Pregnancy, childbirth, and becoming a mom are all beautiful yet exhausting journeys in life. After pregnancy, you may be feeling low in energy (and no, it’s not just because the baby is siphoning all your energy and refusing to sleep). While you’ll get in plenty of cardio chasing your baby around once they’re a toddler, you’re likely looking for some post-pregnancy workouts or a postnatal exercise routine to help you regain energy and feel your best.
If you’re looking for postnatal workouts, we want to stress the importance of finding these workouts for you and nobody else. It’s perfectly ok if your post-baby body isn’t the same as your pre-pregnancy body. You’ve just had a baby, and this is something that should be celebrated. Seriously, go you!
So while we’re sharing some of our favorite after pregnancy workouts below, we don’t want moms to feel pressured into working out to look a certain way. Instead, we want to encourage new moms (and anyone, for that matter) to develop a fitness routine to feel their best! So, with that being said, we’re sharing our favorite postnatal exercises for increasing energy and feeling your best.
Post Baby Workouts for Increasing Energy
After childbirth, many people are looking to increase low energy levels. Fatigue can be a big problem, especially after having a baby. But new parents can try these energy increasing workouts:
- Brisk walking or running
- Yoga or low impact pilates
- Stretching
- Light cardio
- Exercises with resistance bands
These post-baby energy workouts can help you get moving to increase your energy. Many of the exercises, like walking or running, can be a family workout by bringing the baby along in a stroller. Many of our local gyms offer child care, making it easier to get a quick workout.
Postnatal Workouts for Rebuilding Abdominal Walls
Before hitting the gym after giving birth, get your doctor’s go-ahead to make sure you’re able to safely exercise. Certain conditions or delivery challenges may make it unsafe to start working out right after childbirth, so check with your doctor to be sure it’s safe to start exercising.
Up to two-thirds of moms struggle with diastasis recti, a medical condition in which the left and right abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy. Even if there isn’t a separation of these muscles, many moms struggle with stretched muscles. [1]
There are specific postnatal workouts that can help rebuild and restrengthen abdominal walls. Toe taps can help with core engagement to strengthen muscles. Bridges, especially bridges with a ball, are also great for strengthening muscles. [1]
Group workout classes like yoga or pilates are great for new moms who are looking to increase energy and feel their best after having a baby. Working out with a group can help improve class attendance and give you the support you need to stick to your fitness plans.
Talk to your doctor before beginning any workout routine, especially workout routines after giving birth. If you’re looking for more personalized post-pregnancy workouts, schedule a one on one training session with our YouCoach personal trainers. They can help you through your fitness journey.
Sources:
1- Shape – Abs Exercises That Can Help Heal Diastasis Recti
