Let’s face it: Pilates is always a good choice. But Pilates post-pregnancy is even better. Whether for recovery or getting your strength back (mentally or physically), Pilates is a gentle low-impact exercise that will help you do just that.
Your body will probably feel a little different to the way it did 9 months ago, so it’s best to take it slow. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t get some rocking results in the meantime.
If you’re wanting to get into Pilates post-pregnancy, here’s how.
How can Pilates help post-pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your body goes through a lot of changes. From the colour and texture of your skin to fluxes in your digestive system, hormones and your body shape. So, coming back to your body post-pregnancy can feel a little strange. You may have to adapt the way you move to help your body recover.
Pilates post-pregnancy can help you regain control of your body and feel confident in your skin. While Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates are both great for developing your strength and physical fitness, there are just as many benefits for your mind. And you may find that you only need 20 minutes (or whatever time you can squeeze in) to completely change your mindset.
What are the physical benefits of Pilates?
As a full time parent, you’ve been doing a lot. So you might feel like you only want to lay horizontal. Well, luckily, you can do just that in Pilates while also getting a lot of other things done too. (After all, multitasking is the definition of being a parent.)
Whether you take it gentle or decide on a class that’s a little more spicy, one thing’s for certain, you’ll feel it in the morning. Stay with us, that’s not a bad thing. Especially when we’re talking about taking that stiffness out of your muscles and joints.
Changing nappies, tidying up, breastfeeding and more - they all take a toll on pretty much every part of your body. Pilates helps to release tension in your muscles and joints, helping you to feel limber for the day ahead.
Physical pressure, labour, surgery and hormones all affect the strength of your pelvic floor during pregnancy. The good news is that with Pilates post-pregnancy you can strengthen your pelvic floor muscles again. And that can lead to:
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Better bladder control
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Less back pain
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A stronger core
And speaking of core, you wouldn’t be doing Pilates without it. A stronger core means better posture, better balance and you’ll find it easier to get through what you need to during the day.
How can Pilates help my mind?
If you need a little extra push to get you into Pilates post-pregnancy, you’ll find plenty of mental health benefits too. As well as taking back a little me-time, you can also:
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Boost your levels of feel-good hormones
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Reduce your stress
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Improve your mood
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Give yourself more energy
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Sleep better
Should I do Mat Pilates or Reformer Pilates?
The choice is yours. Reformer Pilates is a perfectly safe option for postpartum exercise (as long as you’re following guidance from your medical professional).
Traditionally, Mat Pilates has been the more accessible way to practice Pilates. But these days, that doesn’t have to be the case. Part of the reason that FOLD exists is to share the beauty of Reformer Pilates at home. Our stylish folding reformer beds are designed to slot into a variety of homes, giving you studio-quality Reformer Pilates workouts when and where you want them. And with a little one, we know that flexibility counts for a lot.
With on-demand workouts from FOLD, there’s:
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No childminding
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No set schedules
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No waitlists
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No commute
Just a solid workout at your own pace at a time that works for you. Which means you can get your fitness back, or build it from the ground up, in no time.
Oh, and if you think you’ll be missing your buddies from the studio, you’ll be glad to know that all of our reformer beds come with community built in via our app. We work out together in online classes or meet up in person.
How long after my pregnancy can I start Pilates?
No two bodies are the same so it’s good to take advice from your healthcare professional on when you can start training again. As a general rule, you’ll need to wait 12 weeks or until your postnatal check-up after a C-section and 6 weeks otherwise.
But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy some gentle stretching in the meantime. You can take inspiration from classic Pilates moves, like bridges, leg lifts, mermaid stretches and wall presses to gently move your body and release tension in your muscles.
The most important thing is to take your time. Being kind to your body and taking it slow will stop you getting injured and allow you to adapt to change. It’s a good idea to start with the foundations to see where your strength and fitness is before diving straight back to where you were before.
You’ll find expert-led Pilates classes on the FOLD app for your Reformer Pilates sessions.