Is postnatal exercise a good idea?
For personal trainer Katharina Gundermann, one thing is clear: Postnatal gymnastics is not wellness hype, but an important prevention and strengthening measure.
Is postnatal exercise a passing trend?
No, postnatal gymnastics is important and necessary. The objective is to avoid consequential damage such as incontinence. However, it is important that women choose a course run by a specialist with the relevant training. Because today there are many trendy programs for mothers that sound cool, but do little good or are even harmful.
When should women start postnatal exercise?
It depends on the woman and whether she had a caesarean section or a natural birth. However, it is a good idea to rest for at least the first few days after birth. The body has worked extremely hard and the hormonal changes are also physically demanding. As a rule, women start postnatal exercises around the 6-week check.
What’s the focus of postnatal exercise?
The first step is to make women aware of their own bodies before starting targeted strengthening exercises. Many women don’t really know what the pelvic floor is or what exactly they should be tightening. In some cases, the whole pelvic region is a bit of a mystery.
“A baby comes nine months and a baby goes nine months.”
How often should women do postnatal exercise?
According to training theory, three times a week for around 30 minutes each time produces the best results. However, that’s unrealistic for most women. In my experience, most women manage one instructor-led training session a week plus one session at home. In the beginning, the instructor-led training alone is enough. It’s important to remember that Hollywood stars and top models shouldn’t be seen as role models. The goal of postnatal exercise isn’t to lose weight as quickly as possible, but to stay healthy and strong in the long term.
How long should a woman continue postnatal exercise classes?
A rule of thumb is the saying: "A baby comes in nine months and a baby goes out nine months." This means that it takes between six and twelve months - depending on fitness level - for a woman to return to her pre-pregnancy physical condition with recovery training.
