Customer Rating: 
Summary: Reviewed as "flawless" and "the best on video".
Comment: This is a classic workout from The Old Firm.
These old Firm videos can't be beat.
As far as I'm concerned the new firm workouts in no way conform to the scientifically and beautifully formulated original firm videos!
I myself will only use the old firm videos and the new whfn videos produced by Anna Benson
Get the real deal, don't be fooled by the look alikes!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Nice mix of weight lifting, step aerobics and dance
Comment: The Tortoise" is an exercise tape that follows the 'circuit' design -- it alternates between aerobics, stretching, and weightlifting. The movements are moderately slow and typically require you to really use your muscles. The moves are all low impact. A few of movements are loosely based on dances -- Tango, Cha Cha, etc. Some equipment is requried: 3 to 20 lb dumbells, a low 3" to 7" step, and a tall 18" to 22" step. The instructor is pretty, muscular, and Rubinesque; and she does a nice job directing. The producer spent enough money on the background, direction and supporting exercisers to produce a pleasant tape.
Taken together, "The Tortoise" gives a very good muscle building workout for the entire body. It also provides a good aerobic workout. There isn't much for general range of motion, but all major muscle groups are stretched, some repeatedly. This tape was intended to be used with "The Hare", which has a greater emphasis on aerobics.
If you tend to do more aerobics than weight bearing exercise, this tape will be good for your body. My only problem with the tape is that the music and format just aren't as fun as "The Hare".
This workout has background music that is enjoyable and varied, some of it inspired by dances (e.g., Tango). Visually, the workout quite entertaining: colorful backdrop, statues, murrals on the wall, and a variety of people exercising in different clothing. It looks like you are in a class with many other people.
Customer Rating:
Summary: almost perfect
Comment: Tracie Long's physique should be enough of an inspiration, even if the good sequencing of this workout doesn't impress you.The aerobic segments are a tad lame but I just"do my own thing"during those few minutes of rest between heavy sets.And it is enjoyable-the time seems to fly.Excellent.I bought 2 copies in case one breaks!!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: would be 5 if a little tougher
Comment: As someone who generally loves The Firm series and Tracie Long, I was right in assuming that this workout would be a winner. As always, Tracie keeps you motivated without being annoying - also the background people stay quiet which is nice. My overall impression of this video i:
1. the toning and strength segments using the weights are top-notch - when she is using the barbell - I had no trouble doing the same exercises using two dumbbells. These segments were tough and gave me a good workout.
2. the 5 "cardio" segments which utilized classic dances for the routines were way too easy and did not even get my heart rate up at all - to be honest after I finished this workout I did 20 minutes of Tae Bo for some cardio benefit.
3. To summarize, get this video if you are looking for a good strength-building workout for the legs and upper body. Try the other video in this series "The Hare" or the classic firm series videos for cardio.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Workout
Comment: When I first viewed this tape, I hated ballroom the music for the aerobic step parts. I was intimidated by the fancy footwork in those step parts as well, I thought I'd trip all over myself. I was not too eager for the long sets of leg presses...and I avoided it for about two weeks. It didn't take me more than one workout to get hooked on it though. I really like it now. Even the music has gotten better for me, and the fancy footwork is really fun. There is only one aerobic part, the "charleston" that I entirely skip simply because I don't like it. Nothing wrong with the cueing or the instructor, I just don't particularly like the routine. So I do something else instead or just skip it and move on to the next part. It's only a few minutes long and won't make or break the rest of the workout.The Tortoise and the Hare are crosstrainers that work oppositely. So, the Tortoise uses slower music so that you can use heavier weights (At my current level, I can use up to 15-lbs with dumbells or a 35lb barbell and weights for military presses and biceps curls, squats, etc). Among other things, there are two long sets of leg presses on a 14-inch box (or a box height that is best for you based on your current level), a set of weighted squats and a set of weighted dip-backs, and relatively long sets of upper body work. So the workout is as challenging as you make it for yourself, and it's emphasis is on muscle sculpting. In other words, a beginner should have little problem doing the workout with light or no weights as he/she progresses. The advanced should get good results with heavier weights and proper form.
The Hare, it's corresponding crosstrainer, on the contrary, is faster and its emphasis is on cardio work. It has several fast aerobic sections on a 6-inch aerobic step, and the heaviest arm weights (during the aerobic sections) will probably be only 5 ot 7-lb dumbells, ok, maybe 10lbs if the segments aren't too fast for you. Then there are two sets of lighter weighted leg presses, and like 12min of ab/hip/thigh floorwork. So you crosstrain by alternating the two tapes so that your body does not get too used to (or too comfortable) doing the same thing. Plus when you do the heavier work, you can recover while doing the lighter work the next day.
I really like the setting of the old FIRM tapes. The settings are light, airy and IMOHO very well produced. I like the "class" setting more than I like the single lone instructor, but that's just me.
The music varies thoughout and with such a variety, there is something for everyone.
The instructor is strong and motivates me to do my best work. The cueing is very good as well, especially with the fancy footwork. The instructor is very experienced and her demeanor is professional and inspiring. I really don't take too well with the bouncy cream puff types, and really appreciate the "just do it" instructors who don't gab in between stuff, or sound like minnie mouse, etc. But that's just me. Everyone will find their own motivators.
