This post isn’t sponsored–I just like working out! But if you use my ClassPass link, we’ll each get $40. If you join right now, you’ll get your first month free.
I was pretty active throughout both of my pregnancies, but the postpartum period kicked my butt. I thought I had done a pretty good job of maintaining my abdominal tone–turns out, the firmness I had mistaken for muscle was actually just all baby. Now that I’ve got two little ones, I really look forward to my time in the gym as a way to be healthy, active, and get in some much needed me-time. I use ClassPass religiously since I love to switch up my routine. Here are my top favorite post-baby workouts:
- Barre: When it was time to hit the gym post-baby, the first thing I signed up for was barre. Barre classes are Pilates-inspired moves set to fun music and performed at, well, a barre. While the classes can be really challenging, it’s also a great full-body workout with a strong variety of moves to strengthen the core. Also, because they attract a lot of women, the instructors are comfortable working with post-baby bodies.
- Pilates Apparatus: Barre incorporates plenty of core workouts, but apparatus Pilates is like the gold standard of core workouts. These classes tend to be small and move at a fairly slow pace, emphasizing control and precision. That’s really important when rebuilding muscles, since compensating for a weak core with your back or shoulder muscles can lead to injury.
- Yoga: I am a yoga junkie, so there was no way that I wouldn’t incorporate yoga back into my routine as soon as I could. Yoga builds strength, but also focuses on stretching and lengthening muscles–which is great, because as mamas we tend to carry a lot of tension in weird places. It’s also my favorite opportunity to just sit and breathe, since I don’t get a lot of quiet time nowadays.
- Walking: Don’t underestimate the good that can come from a quick walk! This is one of the best ways to ease back into a fitness routine, clear your mind, and get your blood flowing. You can take the littles with you, incorporate it into the running around you’re already doing (I used to walk Phoenix to school all the time), and it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing. You’ll soak up some vitamin D from the sun, too–which is huge when it comes to battling postpartum blues.
- Boxing: Mom life can be real stressful, and beating the children is generally frowned upon. If screaming into a pillow isn’t doing it anymore, lace up your gloves and go hit something. We love going to GRIT BXNG, a boutique gym in Union Square. The classes are 50 minutes of cardio, weights, and freestyle boxing, and the studio sports a full bar for an after-class drink or two.