The Best Abs Exercises for Pregnant Women

[MultiKestral]

how should your back sit against the ball, are you aiming for neutral?

[sparkpeople]

@MultiKestral You could lean up against anything--it's just the upper body elevated so that you are not supine (lying on your back), which is contraindicated during pregnancy. The mid to lower spine remains neutral.

[yourkickinthepants]

Thanks! I love all your videos.

[SodaSprings]

When you progress to the more challenging exercises, do you still start with the easier ones and build on them? Or do you just skip to the latter ones when you start your exercise?

[sparkpeople]

@SodaSprings Either way would work, actually!

[czechchick07]

This is brilliant. Thank you so much for showing these. The advice on doing abs exercises in pregnancy differs so much. Finally someone who is not afraid to show some proper exercises for pregnant women :)

[hcmontessori]

Yay! THANK YOU! Pregnant people are just that -pregnant!- Not invalids! ^_^ Its so crazy how some people will treat pregnancy as an illness. 90% of all pregnancies are medically healthy & normal & a lot of people don't know that the majority of pregnant women need to get that circulation going! The more blood-circulation we get from exercising, the better oxygenated our blood is, the easier, shorter (& less painful!) our labors will be. Great video.

[hcmontessori]

When pregnant, I took a Pilates class w/ an instructor who use to work as a nurse. Instead of actually having us exercise, she basically talked the whole time! But I was ACTUALLY interested in staying fit... I eventually quit 'cause I didn't feel it was right to be paying for... her talking. I ended up doing my own thing & being MUCH healthier for it. I realize that around 10% of preg. women have prob.s w/ pregnancy... but for the rest of us 90%, PLEASE give us something to stay fit!

[caribARMYgyaL]

this looks pretty helpful..thanks for the exercises me and the babii will appreciate it during the whole pushing time...

jus one thing...the poor pregnant girl is doing all the hard stuff..maybe you guys should switch sometimes lol

[sparkpeople]

@caribARMYgyaL Maybe someday when I am pregnant, we will! ;-)

[gregordrakemadden]

Hi there -- great exercises, such a relief to find experts who aren't afraid to show pregnant women a few challenging techniques. I have a question about my form -- I find for the last two, that start with both legs in table top, I'm feeling a burn in my quads ? and not so much my abs. Am I doing something wrong? I'll keep trying but I thought I'd ask in case this is a common mistake. Thanks so much for your vids!!

[sparkpeople]

@gregordrakemadden Thanks! Yes, you will feel your quads (most likely the hip flexors at the very top of the thigh) working on that exercise b/c those muscles are working to move the leg while the abs work to stabilize the spine as the leg moves. Hope that helps.

[marfash]

They keep saying to keep the belly in. I read that you should not do anything to strain your belly area. Hmmmmmm??????

[sparkpeople]

Engaging your abdominals (keeping your belly pulled in) and training them during pregnancy, as shown in this manner, should not result in "strain" for the belly area. These exercises are developed by and instructed by certified pregnancy fitness experts.

[sparkpeople]

@marfash I would not say this is "straining" the belly to work the abs.

[huntertaiko]

what exercise do you recommend to lose stomach fats after c sections.... its been 7mths since the operation

[sparkpeople]

These exercises are great for that--but check with your doc first. You can do them with the ball as shown or lying on your back when you're postpartum.

[icklepixie05]

just watched ur vid to get some ball exercises for my pregnant girlfriend .realy good nice one for posting it. 10/10

[msnotsohappy]

I realy love your workouts they helpe alot. thank you