Rating: Summary: Informative, and a good intermediate level workout Review: I am currently in my 7th month of pregnancy and I alternate my Kathy Smith tape with my Buns of Steel 8 tape (with Madeliene Lewis). Though I prefer Lewis's style a little better - she never waxes "cutesy" about pregnancy in her mannerisms or her set design - I find enough valuable elements in Smith's video to balance the parts I didn't like. There is a break in the middle of Smith's video for a "cute pregnancy rap song" - if you can't rap along, then you are advised to slow down a bit... if you already know you aren't exerting too much, fast forward the video or hit the bathroom - but DO check your heart rate - guidelines during pregnancy ARE different and many women will find they don't feel they are working although their heart rate has passed the maximum bpm recommended by ACOG. Smith's workout (choreographed by Madeliene Lewis) has excellent variety of movement, but with enough repetition to keep it easy to follow. The things I liked most about this video are the toning exercises at the end of the aerobics session. It has a balanced strength training for upper and lower body, as well as some excellent abdominal exercises. I also appreciated the educational section at the beginning of the video where Smith outlines the goals for fitness training in pregnancy and precautions pregnant women need to take when exercising.
Rating: Summary: Very good! Review: I really like Kathy Smith, and own several of her regular workout tapes! I enjoyed using them up until I got pregnant. It just seemed natural that I would like her pregnacy workout too. Even though it is old, and the music and clothes are outdated, the workout itself is a solid one. The aerobics are just enough to get your heart rate to the safe level without overdoing it. The toning section is really good. She has us do the legs while standing and holding onto a chair. I even felt the burn in my legs the next day - which impressed me because I was a frequent exercisor, and in good shape before I got pregnant. The ab exercises are demonstrated in several ways, depending on the stage of pregnancy, and whether or not your muscles have split. She also does good arm work. Throughout the whole thing she describes good form, and warning signs that you should stop. In addition to the workout itself, she has sections that answer a lot of pregnacy and post pregnacy questions. Overall this video is a really good tool for the mother to be. Just overlook the 80s hairstyles and music!
Rating: Summary: End of third trimester and still exercising! Review: I really appreciate this DVD - I am still able to do it although I'm huge and ready to pop! It really makes my upper back feel less tight and keeps me energized. I especially appreciate the stomach exercises at the end. It always cracks me up when she gives us a break to "drink some water and drain some too." As if I needed reminding! Luckily with the DVD I can skip right over the Prego Shuffle!
Rating: Summary: The Ultimate Birth Preparation Workout Review: This video is the best childbirth preparation you can do! As an avid workout enthusiast, I wanted a video that I could safely do as my doctor advised no more jumping or step workouts after my 3rd month of pregnancy. The Kathy Smith Pregnancy video has a low impact aerobic segment followed by a superior toning section; a postnatal mini-workout with exercises for after your baby arrives is also included. As my husband says, giving birth is a major physical event that you must train for! After doing this video religiously 3-4 times a week for the last 6 months of my pregnancy, I had a textbook labor and a wonderful delivery. I even escaped the dreaded low back pain and swollen ankles which I attribute to staying physically active with this video. I was able to utilize a lot of the moves (squats, etc.) during labor and delivered a healthy son without drugs of any kind! Because I recovered from the birth quickly, I was better able to cope with those exhausting first few weeks home with my new son. I highly recommend this video to all my pregnant friends!
Rating: Summary: old, and not worth it Review: kathy smith is a classic, but this prego video is overly annoying, almost as bad as a denise austin video, the outfits are hideous and the workout seems rather off the beatne path for a pregnant woman, i did not feel like my body was getting what it needed, i do not recommend it
Rating: Summary: Informative, and a good intermediate level workout Review: I am currently in my 7th month of pregnancy and I alternate my Kathy Smith tape with my Buns of Steel 8 tape (with Madeliene Lewis). Though I prefer Lewis's style a little better - she never waxes "cutesy" about pregnancy in her mannerisms or her set design - I find enough valuable elements in Smith's video to balance the parts I didn't like. There is a break in the middle of Smith's video for a "cute pregnancy rap song" - if you can't rap along, then you are advised to slow down a bit... if you already know you aren't exerting too much, fast forward the video or hit the bathroom - but DO check your heart rate - guidelines during pregnancy ARE different and many women will find they don't feel they are working although their heart rate has passed the maximum bpm recommended by ACOG. Smith's workout (choreographed by Madeliene Lewis) has excellent variety of movement, but with enough repetition to keep it easy to follow. The things I liked most about this video are the toning exercises at the end of the aerobics session. It has a balanced strength training for upper and lower body, as well as some excellent abdominal exercises. I also appreciated the educational section at the beginning of the video where Smith outlines the goals for fitness training in pregnancy and precautions pregnant women need to take when exercising.
Rating: Summary: retro video, not up to date with prenatal safety Review: i did this video 12 years ago and enjoyed it ok, but bought the dvd during my last pregnancy last year and found so much of the material to be toooo retro for me, too unsafe. Some of the things she does do not appear to be as safe as what my doctor tells me. A newer video would do you much better.
Rating: Summary: Excruciating, But it Works Review: This is a good workout, especially compared to the other workout DVD's I've tried while I'm pregnant. Kathy makes sure you work to your optimum "pregnant" ability (why do these instructors act like we're made of glass, just because we're pregnant?). However, you have to put up with the 80's outfits, bad music and routine, and the rap video that Kathy and her "prego" friends improvise between the 2nd and 3rd intervals. It's excruciating. But compared to other pregnancy workouts available to us... this is probably the one to invest in.
Rating: Summary: Effective and Fun Review: I worked out regularly before I became pregnant. Even though this is not quite as challenging as the non-pregnancy workouts I used to do, it is still very energizing and works the important muscles. Kathy is great on form on all her videos. This is no exception. The moves are safe and effective. I would have liked longer leg and arm sections, but then I am used to pretty intensive workouts in those areas. However, for the regular exerciser, it's a good, solid workout combining aerobics with toning that will help you feel better and stronger during pregnancy.
Rating: Summary: Ummm...no. Review: What is up with that ridicuolous "prego rap"?! And the 5 mintues of silent time where all we see is kathy & the others laying on the floor for 5 WHOLE MINUTES! There are parts where the voice is dubbed over, the exercises were not effective AT ALL & the arm moves get a bit confusing at times. I just didn't find myself sweating or even feeling somewhat energized after this routine...I felt cheated. Like I needed more. It is way too outdated too. I almost wanna call it lame. I DO NOT recommend at all. Obviously I wasn't impressed & will be selling my copy on ebay.
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