Early Pregnancy Guide » pregnancy fitness

Pregnancy Exercises – shoulders and obliques

Admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 09:34:18 +0000

Exercises for shoulders and obliques that can safely be performed throughout your entire pregnancy. Effective, safe moves for anyone interested in strengthening and toning their body.

The Perfect Pregnancy Workout vol. 1

Admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:48:38 +0000

You've got nine months to prepare for the challenge of your life. Use every minute! The Perfect Pregnancy Workout will: -improve your mood -reduce lower back pain -develop mental discipline to control labor pain -tone your lower body to handle the demands of labor and birth -make it easier to lose weight after your baby is born -strengthen your upper body to lift and hold your baby -help eliminate or avoid incontinence and hemorroids Karyne Steben, a world-class acrobat formerly with Cirque du Soleil, leads us through the sculpting workout, combining strength moves with graceful flexibility. First time exercisers can feel at ease; Karyne illustrates exercise techniques and explains the dos and don'ts of exercise during pregnancy in a clear, easy-to-understand twelve-minute instructional section. With options to make it fun for beginners and challenging for advanced exercisers, anyone can do The Perfect Pregnancy Workout! The Perfect Pregnancy Workout video is a 43 minute pregnancy exercise video: 5 minute warm-up, 33 minute workout, 5 minute cool down. There is also a 12 minute instructional section explaining proper technique for pregnancy exercise. *The Perfect Pregnancy Workout includes exercise variations for women with diastasis recti.*

YogaFit: Flex and Flow with Beth Shaw

Admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:47:18 +0000

The ultimate mind and body workout from the creator of YOGAFIT. Repetitive flows and long holds work our muscles in a variety of ways. Performing closed chain exercises with weight bearing extremities, this workout focuses on concentric, eccentric, isometric and isotonic muscle work. Isometric contractions and strong pulsing moves create strength and mental focus. Holding our poses at different ranges of motion, we gain isometric strength.

Prenatal Yoga

Admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:28:39 +0000

The best thing about this prenatal yoga program is that there is a model for each trimester. Instructor Shiva Rea demonstrates each of the stretches and exercises for the first trimester, and two pregnant women show modifications for the second and third trimesters (they're even dressed in different colors for easy reference). This removes the self-doubt home-exercisers often have about the safety of certain moves--especially in that cumbersome final stage of pregnancy. Using gentle voice-over instruction, Rea and her assistants take viewers through a half hour of meditational stretches using blocks and chairs for support. She follows that up with 16 minutes of floor work: lunge pose, bridge pose, child's pose, plank pose--all with the necessary adjustments. She winds things up with a four-minute guided relaxation on her back--the traditional position--with the second-trimester woman on her side and the third on her side with one leg up on a chair. By including the different adaptations, Rea has made a program with the flexibility to carry an expectant mom through her entire pregnancy--and beyond, if she wishes. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Pilates During Pregnancy, Vol. 1

Admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:20:08 +0000

Pilates During Pregnancy with Niece Pecenka - An inpiring Pilates based routine adapted for busy women in all trimesters who want to feel fit, healthy, and fabulous. 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!