Seven Benefits of Prenatal Pilates Exercises
So, here we are — as I am writing this I am officially 25-weeks pregnant and it has been quite an experience so far.
You can read all you want, study the materials and get sound advice from friends, but I truly believe you cannot understand pregnancy until you actually go through it yourself. The craziest part about it is that everyone’s pregnancies are so different, and women will tell you that’s even true with multiple children. Despite differing pregnancies among women, one consistent variable is the benefits of prenatal Pilates exercises.
The Key to a Fit Pregnancy
Then we get to the much-debated topic of prenatal Pilates exercises, in which case you hear all kinds of things. I have people ask me almost every day “Can you still do Pilates while pregnant?” or “Are you sure it’s okay for you to lift that?” My response is always yes.
My intention is to workout until the day this baby arrives, unless there is something unforeseen that stops me. Granted, I’m definitely modifying my workouts and there are certain exercises I have omitted completely until I am on the other side of this pregnancy, but being someone who has worked out almost every day for most of her life, why would I give that up unless it posed a threat to my health?
It’s crazy to me to think that up until a few years ago they didn’t want women getting their heart rates up above 140 while pregnant. New research actually shows that being inactive can do more harm than good, contributing to excess weight gain, high blood pressure, additional aches and pains (like we don’t already have enough) and greater risk for gestational diabetes.
The Perks of Exercise During Pregnancy
Here are a few of the many reasons it is not only safe, but recommended, to exercise during pregnancy:
Helps reduce backaches, constipation, bloating and swelling
May prevent or treat gestational diabetes
Increases your energy (which is super hard to come by when pregnant)
Improves your mood by increasing endorphins and oxygen flow throughout the body
Promotes muscle tone, strength and endurance (helps with labor, delivery and postpartum recovery)
Helps improve quality of sleep (again— can be hard to come by while pregnant)
Improves your posture (think about how you are expanding, which can really do some damage to your posture, in addition to breastfeeding after birth — Hello, back pain!)
Seeking A Health Professional
Safe and controlled physical activity does not increase your risk of miscarriage, low birth weight or early delivery, as long as your health care professional gives you the go-ahead to exercise. To find the right kind of exercise routine for your pregnancy, be sure to seek out the advice of a qualified health and wellness professional.
At Pilates in the Grove, all of our instructors are highly trained in pre-and-postnatal Pilates, and will safely guide you through a program that is effective for each unique stage of your pregnancy.