Prenatal and Postnatal Pilates at Hydrow: Moving Through Pregnancy

* If you are pregnant, please consult your doctor before participating in any Hydrow workouts. 

Here at Hydrow, we know that pregnancy transforms your body and can change the way you feel comfortable moving. While it is an incredibly exciting time in life, each pregnancy is different, and each expectant person’s health and fitness level is unique. 

Our Prenatal and Postnatal Pilates series will help you to move and feel more at home in your body with a knowledgeable teacher. Christie is a certified Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist in addition to being a certified Pilates instructor, and these workouts will not only help you feel stronger and more in touch with your body, but will also help you feel more confident during this exciting time. 

Christie says, “Pilates focuses on breath, core work, the pelvic floor, and mobility. When practiced during pregnancy, it can reduce lower-back pain, prevent or mitigate loss in mobility, make the delivery process easier, and ease postpartum recovery.”

Prenatal and Postnatal Pilates at Hydrow is a five-workout series with Hydrow Athlete Christie Wang, NPCP, PPCES, and is geared toward people who are at any stage of their pregnancy. These Hydrow workouts are designed to help expectant mothers feel more at home in their bodies. 

Hydrow’s former Director of Exercise Research & Innovation, Kristin Haraldsdottir, PhD, says "Pregnancy is an incredibly exciting time in a person's life, where your body is changing daily, and it can become more and more challenging to do the physical activities that you love. Exercising during pregnancy can deliver both significant physical and mental benefits, and these Prenatal and Postnatal Pilates workouts are a wonderful way to stay in touch with your body and keep moving. Always make sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program while pregnant."

“These workouts are also suitable for those newly postnatal, or in what I like to call the fourth trimester,” says Christie, “which can last for several years for some people.” 

We encourage you to monitor your intensity level throughout these prenatal classes and adapt your movements to your own comfort. Make sure your environment stays cool and to drink plenty of water as needed. Christie also recommends grabbing a few props for these classes, such as blocks, bolsters, or blankets to make sure you feel comfortable.

What workouts are included in the prenatal and postnatal series? 

• Pre + Postnatal Pilates - 10 min Pilates with Christie: Focus on your breath and core during movement with Christie in this workout designed specifically for pre and postnatal.

• Pre + Postnatal Pilates - 10 min Pilates with Christie: Focus on side-lying core work with Christie in this pre and postnatal friendly pilates workout.

• Prenatal Core - 15 min Pilates with Christie: Move with your breath as Christie leads you through core strengthening exercises designed for pre and post natal.

• Prenatal Lower Body - 15 min Pilates with Christie: Focus on your breath as you build strength in your lower body with Christie in this prenatal pilates session.

• Prenatal Upper Body - 15 min Pilates with Christie: Strengthen your arms and shoulders with Christie in this prenatal upper body workout, designed for all stages of pregnancy. *Yoga blocks recommended.

Hydrow offers health and fitness information and is designed for educational and entertainment purposes only. You should consult your medical provider before beginning a new fitness program. You should not rely on the information herein as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a medical provider.