The Firm Express DVD Kit

If I could give this program 10 stars, I would!!! I am extremely fitness oriented, have been my whole life. I run 3 miles per day, most days - when I'm at my most optimal fitness level, and workout daily. I have tried so many at home programs and as a busy work-from-home (3 jobs: legal transcriptionist, child care mama and freelance portrait photographer and curently schooling myself) homeschool mother of 5, and this program was exactly what I NEEDED!! I am 1 year post partum, and still nursing my 5th baby and am currently a student working towards my Personal Trainer certification, with all of the above I have an EXTREMELY busy and EXHAUSTIVE day and routine. This program is quick and effective, that is for sure. I mean who can't toss in a 20 minute workout, thrice weekly?? That is where it was a HUGE success for me. I've used P90x, P90X3, 21 day fix and multiple other fitness programs, which I love - but this one was far more flexible, without lacking in results and effectiveness.The only "negative" insight I can provide is that the routines are very quick, and could be more difficult for a beginner, but definitely something that anyone who wishes to, could build up to, and, the routines are significantly hard on the knees. As an avid runner - I do have the occasional bout of swelling/shin splints/knee pain, depending on my jogging routine; and these workouts definitely require strenuous use of the knees. Nothing I can't handle with proper form and technique, but I would definitely tell prospective buyers to be aware of their capabilities and seek a gentler program if your suffering from chronic or bad knee pain/issues/medical issues. I do feel that the increments of moderate intensity, to high intensity and then the recovery, coupled with the workout lasting only about 21 minutes definitely makes the routine more achievable. Also, as an individual who becomes very bored with mundane and repetitive workouts - this program definitely held my interest all the way through, start to finish!! I've completed the first round and am excited - yes, EXCITED to start back at the beginning and compare my performance/endurance/stamina to that of my beginning. In terms of increasing difficulty -- I do feel that it does gradually increase in intensity, but more so with the weight lifting. The different instructors are a great way to keep one engaged and they each have their strong points they bring to the table. I particularly enjoyed Rebecca's routines/instructor techniques and Jennifer's extra DVDs.My only personal "issue" is I do not weigh myself frequently and didn't go into this program with high expectations so I didn't really take good adequate measurements to analyze my results, but I plan to this next round. I can most definitely say that over lost inches and my muscle tone has greatly improved. I'm terrible with updates, but I'll try to come back and do one in a month to further share my physical results. But, anything that keeps me excited and motivated to maintain working out, is a WINNER in my book. I also LOVE that if I want to workout more than 3 days per week, I can easily do one workout per day, or add in the additional workout or the ABs. I'm rambling on and on, but that is because I really do feel that this deserves my rave review.

I bought this set to use to help me get back into shape after having a baby 7+ months ago. 20 min with a baby at home? Yes, please! I have never used the Firm before - they always looked too boring to me. About my background - I LOVED the gym where I used to be a member, but I am not in that town any longer, so I had to quit. I had a great trainer and attended some AWESOME women-only weight training classes. All this to say, I am no newbie to the correct way to do exercises/weight training. I also trained and ran in 5 or 6 half marathons. I gained 30 lbs when my work schedule changed and I was no longer able to go run. Then I gained 40+ while pregnant. Now I needed to lose 20 lbs to get back to pre-pregnancy weight, and 30 lbs to get back to my running weight.I wasn't sure how I was going to like this set. I have been a 10 Minute Solution junkie in the past, but this looked really quick and to the point. They do move fast, but they have to, it's only 20 minutes! If I've learned anything in gym classes and other DVD's, it's just keep moving and jump back in when you can! Also, it's more of a challenge if I can't do it all the first time. I'm looking forward to starting over and doing the whole set again, and doing better the second time around. (You could also watch all the DVD's before you do them, I just didn't take the time.) Each week changes instructors, which I like. It keeps my interest better than the same person every morning. Each week also gets a (little) slower and harder, and you use heavier weights as you go. I've definitely been sore the next day a few times!One thing - there are some pretty high impact moves at times. The good thing is, they introduce the move with a low impact version, then add to it by adding arms, hops, or jumps. I don't always add on to the move because even as a runner, I try to take care of my knees. If a move is too high impact, I just keep doing the low-impact version they introduced. It's better than sleeping late and skipping the workout! Also, I use a mat when they do floor work, because we have hard wood floors.A 20 min workout is great, but I also go walk at the park for 45 min 3 or 4 times a week. I was doing that for two months before these videos, and I wasn't seeing anything happen. After adding these videos, I have so far lost 4 lbs in 3 weeks. That's not bad since I'm still nursing and can't diet too much yet! Starting week 4 on Monday, can't wait!*UPDATE*Finished week 4. I liked that the sculpting was lower-impact/heavier weights. The cardio dvd was a kick-boxing segement, which was a nice change. Overall, I have lost 6 lbs this month, which I am pretty pleased with. I didn't diet other then having a shake instead of lunch 2 or 3 times a week. I am definitely looking forward to doing this again!*2nd Update*I did this series 5 months ago, then went on to trying other DVD's. I am now using these DVD's as a warm-up to the shorter Turbo Jam DVDs. I still love it, it's still hard, and I can add it to a 30 min workout to make both workouts together less than an hour. I appreciate the different workouts for each week, and the different instructor for each week, but I think Week 1 with Emily is my favorite.

I was really on the fence about spending so much on these dvd's because I already work out 4 days a week and don't need the weight loss but I am at the point where I needed something that added that serious toning my walks don't give me, especially on my upper body. I liked the idea of 20 min 3 times a week because I can still incorporate my regular exercise and not feel overwhelmed. I am now at the end of week one of the videos and I am beyond impressed. I did cheat a bit and did a couple more then 3 this week but that is the amazing thing about these sets. 12 different work outs with the option of cardio, sculpting or both so I can add in whatever I want that day. I also love the extra 10 min flat abs video, after watching it a couple times I picked out some of the moves i like and just added them into the end of my work outs. These videos give you so much freedom and there is absolutely no way you can not get results after 30 days unless you just give up. I have already noticed a difference in my arms and my abs after 7 days and look forward to using these dvd's along with my regular work outs for months to come. The only thing I didn't know before I got these in the mail was that I would need 3 sizes of weights. I just got a 2lb and 3lb and a 5lb set at the store and they work great. Another thing that they really stress in the booklet and I would stress as well is that stretching is key to success with these. I usually do a couple jumping jacks and stretch before I start the video and then spend about 10 mins really getting a good stretch at the end. They incorporate about a 2 min cool down and stretch on these dvd's which is not nearly enough but obviously they want to use the 20 mins of the dvd for the work out and not for stretching but it will make that first week a little less painful on all those areas that are not use to getting worked so hard.