Complete Pregnancy Fitness with Erin O’Brien (2006)
Oxygen, November 2007
Offers ways to reclaim your body with easy-to-modify workouts that pack a strong pre- and post-natal punch.
An efficient, supportive training program for the big day and your new lifeWhether you re a regular exerciser who wants to stay fit or newly committed to exercise for your health and your baby s, Hollywood trainer Erin O Brien offers you safe and effective workouts that can take you every step of the way.This box set includes both of these programs (also sold separately):PRENATAL FITNESS FIX While seven months pregnant with her second child, Erin leads you in a 40-minute blend of fat-burning cardio, muscle toning, strength training, and tension-relieving stretches. Also includes a 20-minute partner workout, which Erin demonstrates with her husband, actor James Denton (Desperate Housewives). “This is the one that will make you sweat. It’s also amusing and entertaining” Chicago Tribune. POSTNATAL RESCUE Ease back into exercis … >>> Special Offers & Product Promotions
I normally cannot stand work out videos but knew I should do something besides walking to keep my fitness level up. I was pleasantly surprised by this video.
1. Erin O’Brien is not irritatingly peppy, but realistic and down to earth. There is very little excess dialogue, which I appreciated. She imparts just the right amount of info and throws in a few extras about physiology and anatomy, which I appreciated. Plus there are water and pee breaks! ( which I really needed)
2. The workout is probably best suited for someone who has done a few classes before and has at least a moderate level of fitness. But I suppose a beginner could simply watch it a few times before attempting if it were a bit too fast paced for them. She adds modifications for times when the heart rate is too high, which is nice. I thought at first it would be too easy for me, but oops. It got me! (in a good way, of course)
3. The workout is complete, I thought, especially given it’s timeframe of only 40 minutes. That includes a short stretching session afterwards, which made me feel really good.
4. The production value was great -judicious amount of camera angle changes and fades, making it easy to copy her body mechanics. Simple set-an average, well lit living room. All the props she used were standard furniture. I had to make some small adaptations but all were easily accomplished.
5. Best of all-unobtrusive music, used mostly to provide rhythm. No trendy production, no silly distracting lyrics, just background percussion oriented music at a nice soft volume (Although I really dislike the music that plays for the menu, but that doesn’t matter)
OVERALL: I highly recommend this work out video and look forward to using the post-natal DVD as well.
I highly recommend this video. I have been doing it off and on throughout my second and third trimesters and have not gotten bored with it at all (as compared with the FitMama video by Leisa Hart, which I find to be more suited for the extremely out of shape individual who likes lots of repetition and no variety). I think Erin’s personality and energy make the video a pleasure, and you will get a great lower body workout (with some upper body stuff thrown in there). I’ve never actually tried the partner workout, but from watching it, I think it looks great also. This video is definitely worth buying, or at least checking out from your library to see if it’s a good fit for you.
I’m a second time mommy-to-be who still runs and regularly does yoga and other prenatal workouts – I thought this workout would be easy but I was pleasantly suprised! The leg work (inner thigh and derriere) is especially good, and I find my muscles are still sore (in a good way) the following day. There is not nearly as much arm work as Karyne Steben’s “Perfect Pregnancy Workout,” so I alternate them. True, the electronic version of “Frere Jacques” that plays during the menu is grating, but the music during the workout is barely noticeable. I love the length of the workout, too – it’s 40 minutes broken up into warmup, dynamic movement, floor work, and stretch and relaxation sections.
Other reviewers don’t like the “homemade” feel of the production, but I do – Erin O’Brien is down to earth (no makeup, incorporates time for water and bathroom breaks), not overly peppy, but still encouraging and upbeat. She’s also challenging – I find a lot of these prenatal workouts too coddling, I like being pushed. I found myself in a great mood after finishing this.
I have mentioned this in other reviews of pre- and postnatal workouts, but I have had two very easy pregnancies (so far) and a very easy first delivery and recovery. Two doctors attributed that to my exercise pre-, during, and postpregnancy. I am determined to exercise as much as I can for this pregnancy, too (my little guy seems to like it, too). Mommies to be – get out there and exercise! You will be so grateful you did! This is a great workout to get you going.