Post Natal Workouts - that you can enjoy at home (with your kids) When it comes to working out once you have had a baby (or babies) some women feel a pressure to “get their body back” - but working out shouldn’t be about pressure and stress it should be about feeling good. When choosing a workout, you should choose the right ingredients for your mind and your body. You need to do something you enjoy, and that makes you feel good: your body will listen to you and will give you the results you need. Make sure you check with your GP before starting exercise and do start gently and listen to your body - above all enjoy the movement and the feeling! Here are some great exercises you can do from home - and the kids will enjoy joining in too.
This exercise is really great to strengthen and tone lower abdominals, and for strengthening shoulders and arms.
This series of exercises to target the lower abdominals and pelvic floor that become very weak after pregnancy. Glutes are targeted in the second exercises, as glutes and core are the main muscle group to target in order to come back in shape with a healthy and strong back.
This exercise is brilliant to strengthen lower abdominals and glutes - plus it is good for the back and arms.
1) Kneeling: with your hands under your shoulders, knees under hip bones. Lift your knees 2-3 inches off the floor by pressing down through the lower leg and ankles, and return. Exhale to lift knees inhale to touch the floor. 3 sets x 10 reps. Make sure your spine is relaxed, and your chin away from your chest, with your tummy, pulled in.
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2) Plank: do this either supporting yourself on the palms of your hands or drop onto your forearms. From plank position, lift one leg at the time, alternate right and left. Exhale to lift, inhale to come back. Squeeze your bum in for the whole time and aim for 3 sets of 10 reps. Keep your spine neutral and don’t look at your knees or feet. Tuck, your tummy in, don’t sink in your hips.
3) Roll up: Start by lying down on your back, legs extended, arms by your side. Gently roll up as far as you can with no momentum then roll back in starting position. Aim for 3 sets of 10. Exhale to roll up inhale to roll down. Make sure you tuck your tummy in. This exercise really works the whole spine, strengthens and tones lower abs.
Paola Langella is a certified Pilates instructor that operates in West London including Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Holland Park, Mayfair and Kensington. To book a session or for more information on classes visit www.langella.co.uk