Customer Reviews

Pilates After Pregnancy

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought this DVD, having done Pilates before. I found that it moves very fast and is not for those who don't already know pilates moves. Her counting on the voice-over doesn't always match up with the demonstrations. There aren't any variations for movements if they are too difficult (especially for moms that have virtually no ab muscles after giving birth). There is nothing that makes this video specifically for the post-natal period. You may just as well get a Windsor video, which does more explaining with the moves.

This video is perfectly good as a normal Pilates workout, but it does not seem to be tailored at all for after pregnancy. Melinda does not suggest any variations for women with abdominal wall separation or C-section (though there is a small section at the end of the video of exercises that can be done in bed after a C-section, the one pregnancy-oriented section of the video). The primary workout seems quite rigorous for immediately post-birth, especially with no modifications suggested. The intro says that this workout should not be done until at least 4-6 weeks postpartum, which makes sense given its rigor. But then the cover shows a perfectly skinny Melinda, with the headline, "Look at her now!... Just 8 weeks after Melinda gave birth..." Has perfectly skinny, toned Melinda really only been doing her workout for two weeks? I was looking for a video which would show me a gradual way back to fitness, with appropriate modifications, and this video does not do it at all. I began my pregnancy extremely strong (I'm a professional dancer), but I have abdominal wall separation, and I need a sensible, gradual way to get my strength back, not a full-on Pilates workout with a video cover that claims that a perfect body can be had in a couple of weeks after recovery.

Unlike the reviewer from Oak Park, I found this DVD to be just the right length and intensity. I have done yoga and Pilates before, so perhaps that makes a difference. However, I am not in very good shape at all. I didn't follow any kind of exercise program while I was pregnant--not even walking! I am now nine weeks postpartum and started using this DVD a week ago.

I was afraid when the DVD started that it would move too fast, since the instructor said that people who had used her pregnancy video would be familiar with the moves. I didn't have any trouble following the exercises, though. Some of them are challenging, but I can do them all. I get a nice workout without feeling sore the next day. Best of all, the workout relieves the stiffness I get in my back, arms, and shoulders from carrying my baby all day.

All in all, I'm really pleased with this.

The exercise portion of this DVD is 18 minutes long, which could actually be just right if you are taking care of a baby AND trying to exercise. Except that the exercises are so hard that all you really do is strain your muscles and back. Because the workout is so hard, I tend to not want to do it, and I am in fairly good shape to start with. I still cannot do the "hip circles" and was advised not to by the teacher of a post-natal exercise class I am taking. This is the first exercise or yoga DVD I have purchased that I do not like!

Great energy, great tempo, great program and great fun! I love Melinda and I love her videos. Although I have not had the opportunity to be thought by Melinda, (normally she is kept busy by celebrities too big to be named) I have been an on and off client at one of Melinda's centers in West Hollywood since 1992. Melinda has been healing, teaching, training, and certifyiny other teachers since way before people could even pronounce the word Pilates. She was actually one of the two people who held the trademark on the word "Pilates" up until about 2 or 3 years ago.

I travel a lot since I am a buyer for Nordstrom and have been pleading and begging for her to put out some Pilates videos so I could do Pilates on the road. I am 41 and had my second Pilates daughter, which was made easier than my first due to Melinda's program. I just started the After Pregnancy program and I look and feel younger, stronger, and sexier than ever. My husband hates to go to gyms and fitness centers so I got him Melinda's "Pilates For Everyday" program and it has replaced his TV channel flipping, and I can see his beer belly slipping away. He does the video program 20 minutes per day, 3 day per week. It is good to be a mother again at 41, and I can honestly say that without her videos I would not be smiling so happily right now.

I got this video the day it became available for sale since I take private lessons from time to time at The Pilates Studio of LA in Sherman Oaks, California. I have seen Melinda go through the changes myself and she really reshaped her body in less than 8 weeks. I was green with envy. I had twins over 2 years ago and thought it was over for me. A friend of mine told me about Melinda's Pilates centers and I found The Pilates Studio and started taking sessions there when my schedule allows. I see and feel the results whenever I can make it in for sessions but unfortunately I am unable to get on a regular program because of my busy schedule. I was so happy when I saw this "Pilates After Pregnancy" video. I picked up a copy and have been doing the program just about every day now for about 3 weeks. I am now already fitting into my old jeans! I love Melinda but I think my husband loves her more.

The program is no nonsense, less than 20 minutes, and it is continuous as if I am actually taking a mat class at a studio. The video is upbeat and challenging and I think it is perfect because you won't get bored. I have bought other Pilates videos in the past and normally after one or two uses I would lose interest. Not this video. I will be using this for a while. Many people do not know it but Melinda was actually the very first person in LA to offer an official full Pilates teacher certification program, and I can say without a doubt that her experience really makes a difference. If you get the opportunity take a class or a private session from any of her teachers at her studios and you will see that her program is much more effective than most. There is no out of shape Pilates teachers in her program and this tells me something.

I liked this dvd a lot. I think it is a good dvd for getting back into the swing of things with pilates. It is not for months down the road when you have your strength & energy back & need something longer. I did her prenatal pilates during my pregnancy, so many of the moves were familiar. If this is your first time with this program I would suggest watching & practicing the moves first & then do the workout since it is slightly fast-paced, but once you know the moves it is easy to follow

If you are serious about getting in shape and really want a work out video program that you wont get board with after the first time you use it, this is it. I know I sound as if I am on Melinda's marketing team but I am not. I am just a believer in her Pilates programs. There is no sleeping allowed when Melinda is teaching Pilates. I did my research and she has studied with only first generation Pilates grand Master teachers such as Romana Kryzanowska. If you know the history of Pilates you will know that Romana Kryzanowska was the person that Joe Pilates willed the method to when he died. Melinda was one of the first to offer a Pilates Teacher Certification program teaching Traditional Pilates. She is one of the two people who use to own the trademark on the word "PILATES" up until 2001/2002. I have found that Pilates based teachers are too slow and never really get you anywhere. Melinda does not joke around. From start to finish in her videos you move. This is what real Pilates is all about. Less than 20 minutes with Melinda is as effective as a 60 minutes workout. The bottom line story about Melinda is she is the Pilates teacher of the teachers and then add her physical therapy degree to it and you end up with one of the best Pilates Master teacher available. I recommend the Melinda's entire "Pilates For Everyday" series. And if you get pregnant get her Pilates For Pregnancy and Pilates after Pregnancy videos. This is how I heard of Melinda. My doctor useses Melinda's programs and highly recommends her videos.

My baby is 6 months old and I am still trying to get back into shape. I am a swimmer without the time to swim now, and this Pilates video is the only exercise that I've ever found to almost replace swimming. It moves quickly and gets my blood moving, while challenging my abdominal and leg muscles. It is intense but goes so quickly that it's more energizing than draining. I am excited to find a workout that doesn't aggrevate my bad knee and shoulder, and that requires little gear.

I have never done Pilates before and I chose this video because Melinda Bryan is an impressive Pilates instructor. As soon as this video and Pilates become familiar I will buy her Pilates for Everyday video. I love this challenging workout!

I think this video is not only perfectly safe but effective too. My doctor used Melinda's "Pilates for Pregnancy" program through her pregnancy and is now using this "Pilates after Pregnancy" video as a daily routine. She was so impressed with her results that she now offers/sells both of Melinda's "Pilates for pregnancy" and the "Pilates after pregnancy" video's at her practice. All of the women that I have met who useses the video's has the same thing to say. We all love Melinda's videos and are all very happy and feeling great! I am in my last few weeks now so I am not as mobile but still can perform some of the modified excercises in the "for pregnancy" program. I need to do Melinda's program even if it is just ten minutes a day or I feel bogged down and lazy. The women who have already had their babies that I have gotten to know are continuing to use the "Pilates for pregnancy" program or have moved on to the "Pilates after pregnancy" video. We call our selves the Melinda Pilates gang. We are all very happy with our results and highly reccommend all of Melinda's videos. I cannot wait to get to the day where I can do Melinda's "Pilates after pregnancy" program so I can get back in shape fast and safe and then progress to her "Pilates for everyday" series. This is a 10 star Pilates program and Melinda really is the best.