Gaiam The Wave (by The Firm)

I first started using the FIRM system 6 years ago (the Fanny Lifter series) and loved it! I got in the best shape of my life (even better than when I was going to the gym). I also have the Transfirmer kit and really like those workouts too. I have two kids (4 and 1) and have had a hard time getting back into exercising since having my kids. I saw the WAVE informercial and thought having a new exercise system would get me motivated to work out.What I like: This is a good solid workout that makes me sweat and works my muscles. I was sore the first few times after using these workouts (and I didn't use weights) and then you can add weights, or increase your weights to continue to see and feel results. The workouts are short (30 minutes and 40 minutes). If you are new to exercise, or very busy and have a hard time fitting in a workout, this will be a good workout for you - it's short enough that you don't dread it but hard enough that you feel like you got a good workout in. I like the Speed Sculpting DVD with Allie - she does a good job about reminding you of your form and giving you time to adjust your body when you are on the Wave. The Wave works your body differently than other exercise tools so I think it is a good addition to your workout collection. My kids also love it - climbing up and down it when it is in the stable position and rocking on it when it is in the rocking position.What I don't like: They only give you two workout DVD's (the third DVD is an instructional video) which both have strength training in them. Other FIRM workout systems give you three DVD's - 2 strength training and one pure cardio - this way you can do the cardio on your "off" days of strength training. On Rock the Wave they do have a Cardio Express option - but it is just the cardio portions of the Rock the Wave workout and I didn't feel like that gave a great workout and I thought it was a little cheap. I don't like the Rock the Wave DVD as well as the Speed Sculpting because the instructor doesn't give you as much time to adjust your form as Allie does in Speed Sculpting. They have usually completed a couple of reps by the time I makes sure I have proper form. I don't like the Ab workouts on the Wave - I feel like I get a better workout on the floor - but that's personal preference and I can do crunches on the floor instead.The Bottom Line: I think this is a great workout for beginners, people getting back into working out, or people that don't have a lot of time. The workouts are short and effective. I also think it's a great tool for regular exercisers who want to add something different to their workouts.

I'm currently on my 2nd week and I'm already seeing results. My target weight loss is about 10 lbs, very light duty and I enjoy using the Wave.When I first tried out the Wave I didn't really feel any difference, but you begin to see the difference after about 9 to 11 workouts (I lost about 4.5 lbs in the 2nd week). There is a meal plan included with the packet, which I had a difficult time sticking to seeing that you have to go out and spend money on all of these specific meals, so I just cut certain things out of my diet (i.e. red meat, dairy, carbs) and got just about the same results. Using the Wave also curbed my appetite to the point where I didn't even want to eat as much as I did before resulting in an additional weight drop. There's also a workout calendar that tells you which workouts you should do on what days and days that you can rest so you're not torturing yourself with endless workouts, and each workout averages to about 40 min each.The Wave has a little bit of something for everyone: cardio, full body sculpting, resistance training and even oblique and ab workouts...and not the mention it's sort of fun once you get the hang of it!Cons: It starts off pretty quickly, sort of fast paced and the instructors don't really tell you what position to start off with the Wave, so that was a little annoying. However, after awhile it sort of becomes like a routine: the same moves executed over a time period allows your body to adjust to the workout and truly benefit from the Wave itself. IMPORTANT POINT: PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THE WAVE WITHOUT SNEAKERS!!Lol. I almost took my head off just trying to stand on the Wave with my socks on. For athletic people, using resistance in the beginning will really make all of the difference. Beginners, take your time...other than that I love it and I would truly recommend it for people just trying to get leaner and tone their bodies, not recommended for people trying to lose 20+ lbs...

I read some of the reviews where people were complaining that the whole workout wasn't on the rocking wave part of the equipment. Personally, I like the fact that they fully utilized the piece of equipment as a step, as a wave, and as something to "dance around" (other reviewer's words). I think a workout would be somewhat monotonous if only one part of the equipment was used. Besides, many people can't afford a piece of equipment for every new kind of movement someone decides is the latest thing, so the versatility of this piece is appreciated.What level is this at? Well, if you are severely overweight (this equipment handles up to 275 lbs.), or are new to working out, this may be a bit difficult for you to keep up with the dvds--just do what you can and overtime it will get easier. If you are an "average" or moderate exerciser, this probably is at your level. This level of exerciser also probably appreciates the fact that both strength training and cardio is incorporated into the workouts as they often don't have the time to spend doing hours of each in separate workouts. And if you exercise 2 hours or more hours a day, seven days a week--well previous reviewers have indicated it is "too easy" for them. So, advanced exercisers may wish to avoid this, or they could try it and then post/brag about how easy it is. :-)Amazon did appear to have the best price on this which is why I purchased from them. Remember to check into shipping and handling costs if you order from another site--it could make this equipment a whole lot more expensive than you thought.