We’re proud to have Amy Hoover on board as P.volve’s Doctor of Physical Therapy, where she’s able to consult the entire community about the method and how it impacts the body. In our new series, Ask Amy, she’s answering your questions first hand so you can get the most out of your work with P.volve. First up, she’s discussing pregnancy and how (if at all) to use our workout to your benefit and the months thereafter.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: P.volve is right for just about everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a fitness newbie, a bodybuilder, or somewhere in between, there’s surely at least one aspect of the method that can help open your hips, tone your thighs, or show you something you didn’t know about your body. 

But what about expecting mothers-to-be? Exercises for pregnant women are often a hot-button topic for two reasons: most of us don’t know if working out with a baby bump is safe, and if it can be, we’re unsure what exactly to do to keep moving in a healthy way during those nine months. And when those nine months are up, how can you safely work that post pregnancy belly? Ahead, Amy is breaking down one of the most asked-about topics in the P.volve community so that all—and we mean all—women can join in.

Is P.volve safe during pregnancy?
“P.volve is very safe for pregnancy as long as you do not have any restrictions from your physician. If you are cleared to exercise then P.volve is a great workout for pregnancy. One of the biggest myths that I hear is that pregnant women should not work their abdominals or core. This is the opposite of the truth!  Women need to maintain their abdominal strength to support their changing body and posture.  

Much of the P.volve equipment focuses on hip and core strength and balance, both of which are excellent options for prenatal workout. Specifically, the p.ball can help with balancing the pelvis when done with correct core activation. Resistance bands are great for building strength, and gliders can help with balance.”

How do you recommend getting back into P.volve post-pregnancy?
“Your postpartum check up is usually around 6 weeks, but guidelines are changing and sometimes your physician will see you sooner. You can start doing P.volve as soon as you are cleared postpartum for exercise by your physician. If you have been doing P.volve during pregnancy then you should have no problem going right back to it since it’s low impact. However, you may want to modify for the first week or two until you feel stronger.

As with any exercise, you should not do it if you experience pain. Start with the p.band and p.ball, as these offer lower resistance and less force on the pelvis, and can help with core stability. Be very conscious of engaging your whole core (abdominals and pelvic floor through breathing.) Modify without ankle weights until you feel stronger, and ease into it using the gliders and slant board when you can do them with good control and balance.”

Start with our Mat Hip Opening Stretch to become reacquainted with the way your body moves. Then, you can work up to our Functional Mobility and P.band Express with Evan and Celestine classes—two options that are perfect for soon-to-be and new moms.

We are proud to announce Amy as P.volve’s  Doctor of Physical Therapy, consulting the entire community about their work with our method. She’ll be continually providing feedback and answering important questions for the P.volve community, so keep an eye out for her advice on the blog. Feel free to email community@pvolve.com for topics you’d like Amy to cover! 

 New to P.volve? Try our 15-day free trial to start your fitness evolution.