The Firm Parts: 5 Day Stretch

This tape has five sections, each with about 10 minutes of stretch routines compiled from the classic Firm workouts. I usually use this one as an add on to tapes that I feel I didn't get a good enough stretch out of, or if I am feeling I need to stretch my lower body out after sitting at my desk all day. I don't find that there are enough upper body stretches in any of the sections, for my liking.

This tape is hard to come by as it is out of print now. I happened upon it on ebay a while back and like it just enough to keep it in my collection. I really enjoy shorter stretch tapes and this one fits the bill just fine.

All of the sections are from volume 1-6 of the classic firms. Each section features two different instructors and there is the usual "parts" girl to set you up for the sections. Themusic is terrible (as it is the same as the classics tapes) and it is certainly not a tape you would reach for to relax and unwind to.

If you can find this tape for really, really cheap - pick it up. It will provide you with 5 short stretch routines. If you can't find it cheap - forget about it. In my opinion it isn't worth taking the time to actively hunt for, unless you need it to complete your Firm collection!

This is a compilation of stretching routines from the Firm's six original total-body workout tapes. Routines average about 7-8 minutes, and include a floor segment and a standing segment.

This is not a tape to use for relaxation--e.g., if you've had a hard day at work and want to get the kinks out. The segments are too short for a thorough de-kinking. Furthermore, there's very little attention paid to shoulders, back and neck (the areas you're likely to be most tense after a hard day).

However, this is a good tape to whip out if you've been running or working out and want to do a short stretch to finish up so you won't be cramped up the next day. Or sometimes I'll do a segment in the morning while my daughter's eating her cereal, just to get my blood circulating.

If you can find this cheap on sale, you might want to pick it up; otherwise, I'd recommend investing in a more thorough, longer stretching routine like Karen Voight's.

I use this tape for the same reasons that other reviewers use it--if I feel that I need a longer stretch before or especially after another workout. It's great for that, because each section will give you about 7 minutes of a combination of floor and standing stretches. I especially use it with tapes that don't include a thorough stretch, such as the Great Moves tapes. I also use it if I really want to stretch a little bit but I don't have time for a full-length yoga tape. It's also good if you are sore from a previous workout--it will help you work the kinks out!

This video has five stretch segments. The music is calming, and the stretches are attainable and feel great. Unlike some other athletic stretch routines, these are choreographed, so you almost feel like you're dancing. There are standing and floor stretches, and many segments end with a little energizing movement that makes you feel great. I often do one of these stretch segments after another aerobics video, because the Firm stretch makes me feel the way I want after a workout -- completely relaxed and energized. I'll NEVER sell or give away this video. It's an "A++".

The Firm instructors in this tape are all gorgeous Barbie-doll types, who are extremely flexible. They are motivating BECAUSE they're beautiful. They don't spout platitudes about "being proud of you" or "you're doing great"; instead, they make you feel like you're part of their beautiful-people class. After doing a Firm video, you FEEL beautiful, too!

5-Day Stretch consists of 5 different stretching routines compiled from the original FIRM series. They usually start with a standing stretch followed by a sit-down/lie-down stretch, and range from 7 to 9 minutes. I like to do these before or after a workout that doesn't include its own stretches. It's also good to do when you just need a quick pick-me-up.

The stretches on this tape aren't as relaxing as other tapes like Karen Voight's or Denise Austin's stretch tapes, mainly because they're shorter, and you don't have time to really get into it. But when you're looking for just some short segments to start or end your workout, this is a good choice.