FitPrime...on the fence

RE: Fitprime

That is EXACTLY the way I feel after I do a Fit Prime. I do not feel completely "worked out" -- I do love the inner thigh work in "Strong Bear" and in "Time Crunch" --

Susan Harris will always be my favorite Firm instructor. It was that tiny blonde woman in the yellow leotard who could pump iron like nobody else who got me back on the road to fitness! To this day, I can't do all the leg reps she did in Vol. 1. Her voice -- my husband said it sounded like a porn film if you weren't watching the workout -- and the way she said, "Now isn't this better than dieting?" She sort of repeats that during "Time Crunch"

Susan is a GREAT instructor live -- she has a very dry sense of humor -- and makes the class time just fly.

It is hard to believe she has so many children. I know she has at least 4, perhaps 5. I can't recall. One one Firm Roadtrip a few of us asked her if she thought she would ever lead another Firm video again and she nooded her head over to Anna and said it would be up to her. She also said that doing those videos was VERY HARD and she didn't know if her body could take it.

One of the cast members who had originally begun as just one of "us" said that filming those videos was so hard you wanted to cry -- she said Anna did the same scene over and over. (I hate all the transitions in "Strong Bear") She said Anna would be in a control booth and suddenly Anna's voice would come at you barking out orders. She said many a cast member was reduced to tears the filming was so difficult.

Also, she said when choosing what the cast wore that Anna would make them go through change after change after change.

Give Anna this much: She is a perfectionist and a pioneer in introducing women to weight training. I don't like her, but I do recognize her creative genius in developing the Firm Classics.

Susan does really well in "Time Crunch" -- in great shape, etc. I just don't like the Fit Prime workouts unless I am exhausted and feel I need to work out and am just not up to Cathe level.
 
RE: Fitprime

Well, fo me, I think the thing that turned me off FitPrime is the ball used during ab work in Weights First. You are to toss a weighted ball over your face during crunches. For me, I couldn't concentrait on doing good crunches cause I knew that my 3lb ball would come crashing into my face breaking my nose. And there are other times when I question the safety of moves, in all the other FP workouts. Core First seemed so rushed. And I'm not a Carrissa fan at all, I'll admit. That may have tinted my judgement on that one.
Up&Down was ok. I liked Jac. SHe's a good instructor. But the workout just was again, to rushed in equipment changes.
FTGU is very good. But again, just something just wasn't quite right.
The editing in Steamin Cardio was horrible. And what was up with those psudo handstands?
Strong Bear and Fast Cheetah, nice, but again. I just can't get into them. And I like Tracie. I really do!
I've gotten 4 sold already. Used the money to preorder the Body Blasts from Cathe later. A very good investment, I'm sure.
I know several people who love FitPrime. Good for them. I'm happy for them. But for me, I prefer Cathe, my old Firms and Slim Series.
 
Carissa

Carissa does not cue well at all.

In person she is aloof and snobby.

She didn't make a great impression on me as an instructor.

I am with you: to each their own, but for me, my money is going to Cathe.

Jac is really good in "Up and Down" (I like her better than Tracie Long). But those complex moves are way over the top -- especially those on the step up bench where she does the samba, squats with one toe up and then lifts the other leg.

THAT move is what injured my ligament. I was trying to keep up with extremely complex moves executed too quickly.

Cathe's compound moves like in "Cardio and Weights" are at a more controlled pace and she sticks to two moves -- lower body and upper body performed at a good tempo.
 
RE: Carissa

I always add UB work after a FP or FIRM workout. They just focus more on the LB. Even as I was a regular at the Firm Studio in SC, I always added on more cardio (treadmill for 3 miles) AFTER the AWT classes and when I got home, added some Cathe UB work to make it 'feel complete'.

FPs are advanced workouts, at least the first two are. The other ones are 'watered down' IMO. They are a nice change of pace but if you want RESULTS THAT YOU CAN SEE, stick with Cathe.

FP is a PayForum, too and the regulars are not very objective about the workouts - they grade them much better than they are. Talking to some of them reminds me of talking to someone in a 'sect'.
 
STEPFORD WIVES

You got it! Those real Firmies build up those workouts like they are the greatest thing in the entire fitness industry!

They remind me of those disiciples of Do who killed themselves to ride the tail of the Hale-Bopp Comet! Anna is DO!

Or the Stepford Wives.

Or Jim Jones -- with Anna as Jim -- every Firmie drinks cyanide in the name of a better body!

That pay forum stuff is ridiculous. It is MARKETING to have a free forum. But Anna chases the almighty dollar and brainwashes all those poor foolish women.

I am too strong willed and opinionated to be brainwashed. God, there is one woman who I remember from the Firm Cult who is so brainwashed she LIVES for Anna Benson and the Firm. It is SCARY! (insert spooky music from the Exorcist).

I will admit there are some Cathes that are not my cup of tea, but that is my personal preference. I am not a fan of the Pyramids or the Pure Strength series, but see how they can appeal to others. I don't like "Step Works" but I do it because it is a great cardio workout -- but the music and the choreography leave something to be desired (this is SOLELY my opinion).

As far as the Intensity Series goes, other than the Pyramids, I think they are the GREATEST workouts EVER by ANYBODY! It just all comes together and Cathe is in top form.

But in comparing Cathe and the Firm overall, I feel Cathe Friedrich has the Firm beat hands down! She is undoubtedly the leader in the home fitness industry.
 
RE: STEPFORD WIVES

Just wanted to say that I have all of the Firms and all of the FitPrimes. While I really love most all of the Firms, I was really wondering WHY I was buying all of the FitPrimes. I liked Weights First, but the rest that followed just weren't "right" to me....but then came Crunch Time and G-Force. I really, really like these two tapes. They make working out FUN. They are innovative without being weird. Anyhow, for anyone on the fence about buying FitPrime tapes, I think these will appeal to a broader range of exercisers. They are tough, but doable. And you don't have to throw your body into weird controtions.

Jez

P.S. Amy, I think you and I sat together at one of the Firm Trips. I remember (if it was you) you saying that I looked like a porcelain doll, which totally cracked me up. I certainly don't feel doll-like! :D
 
RE: STEPFORD WIVES

I remember you now, Jez! You do look like a porcelain doll.

I was about 35 pounds heavier then -- I came off some medication that had put weight on me! I've maintained my size 2 to 4 frame for almost 3 years now! When I stopped taking the med, the weight melted off on its own!

You probably know the person I am talking about who is such a Firm Zealot -- she was there too!

I like "Time Crunch", but I think the reason is that Susan Harris leads!

I think we were in Columbia and we sat near one another for a group photo, didn't we? And Anna wasn't at that roadtrip. Just Cynthia and Mark (who are a LOT friendlier than Anna)!
 
Hi,
If you do not like the Firm I am not sure you will enjoy FitPrime.
As others have mentioned they are quite different from Cathe. For me this is a plus as I do different tapes to achieve different goals.

You might want to check out www.videofitness.com reviews and newsgroups. They have several reviews and threads on FitPrime. They cover all types of videos. The YaYas and MUM are also good sites for reviews.

You can always view video clips of FitPrime workouts on the FitPrime site.

Have fun.
 
RE: STEPFORD WIVES

Amy:

I cannot imagine that you had 35 pounds to lose....you looked little back then! Congratulations on your weight loss though....you must be a teeny, tiny thing now--like a doll! :p

I've changed some too...I cut my hair short, but I'm probably about the same weight-wise--NOT where I want to be! x( Oh well, I'll get there.

Yes, we were in Columbia and it was Cynthia and Mark....not Anna. I have never met her.

Anyhow, I'm not positive that I remember who you are talking about. I do remember there was someone there who kept every piece of Firm memorabilia in a very organized scrapbook, but just vaguely.

Jez
 
Hi Amy and others,

I did not see all the heated and unheated replies until right now. Let me clarify.

To the person who wrote: RESULTS THAT YOU CAN SEE

That is exactly what I meant when I said Cathe gives us workouts that are visually pleasing. The majority of her workouts focus on the superficial muscles - our primary muscles closest to the skin's surface. These are muscles that are visible when other people look at us, and when we look at ourselves.

Amy, you mention that FitPrime is for your "light" days. The goal of these workouts is not purely strength oriented. So when people ask for comparisons to Cathe, I don't feel that comparisons can be made in the strength department. And as for your comments about having to focus on several things at once with FitPrime, well, that to me is a GOOD thing, because it carrires over into our everyday life activities. A runner must focus on the road, the surroundings and potential obstacles, and be prepared to stop short or change courses at any given time. Without going into a big lecture, as you call it, about open and closed chain exercises, physical therapists will often prescribe closed chain, balance type exercises for people who's primary activiites contain open chain movements. It is my job to keep current in the industry and I can tell you that Anna Benson, snooty or not, has always been on the cutting edge of exercise. One of the best ways to train the abductors and adductors is the way they work in everyday life - as stabilizers. Take the exercise where you stand on one leg and lift the other leg out to the side. The support leg's abductor and adductor is working as a stabilizer and the moving leg's abductor is working as a primary mover. The obliques and transverse abdominis and erector spinae are all engaged to stabilize. This is a whole lot better than lying on your side and lifting the leg up and down.

And I take issue with your statement that being a former dancer translates to advanced exerciser. Maybe for you, but there are plenty of former dancers, gymnasts, etc., out there who are not doing exercises properly. They might have become proficient at their talent, but that does not mean they will pick up a couple of dummbells and set up and execute the moves with perfect technique. I am a former gymnast and when I started with videos, was doing squats incorrectly and needed a "live" person to show me proper form.

People interpret cues differently so just because a video instructor is demonstrating and verbalizing proper form, does not mean every person will interpret it the same. Many times in my job I will have to re-word instruction until the person understands. While training someone last Friday and giving the "knees aligned over ankles" cue for squat set up, he could not assimmilate it. Even when I showed him he didn't understand. Finally he looked at me and said, "Oh, you mean you want a right angle?" As an engineer, the simple cue wasn't processing. He needed to hear it in his own complex language. So there you go!

And I stand by my statements that if someone does not find a FitPrime challenging, then they are not using the workout for the goal it is intended to achieve, or just plain giving up due to frustration. It is possible to work up to heavier weights with the balance work because I have done it. Not a brag, but just an example that it was a goal I set for myself and have met. I have been doing mostly FitPrimes for the past month along with Pilates classes at work, moderate cardio, and little Cathe, and have lost almost 5 lbs.

As for Firms, I agree that the more recent productions are skimpy on cardio, but they still give me a great workout. Oh well.

In closing, my intent was not to be insulting to Cathe. Professionals in the industry will vary widely on opinion and exercise/progam selection and implementation. She was my mentor and inspiration in the early stages of my career, and I still look to her videos for ideas. I still do her current videos/DVDs and will continue to purchase her future videos/DVDs. The more research I do in the field, the more I change my views on types of exercise programming I used to give little thought to.


-Roe
 
One more point Amy, I DID NOT come here from another forum to dispense pearls of wisdom. I have been reading and participating on Cathe's forum since it's inception. Do a searh and you will find many of my posts.

I hope his week has you in a better mood.

-Roe
 
I second what Danielle said about Weights First. My butt was so sore for at least 2 days after I did WF the first time. I admit the production quality isn't as good as Cathe's by a long shot, but after a couple of tries, I normally don't look at the TV much - I'm too busy concentrating on not dying during Tracie's lunges! ;) Give it a shot - its worth it and your buttcheeks will love you (or hate you) for it!! ;)
 
I found your reply very interesting. You sound very educated. Out of curiousity may I ask what you do for a living. You sound a little like my niece who is a physiotherapist.
 
RE: About those injuries....

I couldn't agree with you more. Before doing exercise tapes my hips and knees used to bother me. When I first started working out (to Tamilee Webb about 8 years ago)I thought all those squats and lunges would kill my knees. As it turned out, I was careful to listen to the instructors comments on good form and I found my joints got stronger than ever. At 41 years of age my joints seldom bother me and I have been doing exercise tapes(such as bodymax and the intensity series) 4 or more times a week and running once or twice a week since January. In fact my whole body, including my joints, have never felt better!! I have three sisters around the same age(slightly older than me) and their joints are always killing them and one of my sisters had to get her knee replaced. As for injuries, I find when I do get sore it's from doing none workout related things (like when my crazy dog pulls too hard on the leash when I'm walking him).
 
Education is a relative term........

Roe,

Your opinions mean nada to me. I didn't even read that long post because you say nothing of personal value.

I don't care to read your patronizing posts -- you are so obviously a Firm Plant -- perhaps you are a "Spy"?????

At any rate, I have my opinion and I find your tonality patronzing and I don't care to read all your platitudes. Anybody can open a book and write the crap you espouse.

Geez, wanna help me write a dissertation? You certainly have the gift of B.S. writing down pat.

Hey! Perhaps YOU are Anna! (Insert Tubular Bells from "The Exorcist")

And as for my mood, I am always the same. Take me at face value.

Certainly, you see competition with Cathe -- I don't care HOW LONG you have been on these Forums.

I know enough about The Firm to know a "plant" when I read it.

And I think it is DARN RUDE to insult Cathe at her Forums -- and slam her workouts.
 
RE: STEPFORD WIVES

Jez,

That's the woman -- the one with the scrapbook who took voracious notes as though she were cramming for a Comp Exam at college! Nice lady, but such a zealot! She was on every Firm roadtrip I attended! I like her a lot, but gosh, she was kind of obsessed about the Firm.

Be glad -- be very glad you have never met Anna Benson. On the other hand, she IS amusing -- once you get past her attempts to brainwash the masses!

I maintain the reason she was not at the trip you and I met is because she made such a butt of herself at the trip before. That is the one where she sat at the Throne and espoused about how all women worked out to look good and asked if there were any "Spies" in the crowd!

Cynthia and Mark were very personable and I enjoyed meeting them. Poor Mark's foot was in a cast!

How he stayed married to Anna as long as he did is beyond me!

Somebody made the comment when they found out Anna and Mark had been married, "Poor Mark!"

I bet nobody says that about Cathe -- they probably would say, "Jon is one very lucky man!"
 
Amy,
I am by no means a Firm spy but think what you must. Your mind is obviously made up, not to mention messed up.

Your post made me laugh. ME patornizing? Your posts in many of these topics are so full of defensivenss and paranoia. You save the FitPrimes for days you are exhausted. Yes, I think those are the best times to balance on one leg and lift weights. Let's all try it, shall we?

You mentioned previously that you are no longer on medication but you are obviously on something. Spit out your suck pills and develop some composure in here because YOUR posts are attacking, insulting and downright mean.

If this is your mood on an everyday basis I take pity on the people in your life. Shudder!

-Roe
 
Oh my! The REAL ROE emerges!

LOL!

Now who's zoomin' who?

I GOTCHA!

Now the cheap shots begin -- I tested your limits and SURPRISE! You are one nasty lady. And a pseudo intellecutal to boot!

I value your opinion like I value the excrement of my parrot!
 
Oh, Amy, may a 25 lb dummbbell fall on your head and knock some kindness into you. I'm off to do my FitPrime and table this silliness.

-Roe
 
Now wasn't that kind, Roe-Hoe?

At least if a 25 pound dumbbell hit me on the head, I'd have some brains to slam around instead of a vacant abyss like you possess above the neck.

I heard you went for an MRI of the brain and the doctor said, "There's nothing there!"

Have fun with FitPrime -- I'm off to do a REAL workout! Boot Camp!

And that comment about medication (implying I am mentally ill) was completely uncalled for -- alas, you assume too much -- I was on chemotherapy for cancer.
 
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