Pregnancy workouts - Pregnancy exercises & training

• Pelvic lift:

  - Lie on your back with your legs bent and a small rubber band stretched just above your knees.

  - Have both upper body and head towards the floor and lift and press the hip up towards the ceiling, while activating the pelvic floor and gluteal muscles.

  - If you want to challenge yourself a little extra, you can try having one leg extended when you push the hip up.

  
  

• Bird dog:

  - Kneel with your hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips, then extend your right leg behind you.

  - Simultaneously extend your left arm in front, parallel to the ground.

  - Hold for a few seconds and then repeat on the opposite side.

  
  

• The clam/side lift with resistance band: An effective exercise that helps to strengthen the lateral stability of the pelvis.

  - Lie on your side with your upper arm on the ground in front of you, alternatively your hand at your side to check that your pelvis doesn't tip backwards. Feel free to place a small rubber band between the legs, at knee height.

  - Lift the upper knee straight up. Stop for a second or so at the top before going down again. Repeat. Remember to keep your feet together throughout the movement.

  Here you can get more inspiration and exercises for training with resistance bands.

  
  

• Squats:

  - Performing squats while pregnant helps you strengthen the pelvic floor, which helps both during pregnancy, pelvic girdle pain, childbirth and afterwards. At the same time, squats are a leg exercise that trains the butt, thighs and calves.

  - It is important that your hips are parallel to your feet or closer to each other when performing squats while pregnant. Also remember not to hold your breath or use too heavy a weight during the exercise, and do easier squats the further into your pregnancy you get.

  
  

• Pelvic floor training with a pilates ball:

  - A pilates ball is a versatile exercise tool for training various parts of the body. Using a pilates ball to train the pelvic floor during pregnancy has many benefits. For example, you can sit on the ball and roll your hips from side to side, do classic pelvic lifts, and also do kegel exercises to strengthen it.

  - Many also use the pilates ball to induce labor by sitting on it and gently bouncing up and down to loosen the muscles and help the baby move downward.

Focus on exercises that stabilize and support the growing belly. Focus on the inner abs, obliques and your posture.

Exercising your core in a stabilizing way during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of back pain, while improving your posture and preparing you for childbirth.

Here are some examples of abdominal exercises that are good when you are pregnant:

• Side Plank: Activate the internal and oblique abdominal muscles.

  - Lie on your side and support yourself on your elbow

  - Activate the stomach and lift the pelvis so that the body is straight. Remember to suck the belly button towards the spine so that you activate the muscles.

  - If it feels too difficult, you can also do an easier version where you have the bottom leg bent with the knee on the ground as support. It can be especially nice if you are far into your pregnancy.
  
  

• Pallof press: A gentle exercise to strengthen control in the external rotator muscles of the trunk.

  - Attach a long resistance band around a stable surface, approximately at chest height.

  - Hold the end of the resistance band with both hands.

  Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent and feet firmly on the floor.

  - Press the resistance band away from the anchor point and away from your chest, extending your arms fully in front of you.

  - Hold the resistance band at full stretch for a few seconds and slowly release the tension and bring the band back to the starting point.
  
  

• Lateral lift with weight:

  - Stand with your feet straight with your weight plate or dumbbell in one hand. Tense the torso and bend the upper body to the side in a controlled manner.

  - Remember not to lean your body forward or backward.

  - Switch hands and alternate between sides.

• Dumbbell row: An exercise that strengthens the thoracic spine and helps maintain a strong posture.

  - There are several different variations on how you can do this exercise. Sitting on the cable machine at the gym, standing slightly forward or leaning forward against a bench with a dumbbell in one hand.

  - Breathe in and lift the dumbbell as high as you can in a rowing motion.

  - Controlledly lower the dumbbell back to the starting position while exhaling.

  
  

• Glute kick back: Glute-centered exercises help build and support muscles that can promote improved balance in the body and reduce strain on the lower back. Here you can get more inspiration and exercises to train your glutes.

  - Stand on all fours with bent knees and toes in contact with the floor. Keep your hips over your knees and your hands directly under your shoulders.

  - Activate your core, while keeping the pelvis slightly pulled back and the ribs down. Remember not to bend your back.

  - Move your left leg back until your thigh is parallel to the ground.

  - Squeeze your left glute and hold the position briefly before returning to the starting position without the leg contacting the floor.

  - Do 10 repetitions on the left side before switching to the right side.

  
  

• Good mornings: An effective exercise for back muscles, glutes and hamstrings.

  - Stand with your feet about hip-width apart, knees slightly bent, with a barbell on your shoulders (of course it's fine to do the exercise without weight).

  - Brace your core and then lean forward at the hip, while pushing your glutes back until your torso is almost parallel to the floor. You should then feel a slight stretch in your hamstrings.

  - Pause here before returning to the upright position by pushing your hips forward. Make sure you push through your hamstrings and glutes.

  - The bigger you get, you may need to stand wider with your feet to achieve a good position and technique. As mentioned, choose what feels good to you, to do the exercise with or without weights.

• Cat/Cow - A good exercise for the spine and can help relieve back pain, such as when you have pelvic girdle pain. Do this:

  - Stand on all fours with your hands on the mat, placed directly under your shoulders and with your knees under your hips

  - Breathe in and round your back while lowering your chin to your chest - feel how it stretches from the neck to the tailbone

  - Exhale and lower your back. Lift your head and tilt it back.

• Squatting - A traditional sitting position in yoga, which both strengthens the legs, widens the pelvis and softens your hips.

• Downward Dog - A well-known yoga position that both improves flexibility and strengthens the arms and legs, among other things.

  - Get on all fours with your hands just in front of your shoulders, palms down

  - Exhale and lift your knees off the ground, lift your butt and hips towards the ceiling

  - Try to stretch your heels down towards the floor

  Tip: If you notice that your lower back is rounding, you can try bending your knees a little to lengthen your back.

• Childs Pose - The very aptly named Child's Pose is an exercise for feeling calm, resting, breathing and energizing.

  - Sit on your knees and lower your butt to your heels

  - Lower your chest, shoulders and head towards the floor

  - Choose whether you want your arms at your sides with palms facing down or whether you want to fold your arms under your forehead to support your head - do what feels best for you.

Learn more yoga in our article on yoga for beginners and here to learn effective Yin Yoga poses. Of course, you'll also find plenty of stylish yoga clothes here at Björn Borg - just as comfortable during the workout session as for the upcoming stroller walks.