Reader’s Review: Pregnancy Pilates in Stockport
It’s been some time since I’ve done any real exercise (nothing to do with being pregnant, I just prefer cake to cardio). However, my ever-growing bump had started playing merry hell with my back and I was finding walking increasingly difficult. I knew something had to be done or else I risked becoming more sedentary towards the end of pregnancy – not good for me or the baby, let alone preparing myself for labour. So I emailed Sarah Parker Fitness to see if they could fit me in for their ‘Pregnancy Fitness Pilates’ and received an instant reply from Sarah – offering me a Saturday session at either 10am or 11am.
One Saturday morning I travelled to Heaton Mersey Methodist Church, where Sarah met me to discuss my medical history, how I was experiencing pregnancy and to make sure I was safe to exercise. I thought to myself – Pilates for pregnant women, surely I was to expect a lot of breathing, stretching and swaying. How hard could it be?
Then the class began.
It turns out I had missed the ‘fitness’ part of the class title and was a little surprised to find out we’d be doing circuit training, with weights, rubber bands and other sorts of devices.
Everyone seemed much fitter than me and clearly trying to keep their bodies. I wondered if I’d make it through the class. However, Sarah was very supportive and motivating, keeping an informal friendly atmosphere and everyone was warm and welcoming as I sweated, panted and stumped through my squats, lunges and press ups.
I’d been told at my last check-up that my baby was lying in a transverse position so Sarah showed me some exercises to try at home that would help move it into place. I had a real sense of achievement when I finished the class, and my muscles ached for days after!
For my next class with Sarah, I opted to try her more traditional ‘Pregnancy Pilates Relaxation’ class, which takes place at Christ Church in Reddish every Tuesday and Thursday evening. With its focus more on wellbeing, and stress reduction, it was perfect for me. We used stretch bands, spikey balls, foam blocks and some light weights, mixed with a lot of gentle stretching, moving, breathing and muscle strengthening (pelvic floor muscles and beyond!) before finished with a short meditation. The hour went quickly!
My pregnancy sciatica has eased off considerably since I took part in Sarah’s classes, and Sarah has a way of teaching that is very encouraging without being over the top. She also shares useful tips on all things pregnancy/labour and post-natal. For me, knowing that the class was designed to be pregnancy safe definitely made me more confident to try out some new exercises I never thought possible at 30-something weeks pregnant.
At my latest check-up my midwife told me that my baby is now in the right position, (head down, let’s hope she stays that way). I definitely think Sarah’s Pilates class helped. I’ve already booked my next few classes (fitness and relaxation I should add) and look forward to then trying the post-natal classes. Hope to see you there!
