Customer Reviews

Pilates During Pregnancy, Vol. 1

5 star:		(102)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I use this workout along with the Perfect Pregnancy Workout by Karyne Steben and Prenatal Yoga by Shiva Rea. This is an outstanding workout, and will tone your core and legs like nothing else!

The video is divided into two sections--a 15 minute abs section and a 25 minute legs/side lying series section. It is no-nonsense, and Niece is visibly pregnant while doing everything (apparently effortlessly) and guiding you through it. It's well-cued, and everything essential to doing Pilates correctly is covered. You can do this throughout your entire pregnancy.

The toning for your hips, butt, and thighs cannot be overemphasized. My legs look great, even though I'm 7 months pregnant. And you definitely feel you've done a workout--your butt muscle will feel like it's about to fall off during the side-lying series. I recommend you keep the remote close by so you can pause it and stretch for a longer period of time than what she does after you finish each side during that series, because you will be feeling the burn!

Bottom line: this is a great, safe, workout for pregnancy--with no fakey cheerleading, just solid exercise. Get it now!

This is an excellent video. Niece Pecenka has such a calm, real demeanor and has put together a very nice prenatal pilates workout. I enjoy the challenge of mat pilates, and this routine does not disappoint! She starts off with the 'abdominal series' where she has modified the standard mat pilates abdominal series to be do-able when you are quite pregnant. I am in my 3rd trimester and have no problem with the moves (just a little trouble with the endurance aspect!). Then she moves into a series of leg raises that will burn your hips like crazy! Doing this routine has the added benefit of relieving back and pelvic pain - probably from strengthening your core and loosening up your hips. You will enjoy it!

I was so thrilled to find a prenatal pilates dvd that is well produced and challenging. The length of this is perfect at about 40 min, and it is split into two sections, abdominals and a side and standing leg series. I love that the abs section is modified with blankets/pillows on an incline. The instructor and set are great too.

I plan on doing this once or twice a week to stay toned. Highly recommend this one.

I have been practicing Pilates for over two years before becoming pregnant. Based on the reviews I read I ordered this DVD. Niece Pecenka is nice but..

1) She is wearing black tights on a black mat - not easy to see what she is doing.

2)All the exercises are done way to fast - not slowish and regulated but really fast - not like i do at Pilates

3) She does not rest at all in between exercises - not even for a few seconds before continuing - i was pausing the DVD the whole time and like i said i have been doing Pilates for over 2 years it is not rushed!.

4) The stretch she does after the lower body exercises is no where near long enough to be effective - a stretch has to be at least 20 seconds to have an effect on the muscles.

5) She does not explain any of the exercises properly (how your body should be placed which specific muscle you should be feeling/using etc.) so you don't know if you are doing it correct or not.

6) There are no upper body exercises to strengthen back muscles, arms, shoulder blades or posture - exercises all very important while pregnant.

In short a very good workout if you really know what you are doing, If you don't really know Pilates before I would go as far as saying it can be bad for your body (especially if you're pregnant) - I spent the whole workout telling the DVD to `SLOW DOWN'

This is a great workout. I really feel a change in my thighs and abdomen. This workout helps me to stay motivated and to "keep moving" as Niece says. This is my first baby and I was really scared about gaining the weight and losing my figure. Well this DVD has helped me keep my figure and at seven months pregnant, I am still energised and ready to go. The exercises are safe and effective, and focused on the areas that pregnancy changes the most. I have never had so many compliments in my life. I am so glad that I purchased this DVD and I would recomend it to any mom who wants to stay healthy and look great.

This is the 3rd DVD I've bought and the only one worth keeping. It's an awesome workout! I'm 27 weeks pregnant and was doing my regular pilates workout (GAIAM Pilates intermediate mat workout with Ana Caban) up until I was 10 weeks and started having problems lying on my back. I loved that DVD it was fast paced and very chalenging. Sense I had to stop doing the exercises I've been trying to find a good replacement for it while I'm pregnant.

This one fits the bill!!! It's not slow or boring. You don't have to have a ton of stupid props, just a couple of blankets and you're good to go. It doesn't take up a ton of time so it's easy to fit into a busy schedule. It's simple and pretty well explained though if you have a back ground in pilates you'll have an even easier time. The best part though... It's an AMAZING workout. My legs haven't been worked that hard in MONTHS and I feel great.

If you're like me and want something that's going to actually give you a workout and some muscle tone while still being safe. This is it. There's no way you're going to fall asleep to this DVD.. she goes just the right pace.. though I will admit I had to pause it a couple times to get some water ha ha ha but it's perfect. I hope this helps someone else find the perfect DVD too.

I have been doing Pilates for some time now - 6 years or so...and have actually taken the steps to get certified to teach someday (after the baby - I'm 7 months along.) I love this routine because it is taught similar to a class format. It is the closest DVD that I've found to taking an actual class - which is what I wanted.

I am a fan of "pure" Pilates - classical - if you will. I love the fact that this routine is "PILATES" - it is not a yoga/stretch/cardio/weight-lifting/put your hand on your belly and breath class.

This routine is "movement." Joseph Pilates, himself, taught in a way that emphasized precision, flow, movement with the breath, and concentration. I am so happy to have finally found a video that has incorporated these principals into a routine designed for pregnancy.

The first section is every move from the "intermediate" mat routine that can be done while pregnant. The second section is the entire side leg series - love it!!

I have continued to use this DVD again and again. It is definately one that I highly recommend!!

I haven't done much pilates, but I like to work out, so based on others reviews, I bought this dvd. Niece will make your butt burn from the leg workout. The abdominal workout became difficult to do towards the end of my pregnancy (I am 11 days away from due date), but it is definitely a good workout as well. The reason I did not give 5 stars is because not many people (even ones in pretty good shape) will be able to do the abdominal workout along with her. I can say that after delivery, I will still be using this dvd because it is challenging. Some others that I would recommend to folks that want a workout are:

Perfect Pregnancy Workout (kicks my butt every time)

Erin O'Brien's Prenatal Fitness Fix (Good cardio workout)

And when you don't have more than a couple minutes:
Quick Fix - Prenatal Workout with Nancy Popp

Beautifully shot! What I liked most about this dvd was that it WAS NOT painfully boring like the rest of the pregnancy dvd's that I own! It gets right to the point. You can do the first section which is more focused on your abs or you can add on the lower body workout. It helped keep the thighs under control! HA! The instruction is clear and easy to follow. I think it's great that this is a program that doesn't confuse women as to when it's permissable to exercise flat on your back or not. It has a nice pace and flow, whereas alot of the other Pilates routines are too broken up. Everything is modified for each trimester. All the breathing really helped me focus through my natural delivery. I've actually continued to use it since I've had my baby. It's been a great way to get back into a routine.

I'm a Pialtes Instructor and have been teaching for a year now. I am 16 weeks pregnant and wanted to know more about prenatal pilates. My experience with pregnancy and Pilates was very limited and looked to books and DVD's for ideas and this DVD was GREAT. All the exercises were basic core Pilates moves and the modifications were right on. I felt no danger to myself or the baby while feeling the challenge and rewards.

The only thing missing was that she didn't go into too much detail about the specific benefits of each exercise, but no big deal, you'll feel what you're working.

Overall though, I loved it and give it my full endorsement (to pregnant and non-pregnant women.)