Pregnant women need more exercise, so says the medical field. When you're looking at doing exercise most every day of the week, it's important that you choose something that is fun and encourages you to do it. If you enjoy your workouts then you will be more likely to do them, which is the only way that they will benefit you and your baby. So find a DVD workout and enjoy it - often.
1. Yoga for Your Pregnancy
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This DVD is so amazing, it's beautiful to look at and fun to do. It contains several parts including a prenatal poses section, guided relaxation, yoga poses for labor (birthing room yoga) and postnatal yoga. This exercise program is done as a joint program between Lamaze International and Yoga Journal, so the science and yoga behind it are sound, but more importantly it's so great to do as a start to the day or even as a nice end of the day workout. It feels so great just to stretch and relax.
2. ZenMama Yoga Workout
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Even as a yoga beginner I was able to do most of what the video was talking about. A few times I opted for the third trimester versions, which are often easier or use aids like bolsters or blankets. While this wasn't your typical workout, Rainbeau and I were both a bit short of breath as we got towards the end. I liked the fact that the instructor was open and honest - not to mention having to narrate the entire process.
3. Pilates in Pregnancy
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With the entire pregnancy in mind, the workouts for pilates in pregnancy are great for everyone, even if you haven't done pilates before. There is also a section on regaining your postpartum shape with pilates.
4. Denise Austin - Fit and Firm Pregnancy
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With each of the three trimesters in mind, Denise Austin, melds her personal and professional experience together for an amazing workout. Her perky, well known style of teaching is just as invigorating in pregnancy as it is before and after.
5. Classic Kathy Smith Pregnancy and Postpartum Workout
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This Kathy Smith pregnancy workout video is a classic, now on DVD. It includes warmups, an aerobics portion as well as a cool down. There is also a very nice postpartum workout. These exercises are for the whole body, including the stretches. This was one of my first pregnancy workout exercises and it still works after all of these years.
6. Chicks -n- Chickens Workout DVD
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The chicks-n-chickens postpartum workout is great for new mommies and not so new mommies. What makes it so great is that you can do it with your baby, while you groove to music and feel like you're hanging out with friends.
7. Yoga Emergency Back
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Yoga Emergency - Back is designed to give you quick relief for an aching back in pregnancy, postpartum or whenever. This is easy to do and doesn't require a lot of time. The results are amazing!
8. Bedrest Fitness by Darlene Turner
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Bedrest Fitness DVD by Darline Turner-Lee is an excellent choice for maintaining your body's muscle tone when pregnancy complications force you to do bedrest for any part of pregnancy.
