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Strength Training or Pilates: Which is better for pregnancy and postpartum?
- Coach Dee
- Nov 7
- 2 min read
When it comes to Strength Training versus Pilates, I’d be doing my clients a disservice if I didn’t use both in my sessions and programs!
Why Pilates?
👉🏼Pilates can often feel like a gentle form of exercise that makes your body feel relaxed and cared for afterwards.
👉🏼It includes focused breath work and promotes a strong breath-core-pelvic floor connection which is super helpful throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
👉🏼It involves moving your spine in multiple planes of motion which builds resilience in pregnancy and prepares you for real life parenting.
Why Strength Training?
👉🏼Strength Training prepares you to lift and carry loads- like a growing belly during pregnancy and a growing baby during postpartum!
👉🏼Your core and pelvic floor respond to loads placed upon them, and strength training puts this into practice. It also lets you increase those loads over time to help you improve your core and pelvic floor strength and function in the postpartum months and beyond.
👉🏼It improves your bone density, so as time carries on after postpartum, your bones will be stronger to keep you active for the years ahead.
At the end of the day, both Pilates and Strength training are very effective forms of exercise - and the research is showing how valuable exercise is to keep you active and support your body during your pregnancy and postpartum.
When possible I always recommend using a mix of both to set you up for success, but if you’re brand new to exercise, start with what feels most doable and accessible for you, then build up from there!
If you need help coming up with your perfect pregnancy or postnatal workout routine, hit the link below to see how we can work together!
Coach Dee
@coachdee_fitness
*This is a fitness and personal training blog for information purposes only and shouldn’t be seen as health, nutritional, or medical advice. This site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or health advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any information you use from this site is at your own risk. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you read on this site.
