Prenatal Pilates: Part 2

Next up in this series of prenatal pilates, we've got a great move to keep legs limber and strong. Leila Cunnigham is once again joined by Cristin Wertman to show you how it's done. Enjoy this satisfying stretch before, during and after your pregnancy.  

If you are pregnant, always consult your physician before participating in prenatal pilates.

Prenatal Pilates: Standing Pliés

Benefits: This is an excellent exercise for the entire lower body, which helps strengthen and tone legs and glutes without creating bulky muscles. It feels great to do while pregnant because it stretches out inner thighs and hips, but it's also a good one for moms to do to keep legs strong for lifting their little ones! 

Step 1: Stand with feet a little more than shoulder width apart in second position. Make sure you are externally rotating legs from the hips and not from the feet. Hold arms strong out to the side.

Step 2: Inhale as you plié down as low as you can, pushing your knees back behind you and keeping belly button pulled into spine and chest lifted. Exhale as you straighten legs to come up.

Honest Tip: Aim to do 10-20 reps, but lower this if you feel it's too much.

~Leila, FitPilates

Leila Cunningham is a Certified Pilates Instructor based in Los Angeles, California. When she isn’t sharing her knowledge and passion for Pilates at her studio, she’s spending time with her husband and two beautiful daughters. For more fitness tips and easy exercises, check out her YouTube channel.

This post is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for health advice. Before undertaking any course of exercise, you should seek the advice of your physician or other health care provider.