2
I've used about 10 FIRM tapes for home exercise over the years; this is by far my favorite, and in my opinion the most effective (yes, even in only 42 minutes). If you want to tighten up your thighs and rear, look no further. But be warned: if you're not used to doing serious legwork, go easy on yourself, otherwise it's the "free fall to the toilet seat" and agony going down stairs, for several days!! I'm an avid cyclist and this tape still does me in if I don't do it regularly.

3
I am a lifelong PE Refugee who would still be a slug if it weren't for my "party animal" aerobic tapes. But the year I turned 40, I realized it was time to get serious about strength training! While I had dabbled with other toning tapes, I really wanted to try the FIRM tapes. Upon some recommendations from friends at a popular fitness video review website, this one was my very first FIRM purchase. One month after I'd been using it, three or four people asked me if I'd lost weight. (I hadn't...but my clothes were a little looser). ! But even more than the changes in my body's looks, I was excited about how this workout increased what I could DO! My upper body and my back were stronger than they had ever been--even when the heaviest weights I used were 10 pounds on each side. Three months after starting this routine 2-3 times a week, I found that my muscles were strong enough to do longer and more intense cardio routines. Cross training really helped me take it to the next level.

The workout itself is about 40-42 minutes in length, which should appeal to the leisure-challenged among us.) Susan and Kai take turns leading different sections, plus you rotate five minutes of heavy weight work with five minutes of very basic aerobics or slow-paced step aerobics. The repetitions for most of the heaviest moves such as squats are broken up and rotated with other exercises. Nothing like a little variety to keep you interested! You're busy ALL the time, so the workout seems shorter than it really is. But don't let the short length fool you. You can make this as easy or as hard as you want by the size weights you choose for the moves. If you use the heaviest weights possible for you, you will definitely know you've worked out. Or if you're not up to par, you can always go with lighter weights for a day and still maintain your exercise habit!

The set is beautiful, and so is the cast. I'm usually too busy moaning and groaning to pay attention to them, though. The music is pleasant--some jazz, a little new age or neo-classical, synchronized very nicely with the routines. There are a couple of numbers, though, that sound like 1950's burlesque music. One of them is performed by a horn section with more brass than class. Apologies to tuba enthusiasts everywhere, but I think tubas sound hilarious. All you have to do is say the word "tuba" and I start cracking up. Well, guess which instrument has the fluctuating solo on this song? But at least it comes at the end of the toughest sequence of the tape, when I'm ready for a good laugh.
Speaking of laughs, the last couple of minutes or so of the routine, after you've stretched and are all mellowed out, for some strange reason Kai takes center stage again and leads you through this little cheerleader-type dance routine. My internet fitness buddies and I refer to this as the Dork Dance. It's totally anachronistic and out of place at that point in the routine, and Heaven only knows what Benson was thinking when she put it there. I tried it a time or two, but just thought, "This is stupid" and then decided to just exercise my stomach muscles some more by laughing at it. You just gotta love the FIRM--they're masters at the unintentional humor!

Both Susan and Kai are very elegant and classy-looking. Kai is a joy to watch--she even looks good doing squats and hoisting those heavy weights. I happen to love Susan, too--and her wonderful accent. (It's nice to see and hear a fellow Southerner in action!) However, she has multiple personalities that change with the workout segments. She's really sweet and soft-spoken during the stretches and cool-down, a drill sergeant during the pushups--"PUSH!!!” --and serious most of the rest of the time. I must warn you--there are a couple of places where she really seems to get an endorphin rush--or something--from working out. If this were a 1940's movie, I'd expect her to light up a cigarette in the next frame!
I do hope they'll bring this one back to life someday. If you can find a copy for sale on an online auction or here at Amazon.com, grab it. It's a good deal. . .

4
This is the FIRM "Volume Four" tape, reincarnated as the Time-Crunch Workout. Of the fifteen-plus FIRM tapes I own, this is my favorite for a total body workout (I think Firm Parts / Five Day Abs is my overall favorite, but what's not to like about workouts that last only six minutes?) Why oh why is this no longer being produced? This is such a fantastic tape. It's short (42 minute workout), effective, fun. It was the first tape to introduce the step up box, which is taller & narrower than the plastic stacking steps used in traditional step aerobics classics. Thus, the moves are slower, more deliberate, and frankly, more effective than your average step aerobics.

5
I love the FIRM series, and this is the best of the best. I started buying the FIRM tapes back in 1989 when they were fifty bucks a pop. At one point, I had nearly sixty exercise videos, but I found that as my collection grew, I would ALWAYS choose a FIRM over Jane Fonda, Denise Austin, Kathy Smith, Jazzercise -- so most of those, though they were good, went to Salvation Army. After doing the FIRM workouts, other workouts just seemed silly, all hoppy and bouncy, and not particularly effective. The first six FIRM tapes are superior -- I think that this is the best of the first six. If you can get this somewhere, or find a used "Volume Four," grab it; I don't think you'll be disappointed. If not, grab one of the currently available FIRM tapes in the interim & keep your eyes open for this one.

6
LOVE "FIRM IV" aka "Time-Crunch Workout". I am a FIRM Believer from Day One when we sent the Company [money] BEFORE the videos were made!! I've had to buy this video 3 different times because I wore each copy out!! Susan Harris and the FIRM Classics are the best FIRM videos ever!! I LOVE Kai's fast step and weight segments...my husband always laughs because I groan and say, "Please Kai, no more!!" But it is my favorite part of the video. The very TOUGH ab segment at the end with Susan is a killer!! I have 5-Day Abs and Tough Aerobic Mix just to do those segments again!! You definitely get a workout in only 42 minutes; but I stop at Kai's sort of silly ending "cool-down" segment, too. For FUN and VARIETY and TOUGHNESS, get this video!! As a matter of fact, get TWO, since this is unfortunately not available anywhere else, and you WILL wear the tape out by using it so much!!

7
I've used about 10 FIRM tapes for home exercise over the years, and this is by far my favorite, and in my opinion the most effective (yes, even in only 42 minutes). If you want to tighten up your thighs and rear, look no further. But be warned: if you're not used to doing serious leg work, go easy on yourself, otherwise it's the "free fall to the toilet seat" and agony going down stairs, for several days!! I'm an avid cyclist and this tape still does me in if I don't do it regularly. OUCH!! Other tips for the FIRM novice: Those cheap Rubbermaid step stools you can buy anywhere are a perfect height for the step work. The upper bodywork with the step work in the first part of the video is a little fast and jerky. I recommend slowing it to half time, while keeping the step work going in sync with the instructor. Unless you're already in seriously great shape, heed their advice regarding "beginners, don't use weights." The weights the instructors use (esp. Susan) are VERY heavy, even for the fittest among us. Last, some of the abdominal exercises are not great for those with lower back problems.

8
This is the FIRM "Volume Four" tape, reincarnated as the Time-Crunch Workout. Of the fifteen-plus FIRM tapes I own, this is my favorite for a total body workout (I think Firm Parts / Five Day Abs is my overall favorite, but what's not to like about workouts that last only six minutes?) Why oh why is this no longer being produced? This is such a fantastic tape. It's short (42 minute workout), effective, fun. It was the first tape to introduce the step up box, which is taller & narrower than the plastic stacking steps used in traditional step aerobics classics. Thus, the moves are slower, more deliberate, and frankly, more effective than your average step aerobics.

9
I love the FIRM series, and this is the best of the best. I started buying the FIRM tapes back in 1989 when they were fifty bucks a pop. At one point, I had nearly sixty exercise videos, but I found that as my collection grew, I would ALWAYS choose a FIRM over Jane Fonda, Denise Austin, Kathy Smith, Jazzercise -- so most of those, though they were good, went to Salvation Army. After doing the FIRM workouts, other workouts just seemed silly, all hoppy and bouncy, and not particularly effective. The first six FIRM tapes are superior -- I think that this is the best of the first six. If you can get this somewhere, or find a used "Volume Four," grab it; I don't think you'll be disappointed. If not, grab one of the currently-available FIRM tapes in the interim & keep your eyes open for this one.