I have tried each of these 3 Prenatal Workouts several times now. It is nice to have all 3 as it provides a good mix, depending on what my body feels it needs that day. I could have ordered them each separately, but Gaiam had them in a Prenatal Workout DVD package for a lower cost than each on their own.
Shiva Rea’s Prenatal Yoga is a more standard yoga format, complete with unitards. It has mainstream positions with the moves modified for each trimester. It involves lots of great stretches and even some kegel exercises (OK a little out of the norm) to keep your body in shape and get you tuned up for the big day.
Shiva Rea’s Prenatal Yoga
-Total running time 70 min
-Modifications for each trimester
-Mainstream Yoga for Yoga Moms to be
If you’re in the mood for something a little (OK maybe a lot) more… freeform, give Prenatal Kundalini Yoga with Gurmukh a try. This is great when my body wants to move, but I am not really in the mood for a structured workout. Between the initial chanting and the singing finale there is some great meat (or tofu patty) between the bread, including a freeform flowing dance movement section that is quite nice if you don’t feel too silly. Also included, a bit more meditation and some hip opening squats (those will come in handy!) and lots of great stretching.
Prenatal Kundalini Yoga with Gurmukh
-68 minutes
-More free flowing
-Several Chants and even Singing!
Now if I’m actually in the mood to do a ‘real’ workout I turn to Summer Sanders’ Prenatal Workout. This really is a great DVD to keep you fit without pushing too hard and would probably be great Postnatal too. It delivers a full body workout (legs, butt, abs, arms and all) safely and effectively. I like this DVD as well because it gives you plenty of options. It has 1 express and 1 full length workout for each trimester – that’s 6 workouts! A lotta bang for your buck! So I hope you give these a try, and if you can, try all 3 for a well rounded prenatal fitness routine!
Summer Sanders’ Prenatal Workout
-Express and Full Length workouts for EACH trimester
-Express are about 25 min, not sure how long the full one’s are – haven’t made it that far
-Lots of lunges and squats
-Full body workout
-Need a body band or resistance cord (not included)
I found this DVD selection at Gaiam, which has an entire section dedicated to Prenatal Yoga. You can usually find lots of Gaiam coupons online to save a few bucks on every purchase.
Another pregnancy workout I’ve been doing a lot of is swimming. Our gym has a “therapy pool” and I love just getting in there and moving around without gravity pulling me down so much. What prenatal workouts do you enjoy most?
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It is Sooooooooo important to keep working out while you’re pregnant. Trust me – the weight doesn’t just go away after you have the baby. And it’s impossible (probably dangerous too) to diet soon after pregnancy or while breastfeeding. So keep up with the prenatal workouts and be a healthy mom. Don’t push yourself, but don’t let pregnancy give you an excuse to be lazy either!
Speaking about pregnancy, my wife just broke the news she’s pregnant, hurray!! I guess i’ll need to get her one of these exercise Dvd’s.
I have to say the only way to gain weight quick is to not listen to anyone but your own common sence. Why would you buy the latest magaziene that has “The Truth About Abs”? Because their truth is to buy their supplement.
Stay Healthy And Happy!
My wife really like Yoga while she was pregnant. It also, helped her reduce stress and lower her blood pressure. I’d highly reccommend!
Prenatal Workouts should be good for baby and women, recently environment pollution will be a serious issue, man in the world should be protect our descendant.
I found that Shiva Rea’s Prenatal Yoga worked for me during my first childbirth. It helped on a great number of fronts, especially the breathing and relaxing. I have not tried the other DVD’s mentioned here but with my second baby due I might be adventurous and try the others
The main thing to watch out for is eating habits. It easy to carried away with bad eating because one you are eating for two and second I am getting fat anyway so what does it matter. Stay away from this type of thinking. It is more important now to eat lean and healthy for you and the baby. The fuel you put in is for both. Stay away from the white food and stick with the green and lean meats.
Because of not following this my wife gained 80+ pounds. She was still beautiful and luckily our baby was very healthy but it took her a long time to combat the weight and get back on a regimen. She wishes she had followed advice like this before, during, and post pregnancy.