Hi there! How’s your week going? After a week in Cape Cod, it’s tough getting back to the grind! Luckily, I have a fun post for you today. I am loving Pilates for pregnancy. I’ve tried some great prenatal Pilates DVDs and I wanted to share a few of my favorite prenatal Pilates moves with you today!*
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Pilates is great for pregnancy because:
– iI strengthens and stretches.
– It helps improve posture, which will assist you in carrying the extra baby weight and avoid aches and pains.
– The mind/body connection can help relax you.
– It is an all-over toner but it is core-focused. A strong core is super important for carrying that baby and childbirth.
Reach and Pull
Lunge with Arm Lift
Pelvic Lift with Heel Lift
Back Extension
Clamshell
Double Leg Stretch
Oblique Twist
Readers, what’s your favorite Pilates move? How do you incorporate stretching into your regular routine?
* Please consult a physician before trying this or any other exercise. Every pregnancy is different and what works for me may not work for you!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat
August 12, 2014Yes to all of these moves! One of my favorite moves is the back extension! Yoga is definitely my way of getting some stretching into my routine. I can get really stiff these days, so that’s the best way for me to stretch my body and relieve some of the muscle aches.
FitBritt
August 17, 2014Totally agree! It helps my back feel so much better!
Kimberly (Manifest Yourself)
August 12, 2014I love how active you are + that top! 🙂 I have yet to go back to pilates, but I do make sure that I stretch frequently now since my workouts are super intense.
FitBritt
August 17, 2014I love pilates because its easy to do a few moves in conjunction with my other workouts and I get a great mind/body connection!
Kayla
August 12, 2014Great moves and it so awesome to see you continue to encourage other pregnant women! Clamshell and glute stretches were huge for me!
FitBritt
August 17, 2014Thanks Kayla! I agree that glute stretches are key!
Allie
August 12, 2014I’m thinking I can use these – pregnant or not! I definitely need more stretching in my life but that’s not happening any time soon!! Keep these coming so I can at least think about stretching 🙂
FitBritt
August 17, 2014I definitely think you can use these even if you aren’t pregnant!
Kim
August 12, 2014I always forget how hard pilates really is until I do it again! These moves are all great and I know I should do them more often.
FitBritt
August 17, 2014Totally agree! Pilates is so much harder than it looks!
Melanie @ Happy Being Healthy
August 12, 2014I LOVE all of these moves and you look amazing! I think that pelvic and heel lift would kill me though. I always get terrible cramps in my legs/feet when I’m pregnant. It’s so weird!
FitBritt
August 17, 2014I got a really bad leg cramp in the middle of the night one night. It was sooooo painful! I think that it was due to too much activity plus dehydration. Not good!
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama
August 12, 2014These are super awesome! You have me some ideas for tomorrows workout 🙂
FitBritt
August 17, 2014Yay!!! 🙂
Yum Yucky
August 13, 2014It’s now 4 kids later, but if I were to ever get knocked up again (we were thinking about it, but noooo…) I would definitely do Pilates. Rock on, with yo’ baby bump!
FitBritt
August 17, 2014Ohhhh but don’t you just love babies (aside from the lack of sleep thing!)? Pilates has been amazing during pregnancy!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious
August 13, 2014You’re probably tired of hearing this, but you’re baby bump is just too cute! I’ve been so busy with work, I haven’t been able to keep up with everyone.
FitBritt
August 17, 2014Thanks Megan! It’s funny because when you start to get big you definitely feel anything but cute! 🙂
Good luck with all your work!
Julie @ A Warrior and A Nurse
August 13, 2014Great moves there.
It may be just me, but there seem to be quite a few pregnancy bumps in the blogosphere lately.
I am about 6 weeks along myself. I’m not quite yet showing, but will be soon!
FitBritt
August 17, 2014Congrats! That’s amazing news! I hope you have a healthy pregnancy!
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily
August 13, 2014Not pregnant any longer, but still trying to get back to my pre-pregnancy status. These moves will help stretch out this tired, post partum body for sure!!
FitBritt
August 17, 2014Oh yes! I’ve heard pilates is a fantastic post-partum exericse!
Holly
August 18, 2014I love these Pilates moves.
Taylor
January 17, 2015Great content! I love how you formatted everything and the information is really useful. Keep up the good work!
Callie Marie
July 30, 2015I have never been in very great shape, but I plan on changing that. Now that I’m pregnant, I’m trying extra hard to exercise and eat healthy. Your prenatal Pilates moves sound like the best place to start!