Women are often unsure on what type of exercise and how much they can do during pregnancy, but it’s natural to worry. NHS guidelines encourage women to exercise when pregnant to help you adapt to your changing shape and weight. It is recommended you have at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, moderate being a level you could maintain a conversation easily.

Clinical Pilates and Yoga provides a safe, low impact and fun way to maintain your fitness levels and keep active for almost everyone who is pregnant. Try to Keep up your normal daily physical activity or exercise (sport, walking, running, yoga,) for as long as you feel comfortable, but make sure it is the right form of exercise for you. Exercise is not dangerous for your baby – there is even some evidence that suggests active women are less likely to experience problems in later pregnancy and labour. However if you were not active before pregnancy, you need to take more care when introducing exercise, but it doesn’t mean you can’t start.

We recommend you wait to start antenatal pilates until your 2nd trimester before starting the class. You do not have to attend specific antenatal class, some women like to join or continue in the normal mixed classes. If you are new to exercise or pilates or yoga you can speak to our instructor to assess your suitability.

We want you to get the most benefit from coming to the classes, sometimes you may be required to attend a 1:1 clinical consultation before you start any ante natal classes, especially if you are in pain or have any underlying complications in your pregnancy. If you are unsure if you need an assessment before joining class, contact the clinic. We can then assess your suitability for class and tailor exercises to the individual needs

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing and you may need blankets and cushions to use as props in class. We sometimes use birthing balls, they are not essential but useful, and we recommend you bring water with you.

The instructor is a specially trained APPI Pilates Instructor, antenatal yoga Instructor, and graduate Sports Therapist. This means that during class you can exercise safely and will be supported by someone who has knowledge and understands how your body works, especially with the immense changes that take place during and after pregnancy. They can offer exercises and advise on how to prevent or minimize any pain or injury.

There will only ever be a maximum of 10 people per class, so you will really feel the benefit of the Instructor getting to know you and get more from the class. Small class numbers allows the instructor to move round and check that you are doing the exercises correctly and help any adjustments on an individual basis.