empowered
motherhood
through
movement

program plan

weekly foundations

(AIM FOR 2+ TIMES PER WEEK)

Exercise

sets

reps

video

COACHING CUE

Side-lying diaphragmatic breathing

1-2

6-8b/es

Lie comfortably on your side with your knees slightly bent and allow your body to relax. Inhale diaphragmatically, allowing 360° expansion through your ribcage, sides and back while allowing your pelvic floor to lengthen and relax. Exhale slowly, allowing your pelvic floor and deep core to gently engage. Keep the breath relaxed and controlled throughout.

Lateral sway on birth ball

1-2

6-8/es

Set up in a comfortable kneeling position, leaning forward with your arms supported on the birth ball. Inhale as you roll the ball laterally toward one side, allowing your body to gently sway with the movement. Exhale as you return to center, then inhale as you roll toward the opposite side. Continue alternating sides slowly and within a comfortable range of motion.

SIde-lying shoulder rotations

1-2

6-8/es

Lie comfortably on your side with your knees slightly bent. Inhale as you rotate your top arm around in a large circular motion, working within a comfortable range of motion. Exhale as you reverse the movement and return in the opposite direction. Keep the movement slow and controlled throughout.

Copenhagen plank with block

1-2

4-6b/es

Lie on your side with your elbow underneath your shoulder and top knee pressing firmly into the block. Maintain pressure into the block to engage your adductors. If comfortable, gently lift your hips away from the floor and hold; otherwise, remain supported and focus on maintaining strong adductor pressure.

Wall-supported short stance calf raise

1-2

10-12/es

Stand in a short stance position with your hands supported against the wall. Keep both knees slightly flexed throughout. Raise your heels as high as your mobility comfortably allows, then slowly lower them back to the floor with control. Repeat with the opposite leg forward and continue breathing naturally throughout.

Day 1

WARM-UP

Exercise

Sets

reps / time

video

COACHING CUE

90/90 side-lying knee roll

1-2

6-8/es

Set up side-lying 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 movement controlled.

90/90 side-lying knee roll

1-2

4-6/es

Set up in a diagonal half-kneeling position, with the front leg positioned at an angle between a traditional half-kneeling and lateral half-kneeling position. Place your hands on your front knee. Inhale as you shift your hips forward, allowing comfortable knee forward travel. Exhale as you shift your hips back and return to the starting position. Move slowly and work within a comfortable range of motion throughout.

Standing supported elevated hip hike

1-2

6-8/es

Stand on an elevation with support in front of you and keep the standing knee slightly soft throughout. Allow the opposite hip to drop as the foot reaches toward the floor, then lift the hip back up with control. Keep the movement focused through the pelvis without straightening the standing knee.

Quadruped t-spine rotation

1-2

6-8/es

Set up on all fours. Keep one hand supported on the floor and reach the opposite arm underneath your trunk, then inhale as you rotate through your upper back and reach that arm toward the ceiling, following your hand with your eyes. Exhale as you rotate back underneath your trunk with control. Move through a comfortable range, allowing the rotation to come through your upper back.

FULL BODY STRENGTH

Order

Exercise

sets

reps

tempo

rpe

rest

video

COACHING CUE

A1

2-DB front squat

2

4-6

2111

5-6

2min

Hold one dumbbell at each shoulder with your elbows pointing forward. Set your feet in a comfortable squat stance with full foot contact. Inhale as you lower, allowing your knees and hips to bend together and creating space for your belly. Exhale as you press firmly through your feet and return to standing. Use a bench, box or ball to squat to if preferred. If you are still comfortable using a barbell at this stage of pregnancy, see performing the front squat with a barbell as an option as well.

B1

Full range bench-supported KB row

2

6-8/es

2112

5-6

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. Add a 2s pause at the top. 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

6-8/es

3111

5

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

6-way lateral fly

2

6-8

Controlled

5

1min 30s

Stand tall with ribs atop hips, keeping your knees and hips relaxed and elbows slightly soft. Inhale as you raise your arms laterally to shoulder height, bring them forward and continue overhead. Exhale as you reverse the movement with control back to the starting position.

D1

Seated abduction machine 1/4 reps

2

10-15

Controlled

5-6

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 hammer curl

2

6-8

3111

5

1min 30s

Sit tall with your elbows close to your body and palms facing inward. Inhale as you curl the dumbbells toward your shoulders, keeping your upper arms still. Exhale as you slowly lower with control.

day 2

WARM-UP

Exercise

sets

reps / time

video

COACHING CUE

Quadruped single-leg block elevated hip hike

1-2

8-10/es

Set up on all fours with one knee supported on the block and press your fingertips firmly into the floor. Inhale as you lift the opposite knee by shifting through the hips. Exhale as you slowly return, keeping the movement at the hips and your lower back stable.

Bench supported squat pry

1-2

6-8

Set up in a comfortable squat stance with a bench behind you to shorten the range of motion if preferred. Lower until you gently make contact with the bench, keeping your feet firmly grounded. Place your elbows inside your knees and gently press them outward. From here, inhale as you lift your hips slightly, then exhale as you lower back into the squat, moving up and down through a comfortable range.

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.

Shoulder airplane

1-2

8-10/es

Support both hands on the bench with soft knees and hips. Press each finger of the supporting hand firmly into the bench. Inhale as you reach the opposite arm underneath your trunk, then open and rotate toward the ceiling within your available range. Exhale as you return with control.

FULL BODY STRENGTH

ORDER

Exercise

sets

reps

tempo

rpe

rest

video

COACHING CUE

A1

Barbell elevated sumo deadlift tempo on return

2

4-5

3011

5-6

2min

Set up in a wide stance with your toes slightly turned out, keeping your knees tracking in the same direction as your toes. If using a barbell, elevate it approximately 6–12 cm using blocks or boxes, adjusting the height based on what feels comfortable. If you choose not to add weight to the bar, elevate it approximately 20–25 cm using blocks or boxes. Reach down with long arms and grip the bar approximately shoulder-width apart. Inhale as you press firmly through your feet and stand tall. Exhale as you lower the bar with a slow, controlled 3-second return, sitting back into your hips. If you feel more comfortable using dumbbells instead of a barbell, see this as an option as well.

B1

Alternating lat pulldown machine

2

6-8/es

2111

6

1min 30s

Sit tall with ribs atop hips. Inhale as you pull one arm down, maintaining a slight forward intention through the elbow while allowing the opposite arm to reach long overhead. Exhale as you return with control, then alternate sides.

C1

Supported reverse lunge

2

6-8/es

2111

5

Maintain a stable foot on the standing leg and use support as needed. Inhale as you take a step back, sitting into the front hip and lightly tapping the back knee to the floor if your mobility allows. Exhale as you press through the front foot and return to standing.

C2

Incline alternating DB press

2

6-8/es

3111

5

1min 30s

Set the bench to approximately a 30° incline and elevate your feet on a comfortable support if preferred. Start with both arms extended. Inhale as you lower one dumbbell until approximately shoulder height. Exhale as you press the dumbbell back toward the ceiling, then alternate sides with control. Keep the opposite arm extended throughout.

D1

Standing bird dog row

2

6-8/es

2111

5

Set up standing with a slight hinge through the hips, stabilizing over one leg while reaching the opposite leg behind you. Maintain a stable tripod foot and keep your hips and pelvis controlled. Exhale as you row, bringing your elbow toward your hip. Inhale as you return, reaching the arm forward with control while maintaining your balance and position.

D2

Standing band adduction

2

8-10/es

1111

Long band

1min 30s

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.

day 3

WARM-UP

Exercise

sets

reps / time

video

COACHING CUE

Standing cross-connect with ball

1-2

8-10/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 hip transition

1-2

6-8/es

Sit on the floor, or if more comfortable, sit on a bench/step up box, with both knees bent and maintain heel contact with the floor throughout. Slowly rotate your hips from side to side, allowing your knees to move toward the floor while keeping the movement controlled. Breathe naturally throughout.

Knee-supported hip airplane

1-2

6-8/es

Maintain full foot contact with a soft knee on the standing leg, keeping that knee gently in contact with the bench throughout. Hug a light ball or med ball close to your body and rotate your pelvis over the femur of the standing leg, allowing the free leg to move with the rotation. Inhale as you rotate inward, then exhale as you press through the standing foot and rotate outward.

1/2 kneeling t-spine reach

1-2

6-8/es

Set up in half-kneeling with both hands supported beside your front foot. Inhale as you rotate through your upper back and reach the inside 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

Trap bar RDL

2

6-8

3111

5-6

2min

Place your feet approximately hip-width apart and reach down with long arms to take a strong grip on the handles. If using an empty trap bar, place blocks or boxes underneath the sides to elevate the bar approximately 8–12 cm. Press through a stable tripod foot and use leg drive to stand. From the standing position, inhale as you hinge with soft knees, feeling length through your hamstrings. Exhale as you press firmly into the floor and return to standing, extending your hips. If preferred, use dumbbells instead, holding them by the sides of your legs and following the same technique.

B1

Bench-supported alternating KB chest press

2

6-8/es

2010

5

1min 30s

Support your upper back on the bench with full foot contact and maintain your hips lifted with ribs stacked over your pelvis. Start with both kettlebells pressed up and your arms extended. Inhale as you lower one kettlebell, bringing your elbow slightly below your torso. Exhale as you press the kettlebell back up, then alternate sides with control. Maintain your bridge position throughout.

C1

Lateral box squat with ball

2

6-8/es

2111

5

Set up in a wide stance next to a box or bench, hugging a med ball or light ball close to your body. Shift your weight toward the leg closest to the box, maintaining full foot contact. Inhale as you lower, allowing the knee to travel forward and lightly tapping the box while keeping tension through your leg. Exhale as you press firmly through the foot and drive laterally back to standing.

C2

Kickstand cable archer row

2

8-10/es

2121

5

1min 30s

Set up in a kickstand position, centring your weight over the front leg with a stable tripod foot. Inhale as you row, rotating your forearm into a neutral grip while reaching the opposite arm forward and bringing your hip forward. Exhale as you reach the rowing arm forward and sit the hip back, maintaining control throughout.

D1

Banded hip thrust

2

6-8

2112

BW

Support your upper back on the bench with both feet on the floor and a band positioned above your knees. Maintain gentle outward pressure into the band throughout. Inhale as you press through your feet and extend your hips. Pause for 2s at the top. Exhale as you lower with control, maintaining your stacked position.

D2

Seated DB triceps extension

2

6-8

3111

5

1min

Sit tall with ribs atop hips and hold the dumbbell overhead. Keep your elbows relatively still. Inhale as you bend your elbows and lower the dumbbell behind your head. Exhale as you extend your elbows and return the dumbbell overhead.