Search - The Firm - Cardio Dance Slim Down on DVD

Not Your Classic Firm!

S. Giles | Rural Georgia | 09/19/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm an advanced exerciser who loves cardio and dance. I knew going in that this was definitely not a dance video, and after I finished, I knew it wasn't really a workout video, either.

The warmup starts out with some head and arm rolls and eventually we're `dancing'. We did the mambo and we did some disco. We finished with a short cool-down, which consisted of some more dancing. Now when I say dancing, I don't mean actual dancing. Nobody I have ever known would go out in public and dance this way. Allie keeps saying everybody will want to dance with us at the club, but I seriously doubt that.

I wouldn't classify this as a workout simply because there just isn't enough cardio in it to make it so. There are no weights used, no resistance, and no core exercises, although there's some hip shaking and hip thrusts thrown in as part of the dance. I didn't really work up a sweat, and my heart rate stayed pretty low the entire time. The workout is about 32 minutes long, and it was (kind of) fun but did not feel particularly beneficial. It won't be part of my usual rotation as I like longer and much more intense workouts than this one could offer.

My recommendation is that if you are a beginner or intermediate and want a short, fun, but not intense workout, then this is for you. Even people with two left feet can get the hang of this one. If you are advanced, this video would be for easy days or if you just like to have fun and not really work out. You cannot go into this expecting an intense workout experience or to learn any cool dance moves, otherwise you'll be mighty disappointed. I'll admit I felt pretty silly at times, but I did not hate it. It just isn't something I'll do very often. My overall impression: ambivalent."

The other reviews are on target..yet I keep REACHING for thi

L. Jonsson | Charleston, SC United States | 11/06/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this DVD with the same low expectations of it that I have had since 2002 when the Firm was sold by Anna Benson (the original designer of the workouts). The post 2002 DVDs/videos by the Firm do not have the same feel as the older ones do, and are not as hard. I do like Allie Del Rio Pointer and that is why I bought it, also I had never bought a dance excersize DVD before.

The music is terrible and frequently does not fit the dance "moves" Allie instructs us to do. There are also some moves that do not work well on carpedted floors (the "butterfly" move in the warmup is what I am referring to). It does not get my heart up very much. However....

I like this workout! On days when I do not want to work out I reach for this DVD. It is over quickly and still gets my heart up a little, and I don't have to go outside in poor weather (when we have it here). I feel like an idiot for enjoying this workout but I do. It is a keeper for me, although I agree with the other reviewer who stated that you will not be doing ANY of the moves in this workout in a club.
Allie is not going to win any dance contests with the moves in this DVD!"

Funny Workout

Karyn L. Beach | Charlotte, NC USA | 04/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love the Firm and Allie is my favorite instructor. As most people have said the video consist of a warm-up and three dance segments: hip-hop-, salsa and disco. It is not the traditional Firm carido and strength training. There are no weights or toning at all. Each segment is done in an add-on fashion. Each time you go through the routine you add on another step.

I didn't expect to learn how to dance from this video. I expected a cardio workout with a dance-flavor and that's what this is. I think it's a nice short (40 minute) workout that is great on days when I don't do the strength training. I thought it was a lot of fun and didn't find it boring at all.

If you are looking for strength training or a more traditional Firm video, this is not it. If you are looking for a light to moderate cardio workout and a nice change of pace, I think you'll enjoy it.
"

Fun and easy! IMO: You get out of it what you put into it

Rebecca J. Mccray | Corpus Christi, Texas | 03/19/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First i have to say that I'm a little confused at some of the reviews of this DVD. I bought it about 3-4 weeks ago and find i really look forward to it on the days when i don't elliptical/treadclimber train or weight-train! I admitt--if one doesn't put any extra effort into it, it might seem simple and a little slow, but I wear my heart monitor and find that if i put some extra "umph!" into these moves--and let my arms move and my usual dance-"flava" thru, my heart rate stays right up there in my fat-burning zone. I love her simple cues and even enjoy the non-club music. I have many, many dance DVD's--and have been disapointed by MOST of them. This one i enjoy enough to recommend to anybody who likes to dance. Tho i have to admitt--like other reviewers, i probably wouldn't use any of these moves out at the club. They're a little antiquated and kind of cheesy at times, but still fun! Compared to the obnoxious cueing on Cardio-Abs and some other hip-hop dance/workout DVD's tho-- Allie's dance DVD has become one of my favorites!"