Fit & Sleek Prenatal Physique- Prenatal Workout with Complete Pregnancy Training Plan

Please note: I am writing about my experiences, but you should always consult your doctor before doing any exercise, especially when pregnant.Prior to becoming pregnant, I had been running and doing a variety of intense workout DVDs--especially Les Mills Combat and Les Mills Pump. I had built up my fitness level to the point where I was comfortable running 5Ks in under 30 minutes and had grown accustomed to working out intensely for 45-60 minutes daily on most days of the week.I kept up this activity level (doing the same activities, only a bit less intense as time went on) until I was about 20 weeks pregnant. At that point, I suffered a minor injury (strained back and ab muscles) because I did not know how to properly modify the weight lifting DVD I was doing. (Yes, I had modified the amount of weight I was lifting, as per doctor's orders, but I did not know how to be sure I wasn't straining any muscles that shouldn't be strained). I also did not feel as comfortable running because of my growing belly bouncing around.I knew I had to find a prenatal workout, but I didn't want one that wouldn't be a challenge. That said, I found the perfect fit with Prenatal Physique.To begin, the DVD assumes that you do have a basic level of fitness before you became pregnant. I could not see someone starting with this DVD from scratch, while pregnant, without any kind of fitness background. When I first started the warm-up, I thought it was too easy, but she keeps up the pace for the entire warm-up, and by the end, I did feel like my muscles were warmed and being challenged. In fact, at one point my husband came into the room for one of the mat workouts (similar to yoga) and admitted that he would not be able to complete the entire workout!After the warm-up, which you should always do to begin, the rest of the DVD is a series of 15-minute segments you can choose from. You can customize your workout to a short 15 minutes, or you can add several together. I usually do 30 or 45 minutes at a time (plus warm-up and cool-down). For many of the segments, you need a set of light, medium, and heavy weights. I only have 5, 10, and 25 pounds weights at home, so I use the 5 as the "light or medium" and the 10 as the "heavy" weights (my doc warned against anything greater than 20). There are segments with more of a cardio/weight-lifting feel (which felt very familiar and comfortable for me) and segments with more of a yoga/barre feel (which were a bit foreign to me). Both types of workouts challenged my muscles (especially because you can modify the amount of weight you are comfortable lifting), and I was even a little sore the next day (nothing like what I was used to feeling, but it was nice to know I was challenging my muscles a bit). I also like the 15-minute stretch segment at the end as the cool-down. She is careful to do only stretches that are appropriate.What I like the most about the video is that the exercises she leads you through feel very safe. I never felt that I was going to pull any muscles. In short, she has already modified the exercises to perfectly fit the pregnant body. (She is visibly pregnant while working out with you). I also like the fact that she is very calm while leading the exercises. She's not one of those crazy workout instructors who yells motivational things to you about pushing yourself. (It's not that I don't like those kinds of instructors; it's just that pregnancy is not the time to push yourself to a pain threshold). She also gives tips about how to modify each exercise either to provide more of a challenge, or less of a challenge, and she does address possible modifications for when you progress in your pregnancy.In short: it's a great DVD for people with a good fitness background prior to becoming pregnant. It can either replace or help modify existing workouts. I can see it being a challenge for people without any fitness background.

I have bought about 12 workout videos since being pregnant. I had a really difficult time finding workouts that were challenging enough since there weren't may reviews online, so here is my review. I hope you find it helpful!Pre-pregnancy I ran around 20 miles a week, and did an addition 2-4 strength days a week. I am very active and in good shape. However, After my first two months of pregnancy I couldn't run anymore, so I started looking for ways to build muscle safely and effectively as well as find alternative cardio routines. I am 38 weeks pregnant, and can still perform all of these videos. I have seen muscle gain (as has my husband and mid-wives who compliment how well I've stayed in shape!), and I can't wait until I loose this bit of baby fat to really see the definition! The following are my favorite 4 videos that I really found challenging and effective, as well as great for times I have had more or less energy throughout pregnancy. They have really helped keep me in shape when I couldn't run or do military-like workouts anymore!1. Fit+Sleek Prenatal Physique with Leah Sarago. Moderate/difficult. The weight portions allow you to add additional weight so you can continue to challenge yourself. Easy to mix and match and repeat sections for more reps. My favorite on this video is the upper body and ab portions. I usually do two workouts twice per per day when doing this video. The lower body is also very good. It's also a nice video for when you don't have a lot of time or energy to have the option of doing a 15-30 minute workout since each section is just 15 minutes. Has a good workout suggestion guide. Also, the pre-natal stretch is AMAZING!2.Expecting More with Sara Haley: Moderate/Difficult. Okay, so this one I have mixed feelings. Over all, I do love it since the workouts are longer (Around an hour, depending) and they are very effective. She just kind of gets on my nerves sometimes with her silly dance moves and the tone she uses. You do have to be careful and be sure to follow moderation's if you aren't as fit--some of the jumping and twisting around can be scary if you don't know how to do it right. She is good at her instructions and making sure you and baby stay safe. Over all, some of these are very challenging, and some are easier. I love the cardio portions, though her strength portions are great, and you will want bumb-bells. Also is a fun video if you like to dance!3. Long and Lean prenatal Workout with Suzanne Bowen: Easy/Moderate. This was one of my first prenatal videos, and still one of my favorites. I do this one on the days where I have no energy. It does a good job working shoulders and your lower body groups. In the past couple months I have added light weights (3-5lbs) to some of the arm and squat portions to challenge myself more. There is no cardio, really, but is a nice, effective Pilates style workout. My sister, who is a Marine, did this one with me some months after having her 3rd child and felt a little sore the next day. This is one that will def get easier pretty quick if you are moderately to in good shape. But it is effective enough, and more relaxing on those super sleepy, growing a baby days :)4. The Perfect Pregnancy Workout with Karyne Steben. Moderate/Difficult. LOVE this workout! Karyne is a world class athlete and this video shows that. This chick is buff! I have been doing this video for about 6 months, and still find it a little challenging. She covers all main muscle groups, lower body, abs, back, side-body, in very safe and effective ways. I do feel most of the focus is in the upper back and arms, so you will def be feeling this the next day! You will want dumb-bells this one. This video is a bit relaxing in style, and it is a bit on the old fashion side (as far as music and quality), but it is really great and one of my favorites.All of these videos have great stretch portions that I feel are very effective in getting baby where he/she needs to be for delivery, and really helps get your body get into optimal shape for delivery as well. Like I said, my mid-wives have complimented me on how well I have stayed in shape, and my husband has taken lots of notice, too. He thinks I have more muscle on me now than I did pre-pregnancy! I do these videos about 5 times a week and have felt healthy and good throughout my pregnancy. I hope my review helps you!

Great workout dvd! I'm not into prenatal yoga, and I wanted something a bit more upbeat with both cardio and sculpting. This one is a winner! Sarago is a pleasant instructor: as other reviewers have stated, she isn't overly peppy or annoying; she talks TO you and not AT you, which I really like. The exercises are just challenging enough for me but easily modified for a more intense or less intense workout. Each workout segment targets specific areas, but she still keeps your entire body moving and engaged regardless of which you choose. The warm up is fun, the stretching nice, but my favorite is the upper body cardio sculpt. It isn't too much for my tired, pregnant self to accomplish, and my arms are definitely showing more definition. There are moments when Sarago gets off-beat in her repetitions, but it's fine - not really distracting or anything.My one minor suggestion is to have just a bit more low-intensity cardio. I don't have room in my house for a treadmill or elliptical, and it would be nice to get that 30 min. of activity in other than the focus on sculpting, especially on a rainy day when I can't walk my neighborhood. Also, and this is minor but worth mentioning, the dance-beat music grates on my nerves after a while. What's worse is that there are songs that I definitely recognize and wouldn't have minded if they were the original (ex: Guetta's "Titanium" featuring Sia and Ellie Goulding's "Lights"), but they have different words and a second-rate auto-tuned singer that sounds like a Brittney Spears blow-up doll to me. Ugh...drives me crazy after a while! : )