Suzanne Bowen's Long and Lean Prenatal Workout

I have bought about 12 workout videos since being pregnant. I had a really difficult time finding workouts that were challenging enough since there weren't may reviews online, so here is my review. I hope you find it helpful!Pre-pregnancy I ran around 20 miles a week, and did an addition 2-4 strength days a week. I am very active and in good shape. However, After my first two months of pregnancy I couldn't run anymore, so I started looking for ways to build muscle safely and effectively as well as find alternative cardio routines. I am 38 weeks pregnant, and can still perform all of these videos. I have seen muscle gain (as has my husband and mid-wives who compliment how well I've stayed in shape!), and I can't wait until I loose this bit of baby fat to really see the definition! The following are my favorite 4 videos that I really found challenging and effective, as well as great for times I have had more or less energy throughout pregnancy. They have really helped keep me in shape when I couldn't run or do military-like workouts anymore!1. Fit+Sleek Prenatal Physique with Leah Sarago. Moderate/difficult. The weight portions allow you to add additional weight so you can continue to challenge yourself. Easy to mix and match and repeat sections for more reps. My favorite on this video is the upper body and ab portions. I usually do two workouts twice per per day when doing this video. The lower body is also very good. It's also a nice video for when you don't have a lot of time or energy to have the option of doing a 15-30 minute workout since each section is just 15 minutes. Has a good workout suggestion guide. Also, the pre-natal stretch is AMAZING!2.Expecting More with Sara Haley: Moderate/Difficult. Okay, so this one I have mixed feelings. Over all, I do love it since the workouts are longer (Around an hour, depending) and they are very effective. She just kind of gets on my nerves sometimes with her silly dance moves and the tone she uses. You do have to be careful and be sure to follow moderation's if you aren't as fit--some of the jumping and twisting around can be scary if you don't know how to do it right. She is good at her instructions and making sure you and baby stay safe. Over all, some of these are very challenging, and some are easier. I love the cardio portions, though her strength portions are great, and you will want bumb-bells. Also is a fun video if you like to dance!3. Long and Lean prenatal Workout with Suzanne Bowen: Easy/Moderate. This was one of my first prenatal videos, and still one of my favorites. I do this one on the days where I have no energy. It does a good job working shoulders and your lower body groups. In the past couple months I have added light weights (3-5lbs) to some of the arm and squat portions to challenge myself more. There is no cardio, really, but is a nice, effective Pilates style workout. My sister, who is a Marine, did this one with me some months after having her 3rd child and felt a little sore the next day. This is one that will def get easier pretty quick if you are moderately to in good shape. But it is effective enough, and more relaxing on those super sleepy, growing a baby days :)4. The Perfect Pregnancy Workout with Karyne Steben. Moderate/Difficult. LOVE this workout! Karyne is a world class athlete and this video shows that. This chick is buff! I have been doing this video for about 6 months, and still find it a little challenging. She covers all main muscle groups, lower body, abs, back, side-body, in very safe and effective ways. I do feel most of the focus is in the upper back and arms, so you will def be feeling this the next day! You will want dumb-bells this one. This video is a bit relaxing in style, and it is a bit on the old fashion side (as far as music and quality), but it is really great and one of my favorites.All of these videos have great stretch portions that I feel are very effective in getting baby where he/she needs to be for delivery, and really helps get your body get into optimal shape for delivery as well. Like I said, my mid-wives have complimented me on how well I have stayed in shape, and my husband has taken lots of notice, too. He thinks I have more muscle on me now than I did pre-pregnancy! I do these videos about 5 times a week and have felt healthy and good throughout my pregnancy. I hope my review helps you!

I greatly enjoyed this workout for several reasons:1. It doesn't "baby" you just because you're pregnant. I was actually sweating and felt sore the next day. Many prenatal workouts are too easy. We're pregnant, not disabled :)2. It was broken down into 3 segments, which kept it fast paced. For an hour-long workout, that is a key element for me.3. I have done barre before, and I liked her variations. Felt fresh.4. It wasn't so difficult that I felt I was putting myself or my baby at risk. I did not work out AT ALL for the first 20 weeks due to horrible 24-hour morning sickness, but I still felt able to complete this workout with no worries now that I'm feeling better.However, I do want to add three "caveats" to my otherwise 5-star review:1. Suzanne looks clearly pregnant on the cover, but not so in the workout. Not sure why? Also, the woman doing the abs segment at the end (I don't think it was the same person) was also not pregnant or at least not showing. For this reason, I don't feel that adjustments for growing bellies were addressed. I'm already pretty large at now 22 weeks, and I had to make my own adjustments. I just used common sense, but having another model with Suzanne who was further along would have been helpful.2. I did not like the placement of the abs workout, which is put in after a very long rest and relaxation period. This made zero sense to me. Who wants to open their eyes after cooling down for several minutes to do abs?3. As for the ab workout itself, I think someone needs to point out that many of the exercises are done entirely on your back, which I've been told is a no-no when you're with child. So in the end, the odd placement of the ab section, the lack of addressing the flat-on-my-back element, and the fact that the woman doing the abs looked to almost have a concave (definitely not very pregnant, if at all) belly caused the loss of a star.But if you love barre workouts with no equipment (another bonus), then this DVD is really great!!

I loved this dvd. Not too hard or too easy. It has helped with my mental and physical health. I am a busy mama. I have two kiddos at home and I work FT. I can only manage to do evening workouts when my kids are asleep. This one has been perfect. I have never felt sore or in any pain from this dvd.