empowered
motherhood
through
movement
program plan
weekly foundations
(AIM FOR 2+ TIMES PER WEEK)
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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.
Pelvic tilts on birth ball with wide knees
1-2
6-8
Sit comfortably on a birth ball with your feet firmly grounded in a wide stance. Inhale as you gently anteriorly tilt your pelvis, allowing your lower back to arch slightly. Exhale as you posteriorly tilt your pelvis, gently rounding through your lower back. Move slowly through a comfortable range of motion.
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.
Adductor rock with birth ball
1-2
8-10/es
Set up in a lateral kneeling position with your hands or forearms supported on the birth ball. Inhale as you shift your hips back, allowing the ball to roll forward as you move into a comfortable stretch through the adductor. Exhale as you return to the starting position, rolling the ball back toward you. Work within a comfortable range of motion throughout.
Day 1
WARM-UP
Exercise
Sets
reps / time
video
COACHING CUE
Cat cow pose with block elevated knee
1-2
6-8/es
Set up on all fours with one knee elevated on a block and sit slightly back into your hips. Press your fingertips firmly into the floor for stability. Inhale as you gently extend through your spine and open your chest. Exhale as you round your spine, allowing your head and tailbone to follow the movement. Repeat with the opposite knee elevated.
Standing single-leg elevated hip smash
1-2
6-8/es
Place one foot on a comfortable elevation with your hands on your hips. Maintain full foot contact on the elevated leg. Inhale as you shift your weight forward, allowing the knee to bend and travel forward over the foot while gently shifting into the hip. Exhale as you return with control. Keep the range comfortable and avoid forcing the position.
Rear foot wall-supported standing hip shift
1-2
8-10/es
Centre your weight over the standing leg with the rear foot supported against the wall. Maintain a stable foot and soft knee. Inhale as you shift into the standing hip, allowing the knee and pelvis to rotate inward. Exhale as you press through the standing foot and shift the hip back up with control. Hold on to support if more comfortable.
Standing wall guided t-spine rotation
1-2
6-8/es
Stand side-on to a wall with your arm reaching forward. Inhale as you rotate through your upper back, guiding your arm along the wall, or as close to it as your mobility allows, reaching up and overhead in a 180-degree arc. Follow your hand with your eyes throughout the rotation. Exhale as you slowly reverse the movement and return to the starting position.
FULL BODY STRENGTH
Order
Exercise
sets
reps
tempo
rpe
rest
video
COACHING CUE
A1
2-DB front squat
2-3
4-8
2111
5-7
2min
Stand with your feet comfortably positioned and hold both dumbbells supported at your shoulders with your elbows pointing forward. Inhale as you lower into a squat, moving through a comfortable range of motion while maintaining full foot contact. Exhale as you press your feet firmly into the floor and return to standing. If preferred, place a box, bench or stable elevated surface behind you to lightly tap at the bottom of the squat.
B1
Kickstand single-arm DB row
2-3
6-10/es
2111
5-7
2min
Set up in a kickstand position with most of your weight centred over the front leg and use your opposite hand for support. Maintain a stable tripod foot, soften the standing leg knee and sit back into the hip. Inhale as you row the dumbbell, leading your elbow toward your hip without bringing it higher than your trunk. Exhale as you lower the dumbbell with control into a long reach.
C1
Supported reverse lunge
2
4-8/es
2111
5-6
Use support on the same side as the standing leg and maintain a stable tripod foot on the standing leg. Inhale as you step back and lower into the lunge, keeping most of your weight over the front leg. Exhale as you press firmly through the front foot and return to standing. Work within a comfortable range.
C2
Standing DB front raise
2
6-10
2111
5-6
1min 30s
Stand tall with ribs atop hips and maintain a strong grip on the dumbbells. Keep your elbows slightly soft. Inhale as you raise the dumbbells in front of you to approximately shoulder height. Exhale as you slowly lower with control.
D1
Kickstand banded Pallof press
2
6-10/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
Kneeling banded face pull
2
6-10
2121
Long band
1min 30s
Set up in a kneeling position with the band anchored securely at shoulder height and maintain a stacked position with ribs atop hips. Inhale as you pull the band toward your ears, leading with your elbows out to the sides. Exhale as you slowly return with control.
day 2
WARM-UP
Exercise
sets
reps / time
video
COACHING CUE
Frog rockback
1-2
6-8
Set up on all fours with your feet wider than your knees. Inhale as you push your hips back, sitting into a comfortable stretch through the hips. Exhale as you return to the starting position.
90/90 lateral reach with ball
1-2
6-8/es
Sit in a comfortable 90/90 position, or on a bench if preferred. Inhale as you reach the ball overhead and laterally, creating length through the side of your body. Exhale as you slowly return.
Wide stance hinge with ball
1-2
8-10
Stand in a comfortable wide stance and hug the ball in front of your body. Maintain full foot contact and soft knees. Inhale as you push your hips back, feeling length through your hamstrings. Exhale as you press firmly through your feet and return to standing.
FULL BODY STRENGTH
ORDER
Exercise
sets
reps
tempo
rpe
rest
video
COACHING CUE
A1
1-DB Sumo deadlift
2-3
4-8
2121
5-7
2min
Set up in a wide stance with full foot contact. Push your hips back as you reach toward the dumbbell, keeping your arms long and shoulders positioned over the weight. Inhale as you press through your feet and use your legs and hips to stand tall. Exhale as you slowly lower the dumbbell, sitting your hips back and maintaining a long, neutral spine throughout.
B1
Banded straight arm lat pulldown
2-3
6-10
2111
Long band
2min
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
Low elevation supported step-up
2
6-10/es
2121
5-6
Choose a lower step height than in previous weeks, or adjust the height depending on what feels comfortable. Use support as needed and maintain a stable tripod foot on the working leg. Inhale as you press firmly through the foot and step up, extending your hip while keeping the knee slightly soft. Exhale as you lower with control, maintaining your weight through the working leg.
C2
Seated Arnold press
2
6-10
2121
5-6
1min 30s
Sit tall with your feet firmly grounded and maintain ribs stacked over hips. Start with the dumbbells in front of you, palms facing toward your body. Inhale as you rotate the arms outward and press the dumbbells overhead. Exhale as you lower with control, rotating the palms back toward you as you return to the starting position.
D1
Block-elevated bird dog
2
6-10/es
2121
BW
Set up on all fours with one knee elevated on a block. Maintain a stable pelvis and ribs atop hips. Inhale as you extend the opposite leg back and the opposite arm forward. Exhale as you bring your hand and knee toward each other into a cross-connect, feeling your deep core gently engage. Inhale as you extend back out with control. Keep the movement slow and controlled throughout.
D2
Standing banded diagonal hip abduction
2
8-12/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
Side-lying hip shift with ball
1-2
6-8/es
Set up side-lying in a 90/90 position with your feet against the wall and a ball between your knees. Maintain gentle pressure into the ball. Inhale as you shift the top hip forward, allowing the knee to reach past the bottom knee. Exhale as you slowly return, keeping the movement driven from the hip.
Lateral step out hinge
1-2
8-10/es
Start with your feet together. Inhale as you step laterally, maintaining full foot contact and pushing your hips back into a hinge. Exhale as you press through the stepping foot and return to the starting position.
Kickstand hip airplane
1-2
6-8/es
Set up in a kickstand position with most of your weight over the front leg and the rear toes lightly supported. Hinge into the standing hip with a soft knee. Inhale as you lead with the hip and rotate inward. Exhale as you press through the standing foot and rotate the hip back open.
FULL BODY STRENGTH
order
Exercise
sets
reps
tempo
rpe
rest
video
COACHING CUE
A1
1-DB Sumo RDL
2-3
4-8
4111
5-7
2min
Set up in a wide stance with one dumbbell between your legs and toes slightly turned out, keeping your knees tracking in the same direction as your toes. Hold the dumbbell with long arms and keep it close to your body. Inhale as you slowly push your hips back, maintaining a soft bend in your knees and lowering only as far as feels comfortable. Exhale as you press firmly through your feet and drive your hips forward to return to standing.
B1
1/2 kneeling banded lat pulldown
2-3
6-10/es
2111
Long band
2min
Set up in a half-kneeling position with the band anchored securely above you and maintain ribs atop hips. Reach your arms overhead and inhale as you pull the band toward your upper chest, engaging your lats and bringing your elbows slightly below shoulder height. Exhale as you slowly extend your arms overhead, controlling the return. Complete the prescribed reps, then switch your half-kneeling stance and repeat on the opposite side.
C1
Kickstand banded Pallof press
2
6-10/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.
C2
Seated single-arm DB overhead press
2
6-10/es
2111
5
1min 30s
Sit tall with your feet firmly grounded and ribs atop hips. Hold the dumbbell with your elbow approximately at shoulder height. Inhale as you press the dumbbell straight overhead. Exhale as you lower with control, maintaining your stacked position throughout.
D1
Suitcase march
2
6-10/es
Controlled
5
Stand tall with ribs atop hips and gentle core engagement, holding the weight on one side and extending the opposite arm slightly for balance. Inhale as you lift one knee, keeping your pelvis level and resisting any side-to-side movement. Exhale as you slowly return the foot to the floor.
D2
Standing banded single-arm triceps extension
2
6-10/es
2121
Long band
1min 30s
Anchor the band securely in front of you, slightly below shoulder height, and stand with your non-working hand supported. Keep your knees soft, gently shift your hips back and lean forward into a comfortable position. Inhale as you extend your working arm behind you, straightening your elbow and engaging your triceps. Exhale as you slowly return to the starting position with control. Keep your upper arm stable throughout the movement.