Why should I do prenatal Pilates?
As well as being a fun, safe and effective way of staying strong throughout pregnancy, Pilates is also scientifically proven to provide a number of pregnancy-related health benefits! Read on to find out more about what the most recent research says about this topic.
Benefits of Pilates during pregnancy
The current guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week during pregnancy. This should include a combination of aerobic (walking, swimming, biking) and resistance (weights) training.
As far as resistance training goes, Pilates is a gentle, safe and fun way to achieve this! Especially through attending group classes, you will receive supervision and feedback to ensure you are doing things correctly and getting the most out of each session.
The most recent research in this area shows that:
Pilates can help to reduce weight gain during pregnancy
It can also help to improve general anxiety values in pregnant women
Performing Pilates during pregnancy also may help to reduce the chances of pregnancy-related lower back pain
Effects of Pilates on labour
Not only is Pilates beneficial in supporting the body throughout pregnancy, it also has some amazing benefits when it comes to giving birth.
There is strong evidence to show that:
Prenatal Pilates helps to reduce pain felt during labour
There is a lower the incidence of episiotomy in women who have carried out Pilates during their pregnancy
Pilates reduces the need for epidural analgesia
Labour duration has been shown to be shorter in those performing prenatal Pilates
There is also increased chances of vaginal delivery and reduced likelihood of Caesarean delivery for women who have been attending Pilates
Prenatal Pilates at Four
Four’s EXPECTING classes are Women’s Health physio-lead and certified.
We aim to strengthen and stabilise the key muscle groups required to help you to stay comfortable and confident throughout your pregnancy and into the fourth trimester. This includes teaching correct core control, hip and pelvic strength and stability, pelvic floor activation, postural and upper body strength.
For more info on our classes and for online bookings, click here. If you are unable to attend group classes due to any pregnancy complications, injury or other reasons, we also offer 1:1 private Pilates sessions.