Infomercial Ads

THE FIRM: 5 DAY ABS

Description: The Firm: 5-Day Abs is part of the Firm Parts series. Guest trainer Tracy James hosts 5 daily, short (6 to 9 minutes) ab workouts from The Firm's award-winning, total-body volumes. Five all-star leaders provide maximum variety to tone your entire abdominal area.

Reviews (32):

It's Excellent!
Reviewer: Anonymous 01-19-2003
The Firm's 5 day abs video is excellent. It has 5 different abs routines
each about 6 to 9 minutes long. They are challenging and motivating. I even have my husband doing them with me every night! The video costs 14.95 and you can get it at blockbuster. Happy crunching!

A Good Workout
Reviewer: Anonymous 01-29-2003
I reccommend The Firm's 5 day Abs workout. It's basically the ab sections taken from their total body workouts. I like them a lot. The instructor between the sections is really cute, but the stiffest person I've ever seen in front of a camera. But it's a very good workout.

It's Fun!
Reviewer: Anonymous 10-20-2003
I am at least 70 lbs overweight. After 3 months of using these videos I lost 12 inches all over. I recommend them for everyone, especially for girls that are not overweight, but just need to "firm" what they have. They're actually fun!

From a size 16 to a 12
Reviewer: Anonymous 06-11-2003
Since using these videos
I have gone from a size 16 to a size 12 & I have lost over 50 inches. They do a complete body workout, using mostly low impact moves, cardiovascular techniques, and weights. It gets you in shape faster, is more thorough, and is safer than any tapes that I have ever done. They also have enough options so that over all these years, I have never gotten bored. They are easy to stick with and show results as they say -- within 10 workouts! For me, a few less than 10.

This tape annoys me
Reviewer: Viktoria Hungary 10-23-2004
Okay, so the exercises ARE good. The abs exercises on most of the FIRM tapes that have them ARE good. But I still think it was a mistake ordering this tape for two reasons:
1. It's just a collection of routines from other, earlier FIRM tapes, so to me it pretty much seems like a rip-off. Also, get ready for some OLD ones there - from the time when instructors looked like Kate Moss and even guys were wearing pink and orange aerobics clothes. If you ever felt like you didn't quite enjoy looking at such things anymore - well, then you'll find this tape a visual disaster.
2. Who is this Tracy guy, for heaven's sake?! All he does is introducing the sets of exercises - half naked and looking as unnatural as a diamond ring on a homeless guy's pinky. He's ridiculous, but he's actually too annoying for me to be able to simply laugh at him.
Altogether, this tape was a disappointment and the two stars are strictly for the exercises.

A must have
Reviewer: Charise Loude Detroit, Michigan 12-09-2001
I love this tape because of the variety in exercises. You have 5 different workouts for each day and it works. With a healty diet and exercise you will definitely see results in a matter of weeks if you are consistent.

easy to incorporate into your daily routine
Reviewer: Carol C. "ccjello" Kansas City, MO USA 07-08-2001
I starting buying the FIRM tapes back in 1989 when they were fifty bucks a pop. I added this as soon as it came out. At first, I was disappointed -- there's nothing new in here; all of the 5 - 9 minute ab segments were cut from the long workout tapes I already owned. However, once I started branching out into other tapes, or skipping the FIRM total body workouts all together, I became much more dependent on this tape. It's so easy to find 5 - 9 minutes to workout; I can do these right after I roll out of bed (even with my jammies still on), and the exercises are so familiar I can keep my eyes closed & still make it through them while I'm half-asleep. I don't know that my abs look any better, but they sure feel strong -- and I NEVER have the backaches that I used to have ten years ago. The best part about this is that it's so short (and effective), it's hard to find an excuse for skipping it. Two of the five segments require a FIRM "step-up box," a stool used in the FIRM workout tapes. Frankly, anything in the 12 - 20" range that you could prop your feet up on would be effective. I've got the whole array of FIRM step-up boxes, but on occasion, I'll just use a chair seat when it's most convenient.
I definitely agree with the ky reviewer that Stud Boy, our "personal trainer," whose role is to introduce each of the five segments, is a bit much. He does add comic relief -- My sister (who also owns the tape) & I have been known to call each other or comment while trying on clothes (using a Tracy James New Yorkish -- I guess -- accent "Remember, you won't be able to see your firm new abs until you get rid of that ugly layer of fat." I find him an amusing annoyance, tolerable for the fifteen or so seconds he appears on each segment.

I don't have the second abs tape, but I'll definitely get it. Although I haven't done so many of the FIRM tapes lately, I do own at least twelve of them (collected over twelve years -- ); I've discarded many, many, many other tapes over the years (Denise Austin, Jane Fonda, Jazzercise, Kathy Smith, . . . ). They were enjoyable, but I got to a point where I didn't want to do them any more, and off they went to Salvation Army. In contrast, I've never discarded a FIRM tape -- the early ones, in particular, really are good and for some reason, much less boring than other tapes. This is the only ab tape I own now -- I used to have Abs of Steel ab segment tapes & a Joanie Greggains ab tape -- but this is the one I would always do -- and which I definitely prefer. Now if I could only get rid of that ugly layer of fat . . .

Great routine but can't "stomach" (sorry) Stud Boy
Reviewer: Melissa P. Cooper "kymissy" Indianapolis, IN 04-16-2001
I wanted to like this one. Really, I did. What's not to love about the idea of a video with short abdominal workouts broken down in such a way that you can use them to supplement any type of routine out there? And say what you will about the FIRM founders' eccentricites, they've put together workouts that delivered results for many, many folks. These routines can do the job for you. Janet Jones' routine (from FIRM Volume 2) is especially killer, but the others from the early Classic FIRMS are, also.
However, I had one problem with this tape that I couldn't get past to save my soul. I just absolutely could not stomach (no pun intended, really )Tracy James' on-camera persona. What is this guy supposed to be doing here? From what I remember, he's billed as being, "your personal trainer." Oh, spare me. I realize that I'm about to get very politically incorrect here, and offend people who think he's a real "hottie," but my nickname for him was Stud Boy. He reminds me of a snotty high school pretty boy who drives the latest red convertible sports car and is so full of himself. His opening monologue is delivered in an almost obnoxious tone--especially when he's talking about how firm abs won't show if there's an ugly layer of *FAT* there. Then he gets on the floor and acts like he's going to do the workout with you. . .except they edit you right into Janet Jones and the gang for the "real" workout. On it goes, till he eventually comes back and gives you this cheesy thumbs up sign like you and he have just been sweating through this experience together and he can't wait to "see you tomorrow." Well, I couldn't wait, either. . .to trade this one away on an Internet exchange where hopefully it's found a happy home. FIRM's newest tape, More 5-Day Abs does the job just as well, and we don't have to put up with someone pretending to be our best friend. . .or more.

The routines ARE excellent. It's just a matter of whether or not Tracy James is your cup of tea. Frankly, my dears, I'll pass.

Review of 5 Day Abs
Reviewer: "ableedingheart" 03-09-2001
5 Daily, short abdominal routines was a great idea from the FIRM! This one is comprised of segemtns from five of the original, total body volumes. This tape is great if you want to just do ab work every day, or to add extra abdominal work to any of your workouts. It includes very classic and traditional moves as opposed to the moves in the other ab video, More 5 Day Abs. These sets, however, are a lot of fun and also produce great results!

Outdated and not particularly motivating
Reviewer: Anonymous 02-04-2001
I have been working out for over 10 years and I have owned two of the Firm series. Though this tape does have 5 day workouts for the Abs, I find the exercises themselves to be outdated and not particularly safe for anyone with lower back vulnerability. The majority of the movements do not allow for stabalizing the lower back while doing them. They don't seem to isolate and direct the exercises as efficiently as I have found other video instructors tapes to do. The plus to this tape is the 5 day varied exercises/Firm instructors and a -pre workout demonstration for each series.

this really firms up your abs!
Reviewer: Janelle L. Lino Brooklyn, NY 01-02-2001
If you are looking for a great ab workout, then this tape is for you. It actually includes five excellent abdominal workouts from the original total body Firm tapes. As you progress into the "days", the workouts increase in intensity AND duration.

Must-own video
Reviewer: Anonymous 10-30-2000
This ab work-out is thorough and challenging. Beginners may struggle just to finish, but if done consistently it is not too hard to progress. Advanced exercisers can add ankle weights to increase the challenge. Each "day" of the 5-day workout includes a balanced workout, working each part of the abdominal group hard. The instructors are good and for the most part cue well, although the cheesy man that introduces each section is not too helpful and usually just evokes giggles when I'm trying to get ready for the workout. This video is perfect for using after a run or other cardio workout, or if you don't have time to do any other exercise on a given day.

Does what it says it will do!
Reviewer: "jaylinii" Jacksonville, FL United States 10-27-2000
This is a great tape for the abs. The wonderful part is that as you increase in ability, the tape grows with you. If doing one segment of 5 day abs get too easy, try doing two segments ... You will see results!
I've been using this video for about 6 months now and I'm still not tired of it. 5 different abs work outs is enough to keep me from feeling like I'm doing the same thing over and over every time I work out, but it's also few enough that after going through each workout a couple of times, I can consentrate on doing the workouts and not have to keep looking at the TV to figure out what's going on.

It's a great addition for any video work out library.

Fantastic Workout Video
Reviewer: Anonymous 08-23-2000
I've tried several other ab workout videos, and while I would rate them as "okay", I found this one to be "fantastic"! The nicest feature is that it provides 5 different workouts, where most other tapes have you perform the same 8 or 10 minute workout every day. As it claims, I began to see results after just ten days of use! In fact, I just purchased "More 5-Day Abs" because I liked the first one so well!

Good Ab Work Out with Cheezy Leads
Reviewer: Anonymous 05-06-2002
The workouts on this tape are quick and to the point. Each of the 5 workouts really targets the abs. The instrucotrs are a little cheezy, but still worth the slight annoyance for the good, quick workout.

Best Abs DVD
Reviewer: "andrewbeck" Arlington, Va United States 05-18-2002
I have tried several others and this one has the best and toughest workouts on the market. I really like that there are 5 different workouts. Day 4 is killer. Try it and I think that you will agree.

The Firm: Five Day Abs
Reviewer: Stephanie B Hixson Seattle, WA 06-14-2005
This is an awesome workout for the abs - even though you are only doing 5-7 minutes of ab work daily, it really makes you feel like you are working hard! And the results are amazing. Highly recommended.

Best Abs Workout Ever
Reviewer: M. Wilson "silverdale" Oklahoma 05-05-2000
I've tried several workout tapes targeting abs, and while they have all been decent, this is without a doubt the most useful I've ever had. The workout is intense and uses a technique called 'muscle confusion' to get the most out of the exercises. When I first started, I couldn't even get through one seven-minute workout. Within two months, I could do the entire tape in one sitting. I'm starting to look more like the guy on the cover (he just introduces the segments -- don't get your hopes up, ladies). If you only buy one tape for abs, this is it!

I loved it
Reviewer: Anonymous 04-27-2000
I could feel my abs hurting the next day. The excercises are challanging, but not real difficult to perform. Since there are five of them, you don't get bored and they are only 5-8 minutes each. Also, Tracy James is very pleasant to look at.

Great Video with lots of variety!
Reviewer: "taralynn" Idaho 02-15-2000
This is a great ab video if you like variety in a workout. There is 5 "daily" segments of 6 to 9 minutes each. If you are having a strong workout day you could even do more than one. The guy that host the videos is a little dorky but he looks good. The workouts themselves must have been done in the 80's judging by the leotards and other corny outfits but it is a good workout if you can get past the scenery.

Great Post-Baby Workout
Reviewer: Anonymous 01-29-2000
This video helped me regain my flat stomach after giving birth to 2 babies in 20 months! I started the video about 6 weeks post-partum, and I saw results immediately. I started out with Day 5, which is the easiest workout, and kept repeating it every day until my abs were strong enough to do the rest of the tape. What really helped to lose the post-baby "pooch" was to do 2-3 of the workouts back-to-back.

Results in 10 workouts
Reviewer: Anonymous 12-23-1999
The video keeps its promise of visisble results in ten workouts. I have been using this video for over a year now and I love it. It consists of five different workout ranging from six to nine minutes. I usually do Days 1-3, then take a day off. Then I continue with two more days and then another day off before I start over. Day 4 is VERY TOUGH, but it works. You will have strong abs. Throw in exercise and healthy eating and soon you'll have a nice, flat stomach. Love this tape. Everyone should own it.

Great variety! Effective workout!
Reviewer: Anonymous 08-01-1999
The variety in this tape keeps it interesting. It's the best short tape I've found for abs, especially the lower abdominals. There is not detailed instructions on positioning, however, so it may not be for those just beginning to work out.

Flat Abs Fast
Reviewer: Anonymous 07-04-1999
I've never had that feminine pouch of the lower abdominals but I'm not as firm as I used to be. I started the video about a month ago and now my belly is usually quite

THE BEST AB ROUTINE....EVER!!!!
Reviewer: Anonymous 06-30-1999
Anyone wanting to get that "six-pack" look would do well to buy this tape. I recommend that before you actually do the exercises, you watch the tape from beginning to end to familiarize yourself with it first. It moves quickly and is a tough workout. After 2 minutes you feel the "burn". But just imagine having washboard abs!! It's great and I swear by this company's products!

Excellent! Fast results
Reviewer: Anonymous Minnesota 06-17-2001
I found this video both fun and effective. Results were seen within 10 workouts as promised. I also found the workout inspiring. The fact that all workouts are 8 minutes or less was also a plus!

Just fast forward past Janet!!!
Reviewer: Anonymous 06-03-1999
Yes, Janet Jones-Gretzky does the first day of abs, and she's horrible, but the other four days are TOUGH. I saw results by the end of the first viewing, and now (thanks to the other Firm videos as well), I am THRILLED with my abs for the first time in my life (have a new bikini to show 'em off ;-). One humorous note: while Tracy James, who introduces each day, DOES have marvelously inspirational abs, he has the screen presence of a post-it note and will definitely give you a giggle. :-)

There is no excuse not to work out your abs with this tape
Reviewer: Anonymous 05-17-2000
It is great. short enough to do every day. There is no equiptment needed, just a mat. Each day is different so you will never get board.

Goes too fast with too little emphasis on proper posture
Reviewer: Anonymous 05-23-2000
An overall good workout but NOT for beginners. I thought the video lacks instruction on proper posture which makes it easy to pull your neck and hurt your back. Provides similar intensity to Abs of Steel series but with more movement and variation and less instruction.

So-So
Reviewer: Anonymous 12-26-2003
This is an "okay" workout. It's main strength is that it is divided into 5 different workouts of about 10-12 minutes each, so you can do a portion whenever the mood strikes you. As far as effectiveness, I'd have to say it's only average. For real abdominal strengthening and flattening, I'd recommend any of The Method videos, Keli Roberts' ab video, or Rodney Yee's Abs Yoga.

A great ab workout for everyday of the week!!!!
Reviewer: Anonymous 09-12-2003
This is a great abdominal workout. This video is divided by days and the instructor tells you how to position yourself before you begin the workout for the day. One of the days you are told to put your heels on the fanny lifter (a wooden stool). Ankle weight can be used to intensify the workout, but it is intense enough.

No instant results, but benefits nonetheless
Reviewer: Max Jones "misterplow" Auburn, AL USA 03-11-2002
This is definitely a good investment at the price--all of the workouts are good and relatively challenging (Day 4 is a killer, but I love it) and short enough to fit into a daily routine. You won't have a six-pack after only a few viewings (that's dependent on diet as well) but you will have a flatter stomach and a trimmer waist after a few weeks. Why not try it?

Average Reviewer Rating:

Add my review on this item