Pilates & Pregnancy: How You Can Give Your Body (And Baby) A Fitness Edge
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
We’ve spent the past six months showing you how Pilates is a health & fitness solution for anyone & everyone. Certainly, its inclusive, holistic design is a huge part of what makes Pilates Method so attractive to so many people. Adaptability to body types, age & physical condition gives Pilates a personal touch that appeals to folks who may be intimidated by the “gym culture”. Pilates Method is also incredibly compatible with other workout routines. Many find that it doesn’t “replace”, but “augments” other fitness methods. This can (and does) improve the overall results from your normal exercise regimen.
But what about the (soon-to-be) Moms out there? What benefits can Pilates provide to the constantly changing bodies & minds of pregnant women?
Pilates is about developing self-awareness ~ of your body as well as your mind. The human body is a pretty incredible thing. It’s designed to give itself constant feedback. All day long, while we’re caught up in our busy lives, our brains are receiving information. Tension in the lower back from too much slouching at a desk. Sore knees from standing on our feet all day. That tingling sensation in our wrists, all-too-familiar to those of us who work at computers for hours on end. Each of these “messages” gives us the necessary heads-up on what is going on with our bodies. How we choose to use this information is up to us.
For an expecting mother, there are a whole host of other “messages” being sent. Not just from her own body, but from the tiny one growing inside. This is why developing stronger physical & mental self-awareness is so crucial to women at this time. Pilates can help prepare an expecting mom for childbirth in several unique ways. It is also effective in helping her regain her figure afterwards.
We’ve all heard the expression, “She’s eating for two” to describe the often oddly comical dietary cravings of a pregnant woman. But what about “Exercising for two”? We’re not suggesting that you double your workouts, and strongly advise consultation before even beginning any new fitness routine. But we do encourage re-evaluating your current routine to include a Pilates regimen. Here are just a few of the benefits:
- Developing Core Strength builds childbearing muscle groups ~ Abdominal, Back & Pelvic Floor/Kegel
- Can be constantly adapted for changes occurring in each trimester
- Pilates improves balance ~ important, as your center-of-gravity is in flux
- Works with other exercises for a quicker recovery
Even if you’ve done Pilates before, we do highly recommend consulting with a trainer who understands the unique (and changing) needs of Moms-to-be. It’s A Core Thing can help design a workout that meets these needs head-on. We offer (and encourage) private sessions that can help you gain this physical & mental focus. The more heightened our senses become, the greater we are able to asses any complications. This can, in some cases, prevent what may seem like small issues from developing into long-term problems. Contact us today to find out how we can help make you the fittest Mom on the block!









