February 21, 2022

Lagree Fitness During Pregnancy

"Is it okay for me to continue taking Lagree Fit 415 classes during my pregnancy?"

This is a common question we get from our expecting moms at Lagree Fit 415. Keeping your body strong during pregnancy allows you to recuperate and return to your full health and physical ability after childbirth.

Many of our clients believe Lagree fitness has assisted them in having an easier delivery and helpful in quickly returning to their pre-baby body shape. While we don't advocate diving into Lagree fitness for the first time while you're pregnant, if you've been coming for a while, are comfortable with the workout, and have your doctor's permission, there are numerous ways to alter the moves to allow you to continue attending classes far into your third trimester. A great Lagree workout is still attainable by customizing it to your changing body's demands!

It's always a good idea to inform your instructor that you're pregnant so that they're aware of your restrictions and can suggest alternative exercises to keep you safe and productive during class.

Consult with your physician or other health care professional before starting Lagree fitness or any other fitness program during pregnancy to determine if it is right for your needs. Do not do Lagree fitness if your physician or health care provider advises against it during pregnancy.

Our Advice for Pregnant Lagree Clients

  1. Always pay attention to your body's signals. Don't do anything if it doesn't feel right!
  2. Allowing your heart rate to rise too high is never a good idea. Don't be afraid to take a pause or break if you need to catch your breath.
  3. Drink plenty of water and stay adequately hydrated, before and especially after class.
  4. You may become a little more off-balance as your belly grows. When standing on the machine for leg workouts, use the pole for balance and support.
  5. Due to uterine compression, lying on your back or stomach after 18-20 weeks is not suggested. Megaformer crunches, angel crunches, leg circles, giant wheelbarrows, and swimmers are all exercises to avoid.
  6. Avoid putting too much pressure on the rectus abdominis, as this might lead to Diastasis Rectus Abdominis, or abdominal separation. If you're feeling good, you can keep doing the core/ab workouts, but we recommend avoiding crunches and modifying core/plank activities.
  7. Exercises at the back of the machine are more stressful. Moving the exercises to the front of the machine with 2-3 yellow (for additional support) and coming to your knees are two wonderful modifications. You can also modify with additional leg or upper body movements instead of abdominal routines so that you can continue to work out safely throughout the class.
  8. Keep in mind that your muscles, joints, and ligaments are stretching to make room for your baby. Limit the range of motion of your activities to avoid any discomfort or pressure (specifically lunges and inner thighs).

Postpartum Lagree Client Recommendations

  1. Do not start working out until your doctor has given his or her approval. The majority of the time, this occurs 6 and 12 weeks after delivery.
  2. Once you've been given permission to restart your training regimen, gradually increase your activity as tolerated. Allow yourself to be patient. Strengthening the rectus abdominis should be done with caution until the deep abdominal layers have recovered their baseline fitness levels.

Final Thoughts & Lagree Fit 415 Disclaimer

As stated above above, consult with your physician or other health care professional before starting Lagree fitness or any other fitness program during pregnancy to determine if it is right for your needs. Do not do Lagree fitness if your physician or health care provider advises against it during pregnancy.

For more information and a deeper dive into the science and research backing our recommendations, please visit the Lagree Fitness page on pregnancy here. Questions? Reach directly out to our team at info@lagreefit415.com and we’ll get back to you shortly.