Moms Into Fitness workout reviews

I have now done the first, second and third trimester workouts on the Pregnancy Fitness video (I purchased at Target). Each has cardio and weight segments and it is a nice balance. I definitely would consider this on the beginner side, although if you are a true beginner and did not exercise before pregnancy it isn’t for you. The cardio portions have you moving, but don’t really get the heart rate going (which I’m sure is on purpose!). The weight segments are good and you can use heavier or lighter weights to customize each workout to your level.

Each video has three people showing different ways to adjust. One is a lower intensity – you could follow her on an “off” day, or if you are having a complication that isn’t a contraindication to exercise. In the third trimester video, the lower intensity modifier has diastasis recti and gives even more modifications than in the first and second trimester workouts. All three use weights for the level they are showing, and it is announced at the beginning what they are using. I love this. I like knowing what specific weights are used, especially my first time through!

The workouts are given by Lindsay Brin, not pregnant in these videos. She is peppy and seems knowledgable, but says buncakes. You’ve been warned. There is also a postnatal boot camp disc that I haven’t tried. There is a lot of talk of yoga being on the discs. I only see yoga on the postnatal disc, so I did not try it.

My favorite experience with Lindsay Brin was separate from this DVD set. I found her second trimester Youtube video which was a terrific workout. I found that the cardio sections were getting my heart rate a bit too high, so I usually did 20 minutes of cardio on my own before doing the weight exercises from the video. Though I found this more challenging than the DVD, using lighter weights would make it less so. I wish there were more workouts of hers like this online!

I’ve been happy with all of these workouts and I’m glad I found them early on.

Add ons

A bit over a week ago, I did a workout that I hadn’t done for a bit (the Moms Into Fitness youtube video mentioned here).  It has more squats and lunges than I’ve been doing lately.  The next day or three my legs were so sore, so I knew I needed to up my workouts to include more legs.

Each week, I say my plan is three strength training workouts.  Lately it has been three but the third has been something lighter.  Usually this is because I have needed to sleep in one day and I have difficulty working out at night.  So evening workouts get a bit less structure and time.  And the planned workout becomes something entirely different.

Today and whenever I lift next this week, I will add squats and lunges to finish off my workout.  I will need the extra leg strength as first my belly continues to grow and then to carry a child with me.

I do both with hand weights by my sides, not with a weight on my back.  It isn’t recommended to use a barbell on your back during pregnancy.  I have no noticeable soreness from this morning so far!

I also recommended some workout pants to a woman at the gym but I’m not sure if I mentioned them here.  Most of my pants are from Old Navy, but ether ones I have from For Two Fitness are my favorite!  Great material and the foldover waist is still not bulky.  They weren’t priced quite as nice as Old Navy, but I do think they are worth a little extra.  I think they will hold up nicely if you plan on another pregnancy or have a pregnant friend to pass them on to.