These video/DVD workouts are presented in approximate order of difficulty, from easiest to hardest.  Difficulty means how strenuous and/or complicated the routines are.

I have "two left feet", and many of these routines took me a few weeks of following them at least three times a week to learn them well.  But none of them are that hard, especially if you are good at following steps.  As you will see, I use a mix-n-match approach with these routines, depending on my level of fitness or stage of pregnancy.

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Specifically for Pregnancy & Postpartum
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1.  Denise Austin's Pregnancy Plus (Parade Video, 1990) - this has two low-impact workouts, one for pregnancy and one for postpartum.  Both are easy to learn, and I find Denise's sunny disposition to be very cheering and motivating.  In my opinion, this is a good tape for the expectant mom who is new to exercise, or who is just getting back into working out following illness, injury or temporary bedrest (Note:  do not begin or resume working out without your doctor or midwife's o.k.!)  I like to do her pregnancy workout during first trimester, when I am often very tired, and last trimester, when my huge belly slows me down.  She has a good warmup and cool down for each workout, and the prenatal one has a good stretching and relaxation section.  The postpartum routine is gentle and goes by fast.  I like to use it as the first workout I do, postpartum.  She follows that with an excellent if brief series of abdominal and other focused work designed to help you get your figure back.  ~ Review updated March 2001

2.   Denise Austin's Fit & Firm Pregnancy (Lionsgate, 2006) - Denise's updated prenatal workout, with sections on breathing and core awareness, low-impact cardio, and toning routines tailored for each trimester.  The cardio section includes a modifier for those just starting out or in late pregnancy.  This is an enjoyable workout, very easy to learn, and I like the trimester-specific toning exercises.  In particular, the cardio routine is easier on the lower back than are the more vigorous prenatal workouts reviewed here, so I'm hopeful I can continue this workout through the remainder of my pregnancy.  ~ Reviewed March 2008, during second trimester

3.  Kathy Smith's Pregnancy Workout (Video Treasures, 1989) - this has a longer (and more strenuous than Denise's) low-impact workout for both prenatal and postpartum use.  Kathy is a great instructor;  she cues the moves well and gives helpful tips on form and posture.  She calls her 10-minute warmup "the energizer", and it's really great for stretching all your muscle groups before a workout, whether or not you're still pregnant.  I am in better shape now than I used to be, so I am finding this workout fine to do during first trimester, but in my previous pregnancy, I preferred to do this workout during 2nd trimester, when I had more energy and my belly wasn't too big yet.  I also have a new appreciation for her post-workout toning section, particularly because she demonstrates the safe use of light weights in pregnancy.  (Note:  to paraphrase Kathy, "Pregnancy is not the time to begin lifting weights;  only use them if you are already in the habit of doing so.")  Kathy finishes the tape with an excellent postpartum section, which is full of helpful advice on ways to restore tone and gradually get back into an excercise routine after baby arrives.  I plan to really study this section as our newest baby's due date approaches!
~ Review updated spring 2001 (first trimester) and August 2001 (late 2nd trimester)

About 6-8 weeks after baby arrives, when I am ready to begin working out again, I first use Denise's (1990) postpartum workout for a few weeks, then switch to Kathy's (she suggests her pregnancy workout may be used postpartum, too) while continuing to do Denise's postpartum ab work.  Once Kathy's workout starts to seem too easy, I switch to Leslie Sansone's 2 Mile Walk, listed in the Postpartum section below, and work up from there.

4. Buns of Steel #8, Pregnancy Workout with Madeleine Lewis (Maier Group, 1994) - Madeleine Lewis is an inspiration.  In this video, she's in her third trimester, full of energy and leading a lively, fun workout.  The moves are quicker than in either Denise's or Kathy's prenatal workouts, but this is still a low-impact routine.  It is more intense than Denise's cardio workouts, but not as intense as Kathy's, which is the longest of the four routines.  I found some of the moves a bit tricky to learn, but now that I know them well, this workout definitely gets my heart into the "target range", especially now that I'm almost into third trimester.  The tape finishes with a really good lower body toning session which I have found is great for relieving lower back pain.  Highly recommended! ~ Review updated August 2001

5. Lisa Stone's Fit For 2 Step Aerobic Workout for Pregnancy - I learned of this workout and decided to include it for those of you who are already fit (at least intermediate level, and/or accustomed to step workouts), have good strong knees, and seek a more challenging prenatal workout than those listed above.  I myself have neither tried nor screened this workout - I decided to pass on it because of my bad knees.  To learn more about the Fit For 2 pregnancy workout, you can visit their website, and read customer reviews at Amazon.com.

6. Postnatal Exercise for Mom & Baby - Here's another video I've not screened, but only because I haven't got a tiny baby to screen it with!  This is a great-sounding mom/baby workout designed with the newly postpartum mother in mind.  Instructor Marie Morel-Seytoux is a new mom herself in this video.  She's created a workout that moms can do while "wearing" their babies in front packs or carriers.  This doctor-endorsed program is an exciting concept in postpartum exercise and I look forward to trying it, should we have another baby someday.  For more information or to purchase, see the review page at Amazon.com.
~ added February 2003

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Additional Postpartum Workouts
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1.  Leslie Sansone's Walk the Walk (Unlimited Energy, 2002) - this is an uplifting, enjoyable, "Christian-inspired" workout and the one I've been doing most lately, not only for the positive message, but also because it allows me to get some exercise without compromising my milk supply.  (For me, more strenuous workouts tend to cause my body to make less milk.  This may be because I am already back to my pre-pregnancy weight and so don't have any "baby fat" in reserve to make milk with).  The tape includes a 1-mile segment for beginning in-home walkers, and a 2-mile segment for "intermediate" walkers.  But be advised, the 2-mile segment is less work than Leslie's 2 Mile Walk, reviewed below, so I still consider it beginner-level.  The moves are low-impact and very basic -- there aren't even any grapevines on this tape.  Leslie is chatty and encouraging, and offers good tips on posture and form.  The music includes gospel favorites such as "Amazing Grace", "In the Garden", and "Just a Closer Walk with Thee".   ~ Review added February 2003, while postpartum with my fourth baby

2.  Leslie Sansone's 2 Mile Walk (Parade Video, 1996) - still a low-impact workout, but a step up in intensity.  Leslie recorded this routine when she herself was seven weeks postpartum, and she shares on the tape how the ladies exercising with her have used her walking routine(s) to lose lots of weight.  I've seen this tape rated beginner to intermediate, and that's about right.  Some of the steps I found a bit tricky to learn, and I feel the warmup is lacking in upper body and knee preparation (at least it is for this thirtysomething mom!)  So for a warmup I use Kathy Smith's energizer from the above Pregnancy Workout tape.  Some of the moves during Leslie's cool down are hard on my knees, so I modify or omit them as necessary.  I then follow Leslie's cool down with the ab and other  postpartum spot work from Denise's Pregnancy Plus video. ~ Review added in 1999, while postpartum with my third baby

3. Leslie Sansone's Weight Loss Walk - (Parade Video, 1992) - one of her earlier workout tapes, this one is great because it has 3 progressively more challenging workouts on the same video.  The first mile is very easy, perfect for those just getting (back) into exercise.  The second segment is a mile and a half, and moves more briskly.  The third segment, another mile and a half that's a notch up in intensity, includes excellent moves for toning and strengthening hips and thighs.  You could combine two or more of these segments to get in the equivalent of a 2.5, 3 or 4 mile workout.  I really like this tape, especially for the hip/thigh work.  My hips were so loose after our third baby was born, and they continued to be weak and loose for many months after his birth.  Leslie's workout was a huge help for me in restoring tone to those areas.

4. Leslie Sansone's Power Walk - 3 Miles - (Walk Aerobics, Inc., 2000) - This is my favorite workout by Leslie.  It's also her most challenging, especially if you use weights for all three miles, as shown in the video.  Leslie is joined by younger and older exercisers, all moving briskly with her;  one of the messages on this upbeat tape is that fitness is for any age.  I especially appreciate Leslie's excellent tips for maintaining good posture during aerobic activity: she explains posture more clearly and simply than in any other tape I have, by any instructor.  A terrific, invigorating, enjoyable low-impact workout!   ~ Review added February 2003

5.  Kathy Lee's Feel Fit and Fabulous (Video Treasures, 1994) - The instructor for this routine is not Kathy Lee but C.B. Yelverton.  C.B. is svelte and elegant, and a grandmother at that!  She leads a workout that is excellent for toning those typical "trouble spots" that women, especially postpartum women, have.  The pace is faster than that of the Leslie Sansone's 2 Mile Walk, particularly in the warmup section.  The workout's interval-style moves include the use of light hand weights.  The ab work during the cooldown is a step up from Denise's postpartum ab exercises.  As a bonus, Kathy Lee includes some good tips on getting in a few extra body-shaping moves around the house, like while working at the kitchen counter or brushing your teeth.  All in all, a very good tape.

6. Charlene Prickett's Stand Up and Be Some Body! (Charlene Prickett Inc., 2003) - This is a great, great tape with two vigorous, intermediate-level, 1/2 hour low-impact workouts.  I have so far only mastered the first one; the second routine has moves that are trickier for me (with these ol' knees).  Lots of fun and a good way to meet your cardio needs when you are pressed for time.  ~Review added March 2008; workout screened in 2007

7. Gin Miller's New Body Workout - (BodyVision, 1993) - Most of Gin's workouts use apparatus such as steps or exercise balls, but here it's strictly hi-lo impact floor work.  This is an energetic, intermediate/advanced workout, and Gin is a real cut-up throughout.  :0)  She's great at cueing and builds the moves gradually so that it's not too hard to keep up, even on the first run-through.  The workout is followed by a toning segment using weights, a chair and a mat.  This is a great tape for intermediate-level exercisers, including folks like me who must keep their workouts low-impact (one of the ladies on the video demonstrates the low-impact version).

8. Charlene Prickett's Low Impact, High Intensity - (Charlene Prickett, Inc., 1996) - This is an awesome workout!  Powerful, intermediate-level floor aerobics;  mostly basic moves.  Charlene demonstrates easier versions for a few of the steps.  At first viewing, I thought my knees wouldn't be able to take this workout, but am happy to report that moves like "big knees", plus all those back-lunges and squats, have actually helped to strengthen my knees (or rather, the leg muscles supporting them).  As an instructor, Charlene is pleasant, energetic and supportive.  Filmed outdoors in the Canadian Rockies.  ~ Review added January 2001

9. Keli Roberts' Your Best Body:  Abs & More! - (CBS/Fox Video, 1995) - Keli is an excellent, thorough instructor, carefully explaining and demonstrating four ab routines, in four levels of increasing difficulty.  Levels 2 and 3 require a step bench for proper positioning.  Level 4 looks really hard!!  For inspiration, one of her clients is shown at the beginning:  a post-Csection mom who went from a stretched-out belly to rock-hard abs under Keli's tutelage.  I'm still at Level 1, which for me is plenty hard enough!  If you are newly postpartum, I strongly recommend you start with easier ab work, such as in Denise Austin's Pregnancy Plus, before moving on to this tape.
~ Review added January 2001

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Wondering where to buy all these tapes?  You can get most or all of them online through amazon.com or Collage Video (which specializes in exercise videos). 

For hundreds of exercise video reviews and tips from other home exercisers, visit Video Fitness.  Site highlights include a Reader Forum, Video Exchange, Beginners' Corner, Success Stories, and much more.
 

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Guidelines for Choosing Workout Wear
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I think anyone doing aerobics should take care to dress appropriately.  Those trendy workout togs aren't just fashionable, they serve an important protective function.  For some garments, you can substitute, but for others (especially shoes), it's wise to invest in the best you can afford, so as to help support and protect your body from needless wear and tear.  This is especially true if you are a pregnant or postpartum mom;  you may now have heavier breasts (especially if nursing), or need better leg support than you did before.

Maternity wear - check out the workout wear at Fit Maternity.  They have everything from unitards to tights, t-shirts and swimwear.  If you're just doing pregnancy aerobics at home, don't care about "looking fashionable", and/or would like more affordable workout clothes, I have found that medium support maternity pantyhose under some comfy shorts, plus a good stretchy sport bra (the kind that can double as as top) under one of my husband's tshirts or tank tops, works fine.  To find an online source for medium support maternity pantyhose, try doing a Google.com search.

Exercise bra - My favorite bra for the first few months postpartum is the Bravado! bra, designed for nursing mothers.  It's comfortable and gently supportive, has the look of a sports bra, is easy to use when nursing baby, and comes in several pretty fabrics and colors.  Plus, it's available in a wide range of sizes.  For workouts, just pop on a comfy t-shirt or tank top over the bra.  Then it's still easy to nurse baby if necessary -- easier than it would be in a leotard!  I would not recommend this bra for hard bouncy workouts, but then, if you have a wee nursing babe, it's best not to be bouncing too much anyway - your bosom is likely way too heavy for that.  In such a case, it's probably best to stick with very low-impact and not too strenuous workouts until baby is older and not nursing as much.  Title 9 Sports sells more supportive workout bras for nursing moms;  they also have maternity pants and shorts, and lots of neat workout clothes for postpartum and beyond.

Leg support - Postpartum, I have found it immensely helpful to wear snug spandex workout leggings, which seem to provide more leg support than do regular leggings.  A good alternative would be shorts over support hose.

The right shoes - There's no substitute for a good pair of aerobics shoes anytime you are doing aerobics, particularly during pregnancy.  These help protect your feet, knees and even lower back during workouts.  Look for shoes that are specifically designed for aerobics.  They should fit well, be lightweight and shock-absorbing, and provide good traction.