It has been shown that people who exercised during pregnancy were found to have easier deliveries, more energy and recovered post-partum faster. Exercising during pregnancy can also help prepare the mind and body for the changes to come.

But the big question is what’s the best exercise when you’re pregnant? In general, doctors recommend low to medium-impact exercise focusing on cardio, flexibility and strengthening the pelvic floor.

Pilates fits this criteria perfectly and is considered one of the best forms of exercise when pregnant as not only is it gentle but it also has several additional wellness and physical benefits. Furthermore, Pilates on a reformer machine can compound these benefits, thanks to its complex movements and stability. Reformer Pilates is a low-impact exercise option, which can be gentler on the joints and reduce the risk of injury, especially as the body undergoes changes and ligaments become more lax during pregnancy.

Giving your body more strength
To help your body cope with the physical demands of pregnancy, such as carrying extra weight and maintaining stability, Reformer Pilates promotes controlled and precise movements that target various muscle groups to improve your muscular endurance.

The main focus is on strengthening your deep abdominal muscles, pelvic floor and back muscles which can help support your growing belly, maintain good posture and reduce back pain that is often experienced. Keeping your pelvic floor muscles strong can also help prevent or reduce issues during pregnancy such as urinary incontinence and can help during labour and delivery.

As Reformer Pilates promotes mindfulness and body awareness, it can also help you become more attuned to your changing body and posture during pregnancy to achieve better alignment and reduce any discomfort.

With the gentle stretching and controlled movements this can help improve flexibility and joint mobility, which can be beneficial as pregnancy progresses and the body undergoes changes in posture and alignment.

The gentle movements and controlled exercises can also help to promote blood circulation and reduce fluid retention, which can help alleviate swelling in the legs and ankles often associated with pregnancy.

Keeping you relaxed
Avoiding stress and tension during pregnancy is always advised by the professionals. Part of the ethos of Reformer Pilates is being mindful of breath control and relaxation techniques which are valuable during pregnancy and labour as deep breathing can reduce stress and provide a sense of calm.

Listening to the experts
With these benefits in mind, adjusting your Pilates workouts for each pregnancy stage is important to gain the best results for you and the baby. Although Reformer Pilates is safe to do at any point of pregnancy, it is important to do some moderation and take special care when using the machine. You have to be more conscious of your body movements and how much pressure is safe for you to take.

All our instructors are highly qualified with experience on pregnancy Pilates. We can tailor exercises to your specific needs and limitations. You can find out more about us here.