Pregnancy workout DVDs often reach an even more extreme level of cheese than regular workout DVDs. However, this duo by trainer Sara Haley is anything but hokey -- you won't find fake bellies and lame exercises here. Instead, there's a calendar to help guide you through three trimesters of working out, and six different kinds of fitness routines from hip-hop to stretching.
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Post-pregnancy
"Tracy Anderson Method: Post-Pregnancy Workout," $14.98
Leave it to celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson (Gwyneth and Madonna's go-to gal) to create a DVD designed specifically to whip your body back into shape after having a baby. After all, a quick turnaround time is practically a requirement in Hollywood. Like all of Anderson's videos, this workout is a combination of mat exercises and cardio, it's easy to follow, and it goes quickly -- even though it's 47 minutes long. We also love that it's set to classical music.
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To be a really great workout DVD, we think a few key requirements have to be met. First, there has to be fun music (none of that '80s, upbeat muzak stuff). Then, the models need to be good-looking -- but not so gorgeous that it's distracting. And finally, the routine has to kick our butts and give us results -- quickly.
Since hundreds of cheesy new fitness videos flood the market every year -- cue the techno beats and chirpy instructors -- choosing one can be daunting. That's why we sifted through the newest ones (fast-forwarding through the really terrible DVDs) and rounded up our favorites.
Here's what our picks all have in common: The instructions are easy to follow if you're a beginner, but the routines are engaging enough for even the most seasoned yogi or dancer. They're pretty and well produced, the music isn't annoying, and -- this one is huge -- you get a workout that's as good as going to a spendy class.
After all, isn't the whole point of using a workout DVD to save the money and time commitment required for a gym membership?
So get out of bed and pull on your yoga pants (or heck, workout nekkid, who'll be the wiser?) and try one of these DVD workouts. Sure, at first you may feel a little ridiculous dancing around your living room. But a few weeks, pounds, and inches later, your snooze button will have forgotten who you are.
