The Firm Wave - DVD 2 Review - Speed, Slimming, Sculpt (31 mins)
Now who can resist a title like that?
You’ll need to have some light handweights for The Firm Wave’s second DVD, but I wouldn’t bother shelling out megabucks on some designer ones, as most of the big stores do their own brand at a fraction of the cost. For this workout, not only do you get a perky instructor, but you get four of her perky little friends as well, all of whom are introduced by name (nice touch). We are informed that one of the girls will be doing all the moves as a beginner (low-impact and without carrying weights). Great idea – if you are a beginner, or very out-of-condition, you’ll be challenged enough performing the moves without waving handweights around as well. If I gave my mother weights to do this workout with, I’d have to tape all the windows and put a tin hat on the dog!
If any guys are doing these DVDs, they’ll be loving this – 5 stunning, toned babes in skimpy workout gear. Bob kept tripping over his tongue.
The warmup is slick and very professionally done - and quite fast - but all the Step moves are basic, such as Heel Digs and Side Taps. You’ll probably have to go through this a few times before you get it. Bob and I did this workout together, and I was weak with laughter watching him trying to master Straddles and Knee Lifts. A dancing bear would have been more graceful!
Then come the handweights, to sculpt and tone lovely, lean limbs – think lunges, side squats with bicep curls – that kind of thing. And yes, it’s effective without weights (just not quite as effective, but safer). The Wave is still curve-up. My only minor grumble is that sometimes you can’t see what Beginner Girl is doing, as she’s off camera.
Then The Wave goes curve-down; now you balance and rock while doing the moves. Core engaged, muscles working, calories being burnt. All good stuff! Different exercises for back, legs, arms and shoulders – all clearly taught, with lots of reminders about correct posture and safety.
From here we move to floor level for arm, chest and shoulder exercises (aka pressups), adding leg exercises in to trim those buns, and then it’s time for Ab Crunches and other waist-whittlers, before our instructor takes us through a full body stretch. This is an essential part of any workout – don’t you dare miss it out!
And that’s it – excellent, full-body workout in half an hour. Miss Perky and her team were still smiling and I was knackered! I’m reasonably fit, but I felt like I’d had a really good workout, even without using weights, and I enjoyed it all – I can thoroughly recommend it.
All the best,
Carol J Bartram
(Personal Trainer & Pilates Instructor)
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