Exercise during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do, along with a healthy diet, to give yourself the best chance of a trouble-free pregnancy and birth. Sports for pregnant women<\/p>\n
You can see more about different exercises in our article about exercise while preparing for pregnancy<\/a>. But in this IVI blog article, we\u2019re wading into the debate about two of the most effective and fun exercises: Pilates vs yoga. Which is better for pregnant women? Let\u2019s consider the evidence.<\/p>\n Before we start, always make sure that your trainer or tutor knows that you are pregnant, and that the routine you are following is pregnancy-appropriate. All Pilates routines focus mainly on building core strength and low or no-impact muscle-lengthening exercises. These can help with backaches, as well as improving your posture and flexibility. Pilates exercises specifically designed for pregnancy will also strengthen and tone the pelvic floor muscles. This can help to prevent accidental leakage during the last trimester and also after the birth of your baby.<\/p>\n One of the reasons Pilates is so popular among expectant mothers is that your toned muscles will support a comfortable pregnancy as well as delivery. Pilates is also well known for being one of the most effective ways to regain your pre-pregnancy figure afterwards. Another advantage is its adaptability. The exercises can be modified as the pregnancy progresses, so you can keep the benefits but make adjustments along with the changes to your body. If back pain is a particular issue for you, you can find out more from our article on back pain during pregnancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n The watchword for all exercise during pregnancy is moderation. There are a few specific points to bear in mind for Pilates:<\/p>\n Yoga is a multi-discipline approach to prenatal exercise that encourages mental centring, stretching and a focus on breathing. This is one of the safest sports for pregnant women. <\/strong>Its benefits include improved sleep and reduced anxiety and stress, an improvement in the strength, endurance and flexibility of the muscles involved in childbirth and a reduction of lower back pain, headaches, nausea and shortness of breath. Some of the techniques that produce these benefits include:<\/p>\n Try to find a class specifically geared up for prenatal yoga, or at least make sure your usual yoga instructor knows that you are pregnant. This means avoiding some poses and movements:<\/p>\n And the winner is \u2026 your choice! If you already love Pilates, or if yoga is your go-to activity, stick with what you enjoy. The main rules are to keep active, don\u2019t over-do it and above all enjoy your workout. If you\u2019re new to exercise, now is not the time to sign up to a strenuous new activity, but try to keep active on a daily basis. Even walking for 30 minutes will pay dividends by helping you to cope with labour and get back into shape after the birth. Pilates vs yoga<\/strong>? It\u2019s entirely up to you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Exercise during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do, along with a healthy diet, to give yourself the best chance of a trouble-free pregnancy and birth. Sports for pregnant women You can see more about different exercises in our article about exercise while preparing for pregnancy. But in this IVI blog article,… View Article<\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":105840,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18],"tags":[240,167,241],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe benefits of Pilates when you are pregnant<\/h2>\n
Which Pilates exercises should you avoid when pregnant?<\/h2>\n
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The benefits of yoga during pregnancy<\/h2>\n
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Yoga poses to avoid during pregnancy<\/h2>\n
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Pilates vs yoga for pregnant women: our verdict<\/h2>\n