empowered
motherhood
through
movement

program plan

weekly foundations

(AIM FOR 2+ TIMES PER WEEK)

Exercise

sets

reps

video

COACHING CUE

Seated block squat hip opener

1-2

8-10

Sit at a comfortable height in a wide squat position. Place your elbows inside your knees and gently press your knees outward. Slowly lean slightly forward and back, allowing your hips to open through a comfortable range. Keep the movement slow and controlled throughout.

Hinge to squat with ball

1-2

6-8

Stand with your feet approximately hip-width apart and hold the ball close to your body. Inhale as you hinge, then exhale as you return to standing. Inhale as you lower into a comfortable squat, then exhale as you return to standing. Keep the movement slow and controlled throughout.

1/2 kneeling t-spine rotational sweep

1-2

6-8/es

Set up in a comfortable half-kneeling position and rotate your trunk slightly toward the front leg, keeping one hand supported on the front knee. Inhale as you sweep the opposite arm up and around in a large circular motion, following your hand with your eyes. Exhale as you reverse the movement and return to the starting position. Move through the largest comfortable range your mobility allows.

Standing band adduction

1-2

10-12/es

Stand sideways to the band attachment and use the rack for support. Attach the band to the leg closest to the rack and maintain a stable tripod foot with a soft knee on the leg furthest from the rack. Reach the banded leg slightly forward. Inhale as you bring it across the standing leg, focusing on the inner thigh. Exhale as you slowly return to the starting position with control.

Seated forefoot lift and tap over ball

1-2

10-12/es

Sit tall with a block positioned between your knees and a ball on the floor in front of one foot. Keep your heel grounded throughout. Lift your forefoot and toes as high as your mobility comfortably allows, then lower to gently tap the ball before lifting again. Keep the movement slow and controlled and continue breathing naturally throughout.

Day 1

WARM-UP

Exercise

Sets

reps / time

video

COACHING CUE

90/90 knee rolls with foam roller

1-2

6-8/es

Lie on your back with your feet supported on the wall in a 90/90 position and place a foam roller between your knees. Inhale as you gently rotate through one hip, allowing the knee to reach slightly toward the ceiling. Exhale as you return with control, then alternate sides. Keep the knee reach small and focus on sensing the rotational movement through the hips.

Adductor rock to scorpion

1-2

6-8/es

Set up in a lateral kneeling position with one knee bent and supported on the floor, the opposite leg extended out to the side, and your hands supported on the floor in front of you. Inhale as you push your hips back toward the kneeling leg. From there, bring the extended leg around and behind the bent knee, allowing the movement to come through the hip. Exhale as you reverse the movement and return to the starting position. Work within a comfortable range throughout.

Three-way hip shift tap

1-2

6-8/es

Keep most of your weight over the standing leg, with a soft knee, as you sit back into the hip. Reach the opposite foot to tap the floor in front, to the side and slightly behind you. Maintain full foot contact on the standing leg and breathe naturally throughout.

Standing windmill

1-2

6-8/es

Stand slightly wider than hip-width with your toes slightly turned out. Inhale as you bend one knee, push your hips back and reach the same-side hand toward the floor, following the opposite hand with your eyes as you rotate. Exhale as you return to standing. Only reach as far as your mobility comfortably allows.

FULL BODY STRENGTH

Order

Exercise

sets

reps

tempo

rpe

rest

video

COACHING CUE

A1

1-DB tempo box goblet squat

2

4-5

3111

5-6

2min

Stand with your feet slightly wider than hip-width and maintain full foot contact. Inhale as you slowly lower, allowing your knees to travel forward as your hips descend, bending through the knees and hips together. Lightly tap a box, bench or stable elevated surface behind you while keeping tension through your legs, then exhale as you stand back up.

B1

3-point DB single-arm row

2

6-8/es

2111

5-6

1min 30s

Support one hand on a bench or a stable elevated surface and maintain ribs atop hips. Allow your knees to bend and your heels to slightly elevate off the floor as needed. Maintain a strong grip. Inhale as you row, leading your elbow toward your trunk. Exhale as you lower the dumbbell with control, reaching long at the bottom.

C1

Curtsy lunge

2

4-6/es

2111

5

Start in a comfortable standing position and step one leg diagonally behind the other. Keep most of your weight over the front leg with a stable tripod foot. Inhale as you lower into the lunge, sitting back into your hips and limiting forward knee travel. Exhale as you press firmly through the front foot and return to standing. Hold on to a support if you feel more comfortable or stable with additional support.

C2

Around the world shoulder raise

2

6-8

Controlled

5

1min 30s

Stand tall with ribs atop hips and maintain a strong grip on the dumbbells. Inhale as you raise the dumbbells out and around in a controlled arc until they meet overhead. Exhale as you reverse the movement and slowly return.

D1

Kickstand banded Pallof press

2

6-8/es

2121

Long band

Set the band securely at slightly above hip height and stand side-on to the attachment in a kickstand position, with the leg closest to the band in front and the opposite foot lightly supported behind you. Centre your weight over the front leg and maintain ribs atop hips. Hold the band firmly with both hands. Inhale as you press the band straight forward, resisting rotation and maintaining your position throughout. Exhale as you slowly bring your hands back toward your body with control.

D2

Standing DB biceps curl

2

6-8

3111

5

1min 30s

Stand tall with your feet firmly grounded and hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palms facing forward. Keep your elbows close to your body. Inhale as you curl the dumbbells up toward your shoulders. Exhale as you lower them with control back to the starting position.

day 2

WARM-UP

Exercise

sets

reps / time

video

COACHING CUE

All-fours wall supported knee roll

1-2

4-6/es

Set up on all fours with your feet supported against the wall and a ball between your knees. Lift both knees slightly off the floor, maintaining gentle pressure into the ball. Inhale as you reach one knee forward toward the floor, allowing the movement to come from the hips. Exhale as you return to the elevated position, then alternate sides with control. If this position feels too challenging, perform the exercise in a side-lying position instead.

Supported deep squat knee drop

1-2

4-6/es

Lower into a comfortable squat depth, using a higher support if needed. Shift your weight from side to side, allowing one knee to gently drop inward toward the floor within your available range. Inhale as the knee drops, then exhale as you return.

Lateral 1/2 kneeling hinge with ball

1-2

6-8/es

Set up in a lateral half-kneeling position. Inhale as you push your hips back and gently lean forward, maintaining a long spine. Gently press the ball and exhale as you return to the starting position.

Seated t-spine rotation

1-2

6-8/es

Sit on a bench/box and reach same side hand toward the same side ankle. Inhale as you rotate your ribcage and reach the opposite arm toward the ceiling, following your hand with your eyes. Exhale as you slowly return.

FULL BODY STRENGTH

ORDER

Exercise

sets

reps

tempo

rpe

rest

video

COACHING CUE

A1

2-DB conventional deadlift from elevation

2

4-6

2121

5-6

2min

Set up with feet hip-width apart, with the dumbbells elevated on a box, approximately 6–10 cm high. Reach down with long arms, allowing your knees to soften, and take a strong grip. Keep the dumbbells close and lats engaged. Inhale as you press through your feet and use leg drive to stand. Exhale as you lower with control, pushing your hips back.

B1

1/2 kneeling banded lateral lat pulldown

2

6-8/es

2111

Long band

Set up in a half-kneeling position sideways to the band attachment, with the band anchored securely above you. Keep the leg closest to the band supported on the floor and the opposite knee in a kneeling position. Grip the band with the arm furthest from the attachment and maintain ribs atop hips. Inhale as you pull the band down, leading your elbow toward your hip while gently flexing laterally through a comfortable range of motion. Exhale as you slowly return, reaching toward the attachment point and controlling the band throughout.

B2

Supported DB step-up

2

6-8/es

2121

5-6

1min 30s

Maintain a stable tripod foot and centre your weight over the working leg. Inhale as you press through the foot and step up, extending your hip while keeping the knee soft. Exhale as you slowly lower, keeping the working leg loaded and controlling the return. Choose a comfortable height at approximately 15-30 cm.

C1

Hook-lying neutral grip alternating DB press

2

6-8/es

2111

5

1min 30s

Lie on a bench, sofa or, if more comfortable, on the floor in a hook-lying position with gentle core engagement. Start with both dumbbells reaching toward the ceiling and keep your elbows approximately 35–45° from your torso. Inhale as you lower one dumbbell through a comfortable range of motion. Exhale as you press the dumbbell back toward the ceiling, then alternate sides with control. Keep the opposite arm extended throughout.

D1

Single-leg stand iso with alternating DB swing

2

6-8/es

Controlled

4

Maintain a stable standing foot and trunk as you hold the opposite leg elevated and swing the dumbbell from side to side. Breathe continuously throughout, resisting rotation and keeping your body as stable as possible.

D2

Standing banded diagonal hip abduction

2

8-10/es

Controlled

Short band

1min 30s

Stand with your hands supported in front of you and position the band around your ankles. Centre your weight over the standing leg and maintain a soft knee and hip. Slowly move the opposite leg diagonally away from your body, working at an angle between directly lateral and straight back, then return to the starting position with control. Breathe comfortably throughout, keeping the movement controlled and your pelvis stable.

day 3

WARM-UP

Exercise

sets

reps / time

video

COACHING CUE

Standing cross-connect with ball

1-2

6-8/es

Centre your weight over the standing leg and maintain a stable tripod foot with a soft knee. Exhale as you bring the opposite knee up and reach the ball toward it, creating the cross-connect. Inhale as you return with control.

90/90 halo

1-2

6-8/es

Sit tall in a 90/90 position and keep your head still with eyes facing forward. Circle the weight closely around your head, allowing your shoulders and ribcage to move while maintaining a stacked trunk. Breathe continuously throughout.

Wall-supported hip airplane

1-2

6-8/es

Lean slightly forward with both hands supported on the wall and centre your weight over the standing leg. Maintain a stable tripod foot and soft knee throughout. Lead the movement from the hip, keeping the standing knee stable. Inhale as you rotate your pelvis inward over the femur. Exhale as you press firmly through the standing foot and rotate the hip open, allowing your upper body to follow the movement.

Wide stance hinge with t-spine rotation

1-2

6-8/es

Set up in a comfortable wide stance and push your hips back, reaching both hands toward one ankle. Hold a light dumbbell in the outside hand, or perform without weight. Inhale as you rotate through your upper back, reaching the outside arm toward the ceiling as far as your mobility comfortably allows. Exhale as you return with control.

FULL BODY STRENGTH

order

Exercise

sets

reps

tempo

rpe

rest

video

COACHING CUE

A1

1-DB Sumo RDL

2

4-6

3111

5-6

2min

Set up in a wide stance with soft knees. Inhale through your nose as you slowly push your hips back, keeping your arms long and feeling length through your hamstrings. Exhale as you press firmly through your feet and drive back to standing.

B1

Banded straight arm lat pulldown

2

8-10

2111

Long band

1min 30s

Set the band securely above you and stand with your knees and hips soft, maintaining a slight bend through both. Grip the band approximately shoulder-width apart with your arms reaching forward around shoulder height and your elbows soft. Inhale as you pull the band down toward your hips, keeping your arms long and engaging your lats. Exhale as you slowly return to the starting position, controlling the band throughout. Maintain ribs atop hips and keep the movement controlled throughout.

C1

Goblet front foot elevated split squat with rotation

2

4-6/es

2111

5

Centre your weight over the elevated front leg and maintain full foot contact. Inhale as you lower, sitting into the front hip while limiting excessive forward knee travel and allowing the back leg to rotate inward. Exhale as you press through the front leg and return to the starting position.

C2

Standing lateral shoulder raise

2

8-10

2111

5

1min 30s

Stand tall with ribs atop hips, keeping your knees and hips relaxed and elbows slightly soft. Hold the dumbbells with a slight thumbs-down angle. Inhale as you raise your arms to approximately shoulder height. Exhale as you slowly lower with control.

D1

1/2 kneeling DB press with overhead reach

2

6-8/es

2111

4-5

Set up in a half-kneeling position with ribs atop hips. Inhale as you press the DB forward and reach overhead, maintaining your stacked position. Exhale as you lower the DB with control and bring it back toward your body.

D2

Seated DB triceps extension

2

6-8

3111

5

1min

Sit tall in a stacked position and hold the dumbbell behind your head, keeping your elbows relatively still. Inhale as you bend your elbows and lower the dumbbell behind your head. Exhale as you extend your elbows and use your triceps to bring the dumbbell back up.