Product Description

Studio: Gaiam Americas Release Date: 12/07/2004

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50443 in DVD
• Brand: GAIAM AMERICAS
• Released on: 2004-12-07
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 35 minutes

Customer Reviews

A great "quickie" from the Firm!
Fast & Firm Series Express Cardio is also sold as Express Cardio as part of the Body Sculpting System 3 set. The only difference between this workout and the BSS3 Express Cardio is the cover design. This workout calls for the Firm Box (you'll use it on the incline quite a bit) and light dumbbells--3 pounds or less. You could modify and use a regular step or the Fanny Lifter without much problem, but I really enjoy the incline Box for this and other BSS3 workouts.

This is a fun, intense 30 minute pure cardio workout. The choreography is varied and interesting without being overwhelming and Stephanie never asks you to do anything on the box that feels dangerous. Her cuing is excellent--as much as I like Fat Blasting Cardio with Lisa Kay (another 30 minute BSS3 cardio workout) I think that Stephanie does a superior job with cuing and flow in this workout. Stephanie also improves on her performances in previous Firm workouts--unlike older workouts like Super Body Sculpt, she speaks with good intonation and doesn't slip into a monotone. She stays upbeat and encouraging throughout the workout, which makes it more fun for the user.

I own almost all of BSS1, all of BSS2, and most of BSS3--of all of those Firms, this video easily makes my top three favorites of all time. It's a great 30 minute workout!

Awesome workout!
I just purchased this video, I nearly passed on it, so glad I didn't. It is a great short cardio workout, about 30 minutes. The time just flies by! It really packs a punch in little time. The routine is innovative and interesting, it flows well and goes great with the music. The variety is good too, you use the box in incline position for a few segments, in the 14 inch position for one leg press segment and there are some cardio segments that you don't use the box at all. The workout can be easily modified and is doable without using the incline at all for those who don't like working on it. Light dumbells are used (3 lbs max) but you could forego the dumbells if you prefer and still get a solid workout. I highly recommend this video, it is my new favorite and I will use often.

Difficult Step Footwork - Not for Firm or Any Other Step Beginners
While this routine does provide a good cardio workout in a relatively short period of time, I think the Step workout at the beginning of the tape is ridiculously intricate and advanced footwork. I'm a Firm Addict from the 80's and have nearly all their DVD/Videos. I resumed regular workouts 2-1/2 years ago after a period of laziness. I've put this DVD in numerous times, gotten frustrated to the point of anger and stopped it to put in another. I mean, come ON, while I think a little challenge initially keeps the routines from getting dull and boring, the first step routine is entirely too complicated and constantly changing, especially with the pace being so fast. After all, it IS Express Cardio. I've mastered countless other routines with fairly trickly footwork, such as Cardio Sculpt Blaster, so while I won't claim to pick routines up fast, I am willing to put in the time to work through the learning curve. Today I was determined and it took me 30 minutes to finally learn a 4 minute step segment. I had to keep playing and replaying the section before I could follow.

I love The Firm, but they seemed to get carried away for a period of time with the choreography and I think this is their most extreme in terms of difficulty in learning.

I'm writing this in the hopes of preventing someone who is trying The Firm for the first time with Express Cardio from getting turned off, thinking all Firm exercise routines are this tricky. The Firm is a wonderful exercise system that I heartily recommend, but start with another one before attempting this one unless you enjoy a challenge.

I'd have given this routine a 5 star otherwise.