Personal Training and Pregnancy in Haarlem

A year ago, I experienced a wonderful day: the birth of my first son. What a moment. I remember it as if it were yesterday and will never forget it. And my wife—what strength! As a personal trainer, I often see people give what they think is everything during a heavy squat or deadlift. But what I saw my wife achieve impressed me more than all the hundreds of kilos lifted by strong men and women. I am still proud of her, even though she no longer remembers it so clearly. Nature is remarkable.

“Training during pregnancy is beneficial.”
I am often asked whether you can train during pregnancy or how to approach training afterwards. I also work with clients recovering from a caesarean section who want to regain their previous figure. The good news is that with appropriate exercises and progression, training before, during and after pregnancy can be beneficial.

Before pregnancy, you may train because you want to look good, feel attractive and feel confident. Training also causes hormonal changes that contribute to libido and better hormonal balance.

Training during pregnancy helps you get back into shape more quickly after birth. At some point, practical considerations may rule out certain activities, such as jumping, running, lunges or exercises lying on your stomach, but many options remain. In principle, you could squat until your waters break. It may be wise not to push it that far, but physically it is possible.

Exercise after pregnancy
You can certainly exercise after pregnancy, although the situation may be more complicated than before birth. Complications may require a different plan. The pelvic floor often needs extra attention after making room for the baby, so additional core stability work may be needed. A client recently told me excitedly that she could jump again without leaking urine. I had not anticipated that particular milestone, but I understand what a significant victory it was.

More substantial challenges, such as diastasis recti or recovery from a caesarean section, can also be addressed with appropriate guidance. A personal trainer helps you create a suitable plan, and in Haarlem you can find that at Fundamentals. Our team ranges from medical specialists to trainers with exceptional core strength from professional gymnastics backgrounds.

Do not let these challenges stop you. Tell us what we can do for you. Experience our approach through the Kickstart programme: three one-hour sessions for €149. Afterwards, decide whether this is the place for you to get back into shape after pregnancy.

Thijs Avezaat — owner of Fundamentals