I loved this workout! It used everything I used before getting pregnant, including weights and kundalini yoga at the very end. This is not a beginner workout; if you are a beginner who is pregnant and new to exercise, I highly recommend Denise Austin's latest pregnancy workout. Intermediate or advanced exercisers used to Cathe or the FIRM, this is the workout for you, especially if you've had to slow down during pregnancy.

A little about me: intermediate level focusing mostly on FIRM, pilates and yoga in the best shape of my life. Got pregnant, survived the first trimester only to get Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction three weeks into my second trimester; hormones caused the ligament joining my pelvic bone in the front started to loosen early and shift, an incredibly painful thing that limits mobility and balance. Most days turning over in bed or side-to-side motion is painful. On really bad days, walking is a challenge; the doctor says the only cure is delivery.

Determined to keep some sort of fitness regime, if only to keep my spirits high, I decided to preview this workout, received by a kind VF Secret Santa. Surprisingly, I ended up able to do most of the workout as long as I kept my hips facing forwards and stacked for the few lower body exercises. Most of the workout focused on upper body and abs. So I used the advanced modifications for some exercises, beginner modifications for others, and skipped only one or two sets because of my peculiar limitation.

Unlike the earlier versions on VHS mentioned above, there was no funky affirmation at the very beginning. The DVD is chaptered and broken down into sections. Definitely watch the Instructional section first because it will tell you what equipment to use (hand weights, chair, step or bottom half of TransFIRMer/Fanny Lifter, sofa pillows for ab work).

It also shows you each of the exercises along with modifications. The workout itself moves quickly from section to section with little or no instruction. Cueing is okay, not fantastic, but I figured out that you're basically doing 20 of each exercise. I never worried about my heart rate going too high.

The set is rather plain with a padded floor and what looks like a gymnastics horse in the background, and the lighting is natural. Karyne is alone and does not speak during the workout, but gives instruction through voiceovers. Her slight French accent is easy to understand. The music is fantastic, a combination of house and new age, though one track in the middle section sounds a wee bit porn-flickish.

I felt like I'd done something from the FIRM when I finished, and I credit this workout for keeping me moving and sane during a pregnancy with a glitch.

A+. I intend to use this workout even when

Instructor Comments:
Karyne has the best pregnant body I've ever seen, and I was awfully jealous. She retained all of her upper body definition, flexibility and strength, and is very inspirational.

f1mom