Product Details

• Actors: Leisa Hart
• Directors: Leisa Hart
• Writers: Leisa Hart
• Producers: Leisa Hart
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Goldhill Home Media
• DVD Release Date: April 8, 2003
• Run Time: 54 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (369 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00008J2I7
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #12,695 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

  #21 in	Movies & TV > Exercise & Fitness > Pregnancy Workouts
  #9 in	Movies & TV > Exercise & Fitness > Yoga > Prenatal
  #3 in	Movies & TV > Exercise & Fitness > By Instructor > Leisa Hart

• For more information about "Leisa Hart's FitMama - Prenatal Workout" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If you're a mother-to-be, but need some kind of exercise other than downward-facing dog and mountain pose, Leisa Hart's FitMama may be the workout for you. Developed by the fitness instructor during her first pregnancy, the DVD involves not just stretching but salsa dancing, stretches, and breathing exercises shaped to ease some of the discomforts of pregnancy, get your body in its best physical form, and prepare itself for labor and delivery. The effortlessly perky Hart works out alongside several women in various stages of pregnancy to show alternative moves and postures. She doesn't constantly bark "You can do it!" but rather urges you to do whatever is comfortable. But even with the lack of pressure, you can still enjoy the hip-swiveling salsa steps while working up a good sweat. Then cool down with the breathing section and stretches. You'll need a mat and pillow. An exercise ball and strap (you can use a towel) are also used but not required. Whether you're just getting over morning sickness or nearing your due date, FitMama is a useful and fun way to stay in shape without leaving your house.-Ellen A. Kim

Product Description

Buns of Steel instructor Leisa Hart continues to create dynamic programs that are safe, fun and effective to get you the results you deserve! Her warm, approachable personality and impeccable cueing has motivated millions to embrace exercise. As an ACE and AFAA certified instructor with over 19 years fitness industry experience, Leisa specializes in Prenatal Exercise, Lifestyle & Weight Management, Yoga and Toning.

Prenatal exercise will help you:

- Ease back pain
- Improve digestion
- Avoid calf cramps
- Increase energy levels
- Avoid excessive weight gain
- Ease emotional highs and lows
- Prepare for labor and delivery
- Bond with your baby
- Bounce back more quickly after delivery

Stay fit through each stage of your pregnancy with International Fitness Expert and expectant mom Leisa Hart. This innovative method helped her stay fit and energetic during her first pregnancy. FitMama Prenatal Workout follows the guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. Leisa will help you increase your self-confidence with your changing body and feel great from conception to delivery!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

442 of 445 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fit Mama is Fantastic!, November 1, 2003

By	Michelle "michellesays" (U.S.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Leisa Hart's FitMama: Prenatal Workout [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I own almost two dozen aerobic and strength training videos. Some offer challenging workouts. Others were a waste of time and money. Fit Mama is my first pregnancy video (although this will be my third child). IT IS EXCELLENT! Here is a summary:

INTRODUCTION - Leisa Hart first tells you what to expect in her video. She explains that the abdominal exercises have been modified to prevent the vertical muscles, the recti abdominis, from separating during pregnancy. Guidelines from the American College of OBGyNs are listed. Leisa recommends a frequency of 3 to 4 times per week, but completing one section at a time vs. the entire 60 minutes fit my schedule better.

SALSA (20 min) - The setting is bare: one large room with hardwood floors and two glass paneled doors in back. The participants are separated into groups. Leisa, in her third trimester, stands in the center. On her left are two women in their second trimester. Two women in their first trimester are on her right. All movements in the Salsa portion of the tape, such as the mambo cha-cha-cha, are acceptable for moms at any stage. I salsa on carpet and find it sometimes tough to slide. When Leisa introduces a new move, she performs it twice, then asks you to join her. Her arm cues make it easy to follow along. She frequently asks, "How do you feel?" so that you can monitor your intensity level.

YOGA FAT BURN (20 min) - This section helped ease my lower back pain. Leisa focuses on breathing techniques and stresses correct knee placement. In the Warrior position, the moms in the first tri put their hand on the floor, second tri put forearm to thigh, and Leisa places her hand on her thigh. But she suggest you do the position most comfortable for you. They complete 3 repetitions for each side.

LABOR AND DELIVERY PREP (6 min) - Yoga ball and strap are optional. I had neither, but performed the exercises, like Kegels, with no trouble. Different variations for the ab exercises match the stage of pregnancy.

PRENATAL STRETCH AND RELAX (8 min) - This sections includes cat stretches, breathing techniques, and positions for each stage of pregnancy. Leisa inserts helpful tips, such as the importance of laying on your left side to get nutrients to the baby.

122 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pregnancy Exercise Video, January 6, 2004

By	Lisa Manske "natural mamma" (Wauwatosa, WI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Leisa Hart's FitMama - Prenatal Workout (DVD)

I bought this video as the weather turned bitterly cold and I could no longer continue long walks outdoors. It is great for getting your heartrate up, breaking a light sweat, stretching and toning, and preparing for birth. The salsa section was a little hard for me to follow at first, but once I got the hang of it I found it a fun way to exercise. On the DVD, there are bonus sections about moves and positions to help you during labor, provided you are not confined to a hospital bed. I also like that once you know the routines, you can turn the narration off and just follow along with the music.

One note, the "yoga burn" section is not really yoga. I like this section, but if you're accustomed to practicing yoga you may find it to be quite different from your expectations. It is based on a few basic yoga postures, like warrior and mountain pose, but there is quite a bit of fast movement and no long, meditative poses.

I use this video alternately with "Yoga Journal's Prenatal Yoga" and find them to be excellent complements to each other. The Prenatal Yoga video has many quiet, meditative yoga poses (modified for pregnancy) to build strength and tranquility while FitMama is fast-paced and upbeat to build cardiovascular fitness.

92 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars a comparison of 3 prenatal fitness videos, including Leisa Hart's FitMama, December 15, 2005

By	R. Underwood (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Leisa Hart's FitMama - Prenatal Workout (DVD)

I purchased and tried 3 prenatal fitness DVDs around the same time:

* Perfect Pregnancy Workout
* Prenatal Yoga
* Leisa Hart's Fit Mama Prenatal Workout

Here's how I thought they compared. (Note that I do yoga and walk regularly; while I enjoy dancing, I do not dance regularly. I'm not overweight.)

* Perfect Pregnancy Workout - 5 stars. Designed and narrated by a Cirque du Soleil acrobat (faint French accent), this video is my favorite of the three. The woman demonstrating the workout is about 8 months pregnant and in amazing athletic shape (visible muscle definition). The theme of this video seems to be preparing for birth and staying strong and fit. It has two sections: (a) workout and (b) instructions.

(a) After a mercifully brief cheesy earth-mother introduction, the yoga-based workout is vigorous yet flowing and straightforward, building incredible muscle strength, flexibility, and stamina. It includes squats, lunges, lots of ab work, lots of great hip stretches, kegels, lots of different arm strengtheners. At the end I am sweating, breathing harder, relaxed, and satisfied. The next day my muscles are sore (in a good way) and feel stronger. The music is world-beat without vocals, easy to exercise to.

(b) The instructions section is excellent as well. Animated anatomical graphics clearly illustrate diastasis, how to check yourself for it, and how to modify your workout to avoid further muscle separation, as well as exactly what kegels are. This part also explains in depth how to do the moves in the workout.

* Prenatal Yoga - 4 stars. Designed and narrated by a UCLA-graduated yogi, this video is my second favorite. Shiva is under 3 months' pregnant in the demonstration but has women behind her in second and third trimesters. The theme of this video seems to be relaxing and preparing for motherhood. It has three sections: (a) workout, (b) massage, and (c) interview.

(a) The workout is much less vigorous than Perfect Pregnancy, but includes squats, lunges, many spinal twists, kegels (no deep explanation, just metaphor), lots of different stretches. At the end I am sweating a bit, relaxed, and satisfied. The music is new-age without vocals. For some reason, Shiva does not pronounce the "h" in "exhale" which can be distracting. Also the narration gets slightly out of sync with the demonstration in a few places, which can be confusing.

(b) The massage section is fabulous if you have a partner willing to watch it and give you one! Great techniques for feet, legs, back, and neck.

(c) Shiva explains her story in the interview, how her father named her after an Indian god, how she took up yoga in college, etc.

* Leisa Hart's FitMama - 2 stars. I bought this on Amazon's recommendation and I'm sorry I did. My biggest gripe is that this video doesn't focus on smooth continuous deep breathing, unlike the other two DVDs. Leisa is a perky actress who does infomercials. She is 8 months pregnant in this but her body looks very different (thin, wiry) compared to the woman's in Perfect Pregnancy (athletic). The theme of this video seems to be feeling better (sexier) about oneself while pregnant. It has basically two sections: (a) workout and (b) bonus stretches.

(a) The workout is much less vigorous than Perfect Pregnancy yet goes at a faster, more erratic pace than either of the other two videos. It has four parts: salsa dance, "yoga fat burn," labor and delivery prep, and prenatal stretch and relaxation. The dancing is about 8 moves repeated, with a few squats. I feel foolish and bored doing this. The yoga fat burn is more aerobics than yoga, includes ab work, squats, no twists, never holds any pose for long, is repetitive. Labor and delivery prep includes kegels (no real explanation), many boring arm swings, ab work. Prenatal stretch and relaxation includes leg stretches, ab work, is repetitive. The music is salsa, soft rock, and world beat without vocals; very good workout music, loud in places.

(b) The bonus stretches are the best part, but are buried under Special Features (the DVD doesn't seem very well organized). These include leg, back, hip and shoulder stretches actually held for several seconds, squats, plenty of rapid boring arm swings.

All three videos show women in different trimesters doing the exercises and mention appropriate modifications. All three videos explain how to do the exercises safely and how to recognize warning signs of overdoing it.

If you're a yoga gal like me and you want to buy just one prenatal yoga video, get Perfect Pregnancy. If you want your partner to give you a great massage too, get Prenatal Yoga.