-Blogged here:

    http://www.huffandbuff.com/2010/06/29/this-week%e2%80%99s-fitness-giveaways/

    Maria

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  8. #2 Re-Blogged here:

    http://www.huffandbuff.com/2010/06/29/this-week%e2%80%99s-fitness-giveaways/

    Maria

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  9. #3 Re-Blogged here:

    http://www.huffandbuff.com/2010/06/29/this-week%e2%80%99s-fitness-giveaways/

    Maria

    ReplyDelete
  10. #4 Re-Blogged here:

    http://www.huffandbuff.com/2010/06/29/this-week%e2%80%99s-fitness-giveaways/

    Maria

    ReplyDelete
  11. #5 Re-Blogged here:

    http://www.huffandbuff.com/2010/06/29/this-week%e2%80%99s-fitness-giveaways/

    Maria

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  12. The Firm is uniquely effective because the intensity varies throughout the workout, you alternate upper and lower body work, and use variable resistance to work different muscle groups.

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  13. I went on the Firm website and learned what my BMI was, and that it is good! I have many FIRM workouts, and would love to try this one.

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  14. I learned that the FIRM Studio opened in South Carolina in 1979.

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  15. I recognized the lovely Lindsey on the Wave video. Way to go!

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  16. I'm a Firm Girl at heart, too. It's my fav, and helped me expand to liking other instructors.

    Not entering the contest, I have this DVD because I'm a Firm Girl...just really behind on blogs and wanted to say hello. :D

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  17. I learned that Rebekkah Sturkie is the Firm Studio Manager. It was also interesting to see who the instructors at the Firm Studio are now.

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  18. Bonus Entry #1 - I recognize you - LindseyLu - on the video clip! You are such an inspiration!

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  19. Bonus Entry #2 - I recognize you - LindseyLu - on the video clip! You are such an inspiration!

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  20. Bonus Entry #3 - I recognize you - LindseyLu - on the video clip! You are such an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Bonus Entry #4 - I recognize you - LindseyLu - on the video clip! You are such an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Bonus Entry #5 - I recognize you - LindseyLu - on the video clip! You are such an inspiration!

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  23. Another bonus entry - I follow your blog!

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  24. Not entering this week to allow somebody else a better chance of wining this one. But Lindsey, its clip did have a few moves that were in Brazilian Butt Lift!

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  25. Lindsey, son peeking over my shoulder questioned having a pizza ad on a fitness site LOL

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  26. haha Barb! I cant see the ads on this computer (blocks) but ya that is funny!!! Theyre trying to tempt us!!!

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  27. Weekend Bonus Entry:

    First Firm Volume 2 Low Impact Aerobics with Janet Jones Gretzky

    Maria

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  28. Weekend Bonus Entry:

    All-Tme Favorite Instructor was Tracie Long

    Maria

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  29. Weekend Bonus Entry:

    Current Favorite Instructor toss up between Allison and Rebekah

    Maria

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  30. How many Firms? Can I plead the fifth as well? I'll have to count them and get back to you but it starts with the classics, through BSS1 and 2, Transfirmer + death box workouts, Pink firms. I think it would be easier to say that I didnn't get the Wave workouts???

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  31. I learned that you can get results with the wave in 10 workouts.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  32. I'm a follower.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  33. I recognized Lindsey in the video #1

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  34. I recognized Lindsey in the video #2

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I recognized Lindsey in the video #3

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I recognized Lindsey in the video #4

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I recognized Lindsey in the video #5

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  38. I saw Lindsey when watched the clip.

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  39. I saw Lindsey Warren in the clip.

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  40. Lindsey is one of the success stories in the clip.

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  41. I saw Lindsey in the clip for the Wave.

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  42. I am a follower of Fitness For The Rest of Us.

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  43. I blogged about this giveaway on my blog titled Blogging.

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  44. I blogged about this at Blogging.

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  45. Check out my blog Blogging to read about this giveaway.

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  46. I blogged about this. At Blogging.

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  47. I blogged about this on my blog titled Blogging.

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  48. Here is my mandatory entry:

    I learned the Firm was started in 1979 in South Carolina.

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  49. Late to the party but decided to enter because of the music description on the Firm Direct site because music is so important to me when working out and it seems it is important to the Firm also. Then I started thinking about all of the Firm workouts I have and how special some of them are, even if the titles are very similar and therefore, confusing to me.

    horsemom2@aol.com

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  50. I am a (devoted) follower of your blog LOL

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  51. reblogged
    http://neverendingplateau.blogspot.com/2010/07/lindseys-giveaway-firm-500.html

    ReplyDelete
  52. reblogged
    http://neverendingplateau.blogspot.com/2010/07/lindseys-giveaway-firm-500.html

    ReplyDelete
  53. reblogged
    http://neverendingplateau.blogspot.com/2010/07/lindseys-giveaway-firm-500.html

    ReplyDelete