You’ve read articles and seen the news – Pilates is one of the best workouts you can do. With benefits ranging from increased mental strength and improved attention and motivation to a better golf swing, a stronger core for running and more, it’s easy to see why Pilates is one of the fastest growing trends in the fitness industry. Pilates is beneficial for everyone – even Jake Arrieta, of the Chicago Cubs, and Jonathan Toews, of the Chicago Blackhawks, practice the ways of Joseph Pilates. But it doesn’t stop there! Here are benefits to practicing Pilates after (or before) pregnancy.
Pilates After Pregnancy
Pilates is perfect for helping new moms through the process after pregnancy and strengthen important muscles necessary for recovery. Benefits include:
1) Draws your abdominals (specifically your transverse abdominis) back together after being stretched for 9 months during pregnancy – also great for strengthening.
2) Strengthens your upper back and opens your chest, which can get tired from carrying and/or nursing your little one.
3) Strengthens your inner and outer hips to help support your pelvis after it was stretched and relaxed from all the hormones running through your body.
Related: sign up to try a free Pilates session on us at FFC!
4) Encourages proper, slow, yet precise, strengthening of your abdominals, hips and back, which helps relieve lower back and pelvic floor discomfort from pregnancy.
5) Stretches tight muscles that haven’t been used in a long time.
6) Can help repair diastasis recti, which is a split down the center of your abs (a common mistake is doing sit ups and planks right after you have a baby).
7) Gives you some well-deserved ME time.
Related: 4 ways Pilates makes you mentally stronger.
Post written by FFC Boystown Pilates Coordinator & Instructor Jamie Loger.
About Jamie
Jamie is the Pilates coordinator and senior instructor at FFC Boystown and specializes in pre and postnatal work,in addition to core training and post-rehabilitation. Want to schedule a complimentary consultation with Jamie? Email her at jloger@ffc.com
