Benefits of Reformer Exercise Classes (Pilates-Informed Exercises) during Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body is working overtime. In the first and last trimesters it’s common to feel tired—exhausted even. On top of that, your emotions are all over the place and you’re constantly playing catch up with your changing body.

Despite how you might feel, it is recommended that 30 minutes of exercise per day during pregnancy—as it provides numerous health benefits including better weight control, improved mood and, obviously, greater fitness. It can also reduce the risk of pregnancy related complications like hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

As your baby grows, the pressure on your back increases. According to the Australian Physiotherapy Association 50% of women will experience low back pain throughout their pregnancy. Pilates-informed exercises can strengthen your abdominal muscles which can reduce the risk of developing back pain. These exercises are also heavily focused around muscular tone and strength maintaining postural awareness. 

Another common complaint in pregnancy is pelvic pain, largely due to the ligaments of your pelvis becoming more flexible to make room for the growing foetus. As you continue through your trimesters your pelvic floor can also weaken, our team at NDPE can provide exercises designed specifically to strengthen your pelvic floor. The APA states that  “up to 67 per cent of women will leak urine (incontinence) when they laugh, sneeze, cough or exercise during pregnancy but those with stronger pelvic floor muscles are less likely to leak during pregnancy and after the baby is born.” (Australian Physiotherapy Association)

As pilates-informed exercises are heavily focused around breathing, it can teach you how to control your breathing while you are pregnant. Controlled breathing during labour can assist with the long, tiring hours of childbirth.  The benefits of these exercises in pregnancy include reduced lower back pain, improved recovery time after childbirth and a general easing of the daily challenges you may face while being pregnant. 

The good news is NDPE offer small, personalised reformer exercise classes using Pilates-informed movements for women in all stages of pregnancy.

The regular exercise will also help to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and improve your mental and emotional wellbeing—as according to Beyond Blue, 1 in 5 Australian women will experience symptoms of depression or anxiety during pregnancy.

As your classes are limited to a maximum of 4 people we can tailor your program to suit you, run by a qualified Physiotherapist.

So what are you waiting for? Call NDPE on 9874 8410 for more information.