All You Need to Know About Pregnancy and Pilates
If this is your first pregnancy and you feel absolutely clueless you are not alone. I was overwhelmed with emotions when I found out I was pregnant with my son. The reality of growing another human being made me wonder about adjustments I would need to make to my diet and fitness routine.
Becoming a mother is the best thing that ever happened to me. However, I was terrified of the unknown changes my body would undergo. Pilates is already known to be one of the best workout methods as it is low-impact and good to your body.
Prenatal Pilates is beneficial for beginners and Pilates gurus. Staying faithful to the Pilates Reformer will help you maintain strength in a safe way throughout your pregnancy. I know you may be anxious about many things but prenatal Pilates should not be one of them after you learn more about it here.
“Not only is Pilates completely safe during pregnancy for most women, it’s an intelligent, whole-body approach to conditioning. Pilates is one of the only exercise methods out there that will give you the muscle strengthening, the stretching and the breath-work you need.”
Prenatal Pilates During First Trimester
I felt exhausted my first trimester which is very common. Many women feel fatigue, nausea, among other symptoms during the first trimester which causes discouragement to stay active (more tips on how to stay motivated and stick to your workout here). If you have your doctor’s approval to stay active prenatal Pilates is wonderful as you can ease into every session. My goal is to make you feel as comfortable as possible during each session which means reducing the pace if needed.
Pilates is the only fitness method with limitless exercise modifications which is ideal for a pregnant woman’s body. Practicing prenatal Pilates during your first trimester allows you to lay on your back. Nevertheless, I always adapt programming to keep exercises safe and comfortable by using support props such as the Pilates arc.
Pilates Will Keep You Strong, Balanced and Happy
It is important to stay strong and balanced as your body starts to change (and the belly starts to grow). One of the key principles in Pilates is balance. When working with prenatal clients I emphasize on staying balanced by making sure your body remains symmetrically strong which means performing unilateral exercises concentrated on your hamstrings and glutes. Hamstring presses using short box as well as standing work are a great way to work your butt and help you maintain your balance throughout your pregnancy.
Take a deep breath, prenatal Pilates is great for you physically and emotionally. A mother-to-be is on an emotional rollercoaster. By incorporating movement with breath, you calm the mind to focus more on connecting your exercises to the breath. It is a well-known fact that your emotional state and breath are intertwined. Prenatal Pilates exercises will help you maintain your sanity during your pregnancy and better prepare you for labor and delivery.
Make Best Friends With The Pilates Reformer During Your Pregnancy
The Pilates Reformer is incredibly versatile. It is resistance based which means it works together with your body. The springs can be adjusted for your individual needs to provide the support you need during each session and exercise.
I also utilize the Pilates Chair (the studio is equipped with the latest model of the EXO Chair with Split Pedal by Balanced Body) which benefits a mom-to-be by further enhancing stability, balance and body control. The chair also works on perfecting each movement improving your strength and mastering weight transfer by utilizing the split functionality of the chair pedal.
Connect with your body and learn to listen to your body by starting your prenatal Pilates sessions early in your pregnancy.