The Best Exercises for Post-Pregnancy

Having a baby is a great thing, but it can also mean that our bodies have changed quite drastically. It can be difficult to stay in shape especially if there are restrictions or complications during the pregnancy.

Luckily there are many great post-pregnancy exercises that can be done to whip the body back into shape in no time. Many of them can even be done with baby, which makes it that much more fun. Plus it’s a great way to bond!

It is a general rule is that it’s safe and ideal to begin exercising again about six weeks after having your baby. However, it is always best to check with the doctor first in order to get the go-ahead. Kegels are a great way to get those pelvic muscles back in shape again and can be done fairly discreetly throughout the day.

They can be done in the car while sitting at the desk, or pretty much anywhere. It is best to do 1-3 sets of 10-20 reps in order to get quick results. Floor bridges is another great exercise for getting back into shape post-pregnancy and will target the butt and hamstrings.

The crunch will target the abs and legs, and forearm planks will get those abs, obliques, butt, and thighs back in shape in no time. The hamstring curl will get the hamstrings and butt in shape while the modified squat thrust will target the butt, legs, and abs. A more advanced workout move is wide-stance deadlifts which target the legs, butt, and lower back.

Push-ups are also a more advanced move but will work the abs, arms, chest, and shoulders. Walking lunges get the butt and legs in shape. Even if it feels like there’s not enough time in a day for a workout since baby requires quite a bit of attention, it is fairly easy to incorporate a few workout moves here and there. Even devoting a few minutes at a time to getting back in shape post-pregnancy will still yield the same results as doing the entire workout at one time.

The important thing is to make an effort, and the results will come naturally. It’s important to be consistent and to keep at it so that the workouts will become easier as strength is built and the body is able to tone up.