Trip Like I Do

More Firm News

July 4, 2007

The new “TransFirmation” system was released a couple of weeks ago and I’ve seen quite a few reviews about the wokrouts on the various boards I frequent.

The verdict? Don’t buy it – at least for now. Why is that Alisha? Do the workouts suck that much?

Well, it’s not so much that the workouts suck, but that there are a ton of problems with the DVD’s that have gone out. I don’t know what gives but basically a lot of the discs will just not play in most DVD players. Random polling from the various boards I go to suggest that at least half of the people who ordered have problems playing some of the discs. Okay, I don’t really know if half of the discs are defective, but a lot of them are. People have contacted the Firm, gotten replacement discs and those have been faulty too. I do believe that they are working on the problem now, but who knows how long it will be before they get discs that actually work.

Others have also reported problems with the weights that come with the system. A lot of the weights that have gone out seem to be stuck together and some even have rust spots on them! Doh!

The workouts themselves have been getting mixed reviews. Some people are annoyed that the Cardio Party DVD basically contains a couple of segments from previous Firm videos – like a cardio segment with Emily is just her redoing a cardio segment from Complete Aerobics and Weight Training. Allie’s segment is her doing the Latin part of her Cardio Dance Slim Down.

Alison’s Cardio Overdrive has gotten positive reviews but her ab workout was considered to be so so.

There are quite a few of these DVD’s that I am interested in, but it is ridiculously expensive with the weights. (The complete set with the deluxe add on and shipping comes out to something like $120!) Oh yea, one thing that I really hate about the Firm’s website is that they never tell you how much shipping is before you order something. There is also no mention of shipping rates in their FAQ.

In case you were wondering, the shipping on the basic kit alone is $29.95. If you get the deluxe add on, there is an additional shipping charge of $9.95.

If you are new to the Firm and were thinking about joining the Firm Believer’s Web Club – DON’T! It’s basically a rip off. They charge you $10 a month for access to their message boards and “chats” with the instructors. They like to say that it is worth it because you get a 10% discount on all purchases in the Firm store, but you can still find their workouts cheaper at other retailers – even with the 10% discount.

Now, I don’t mean to sound like I hate the Firm, I don’t. They have produced a lot of really good workouts over the years, but their customer service sucks.

In other Firm news, they released some more workouts today. The new workouts released are add on’s to the TransFirmation system. The 5 workouts are about $60 and I’ve heard that the shipping on these is $9.95. They are promoting this as a buy 4 workouts get the fifth one free deal. I am really interested in these, but I think I can wait until they go retail. I am sure that Amazon will have them cheaper than the price they are being advertised at right now. Oh yea, and it looks like the new set will be released to regular retail in September. I can wait until then.


	Burn & Shape, a workout created by The FIRM Master Instructor Emily Welsh will help you transform your physique. Quick changes from cardio to sculpting and back again boost your energy level and melt fat away fast with this innovative method for losing weight.
	Approximately 40 minutes. Cardio+Sculpt.
	Total Body Time Crunch is The FIRM’s secret weapon against unwanted flab. This workout, led by The FIRM Master Instructor Rebekah Sturkie, combines high energy cardio moves with targeted body shaping exercises in heart-pumping intensity bursts that increase your motivation as well as your results!
	Approximately 45 minutes, with a 25-minute Express option. Cardio+Sculpt.
	Total Body Toner, a sculpting workout, will increase your fat-free body mass and rev up your metabolism. Pump some iron with The FIRM Master Instructor Allie Del Rio Pointer in this innovative series of muscle conditioning moves that will give you the shapely, toned body you’ve been seeking.
	Approximately 40 minutes. Sculpt.
	Cardio Sculpt Fusion — a low impact, low intenstiy workout applying the principles of cross-training — was created by The FIRM Master Instructor Emily Welsh. Add this hybrid of light cardio, flowing body sculpting, and dynamic yoga and pilates to your existing program and both beginners and veterans alike will get better results from all your workouts!
	Approximately 45 minutes, with a 25-minute Express option. Cardio+Sculpt.
FREE Bonus Workout!
	Cardio Inferno turns up the heat on your weight loss. Designed by The FIRM Master Instructor Sue Mi Powell, this blend of highly effective cardio and light sculpting moves deliver a super charged workout experience. Melt away calories with this hot new cardio workout.
	Approximately 30 minutes. Cardio.