Pilates During Pregnancy

Pilates requires you to move consciously - using the breath to revitalize and energize - something you will need to depend on during and after childbirth. Every movement in Pilates emanates from the "center" - helping you focus on those muscles necessary for labor and delivery.

This routine is comprised of two distinct sections to make the most of you time.

Section I - abdominal and breath work = 15 minutes

Section II - side leg series, lower body work = 30 minutes

Sections I and II can be combined for a longer workout depending upon your time and energy level.

You will need a minimum of three blankets, folded and stacked. So Let's Move!

Customer Reviews:

• Thorough pregnancy pilates DVD: I got several prenatal pilates DVDs off netflix before I bought this one. Most are boring and I never felt like I did anything. THe instructor moves through the movements quickly enough to keep boredom away. The abdominal section is good for maintaining core strength while pregnant. The side kick series is a good challenge. I did this with my mother-in-law and her comment on the side kick section was "does it feel like someone is stabbing your butt with a knife?" Overall best of the 4 or 5 prenatal pilates DVDs I've done by far.
• Really Good Pregnancy Workout: This workout is great for the legs, especially the thighs and hip flexors. However, there's nothing for your arms. Just be prepared to add some hand weight moves to your routine. If you were doing Pilates before you got pregnant, this workout will be stimulating without totally overdoing it.
• I can feel the burn.: This is an excellent Pilates video I think I will use even after I have the baby. I am a beginner to Pilates so I know I need to practice more to keep my core more stable to make the exercises more efficient for me.
  
  I feel she does the movements almost too fast. I don't have a problem understanding what she wants, but I feel the movements should be slightly slower. That is only my opinion though.
  
  I wasn't able to do all the repetitions today because towards the end my posterior and hamstrings were burning, but in a good way. I am sure if I am persistent though that in a couple of weeks I will be much stronger. I have learned the hard way not to push my body more than it can handle. My advice is not to feel bad if you cannot do all the repetitions or all the exercises right away. Take your time. It's better to move at a slower pace than to feel overachieving and then injure your body.
• Intense: I found this video to be very motivating and intense. I had to stop at some parts since I'm a bit out of shape due to a throng of medical problems that plagued me for a year. Even though at points it was difficult I found that it still provided me effective cardio and muscle toning work out. I started at 11 weeks and am now 14 weeks and have found that it is still effective and expect it to be even more so further into my pregnancy.
• Loved it!: I really loved this Pilates DVD. I felt like I was getting a good work out and it was challenging. I felt great afterwards. It was just a work out for abs and sides, I would have liked even more! If you are pregnant I recommend this DVD, I love mine and can't wait to have it for future pregnancies.