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The Complete Guide to Postnatal Fitness by Judy diFiore

This is the authoritative book on postnatal exercise and should be on every exercise teachers shelf. Mothers may be better off with The Pregnancy Exercise Book, see below, but if you want to go in depth into the subject then Judy's book is the best there is. If you want to read a review then click here

Deborah Mackin’s Video

 'GETTING BACK'

This video gets the thumbs up from our reviewer! Its helpful, informative and Deborah has a reassuring and down to earth manner. There are sections on posture, workouts and eating and weight loss. Use the video in conjunction with attending classes run by a qualified teacher and you will benefit. To read a more detailed review just click on the picture!

'THE PREGNANCY EXERCISE BOOK' by

JUDY DIFIORE

(Published 2000; Newleaf; ISBN 0 7171 2997 7)

This is  a stunningly illustrated and presented book. It is ring bound and on stiff card so that you can prop it up and read it while you work to your music! Thoroughly recommended. To read a detailed review just click on  here!

Carol Smillie's Video

'CHANGING SHAPE'

This video has a refreshingly different flavour with an excellent down-to-earth approach – you are encouraged to take as much exercise as you can as part of your everyday life! Take your baby out in the pram and go for a good quality walk – hints and tips are given for good technique. Mothers and teachers will find this a motivating video.  To read the detailed review click here!

Lindsey Jackson's Video

'PILATES IN PREGNANCY'

For a different approach to exercise post pregnancy this is an interesting and well constructed video. Our reviewer prefers exercise to music but if you are already into Pilates, or simply want to give Pilates a try, then this video is for you. .It takes you through the basics, and then gives you exercises to use both during your pregnancy and afterwards.Thoroughly recommended if you want to use Pilates exercises.To read the detailed review click here!

Karyne Steben's Video 'The Perfect Postnatal Workout'

This is a refreshing postnatal exercise video with a pleasant and low-key ambiance. The music is very soothing and the demonstrations are clear and the exercises mainly simple. Unusual. Nice to see the baby taking part! To read the detailed review click here

'The Fitness Leader's Handbook'

This offers good value at £13.99 according to our reviewer. Its a good textbook for anybody involved in teaching or planning exercise programmes. To read the detailed review click here!

Anne Selby's 

'Pilates for Pregnancy'

Our reviewer was not very impressed by this book, because it is a very low key exercise programme without a good understanding of pregnancy changes. To read the detailed review click here!

Sally Lewis's

'Back in Shape'

One to avoid. Our reviewer felt this this book gave some advice verging on the dangerous. You would have to be Jane Fonda (or the 2003 equivalent) to cope with the exercise level in this plan! To read the detailed review click here!

Judy Sadgrove's

'Your Health After Birth'

This book's better. The format and presentation is very accessible with clear explanations and plenty of photographs. To read the detailed review click here!

James F Clapp III. M.D.

'Exercising Through Your Pregnancy'

A really interesting and authoritative book. Dr  Clapp has obviously done a lot of research and dispels a number of myths about ante and postnatal exercising. He is obviously an enthusiast. However, our reviewer was not entirely convinced that all his advice was appropriate for all mothers. This book is highly recommended for exercise teachers, in fact, probably essential reading. However, possibly too technical for the average Mum. To read the detailed review, click here!.

5 Steps to Fat Loss by Joanna Hall

Price £11.95 Also used copies available on Amazon for £0.90!  

Whilst this is neither a new video or a specialist pregnancy or postnatal exercise video, it is sufficiently good to be recommended here. The teaching techniques that Joanna Hall demonstrates and her ideas for good body alignment, especially in the aerobic component are useful and worthy of a good quality postnatal exercise routine. She gives teaching points almost constantly and her motivational work is helpful. To read the detailed review. click here