Davina - My Pre And Post Natal Workouts DVD > Reviews > Exercise i actually enjoyed....and will do again!

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Educational Value	Excellent
How good are the presenters?	Outstanding
How good is the content?	Excellent
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Well presented, fun & effective exercise DVD - brilliant !
Disadvantages:	None !  I would recommend it to anyone .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I've never been a fan of any type of exercise but have still managed to accumulate quite a few different exercise DVDs and videos...most of which i have not really done. However as I am currently pregnant with my second baby i wanted to do some proper exercise rather than just being "active" throughout my pregnancy as i did first time around. Because my first child is only 6 months old i need something i can do at home.

I had heard that Davinas exercise DVDs were good so i opted for this one to try for several reasons;
She looked good during her pregnancy and she looks great having had her 3rd baby.
Also she seems to take a fairly light hearted approach to things so i hoped that the DVD wouldn't be too serious and hard going.

I tried it last night for the first time and it is fantastic! Right from the start Davina is typically upbeat making it seem less like exercise and more of a laugh.

It starts with the usual do's and don'ts of exercising during pregnancy but quickly gets into the warm up routine.Then its onto a low impact aerobics session followed by sets of toning exercises. Finishing with a gentle stretch and relaxation section. I am in the early stages (just 5 weeks) but i feel confident that even at 7/8 months pregnant the DVD would be just as useful. Davina is quie heavily pregnant when she is doing the exercises. During each exercise Davina and her trainer Jackie advise what to do for a more gentle workout, so it really can be tailored to your needs and ability. Even the music is alright!

I was really suprised to see that the DVD had been running for nearly 50 minutes and i felt as though i had just started... normally 3 minutes of exercise seems like 3 days! But in this instance the entire session was like having a giggle with a mate...sounds cheesy but i don't think i stoped smiling the whole way through.

I have watched bits of the exercise routine for 6 weeks after the birth and they looked just as good.They include the exercises the hospital and my midwife advised me to do, but its so much easier watching and listening to someone rather than trying to read a piece of paper from an awkward angle whilst attempting to do the exercises...and still not knowing if you are doing it correctly.

In the post natal section Davina very cautiously gets her "jelly-belly" out and i was very pleased to see that at 11 weeks after having Chester she looks like all new Mums.... no muscle tone and wrinkly skin! (Sounds awful but it does go) and i am so pleased that i have this DVD to help me on the way! I like the way she is so open and reinforces the realistic approach of "9 months on, so 9 months off. "

There is also a section called "Davinas Top Tops", which is rather nice for first and second time Mums. I think it sums up the entire DVD really and Davinas attitude towards pregnancy and birth. Davina talks about her pregnancies and births and it is clear that she embraces and enjoys both. However whilst she very openly advocates home birth she is not judgemental of other peoples preferences/needs.

All in all i cannot recommend this DVD enough, i think it is very informative and user friendly - Davina and her trainer Jackie is very knowledgeable and professional. It is also made with the support of the National Childbirth Trust, which is a good endorsement.

Davinas approach throughout the DVD is perfect and realistic which is quite refreshing. It is clearly explained why the exercises are done and how they can help during pregnancy and the birth, as well as afterwards.

Most importantly it is enjoyable so not only did i do the entire pre-natal section i did it to the level i was capable of rather than steaming in and waking up in agony...makes a change! Today i feel great, i had the best nights sleep in a long time and i know that tomorrow i will be doing it again (i'd quite like to do it today but i think that a walk with the dogs will do!).

As for the post natal workouts i think its safe to say that once i get the go ahead after my 6 week check up i will move on to those. I feel quite sure that even on a gloomy day (and there will be some!) Davina and Jackie will manage to raise a smile and in time i will be getting on my way to having my pre baby body back!

Without a doubt the best exercise DVD i have bought so far!

May 2008- well i had baby number 2 nearly 6 months ago now and have been doing the post natal part of the DVD now for a few months and it is just as good as the pre natal section.

Davinas up-beat attitude and honesty is really refreshing, the exercises are fairly easy going but get your heart going so you feel like you are getting a good workout and you really do get results from this DVD. The exercises are simple enough to remember so if i don't have time to do the whole DVD i really try to make sure i do the stomach exercises on and off during the day, maing it much less of a chore.

I recommended it before i gave birth and i certainly do now. Having had 2 little ones with a gap of just 14 months between them, this DVD coupled with a healthy, sensible diet really should help most ladies get back into shape. Cheers Davina!