Being fascinated by consumer fitness for over 35 years, I came across TheFirm in the late 80's.  It was an award winning, VHS tape series that became so popular with its following that fans financed the second VHS tape before it was completed. ( I remember paying $49.99 for the promise of a second VHS tape.)

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, TheFirm was founded in 1979 and utilized scientific research in their exercise design.  The creators were the sister team of Ana and Cynthia Benson, and Ana’s husband, Mark Henriksen, a documentary filmmaker. Needless to say, The production value was terrific. 

TheFirm recognized that a combination of weights and aerobics would give the most dramatic physical results.  Their claim was “3x the fat loss of aerobics alone” and their promise was “Visible results in 10 workouts”.  You have to remember that It was not until 1991 that the American College of Sports Medicine revised its' guidelines to include strength training as an essential component of fitness.  Many people still believed that aerobics was the key to fitness based on Dr. Kennith Cooper’s research in the 1960’s.    

What made it stand alone as the premier consumer exercise tapes was the gorgeous sets, music that was created specifically for the exercises, and beautiful instructors that were also superb at demonstration.   

TheFirm believed in teaching their customers about exercise science in a relatable way.  They were the first to use, and offer, a 10 and 14 inch step for gluteal and hamstring work, low impact aerobics and weights together for cardiovascular training, and weights to reverse the effects of aging.  Their Boomer tape even included  pelvic floor exercises.  

TheFirm’s aerobic weight training system worked well together and their numerous tape offerings could be interchanged to give you the results you were after.   Here was a complete system that offered results, no gimmicks, and no crazy exercises that would cause knee pain or back aches if done correctly.  I still cringe when I watch other videos/exercise programs that have unsafe exercises.  Some instructors of these programs are very popular, too.   I can’t tell you how many people hurt their joints in their twenties and are paying the price after 40.   

Unfortunately, the business that created these amazing videos had legal problems and eventually sold. It saddens me to say Ana passed at 59.  You can still find the tapes online and I used to see the DVDs in bins at Target.  If you were a member of TheFirm "cult" you will know the difference between the original tapes and what they have evolved into after being bought out. 

I was asked to be in their commercial twenty years ago.  I remember having a 103.5 degree fever yet not wanting to miss this opportunity.  Time Life was producing it and we filmed in Manhattan.  It was very exciting for me at the time.  I say in the commercial, “I’m a Personal trainer and TheFirm tape is what I use at home.”  And it was.  :)

You can see a snip it of it on my reel.  Lol