Gabrielle Reece – Fit and Healthy Prenatal Workouts

5 Comments

1. Karsy says:

   June 22, 2010 at 1:16 pm

   The description of this video is deceptive. The workouts are tailored month-by-month. The first workout is for women in the first month of pregnancy, the second for the second month, and on through month six. So if you’re already in your sixth month, like I am, this video isn’t very useful.

   A lot of equipment is required: light weights, bands, and a workout ball. Since I only have weights, I had to improvise for the exercises with the bands and workout ball.

   Gabrielle awkwardly follows the directions of her trainer. It doesn’t seem like the two planned the workouts very well. Gabrielle appears to not to know what’s coming next.

   While Gabrielle looks gorgeous, she doesn’t smile and she seems nervous and uncomfortable in front of the camera.

   The workouts are very short, and I didn’t feel like I accomplished much in the 20 minutes. It was awkward to follow, not very fun, challenging, or satisfying. I guess if you’re looking for a quick workout, it’ll do. But I’m pretty disappointed.
   Rating: 2 / 5
2. J. D. Emerson says:

   June 22, 2010 at 2:16 pm

   This is by far the BEST prenatal workout video available. This is my second pregnancy and I wish this were available during my first. I spent lots of money on other videos that were not challenging enough. This video focuses on toning the areas that can get flabby during pregnancy: arms, glutes, thighs and abs with weight and strength training. These areas needn’t be out-of-shape due to pregnancy. Because of this video I have been able to maintain (and build) my muscle tone and prevent the flabbiness, most noticeably in my arms during this pregnancy. The workouts are short (20 minutes) so I can fit them in while my son is taking a nap.
   
   I found this video six months into my second pregnancy and even though the workouts are labeled for the first and second trimesters I am still completely comfortable with the exercises. I am currently rotating the 4th, 5th and 6th month workouts.
   
   I am thrilled that there is finally a workout challenging enough for people at a medium to high fitness level. You do need a fitness ball, fitness band, and dumb bells to experience the full effects of this workout video but the investment is worth it. My arms look great and I am confident wearing sleeveless shirts during the hot Florida weather because of Gabriel Reece’s workouts. Arm jiggling is sure to be banished for users of this video.
   
   Being in shape for my first pregnancy really made my labor and delivery fast and smooth, not to mention my recovery. I am sure the time spent during these workout sessions will only enhance my second time and provide an even faster return to pre-pregnancy form. I just hope her post-natal video comes out by the time I deliver in May!
   
   Rating: 5 / 5
3. Smiley Gal says:

   June 22, 2010 at 4:22 pm

   I bought this DVD when it first came out and I was nearing the end of my first trimester. I was looking for something that would be fun, work all the “zones”, and be challenging enough to give me a good, but safe workout. Not to mention a workout that wouldn’t take hours to do. This turned out to be exactly the workout I wanted.

   I love that there is both a warm-up and cool-down for both the first and second trimester workouts. Also, I like that they have a ~15-minute workout per month, so you can do just that or more, depending on how you feel.

   I personally like the casual nature of the DVD — like the trainer telling Gabby to keep that belly button in and she responds that it is in. I also really like the changes throughout the workouts from using a ball to bands to weights or combinations. That keeps me more mentally engaged.

   Now in my second trimester, I do in fact feel like the title of the DVD — fit and healthy. I would recommend this to anyone who is already active and wants to stay strong as their baby belly continues to grow.
   Rating: 5 / 5
4. Nicole Domini says:

   June 22, 2010 at 5:48 pm

   I saw this featured in Fit Pregnancy and thought this would be a great workout dvd, but I ended up hating it.

   First of all, you will need a chair, hand weights, an exercise band, a towel, a yoga ball… quite a bit of props, I think, for a 15 minute workout session! What was worse was that it was not mentioned ANYWHERE on the dvd packaging or even in the introduction to the workouts that you would be needing any of these. So on the first day I was ready to workout, I got all geared up, only to realize I didn’t own half of the props I needed, so I wasn’t able to do the workout, and instead had to wait until I went out and bought the necessary equipment.

   Once I got the equipment, I realized, this workout is ridiculous! I think I burn more calories jumping up to get my ball, then my strap, then my weights, then my chair, then my ball and my chair… than actually doing the exercises. What makes it worse is that Gabrielle has her personal trainer with her who hands her each of the props, so she is able to start the next set of exercises right away. Since I don’t have a personal trainer on hand, I have to get up and get the props by myself. By the time I get situated, Gabrielle is already well into her exercises.

   And on the subject of the trainer: he is really really annoying. Everytime Gabrielle tries to get a word in, even if it’s just a sarcastic joke, he talks right over her. He interrupts her constantly, and this is really annoying to me.

   I also didn’t get the impression that Gabrielle and her trainer ever rehearsed this workout before filming. As the trainer is trying to explain to Gabrielle how to prepare for an exercise, she’s completely confused and seems to have no idea what he is talking about.

   I thought I’d like this workout, but I was very disappointed. I even gave it about three tries before deciding to sell it back.

   I wouldn’t recommend this dvd to anyone.

   ~Nicole
   Rating: 2 / 5
5. Katherine E. Pitts says:

   June 22, 2010 at 6:59 pm

   This workout was exactly what I was looking for in a prenatal workout – not too much cardio, no yoga but a lot of great toning and stretching exercises. I’m in decent shape and found the exercises challenging without being impossible. All the equipment needed (Ball, band, free weights and yoga mat) are inexpensive and easy to store.
   
   Gabby does look somewhat awkward and it is not the most visually stimulating video around but the exercises work. My arms look better now than they did before I got pregnant. There is not much time to get new equipment out between exercises so make sure you have everything near at hand. The trainer explains what you’re going to be doing for a few seconds and I use that time to get a drink of water or get the ball out and put the weights up.
   
   I also liked the fact that the workouts were short at around 25 to 30 minutes for the warmup, workout and cooldown. This made it easy to fit into my day and hard to come up with excuses as to why I wasn’t going to workout.
   
   My main problem with this video is that it’s a waste of money. For about the same price you can buy The Complete Fit and Healthy Prenatal Workout which includes not only workouts for the first and second trimesters but also six additional workouts for the third trimester and postnatal workouts
   Rating: 2 / 5