Firm BBS 3

Caren

Cathlete
Hello,

I have been doing Cathe workouts for quite a while now, about 1 1/2 years, and I know she is the best and I love her workouts, but every now and then I just want a change. I have read good reviews about the Firm BBS3 so I decided to order it. As soon as I ordered it, I started hearing bad reviews. I haven't gotten it yet, but do you think I'll be totally disappointed? Is it at least good enough to switch my workouts up a little?
 
Hello.:)

Alot of Catheites are prior Firm users and many of them still use their Firm tapes on occasion for a lighter work out.

I am new to Cathe...also coming from a Firm background. I have BSS 1, 2 and several other workouts of theirs. I still intend to use them in my rotations. It's good for change, I think. Keeps it fresh. Although, with all of the pre-mixes and chapters and all that Cathe offers on her DVDs, I guess it's easy to keep it fresh using ONLY Cathe too.

~Wendy~

We don't stop laughing because we grow old; We grow old because we stop laughing...Put more laughter into your life.
 
I like Stephanie Corley's BSS3 workouts. The music is really good too. Variety is always good. This particular set of FIRMS is much better than the first 2.
 
I Loved the first series, hated the second series, therefore afraid to spend my $$$ on the third series. I know at one time there was a recall on the step thing but I am sure that has been cleaned up.

Hey, if you are not satisfied in 30 day...money back garantee! There is always ebay! That stuff moves fast and furious through ebay.
 
I love two of the workouts that came with the set-- total Muscle Shaping and Total Body Sculpting. I never really use the other one.

These are shorter than a standard Cathe strength workout, but they are tough if you heavy up on the weights. My muscles are usually exhausted when I am done. There are 3 short cardio sections in each workout-- nothing too long, just enough to keeep your HR elevated. I really like the box, mainly because I don't have anything 14" for doing step ups. I also think it is great for tricep dips-- high enough like the high step but wider than the high step, making hand position more comfortable. The incline work is nothing special. I was prepared to like it much more.
The music is quite unique-- different than anything I've heard in videos.

Some may call this light work. I feel plenty challenged by it. I, on the other hand, have never been challenged by Cathe's weight work except when I am doing endless lunges or crazy eights. I like this stuff better. It is better for my short attention span. Cathe's Cardio, on the other hand is much more to my liking, though.
 
kw,I'm really surprised to hear you say that Cathe's weight work has never challenged you. You must be really strong. I have no problem completing the Firm Strength workout, but haven't made it half way through one of Cathe's weight workouts yet. I ordered her CTX DVD a few weeks ago and thought that I could do one exercise a day and haven't completed one segment yet. It's so frustrating. I've had to resort back to the Firm Strenght tape and on alternate days, I do part of the 10-10-10 kickboxing segment and part of the Circuit workout (the aerobics part that I've mastered anyway). This morning I ordered the Basic Step and Body Fusion, High Step Circuit (beginner) and the Timesaver DVDs. I'm determined that I'm going to stick with Cathe. I love the way her cardio workouts get my heartrate up. I think that is what I really need.
 
I started out with the Firm and then found Cathe's workouts in the early 90's. I have used hers more than any since then and love them. But I did purchase BSS3 series and I do like it a lot! I do add on 30 minutes of cardio to each one, though. Sometimes it is 30-45 minutes of running, or a CTX cardio or something similar in intensity. I also use as heavy weights as I can and feel like I get a good workout!

I do think they are worth it and think they are a great compliment to my Cathe workouts!

Linda
 
My mother of all ppl suprised me with the BSS3. She was at Target and thought I'd use it. I like the Firm Box. The incline is great to hit the lower abs. I usually add on a couple of sets after a workout. When its in the 14'' position just keep your wt centered. Not on the side or anything. I haven't tiped it yet but I do see how it could be a hazard.
The workouts are great. Keep in mind that they use beginner wts so after doing the workouts through with good form move to your heavier wts and you'll love them. I also recommend the add ons. I particularly like Hips,thighs, and abs (the lower ab work), and Express Cardio is much better then the cardio workout that comes with the set.

Enjoy!

~Reece~
 
Thanks everyone. Well, I got the set yesterday and I think they are okay. I did express cardio last night and one of the sculpting one's this morning, I can't think of the title. I think they will be a nice little change from Cathe when I feel like something different.

Anyway, in the dvd's they have a little mat that goes over the firm box. Is that mat supposed to come with it? I didn't get one but I would like one, because the box surface hurts my back. I put a towel over it, but a mat would still be better.
 
The mat is not included with the set. I personally did not care for the FIRMs incline box (sent it back). I did however get an inexpensive yoga mat that I cut a piece off of to fit the top of the box while I had it. It was better than a towel (which I found slid around).
~ Kim
 
I used to lay my full size yoga mat over the firm box. Now, I use the shelf liners that you can buy in rolls near Contact paper. If you cut a roll of the shelf liner in half, the size is perfect for the Box. I learned about this over at the Firm Believers Club. Works great and is a cheap option.
 
I also use my yoga mat and it works fine. I love BSS 3, and I really love Pam's hips and thighs plus abs. I find her ab workout on the incline really tough. I also add 5 pound ankle weights to the leg section. I'm new to Cathe and as did many others, started with the Firm long ago. I'm not terribly impressed by any of the productions sonce GT took over, but I really do enjoy BSS3.
 
>I love BSS 3, and
>I really love Pam's hips and thighs plus abs. I find her ab
>workout on the incline really tough.

A question for those who like hips, thighs and abs. Deepdiscountdvd has this on sale for just under $10 --- can I do this with a regular club length step, or do you need the BSS3? Thanks.
 
You can do the Hips and Thighs portion with the step. However for the ab part (which is the hardest part and I can't make it through it) you need the incline. I've never used the Club Step in an inclined position and don't know if it works or if it's comfortable that way. If it is though, you could definitely do the work with the club step.
 
When the box is in the incline position, one end is at 14 inches and slopes to the other end which is at 6 inches. I think you can get those proportions with one riser and the low end and 5 risers on the other end. I'm pretty sure it would work the same.
 
I have used my regular club step to do the incline abwork with these. It works just fine. It works better for me because I am 5'9" and the Firm Incline step is too short for me to really comfortably do the ab work on. It works really well.

I also laid my yoga mat on the Firm step when I did use it for doing abs, cause I slide a lot too!
 

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