Customer Reviews

Jennifer Gianni's Fusion Pilates for Post Pregnancy & C-Section Recovery

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, let me preface this review with the fact that I didn't workout regularly pre-pregnancy. I've been blessed genetically, and that combined with a crazy schedule and, admittedly, plain laziness, I rarely found time for exercise except for a pilates class a few times a month. Also, I ordered this dvd after I gave birth and it was delivered after my doctor released me for exercise at 6 wks so I didn't get to use the exercises she demonstrates in the hospital. However, I've used the main work out and found that it is generally good overall. It helps if you have experience with some basic dance moves (she incorporates basic ballet moves in the work out)so you understand the form/balance, as well as some basic pilates, for the same reason. I don't feel she does a really good job of explaining the neutral spine, and, for the benefit of beginners, it would help if she demonstrated modified versions of some of the movements. For example, the pilates roll down/roll up can be very challenging, and requires a lot of stomach strength that tends to be lacking after pregnancy, let alone a c-section - there are modified ways of performing this exercise, as I learned in past pilates classes, that helps develop stomach strength without risk of injury, etc.

I would not recommend this work out for someone who considers themselves advanced as far as exercising goes. It isn't likely to be a challenge, but may still be a good resource for exercise suggestions while still in the hospital/immediately following birth. I would recommend it to anyone who is a beginner (as long as you have some basic pilates knowledge, as I mentioned before) to someone intermediately skilled. The workout was quite challenging to me when I first started it about 6 wks ago but since then I've mixed up my routine to include other forms of exercise; now it still provides a good, somewhat challenging workout without being too boring. It has definitely contributed to getting me back into my pre-baby wardrobe.

Also, check out the book "Bounce Back Into Shape After Baby" by Caroline Creager. This is a GREAT book. I found the information contained within to be very thorough and helpful. It includes information for exercising following either c-section or vaginal delivery.

WOW. It is amazing to see the footage of Jennifer right after her C section in the hospital and then see the change in her body just a few months later. It is really encouraging. Pretty brave of her to let the camera roll in the hospital right after giving birth! (brave, and really helpful...)
I love the beginning of the tape . Both the hospital tips and the first six week exercises. I was so lucky to have this dvd before I gave birth. So I was prepared!! I went to the hospital knowing the exercises I could and should do during my stay. After I returned home I was able to do all the gentle and effective exercises in this workout's 1st 6 wk plan right away!!
And the main workout is incredible. In 4 and half months I really feel like I've gotten my pre pregnant body back without killing myself. I feel healthy and strong!!! Highly recommend this dvd...

I exercised through my pregnancy and was eager to start up again but was cautious because of the 6-week rule. This DVD was a great beginning in that phase and beyond. It would have been nice to have seen the DVD even before I went to the hospital since the instructor shows some simple things you can do while in the bed. The bed exercises would have been great just to start stretching out and feeling less like an invalid.

I've started the post-6-week workout and it is great. To be honest, since I've done pilates before pregnancy and exercised regularly throughout, I thought it would be an easy workout. It is not, though it is low-impact and sensitive to the post-pregnancy physical state.

All in all a great purchase. Highly recommended.

I like the instructor - she is detailed, explains carefully and clearly. I like the workout: it was well-paced, had a nice variety. Unfortunately, I could use this only once... because the main workout was about an hour or longer and i simply had no full hour to spare in the first two months after having my baby. However, this DVD has lots of good info and tips and pointers like the other reviewers have pointed out.
If I wasn't minding baby and the house alone, I would have loved to have used this workout more often. Erin O'Brien's Postnatal Rescue worked out better for me as each workout was 15min-20min.

I started this video exactly 6wks post parting after a c section. It is a decent workout at that point and I'm thankful I had it. But I quickly found it to be a little too slow and not challenging enough. It is hard to find the time to do the whole workout with a newborn. I wish it were a little shorter, more challenging and to the point. I did like some of the exercises so much that I do them on a regular basis when I get a free 5 min and don't have time for the video.

I should have known better than to purchase this one as I am often a little bored by workout DVDs (I'd prefer to get outside or watch TV while on a machine), but this had some good reviews so I thought I'd try it. As usual, I was bored. And I don't enjoy DVDs that require accessories and this one requires a pole/broom handle. I had a c-section and was looking for a way to ease back into working out, but really, by the time I had healed enough to exercise, I felt good enough to run or do other activities. If you enjoy easy mat-style pilates and aren't bored by slower moving workout DVDs, you might really like this. I also think it might be good for someone having a more difficult c-section recovery. It just wasn't a good fit for me.

I liked this workout. It leaves you feeling warm and relaxed, not exhausted. I think there could be a few more advanced options for when you get a little farther along... but it's a good one to start with.

This video is pretty good in the sense that you really feel like she knows what you're going through since she had her own C-section and you see her in the hospital. The post 6 week routine is pretty relaxing, easy to follow and you can easily find the props in your home. The only thing I didn't like about it was that I didn't really feel like I got a good workout OR a good stretch, which I would have liked. I'm pretty average when it comes to being in shape and just had my second c-section, but I just didn't feel afterward like I had accomplished much after this workout. It may be just that I'm impatient, but I would have liked to feel a little burn or a little sore the next day, but I haven't felt a thing. I know the point isn't to hurt yourself, but you would like to think that you are burning some calories and building some muscle after having a baby and I just didn't feel like the workout pushed me very hard.

be very honest i start to follow this workout Video after 3 months of my C section because i feel that its best to rest for at least 6 to 8 weeks. c section is major surgery so its better to be very careful with exercises you do first few weeks.over all i feel this video is good for few months. after that you feel you do some thing more challenging. i don't find result very good but its good for beginners. i like Tracy Anderson workout much better and you will see result but be careful with her Abs workout very hard to do so its better to follow Jennifer for 6 months after that switch to The Tracy Anderson Method: Post-Pregnancy Work.

After my csection my stomach was pretty numb for a few months--barely any feeling while my nerve endings were repairing themselves. The ab section of this workout was a little rough. The rest of the workout was pretty good though. I bet if you had a normal-delivery it wouldn't be as hard to do the ab workouts, you just can't feel your abs after a csection to know if they're working. 6 months later I would now be able to do the ab workout section.