The Firm Cross Trainers - The Hare Reviews

• Excellent work-out with ballroom music.

  
  By A5T9Q2N229FH2 on 2002-06-25
  For those of you new to the FIRM workouts I start out by saying it is hard to go wrong with a FIRM tape. These tapes are for serious exercisers and deliver the results they promise.

  This particular work-out is one of the later work-outs in the FIRM series. It is part of a cross-trainer set and is best used in conjunction with the TORTOISE workout. These are meant to complement each other - the Hare emphasises fast moves with light weights and the Tortoise emphasises slow moves with heavy weights (Women - don't worry, you WON'T bulk up doing any of these, you will just gain beautiful muscle definition and a toned look). The Tortoise and Hare are designed to be done on alternate days to give your body maximal cardio and strength benefits. But they are excellent work-outs on their own as well.

  The Hare, being one of the later tapes has great cueing from Tracy long and very safe moves. The work-out is about an hour long and is done to an unusual choice of ball-room music in the background. You will exercise to a tango, cha cha and others. This is NOT a tape for learning these dances. The music is just for different variety from the usual jazzy music found on work-out tapes. If you do not like classic ballroom music, this tape may not be the best for you - although it is still a great work-out. You may want to try the FIRM Cardio and Strength cross trainers instead.

  You will need some equipement for this work-out. A set of dumbells (it is good to have at least 2 sets - 3 and 5 pounds for beginning women) and two step boxes (or one with an adjustable height). The heights that work best for the step boxes are 4 inches for the short one and 10-14 inches for the tall box. Once you have the necessary equipment you are ready to go.

  Tracy is a great instructor and the moves are not hard to follow. After the first couple of times you will be able to do them effortlessly and have lots of fun. You will work your entire body in the hour and also maintain a good heart rate for cardio.

  This work-out can be quite tough and is good enough for intermediate to advanced exercisers. It is however also a GREAT work-out for beginners who want to get more serious about their fitness level and want to advance. Beginners can do this workout without weights and pausing and resting as needed. They will quickly advance to the next level, and the results will be much better than those you will see from typical "beginners" work-outs. This tape is easier to do than the classic FIRMS (volume 1 through 6) and is therefore a better choice for beginners who want to advance to "serious FIRMS".

  All in all, I would rate this work-out a perfect ten. Very well researched, brilliantly executed - a classic. But note that you may not like it if you hate ballroom music, if you dislike "serious" instructors who are not enthusiastic balls of energy but rather calm and professional, or if you simply faint at the idea of exercising for a full hour.

  For serious results though, this is an excellent choice.
  
  

• A fun and effective workout!

  
  By A1Q4Z2DTBTB6U on 2000-08-19
  Whenever I have one of those days when I don't feel like doing anything, I reach for this workout. I would say it's one of my favorite. It begins with a warmup and great stretch (one of the Firm's best). Then it goes into about 30 min of what the Firm calls "ballroom aerobics." Don't be put off by that title, because I'm about as choreography-challenged as possible, but I was able to master many of the moves by the second time I did the tape. Some of the aerobics are on the floor using hand weights, and some are using a short (I use a 4") step. There are also two tall box (12-14") sections. Then there is a tricep muscle building with weights small section and the rest of the action is on the floor. This video has some of the best lower body work from the Firm including table work, adductor and abductor work, and bridge work. This floor work really gets your lower body in fantastic shape. I cannot recommend this video enough if you are looking for something fun and different that really helps to get you into great shape.
  
  

• One of the FIRM's best

  
  By on 2002-04-04
  I've tried most of the firm workouts and find this one to be oen of, if not, the best. It's upbeat and entertaining. I never watch the clock while doing this workout. Instructor Tracy Long is an encouraging leader and has a pleasant voice on top of that. Over all, one of the best firm videos out there! You CANNOT go wrong with this tape!
  
  

• Best Workout Available

  
  By A2WBCNWDEN0VBO on 2000-07-05
  I really love this video! The steps are easy to follow and the workout is so enjoyable that I'm through before I know it. I have been using The Firm workout series for 10 years, and The Tortoise and Hare series is my favorite. Using the two videos together, I get a whole body workout that burns fat and keeps me toned. I wouldn't trade these two tapes for anything.
  
  

• Another GREAT Firm Tape!

  
  By A221XJZ76YNDY8 on 2002-02-11
  I really enjoy this video. I own about 20 Firm tapes, and I find myself reaching for this one again and again. I really have fun doing the ballroom aerobics, and I when I am done, I feel GREAT! I think you would not be disapointed with this tape.
  
  
• Total body conditioning in under an hour
  By A22TZUXUKA11SQ on 2000-07-05
  I have followed the Firm workout series for the past 3 years and this is by far one of the most effective videos I have used. Using a combination of ballroom step aerobics with light conditioning you will definitely feel the effects of this workout the next day. It also includes an ab training session that will have your stomach feeling more toned and tight in just a couple of weeks. It is definitely one of the best total body workouts the FIRM offers, and is best when used in conjunction with the tortoise workout.
  
  
• a great workout
  By A3QDHY8XXAOV2U on 2000-12-29
  I love to do this workout! However, I thought that it is really hard to do the ballroom aerobics without a short box. Anyway, the best section is the floor workout because it really targets those hard to tone areas.
  
  
• The Hare Cross Trainer
  By on 2002-06-26
  Great workout for a person like me who gets bored easily. Trainer explains what to do as you work out and it flows nicely with different types of steps.. You work out each side of your body evenly with the repetitions.
  
  
• My Favorite Set of The Firm Videos
  By A30E77CBQ8UJX1 on 2006-02-04
  The Hare and The Tortoise are my 2 favorite videos by The Firm. Actually, they are my favorite of all of my tapes. Get them, you will love the workout and results!
  
  
• I Love This Workout
  By A1KAR4M9TM41YH on 2006-08-04
  This is a great workout.It is a Firm Cross Trainer classic.The Hare is meant to be alternated with the Tortoise workout.The Hare workout uses lighter weights with faster moves.The Tortoise uses heavier weights in the workout.I have so much fun doing this video I forget I am working out.Tracie Long leads both the Tortoise and the Hare workouts.On the Hare workout she goes through fun floor aerobics using light dumbells.The ballroom step aerobics are really fun.They were a little tricky to learn at first,but once you`ve mastered the moves,they are so much fun.She goes trough a lot of different dance steps,the Swing,the Tango,The Cha Cha,etc.Tracie Long goes through steps very well.I learned them fast.She also goes through effective floor work using ankle weights.The abdominal sections are very effective as well.This is a great total body workout.Any person who loves to workout need to try this workout.
  
  

• The Firm Cross Trainers: The Tortoise Workout
• Firm: Complete Aerobic Weight Training
• The Firm: Aerobic Interval Training
• The Firm - Tortoise Slow & Heavy Workout
• The Firm - Firm Basics: Sculpting With Weights