Progressive Parent Series

The Perfect Pregnancy Workout Reviews
The Perfect Postnatal Workout Reviews

The Perfect Pregnancy Workout Reviews

Sporting a bikini to show off her third-trimester belly, instructor Karyne Steben, a world-class acrobat formerly with Cirque du Soleil, takes you through this sculpting workout with a nice combo of upper- and lower-body exercises.

Each move comes with options to make it more challenging, and even advanced exercisers will find it hard to get bored with this tape. All you'll need: a straight-backed chair, two big pillows and a set of hand weights.

Fit Pregnancy magazine- April/May 2003

I highly recommend both videos in the series if you are newly pregnant or planning a pregnancy. If you are a new Mom, give yourself the gift of the Postnatal Video. In fact, if you have a pregnant friend, the videos make the perfect alternative to the same old, tired shower gifts of booties and bottles. Give that Mom-to-be something she can REALLY use!

Here's your chance to find out what real athletes do when they're pregnant!! Join in the fun with Karyne Steben, a former Cirque du Soleil acrobat of eleven years, as she shares her secrets for staying beautiful, healthy and fit throughout pregnancy with this fun video.

When you just can't get to a pregnancy exercise class because you work or are too tired, this is the answer for you!!

It's more than a regular workout done by a pregnant woman- it's a chock full of exercises like labor squats, the kegel exercise, and a mental focus exercise. (They say it's specifically designed to prepare the body for labor and delivery- minimizing the stress on your body and on your baby - sounds good to us!)

And the nice part is that a box appears when you're watching the video for most of the exercises to show advanced exercisers how to increase intensity. It's great to be able to be a "beginner" on days when you feel tired and "advanced" when you feel like Xena, the Warrior Princess.

This video takes itself seriously and is well-done, with subdued lighting complimented by Karyne's calming voice and really hypnotic music.

Grab yourself a copy today and get started - it's never too late!!

-L.A. Pregnancy.com

This tape is truly awesome!!! My husband can't believe how much better I look after doing this tape for just a few weeks. The workout works EVERY muscle, and makes me feel fantastic. The exercises are brilliantly explained.

PS The customer service is terrific, also.

L. Newman, Los Angeles, CA

I am now 6 1/2 months pregnant, and I just have to say that I was extremely
skeptical of ordering ANOTHER prenatal workout video after being so
disappointed with others I've purchased. However, after using this video
for just 2 1/2 weeks, I am no longer having the constant paralyzing pain of
lower back problems and sciatica. Also, I have a normally high heart rate
to begin with and this is the first exercise video/workout that I've been
able to do without it raising my heart rate too much. I am so glad that I
convinced myself to order this video!

-Camille McCracken, Westminster, CO

The Perfect Pregnancy Workout is wonderful! It's informative, inspirational, and fun. I'm now in my 34th week and have been using it since early in my second trimester, and feel great. I firmly believe that it has helped me maintain a good energy level, good spirits and has helped prevent many common pregnancy aches and pains so far.

O. P., New York, NY

This is to inform you that I have received the videos on April 2nd. Very pleased with your prompt response and service from your side. Thanks.

I have just finished exercising with the prenatal video, I am pleased to say that I can follow the Advanced level. The video is definitely different from those of Denise Austin's, Kathy Smith or any other prenatal videos. I like yours very much; it 's challenging and focus on each muscle. The instruction part is very informative and well coordinated. Everything is in place!

-Inge Sihombing, Singapore

What a great workout! I have purchased and thrown out many exercise videos, but The Perfect Pregnancy Workout is a keeper! I got a challenging sculpting workout from the amazingly fit Karyne. I didn't feel uncomfortable doing any of the exercises because there are beginning and intermediate variations for the more difficult movements. This is a whole body and mind workout, I'm so glad it came along just when I needed it!

-Brandie Rocci, Baltimore, Maryland

Besides being a great workout, this tape made me appreciate my body while it was changing. The stretching helped my back out immensely and in only one week, I feel more toned in my glutes, quadriceps and arms. I feel energized after each workout and I plan to keep using this tape long after my pregnancy!

Laetitia May, Los Angeles, CA

I liked the organization of the tape. Because the instructional section is at the end of the tape I don't have to fast forward through them trying to find the beginning of the exercises. It makes perfect sense since I will refer to the instructions less often than I will do the exercises.

The rhythmic music is motivational and it drew me in and eased me along to the very end of the workout. The first time I did the tape, I honestly didn't realize that I had been exercising for nearly forty minutes. I felt almost meditative. The dark background helped create this relaxing atmosphere. A big change from the usual bright and glaring workout room.

The exercises are simple yet challenging with instructions for beginners and advanced. This allowed me to adjust my level and allowed for the type of day I was having. During pregnancy,there are always those "beginner" days, no matter how fit you are.

It really is a tape specifically for pregnant women and not just regular exercises being performed by pregnant women. It incorporates Kegels, labor squats and even a focus exercise to help you prepare for labor. I especially appreciated the pillow section. I've heard the advice not to do exercises on your back after 20 weeks. This tape doesn't leave you hanging there. It goes on to show you how to exercise without being on your back.

I love the cool down section. The tape ends with you in a relaxing position with the words "connect with your baby". After the tape ended, I just stayed put and did exactly that, focused on my pregnancy and my baby.

Normally, before I start an exercise video, I tell myself that I should do it. This is one tape that I want to do again!

-Laura Orriols-Luers, Hoboken, New Jersey

I bought the tape because I am a fan of the Stebens. The Stebens can perfectly show that a human body is special with their amazing trapeze-act. That's exactly what Karyne Steben is doing on the tape as well, showing that a human body is special and is so closely connected with the brand new person inside your body.

The intro of the tape is beautiful filmed. If you have any doubts of wanting a baby it will surely motivate you to have one and feel the experience for yourself. The tape is a must have for the pregnant woman. I think the exercises will also be perfect for people who are not pregnant. I will absolutely use the tape to get myself back in shape again. It's also very relaxing after a hard day work to listen to Karyne's calm voice and follow her instructions. I couldn't have a better coach.

Petra Vanbreeden, The Hague, The Netherlands

I am ordering The Perfect Postnatal Workout because I enjoyed The Perfect Pregnancy Workout so much! I've gotten a lot of workout videos and this one is the best. Even compared to videos for exercisers who are not pregnant, this one is the most interesting and challenging.

Mary Gallucci, Willimantic, Connecticut

The Perfect Postnatal Workout Reviews

Bounce back after delivery with this workout led by former Cirque du Soleil acrobat Karyne Steben. She provides a gentle program to strengthen and stretch glutes, back, chest and pelvic-floor muscles during your first month as a mom. Later, with your doctor's OK, you use your baby's weight to build strength in your hips, thighs and buns, upper body and core muscles. At tape's end, Steben gives advice on Kegel exercises and postpartum depression. Creative, safe, effective- and a fun way to bond with your baby.

Fit Pregnancy Magazine, October/November 2003

I was rather curious when I sat down to watch this video, as Karyne Steben is a trapeze artist of 11 years, formerly with Cirque du Soleil ! Would she and baby be hanging from the chandelier and would she be stretching her legs behind her ears? The video proved quickly, however, to be a sane, charming and ‘low key’ affair with baby very much in focus!

All in all, this is a refreshing postnatal exer cise video with a pleasant and low-key ambiance. The music is very soothing for the first 2/3 of it, which prevents sensorial overload. The demonstrations are clear and the exercises mainly simple.
(excerpt)

The Newsletter of the Guild of Postnatal Exercise Teachers, Issue 15 – December 2003

When I first decided to order the Perfect Postnatal Workout video, I was worried that I might not be able to keep up with a former trapeze artist. However, I was interested in the fact that the baby is incorporated into the workout since I was having difficulty completing other tapes. I kept having to stop what I was doing to attend to my daughter. Going for a walk was a great option, but not always possible because of the weather.
The first time I did the workout my daughter was about 10 weeks old. On the very first exercise, she laughed out loud through the entire movement! At that point I thought that it didn't matter if it was excrutiatingly hard, that my baby's laughter was motivation enought. To my delight, I found the exercises physically challenging yet easy to do.
Since consistently exercising with the video for the last month, I finally feel that my "pregnancy muscles" are toning up and I feel so much stronger.
Thank you so much for creating such a wonderful video that not only increases my physical fitness, but allows me to have fun with my baby at the same time!

-Angelyn Parker, Houston, TX

Hot on the heels of The Perfect Pregnancy Workout comes The Perfect Postnatal Workout, featuring Karyne Steben, a former Cirque du Soleil acrobat, and her baby Azia.
Karyne is in phenomenal shape for her eighth week postpartum, baring her six-pack stomach as she lifts and plays with her daughter in this fun exercise video. The video is broken up into three workouts: a light one for the first four weeks postpartum, and two fifteen-minute workouts for after you get your doctor's approval to exercise. The more vigorous workouts are fun play sessions, where Karyne takes you through imaginative ways to lift and swing your baby, giving him or her a fun ride while you whittle down your figure. It also gives you and easy way to fit in the all important Kegel exercise, a must for new moms.

The theory is that by using your baby as resistance, your strength will grow as he or she does, making you gradually leaner and more defined. It's also designed to help prevent against injury by strengthening your core muscles.

That's something you'll appreciate when you get up for 3 am feedings!

Karyne finishes the video with a twelve-minute instructional section that includes tips for making exercise part of your daily life as well as postpartum exercise dos and don'ts. All you need to do this video is a towel and a baby. And it's convenient, too- you don't need to wait until your baby's asleep to exercise.

All-in-all, it's a fun and easy way to get back in shape!

Grab yourself a copy today and get started - it's never too late!!

-L.A. Pregnancy.com

Hi! I love the mom/baby workout video! It gives me a really great workout, it's fun and great for baby too! I was so impressed at how you looked 8 weeks after giving birth that I wanted your prenatal workout video too so that I can look that great next time I have a baby!

-M. Monroe, Highlands Ranch, Colorado

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