Suzanne Bowen's Slim & Toned Prenatal Barre Workout (2012)

UPDATE (7/14/14): I'm now 38 weeks pregnant and have been using the DVD since I was 15 weeks. Originally I alternated it with a pre-natal pilates video, but I soon found I liked this workout much better. Now, I do this 4 times/week with 30-minutes of brisk walking on the off days. The workout is more challenging now that I'm bigger, but it's still very doable and keeps me feeling in shape. I'm hoping all the focus on the pelvic floor will also help in labor and delivery! I have used the modifications more as I've gotten bigger, but the only exercise I feel I can't do is the nagler (sp?--the outer hip one) stretch--my belly is simply too big! ORIGINAL: At 15 weeks pregnant I had to give up my gym membership. I'd been doing cardio and weight training about four times a week and had always enjoyed barre classes, so this video seemed a good choice. I've been very happy with the purchase. The routines are challenging (legs definitely burn in the lower body track) without feeling impossible. The length (each section is 20 minutes) is also perfect: easy to combine or just do one. It feels like good attention is paid to muscles used in pregnancy and childbirth. Suzanne explains the moves clearly but keeps a quick pace. Appropriate modifications are noted for later in pregnancy. My only complaint is that the cardio track is barely cardio; it's really just another lower body toning track. If you're looking for real cardio, this won't do it. I never break a sweat in any of the tracks, but my arms and legs are plenty tired. Nonetheless, a good choice for fit to reasonably fit women. At 17 weeks I'm still pretty small, but I think I won't have a problem continuing with it throughout pregnancy.

This is my favorite pregnancy workout DVD of the 4 I purchased! It's the most challenging, and the only one I use on a regular basis. While it is challenging, I do not get out of breath and am not sore the next day. I really like the isometric toning that barre movement provides, and the instructor is really good about bringing pelvic floor exercises (kegels) into the movements as well, which is super important during pregnancy. This DVD includes 4 segments, which I am able to do back to back in about 1.5 hours. The segments include: lower body, upper body (suggest having two 2-3 pound hand weights for this segment; I only have 5 pound weights and it is a little too difficult after a while), cardio mixed with lower body toning, and a stretching cool down. About me: I started using this at about 20 weeks pregnant. My current fitness level is moderate/average, not overweight but not toned/strong. I have a dance/ballet/pilates background, so while this is challenging, the general concepts/positions were not new to me. (I have only taken one barre class prior, and it was much more difficult than doing this entire DVD all at once.) The other pregnancy workout DVDs I purchased are: Long and Lean Prenatal Workout by Suzanne Bowen, Complete Pregnancy Fitness by Erin O'Brien, and Yoga Pregnancy: Pre and Post Natal Workouts by Heather Seiniger.

I found reviews really helpful when selecting an exercise DVD while pregnant. Now that I'm 11 weeks post c-section I thought I would share my thoughts. This review is coming from a non runner and a non gym member. I would do Jillian Michaels 30 day shred or some cardio kettlebell a few times a week prior to pregnancy. SUZANNE BOWEN'S SLIM & TONED - This was my favorite of the DVDs I bought. I didn't really feel like it was difficult until around 28 weeks but I think it did a good job keeping me toned and strong. The first section of lower body I usually skipped because it didn't feel like it was doing much but the other sections were great. Suzanne is a good instructor and not overly peppy or irritating. I would suggest skipping the plank portion of the arm/upper body workout after 25 weeks or so if you're worried about diastasis recti (I was). It has been a great postpartum workout and I think it will help me transition back to the harder DVDs I was doing pre pregnancy. PRENATAL FITNESS FIX - All the reviews are right, the production quality of this DVD is amateur. However, it does kind of give an intimate, non intimidating approach to working out. Sometimes it nice when you're pregnant and feeling a little lumpy in your workout gear to look at another woman who is very pregnant and not looking glamourous. She is also very funny in a goofy way which is good when you're not in the mood to workout. She gets you going even if you are laughing through it. I had trouble with the squat portions when she does them very quickly. It would make my knees sore the next day. Besides that it was a good, quick workout. JENNIFER WOLFE'S PRENATAL VINYASA YOGA: SHORT FORMS - I HATED this DVD. I wish I wouldn't have bought it. Again, the production quality is bad. Maybe I'm too used to the GAIAM yoga DVDS but this was terrible. The instructor reminded me of a new age librarian and the Shavasana was impossible to do with the grating acoustic guitar. The main reason I bought a yoga DVD was to relax and stretch during pregnancy and this was a mega fail. Also, it heavily features downward dog, which if you're worried about diastasis recti then you won't want to do this DVD. EXPECTING MORE: SARA HALEY - I wish I would have found this DVD earlier in my pregnancy. I didn't buy it until week 33. It has a plan included to help you make the most of the different sections at different stages of your pregnancy. I didn't get to explore the other sections as much as I would have if I started this earlier. Some routines require more space than I had in my living room to move around and some would be great while your belly is smaller but in later stages of your pregnancy it might not be a great idea. She does do some kinda cheesy things like naming moves after baby things and stressing how sexy she wants you to feel in pregnancy. The cardio was great though and the best you'll find in a prenatal DVD. The hip hop dance was too stupid for me to spend time on but if you like dance maybe you'll like it. Now that I'm postpartum I may try portions of this DVD again.

Great workout. Challenging but still doable while pregnant!

So good, Sooo recommended. Bought when pregnant but have continued to use when not pregnant and is one of my go-to fitness DVDs that I never get bored of. Tried (unsuccessfully) to get husband to try it too, because am convinced it is not just pregnant ladies who need a strong core.

Great workout with different sections. Can go at your own pace, which the instructor encourages you to do.

I find this rougher tough and I'm quite a fit person and only in my first trimester. If you're after a challenge this is for you! I do this DVD roughly 3 times a week. I also do yoga in between to help ease aching muscles and de stress

Exercise included in the videos is pretty good if you want to practise on your own. However the video is of very low quality and the packaging as well. Looks like a pirate copy..