Denise Austin: Fit & Firm Pregnancy

After my first trimester when I didn't really feel like working out, I ordered three prenatal workout DVD's from Amazon: The Perfect Pregnancy Workout volume 1, Summer Sanders Prenatal Workout, and Denise Austin's Fit and Firm Pregnancy. I ordered these three because they all had excellent reviews and I wanted to make sure I had a variety of exercises at my fingertips. I really think that I chose an excellent combination because I have come to love all three of these DVD's for different reasons over the course of my pregnancy. I'll review each program individually, but I did want to point out that I had all three and I highly recommend using this strategy. It lets you have variety and gives you options for days when you really feel like getting a good workout in (Perfect Pregnancy workout) versus those days when it takes a lot of self-convincing to even do anything but sit on the couch (Denise Austin).I really like the format of Fit and Firm Pregnancy. You can choose between a cardio workout or toning for the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd trimester. Each of the workouts is right around 20 minutes. This worked well for me because there were days when I really didn't want to exercise, but knew I should. I could always tell myself, "it's only 20 minutes, you can do anything for 20 minutes." Sometimes I would combine two of the workouts and do both the cardio and the toning for the appropriate trimester. Sometimes I would do only the cardio, or only the toning. I like having options and I like how I knew that the exercises weren't too strenuous. Some days we don't want strenuous, we just want to be active and moving. This DVD works well for that. It isn't a great workout, it isn't challenging, but it will make you feel better after you've done it. You can't help but smile when Denise reminds you to or "hug your baby" with your abs like she reminds you to. It is energetic and fun.I wouldn't order this DVD and rely on it solely to get me through my pregnancy. It wasn't challenging enough for that. I would, however, recommend ordering and using it as part of a program with other DVD's to provide variety to your pregnancy exercise program.

I love the firm! Nice, I recommend. Shipping was very fast. New item.

I was looking for something that would challenge me during my pregnancy. And I found out quickly that that's really not a good mindset to have. You can hurt yourself and your baby. I'm used to very intense workouts. I found this to be the appropriate amount of challenging for pregnancy. I would recommend for sure.

I purchased this workout DVD when I was about 2.5 months along in my second pregnancy. I had been feeling achy and stiff and I wanted to workout. Let me first say that my first pregnancy, 13 months ago, was horrible comfort-wise because I sat around and got stiff, thinking that working out wasn't important. But let me tell you, IT IS IMPORTANT especially during pregnancy. I didn't work out with my first pregnancy at all and by the 4th month I couldn't walk without pain. Well, this time around I searched AMAZON for a decent prenatal workout and because I'm a die-hard Denise Austin Fan I picked this one. I'm so happy I did! As mentioned earlier I received it in the mail and immediately began using it. At that time I was about 14 weeks or so. The first day I did it I was a little stiff but I pulled through and followed up with the toning session. That night I got the best sleep of my life. I felt so comfortable and my body felt so relaxed. So I continued working out to this video if not 7 times a week, at least 5. I was so energetic, by the time I got to my 5th month, I was able to easily run up the stairs in our apartment! I'm now 7.5 months along in my pregnancy and because my baby has dropped low in my pelvis, I'm unable to do the cardio portion of the DVD without a little discomfort, but I still do the 3rd trimester toning from time to time, which feels wonderful and keeps me strong.[by the way, Denise constantly reminds you that if you do feel discomfort, stop.] I was overweight when I got pregnant and by using this dvd (and eat healthy/drink lots of water) I've managed to only gain 6 pounds with only 9 weeks left for the pregnancy. I don't have much swelling and I'm so much more active, and comfortable this time around and I credit that at least 70% to the DENISE AUSTIN Fit & Firm Pregnancy. I will be having a scheduled c-section delivery method but after my 6 weeks is over, I will be doing the post natal workout that's also featured on the dvd and I will provide my feedback then. Get this dvd, don't wait. Your body will thank you!! :)UPDATE:I had my son, by c-section 2 weeks ago and I am now 13 POUNDS LIGHTER than I was BEFORE I got PREGNANT! I feel pretty decent painwise as well. I am now on a sensible diet, restricted calories plan to help me lose more weight. But it's awesome to weigh less than when I got pregnant and I credit controlling myself when it came to food and Working out with this dvd. My stomach is a little saggy from the pregnancy still and will need some toning and work, but it's a WHOLE lot smaller than it used to be, even before pregnancy. I haven't been the weight I am now in 4 yrs! who would have thought I'd weigh this much less, with a mere 2 weeks postpartum. I encourage any and all to workout. Denise helped me with my posture, so I believe i had better control over my ab muscles during pregnancy as well. I am so happy. I can't wait until I reach my 6 weeks mark so I can begin the postnatal section of the dvd..i will give a review of that as well :)Here's a breakdown of my weight:Pre pregnancy weight = 186 lbs.Average weight during pregnancy = 193 lbs.Weight on the day of delivery =198 lbs.Weight 2 weeks postnatal= 173

My wife got this for something different to do during pregnancy and found this video is an absolute joke! She did the 20 minute cardio and 20 minute workout and didn't even break a sweat.Marching in place and swaying back and forth may do it for some people but she would not recommend this if you are even remotely in shape.Just about everything that comes out of Denise Austen's mouth is comical and not because she's trying to be funny. Even the first time doing this workout, she put her on mute, she just couldn't stand what Denies was saying and how she was saying it. After doing the video twice, it's in the trash...couldn't even bring herself to give it away.

The DVD worked but it came damaged. The disk was loose in the case because the inner piece that holds it snapped off. So not a great presentation but the DVD still played when I tried it.

This video is great! It's not too hard but not to easy. It makes me sweat and feel good by the time I'm done, especially the cardio since I haven't done a cardio workout before (I did denise's pilates video). She explains things really well which is great for the first few times, but makes it a little slower after you know proper positioning.People are right when they say she's really perky, but I quite like it. It keeps me moving. I would definitely recommend this to women who want a moderate workout.

I worked out before pregnancy and I don't even break a sweat to this workout. I think it would be good if you did not work out pre-pregnancy. This is my 2nd pregnancy and I find it way too easy. The weights section is not too bad which is why I gave it 3 stars. She is very annoying. I can see a SNL skit comming out of this DVD for sure!

She's super annoying in the video! I had to mute it to get it finished.