Why Strength Train During Pregnancy?
Several clients asked me this week, “WHY is it so important that I strength train during pregnancy? Isn’t walking enough?”
Here are my top 4 reasons why SPECIFIC strength training is key to having a pain-free pregnancy and easy recovery:
- We want to get AHEAD of the changes in your body. Specific strengthening prepares your body for those changes, so you don’t experience pain!
- Your pelvic joints are getting looser. We need to balance that laxity with strength and coordination around those specific joints.
- Strong, responsive muscles heal faster. We want to specifically strengthen the muscles most impacted by pregnancy and delivery (your abs and pelvic floor) to reduce risk of injury and to speed recovery.
- Motherhood is manual labor. You’re about to dive headfirst into a very physical job and there will be no time to “train” after baby arrives. The sport includes heavy lifting in weird positions, lifting/carrying for LONG periods of time, lifting+ twisting, squatting, lunging, running, and more. Train beforehand!
These are just the GENERAL reasons! If you have specific pre-existing conditions or a history of injury, back pain etc., pregnancy is likely to exacerbate those! You will not regret “pre-habbing” and minimizing the exacerbation. But you’re likely to regret NOT preparing!
Ready for some specific, individualized strength prescriptions to rock your pregnancy?
Come see us!
