Fit Mama Prenatal Workout

I really liked this DVD. I had been modifying some of my regular workouts (like Crunch Bootcamp) and doing Kathy Smith's and Denise Austin's pregnancy workouts, but since they are dated, and they do get monotonous after doing them more than several times, I splurged and paid my $20 for Fit Mama. But it is lots of fun and you don't need much space at all. The exercisers are all dressed tastefully and modestly, something I really appreciate, and for those who like silent background exercisers, that's what you get here.

I like to do the dance part to music only, but you really need the voice cues for the yoga part because sometimes you are looking away from the screen.

All the exercises and moves are safe and effective and Leisa does a great job. I can't really think of anything bad to say. But of course, if you don't like Latin dance moves or yoga, this may not work for you. But then again, it could make you change your mind!

I think I'll keep this around for postnatal as well. Speaking of which, Leisa mentions her Fit Mama Postnatal workout, but I haven't seen any reviews of it yet, and I am too frugal to buy before reading reviews...Oh, lastly, this video really helped my sciatica. No pain when I finished either segment!

This is a good workout, but geared more toward beginners and lower-intermediates. It's a lower body workout, consisting of exercises like squats, hamstring curls, etc. -- things you normally expect from a lower body tape. The instructor is excellent about showing you the proper way to do a move.

At the end, after the regular cooldown and stretch, there is a relaxation segment. Nice touch! Although this isn't for me, I think beginners will benefit a lot from it.

I bought this video near the end of my first trimester and it is a great workout. It is broken down into 4 sections that you can do separately or all together for a 45 minute workout.

20 minutes - Salsa Aerobics

20 minutes - Yoga Fat Burn

6 minutes - Delivery prep/ab work

6 minutes - Easy stretach

The aerobic section is fun and at just the right level. It is fairly simple choreography which is great for days you do not want to think to much. It consists of mostly cha-chas, mambos, and salsa moves. She mentions that you can lower or raise intesity by arm movement.

The yoga fat burn section is traditional yoga moves done at a faster pace. Most moves are centered on strenghening the lower body. This section as well as the labor ease, she divided the exercises up by trimester with you following the exercisers of your trimester. Familier moves you see are chair pose and warrior pose. She does a little pattern and you repeat it several times on each side. This is the first tape with any sculpting moves that I have done since becoming pregnant and 1 day later I am pretty sore in my hamstrings and butt.

The delivery prep section consists of several sets of kiegals and some abdominal exercises that you repeat several times. The ab exercises are also divided up into trimesters. The exercises are basically contracting the abs in a seated position.

The prenatal stretch uses a yoga ball and a yoga strap. I have neither and did not feel I needed them. She only uses the yoga strap in a seated calf stretch and I am flexible enough to grab my toes with my hands.

This is the first prenatal workout that I have done so I can not compare it to others on the market. I decided against purchasing Kathy Smiths video due to the negative comments in the reviews. I have the DVD which has a bonus Labor Ease and Prenatal stretch segment. I really recommend this tape.