Customer Rating:  
Summary: Depends on what you're looking for...
Comment: I exercise regularly and eat a pretty healthy diet (85% vegan with occasional dairy), I'm a 37-year-old mother, and I'm fighting the battle of the bulge. I got this because it was only a 30-minute workout, which is something I can squeeze into my schedule. This workout moves pretty fast and it took me a couple of times to get the actual moves. You have to have some aerobic experience to pick up on the routine and the form. There are moderate levels of intensity, which the instructor demonstrates and you can follow other exercisers behind her. I never really got to mastering the video because I sort of gave up, opting for simpler routines.
It depends on what you're looking for and what type of exercise you enjoy. If I don't enjoy it and look forward to it, I won't continue to do it. I struggled with this a little and I also felt it was too 'young' for me. I'm not looking for a 'hard-core' body. I just wanted some variety. I still pull this out once or twice a month for a change in my routine.
I was sore after each time I did this. I got the 4-pound ball and found it challenging enough for me. It was great for getting my heart rate up, and I still use the ball in other routines. I really felt muscle soreness in my thighs and shoulders, and it was strenuous on my back, but you can avoid back strain if you maintain proper spinal alingment (with the butt tucked and squeezed.)
I gave this a 3 only because it isn't a workout that I look forward to doing and, to be honest, it's difficult in that it's probably geard toward someone at a higher fitness level than me, or perhaps someone used to going to aerobic classes. My primary exercise all summer was walking/jogging with a jogging stroller at intervals, about 3 to 5 miles a day 5 days a week. The workout in and of itself would probably be a great workout if you're looking for an advanced workout at a higher intensity. It probably isn't for a beginner.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good quick workout!
Comment: This is a good workout for when you are crunched for time. It's not exactly for beginners. I consider myself to be in pretty good shape, and it still made me sore. I'll keep using this DVD for sure!
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Firm Sculpting Ball 6lb workout
Comment: I own the 6lb ball, and let me tell you-I've been working out with The Firm videos since 1996! And it just dawned on me that this is the ONLY ball workout ever made??? LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this workout!! It's EASY to follow, goes very SMOOTHLY, doesn't make you drastically weak-but for me as an advanced excerciser-this was challanging (next I'll have to get the 8lb one). The ball is really so much fun to use!!! It's rather VERY affective. And because I am known to love weights more than cardio-I could do this workout everyday!! Another thing I just love is that she uses the ball continuously-you don't ever put it down-in which I was glad because I felt 30 min is too short to not be able to use the ball. I didn't think you could use a 6lb ball for cardio-but it makes it so much fun! My ONLY complaint about this workout is that I wish there was so many more them and that the Firm can make more workouts using the 4, 6, or 8lb ball. I hope that's not the last one I see from them-LOVE this workout! If you watch the video-you may think, "ohh its so low impact"..but when you actually do it with the heavier poundage (6 or 8)-it is challanging-and I feel sore the next day!! yeah! A++++++++++++++++++++
Customer Rating:
Summary: just right
Comment: I actually now have 4, 6, and 8 pound sculpting balls. The 6 pound is just right for most workouts. Sometimes the 8 pound is a good challenge, but often it makes my technique not as good. The workout dvd the ball comes with is doable with the 8 pound ball if you are an intermediate to advanced exerciser. But there are better ball workouts available, like David Kirsch's Ultimate New York Body Plan, that the 6 pound ball works better for. Great Firm product for great price. Adds a fun dimension to exercising. Get one, you'll be looking for more workouts to do with it just like I am!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Love that it's quick, not so crazy about holding the ball for so long
Comment: Ok, here's the deal. I really like that it is only 30 minutes, so it is great to do with my 2 year old son next to me and also for days you don't have 45 minutes - an hour to devote to working out.
I like the concept of using a ball and it is not your typical hand weight workout. It sounded interesting so I gave it a try.
It is ok, I will say that. For me, it gets really old holding the ball. I got the medium weighted one, the 6 pounder. It just feels very awkward and heavy holding the ball in my hands for that long. There are hardly any breaks when you are NOT holding it, so it really gets annoying. Maybe it would be fine for people with bigger hands that can get a good grip on the ball, but not me.
I still do this tape, mind you. It is not so bad that I refuse to do the tape. I still love that it is 30 minutes and you do feel it in your arms for sure. If you don't mind dealing with a tiny bit of awkwardness by the end, no problem! You may not even notice the hand thing as I do. It may feel completely fine.
I like the instructor and I like the other people in the tape, too, if that matters to anyone.
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