Exercise Demonstration

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Pregnancy Workout Options - lunge/step

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Here are some of the exercises I like to use with my pre / present / post pregnancy clients. Each week I will put up a new short clip of different movements. This is not a prescription of course, each individual is their own case.

Some things to consider when exercising during pregnancy are:
- your exercise & fitness levels pre-pregnancy
- your current state of well-being during the pregnancy
- what stage of the pregnancy you are at
- whether or not you have any pre-existing or pregnancy related health issues
- how you feel on the day of exercise
All of the above factors affect the type of exercise you would do on that day.

The 3rd movement is the LUNGE/STEP. Building lower body strength is important for many reasons:

- improving fitness climbing stairs

- enabling you to pick things up off the floor and to get yourself up off the floor if needed

- improving your walking fitness

Above is a short clip of different versions of LUNGING/STEPPING. Aim to lower your back knee down towards the ground when lunging, keeping your torso upright and achieving 90 degree angles at the hips and knees.

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Pregnancy Workout Options - PRESS

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Here are some of the exercises I like to use with my pre / present / post pregnancy clients. Each week I will put up a new short clip of different movements. This is not a prescription of course, each individual is their own case.

Some things to consider when exercising during pregnancy are:
- your exercise & fitness levels pre-pregnancy
- your current state of well-being during the pregnancy
- what stage of the pregnancy you are at
- whether or not you have any pre-existing or pregnancy related health issues
- how you feel on the day of exercise
All of the above factors affect the type of exercise you would do on that day.

The 2nd movement is the PRESS. Building strength in the press is important for many reasons. As you reach the last few weeks of pregnancy getting out of bed can be a lot more challenging and requires the strength to push yourself into an upright position. Once baby is born there will be times when you'll need to push open heavy doors whilst negotiating a pram and possibly a 2nd child on one hip too. Developing arm strength in general is hugely important for all the lifting required of baba / pram / bags etc.

Above is a short clip of different versions of PRESSING. Always maintaining a strong plank position and breathing out as you press.

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Want to Know What's in a Kettlebell Swing?

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Want to Know What's in a Kettlebell Swing?

Learn the first steps involved in getting your kettlebell swing efficient.

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The Pistol Squat

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The pistol squat is a great bodyweight skill to challenge balance; coordination; flexibility & strength.  It also never lies and will show up any asymmetries in the lower complex.  

I have been re-visiting pistol squats (this video was taken a couple of months ago) after neglecting them for quite some time.  I had to first work them off the bench to warm up into the movement before getting back into full depth.  They still need a fair bit of greasing but if pistol squats are a goal for you I would make sure that you first have the necessary mobility (or start working to improve what you have) and work your strength in a regular squat in addition to exploring the pistol squat.  I like the use of a bench as a regression as you get some feedback of your depth and still ensuring you are gradually working depth within a strong foundation through the foot.

There are many ways to work your pistol squat, here is a great article from GMB with their view on how to work a pistol squat, with advice on regressions and progressions.

 

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Undo Your Rounded Shoulders

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Undo Your Rounded Shoulders

Want to correct rounded shoulders? Have a look at a simple way to do this...

no equipment?...NO EXCUSES!

Our Your Moov strength program includes bodyweight options for all exercises. So you can keep strength training whether you have access to a gym/equipment or not.

Check it out!

 
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the push up - series of regressions

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The push up is not just an arm & chest exercise...in fact, hardly even. The push up, done correctly, should utilise the gluts; abs; obliques & deep core muscles for trunk stability. It should be a smooth, controlled movement. The inability to perform a good, strong pushup could be a sign of trunk instability.

There are several ways to regress the push up. Firstly, the fitball push up is a great regression of the knee push up if you lack the pelvic stability to perform knee push ups. It works on strengthening your midline in order to be able to progress.

The next progression is the knee push up and then the full push up coupled with plenty of core work to improve stability and strength.

Get more guidance through your strength progressions with our Your Moov strength program.