Why complete a Pre and Post Natal exercise course? 

So one of your clients is pregnant. You’ve been training her for 3 years, and she doesn’t want to stop training during her pregnancy.  

We’ve all heard that exercising when pregnant is good for the mother and the baby, so why do you need to complete (another) course if you want to keep training her?  

During pregnancy, the mother’s body undergoes huge changes. Organs are moved around, the body is flooded with hormones that affect the muscular-skeletal system, let alone the mother’s mental state.  

Exercise can definitely be beneficial during these formative 9 months, but did you know that excess intra-abdominal pressure during exercise can cause bleeding or even miscarriage? Did you know that having a mother laying on her back for extended periods can cause extensive back and pelvic pain, or even stress to the baby?  

Scary. But it doesn’t have to be.  

You can safely support your client through this and any future pregnancies, and their return to regular training after birth if you know what to watch out for. You don’t lose a client, and the client gets the support she needs. Win/Win!  

It is crucial for a personal trainer to provide individually tailored support to each pregnant client because the last thing any trainer wants to do is cause harm. This is why it is now required by Fitness Australia and all insurers that all trainers complete an approved course covering the basics of pregnancy, and Pre and Postnatal fitness.  

The right kind of exercise, paired with good hydration and nutrition has been linked with the following:  

• Helping women cope with the ups and downs of pregnancy  
• An easier birthing experience  
• Improved circulation and blood flow for the mother 

• Lower risk of childhood obesity 

These are big ticks in the favour of safe exercise during pregnancy, so don’t be afraid to do the training and improve your skill set.  

For further information please refer to the Fitness Australia Pre and Post Natal Exercise Guidelines attached below, or feel free to contact us at Level Up.  

https://fitnessaustralia.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/uploaded_file/file/595/Pre-and-Post-Natal-Exercise-Guidelines.pdf