empowered
motherhood
through
movement

program plan

weekly foundations

(AIM FOR 2+ TIMES PER WEEK)

Exercise

sets

reps

video

COACHING CUE

Right side-lying respiratory scissor slides

1-2

6-8

Lie on your right side with your hips and knees in a 90-90 position and feet supported against the wall. Place a block or foam roller between your knees and gently tuck your hips. Inhale through your nose as you pull your left leg back, maintaining gentle pressure into the block. Exhale fully through your mouth as you slowly return the left leg to the starting position, feeling your left oblique and adductor engage.

Wide stance hinge with ball

1-2

8-10

Stand in a comfortable wide stance and hug the ball in front of you. Maintain full foot contact and soft knees. Inhale as you hinge, feeling length through your hamstrings. Exhale as you press firmly through your feet and return to standing.

All-fours foam roller t-spine reach

1-2

6-8/es

Set up on all-fours with the foam roller positioned between one knee and the same-side hand. Lift the opposite hand, turn your palm to face upward and place the back of your hand on the foam roller. Inhale as you roll the arm underneath your body, reaching across as far as your mobility comfortably allows and rotating through your upper back. Exhale as you return to the starting position with control.

Side-lying hip raise with ball

1-2

6-8/es

Set up in a side-lying position with your knees bent and a ball positioned between your knees. Maintain gentle pressure into the ball. Exhale as you lift your hip away from the floor. Inhale as you slowly lower back down with control.

Seated toe spread rotations

1-2

8-10/es

Sit comfortably and place one foot across the opposite knee. Gently place your fingers between each toe, going only as far as feels comfortable while encouraging the toes to spread. From here, slowly rotate the foot in controlled circles through a comfortable range. Keep the movement intentional and gradually work into the toe spread as your mobility allows.

Day 1

WARM-UP

Exercise

Sets

reps / time

video

COACHING CUE

90/90 side-lying knee roll

1-2

6-8/es

Lie on your side in a 90/90 position. Inhale as you reach the top knee forward, allowing the movement to come from the hip. Exhale as you slowly return, keeping the rest of your body relaxed and controlled.

Kneeling glute hinge

1-2

6-8b/es

Set up with the working-side knee elevated on a block and both hands supported on a bench. Inhale as you shift your hips over the elevated knee and hinge until you sense a stretch in your glute/hip. Maintain the position and bring the opposite leg across behind you to deepen the stretch. Hold the position and breathe diaphragmatically, allowing your body to relax into the stretch.

Lateral hip shift with contralateral foot tap

1-2

8-10/es

Maintain full foot contact as you shift your hips back and sideways, sitting into the hip while limiting excessive forward knee travel. Reach across with the opposite hand to tap the opposite foot if your mobility allows, or shorten range of motion, then return with control.

Kneeling alternating lateral reach with stick

1-2

6-8/es

Set up in a tall-kneeling position and hold the stick with a wide grip overhead. Inhale as you reach laterally through one side of your body. Exhale as you return to centre, then alternate sides.

FULL BODY STRENGTH

Order

Exercise

sets

reps

tempo

rpe

rest

video

COACHING CUE

A1

Paused barbell back squat

2-3

5-6

2211

6-7

2min

Position the bar comfortably across your upper back with a grip slightly wider than shoulder-width. Keep your elbows under the bar with a slight forward intention. Set your feet slightly wider than hip-width and maintain full foot contact. Inhale as you lower with control, allowing your knees and hips to bend together. Add a 2s pause in the lowest position. Exhale as you press firmly through your feet and return to standing. Use a bench or box for support if needed. If you feel more comfortable using a dumbbell instead of a barbell, perform the exercise as a goblet squat.

B1

Full range bench-supported KB row

2-3

8-10/es

2111

6-7

1min 30s

Set up with one knee and your non-rowing hand supported on the bench, with the opposite foot firmly grounded. Position the kettlebell slightly further away to allow a longer reach. Inhale as you row, leading your elbow toward your hip. Exhale as you lower with control into a long reach, using the full available range of motion.

C1

Bench-supported wide stance DB RDL

2

8-10/es

3111

5-6

Set up in a wide stance with one knee and the same-side hand supported on the bench. Hold the dumbbell comfortably between your legs and maintain full foot contact through the standing leg. Inhale as you push your hips back, feeling length through the hamstrings and loading the hip. Exhale as you press firmly through the standing foot and return to standing, extending your hip.

C2

Around the world shoulder raise

2

8-10

Controlled

5-6

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

Seated abduction machine 1/4 reps

2

15-20

Controlled

6-7

Sit tall in a stacked position with a strong grip on the handles. Use a slightly lighter load and press your knees outward into the end range. From there, perform small, controlled ¼ reps, maintaining tension throughout. Keep the movement dynamic and continue breathing comfortably throughout.

D2

Seated incline biceps curl

2

8-10

3111

5-6

1min 30s

Set the bench to approximately a 60° incline and keep your elbows in contact with the bench. Inhale as you curl the dumbbells toward your shoulders. Exhale as you slowly lower.

day 2

WARM-UP

Exercise

sets

reps / time

video

COACHING CUE

Bird dog with knee elevated on block

1-2

6-8/es

Set up on all fours with one knee elevated on a block, maintaining a stacked position with your ribs over your pelvis. Inhale as you extend the non-elevated leg behind you and reach the opposite arm forward. Keep your trunk and pelvis stable, avoiding movement through your lower back. Exhale as you bring your knee and opposite hand toward each other underneath your body. Move slowly and with control throughout.

90/90 hip transition

1-2

6-8/es

Sit on the floor with both knees bent and maintain heel contact throughout. Slowly rotate your hips from side to side, allowing both knees to move toward the floor while keeping the movement controlled.

Lateral step out hinge

1-2

8-10/es

Start with your feet together. Inhale as you step laterally and shift your weight into the stepping leg, allowing your hips to travel back as your torso inclines slightly forward. Maintain full foot contact and keep the movement controlled. Exhale as you press through the stepping foot and return to the starting position.

Seated DB halo

1-2

6-8/es

Sit tall with your feet firmly grounded and maintain ribs stacked atop hips. Hold the weight close to your body and guide it slowly around your head, keeping the movement controlled and allowing your shoulders to move naturally. Inhale as you rotate the weight around your head and exhale as you return to the starting position. Alternate directions between reps.

FULL BODY STRENGTH

ORDER

Exercise

sets

reps

tempo

rpe

rest

video

COACHING CUE

A1

Sumo barbell deadlift

2-3

8-10

2121

6-7

2min

Set up in a wide stance with the bar over midfoot and toes slightly turned out, keeping your knees tracking in the same direction as your toes. Reach down with long arms and grip the bar approximately shoulder-width apart. Keep the bar close to your body and inhale as you press firmly through your feet to stand tall. Exhale as you lower with control. If using only the barbell, elevate it on boxes to create a comfortable starting height. If you feel more comfortable using dumbbells instead of a barbell, see this as an option as well.

B1

Reverse grip lat pulldown

2-3

8-10

2111

6-7

1min 30s

Grip the bar approximately shoulder-width apart with your palms facing you and sit tall with ribs atop hips. Inhale as you pull the bar toward your upper chest, maintaining a slight forward intention through your elbows. Exhale as you slowly extend your arms overhead with control.

C1

Lateral step-up

2

8-10/es

2121

5-6

Set up sideways to the support with your working foot on the bench and choose a height that feels comfortable while still providing an appropriate challenge. Maintain a stable tripod foot and keep most of your weight over the working leg. Inhale as you press firmly through the foot and step up, extending your hip while keeping the knee soft. Exhale as you lower with control, keeping the working leg loaded throughout.

C2

Seated single-arm DB overhead press

2

8-10/es

2111

5-6

1min 30s

Sit tall with ribs atop hips and position your elbow approximately at shoulder height. Inhale as you press the dumbbell straight overhead. Exhale as you slowly lower back to the starting position.

D1

Farmers carry

2

8-10/es

Controlled

5-6

Hold a kettlebell or DB in each hand with a strong grip, lats engaged and ribs atop hips. Walk slowly and with control, maintaining a tall, stable position. Breathe continuously throughout each step without holding your breath.

D2

Knee-supported Copenhagen adduction

2

6-8/es

2111

BW

1min 30s

Set up side-lying with your top knee supported on the bench and elbow underneath your shoulder. Press the knee firmly into the bench and use your adductors to lift your hips, then lower with control. Keep the bottom leg lightly supported on the floor if needed to adjust the load.

day 3

WARM-UP

Exercise

sets

reps / time

video

COACHING CUE

All-fours ball lift

1-2

6-8

Set up on all fours with the ball positioned between your knees. Exhale and gently connect to your pelvic floor as you lift the ball. Inhale as you slowly return.

Seated knee drop hold

1-2

4-6/es

Sit with your hands supported behind you and maintain heel contact with the floor. Allow one knee to drop inwards as far as your mobility comfortably allows, and hold for 5 seconds within a comfortable range. Return through centre and alternate sides. Sit on a block or elevation if more comfortable.

DB loaded hip airplane

1-2

6-8/es

Centre your weight over the standing leg with a slight hinge, soft knee, stable tripod foot and keep the same-side hand supported. Hold a dumbbell in the opposite hand, keeping it close to your body throughout. Inhale as you rotate the pelvis inward over the standing leg. Exhale as you press firmly through the standing foot and rotate the hip open with control.

Standing open-book t-spine rotation

1-2

6-8/es

Set up in a staggered stance with the leg furthest from the wall in front and reach both arms forward. Inhale as you rotate the arm on the same side as the standing leg up and around, following your hand with your eyes as you open through your upper back. Exhale as you slowly reverse the movement back to the starting position.

FULL BODY STRENGTH

order

Exercise

sets

reps

tempo

rpe

rest

video

COACHING CUE

A1

Kickstand trap bar RDL

2-3

6-8/es

4111

6-7

2min

Centre most of your body weight over the standing leg with the rear foot lightly supported. Maintain a stable tripod foot and soft knee. Inhale as you hinge, feeling length through your hamstrings. Exhale as you press firmly through the standing foot and return to standing, extending your hip. If you are not adding weight to the trap bar, elevate the bar approximately 8–12 cm using blocks or boxes. If you feel more comfortable using dumbbells instead, see this as an option as well.

B1

1/2 kneeling landmine shoulder press

2-3

8-10/es

2121

6-7

1min 30s

Set up in a half-kneeling position with ribs atop hips. Inhale as you press the landmine forward and overhead. Exhale as you slowly return. Alternate with your opposite arm or keep the hand supported on your hip.

C1

Deficit reverse lunge with support

2

8-10/es

2111

5-6

Stand on a 4–6 cm elevation with a stable front foot and hold on to support on the same side. Inhale as you take a step back and lower, sitting into the front hip and lightly tapping the back knee down if your mobility allows. Exhale as you press through the front foot and return to standing. Remove the deficit if more comfortable.

C2

1/2 kneeling cable face pull

2

8-10/es

2121

5-6

1min 30s

Set the cable high and set up in a half-kneeling position with ribs atop hips. Inhale as you pull the cable toward your ears, leading with your elbows out to the sides. Exhale as you slowly extend your arms and return to the starting position with control.

D1

DB overhead march

2

8-10/es

Controlled

5-6

Hold one dumbbell with both hands and reach it overhead, maintaining ribs atop hips and a stable trunk. Inhale as you lift one knee into the march. Exhale as you return the foot to the floor, then alternate sides.

D2

Single-arm triceps cable extension

2

8-10/es

3111

5-6

1min

Stand with soft knees and hips, using the opposite hand for support in front of you. Keep your working elbow relatively still throughout. Inhale as you extend your elbow and press the cable down, focusing on your triceps. Exhale as you slowly return with control.