Top 5 Beachbody Programs during Pregnancy

I'm currently 37 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby and have been thankful to stay very active and healthy for the majority of this pregnancy.  I love doing Beachbody workouts at home especially during pregnancy because for one its SO much more convenient.  As a mom of a toddler and a business owner I just simply don't have time to get to a gym.  Secondly, I also get sick of weird stares at the gym when I'm pregnant so I prefer to workout in the comfort of my own home.  Third, I love the consistency it provides me when I can follow a schedule or calendar like I can with these programs.  I find that when I just "wing it" I usually get way off track, take more days off than I should and don't see the results I want to ultimately.


I've been doing Beachbody home programs through my entire pregnancy and so I wanted to share my take on which ones I chose at each stage of my pregnancy and why it worked for me.  As a disclaimer, I suggest you consult with your physician before starting any type of fitness regimen during pregnancy.  I personally have quite a bit of experience with these programs and was working out consistently before I got pregnant and felt quite comfortable maintaining my routine.

Here's my TOP 5 Beachbody programs for pregnancy.

1. PiYo

I started PiYo during my 2nd trimester.  The reason I chose this program was because I LOVE it!! I had completed it several times pre-baby and I knew the results it could yield for me.  PiYo is an 8 week program that's a fusion of pilates, yoga, cardio, flexibility and strength training.  It really focuses on core strength which is vital during pregnancy.  My first pregnancy I suffered incredible back pain, sciatic pain {and aches and pains in general} and it wasn't until several months post pregnancy that I realized why.  My strength had completely deteriorated in my back, core and legs pre baby which led me to suffer even more during and after.  PiYo was one of the first programs I tried to get back in shape after my first baby and it was the ONLY thing that worked for me to get in shape and eliminate pain.  That being said it was an easy choice for me during this 2nd pregnancy because I knew how it could help me in the areas I needed it most. It was almost like preventative medicine for my body.

Here's what I like about it during my 2nd trimester:  It helped me get stronger in my core, toned my legs and arms and it's low impact.  Many of the core moves are prone (facing down vs. on your back) which is helpful during pregnancy. You can always follow a modifier but in general is very pregnancy friendly.  The flexibility and balance training in this workout is also fabulous for preparing your body for labor and delivery as well!!!  I also liked that there was no equipment needed as all the moves are body weight exercises.

Here's what I didn't like about it: A few of the workouts did have your standard ab exercises on the back so I had to skip those or modify with a pillow under my back.  I was however able to modify 90% of the moves to fit me during this point in my pregnancy.  3rd trimester you have to avoid several more of the core moves the bigger you get.

Overall this has been my favorite program to do during my pregnancy and I feel has been the most beneficial for me personally.  I have not had any back pain during this pregnancy and honestly feel this program is a HUGE reason why.

2.  21 Day Fix

I chose this program at the very beginning of my 3rd trimester (32-34 weeks).  The reason I picked it at this point in time was because I knew there would be more an emphasis on weights and strength and less bending over to do things like forward folds (in PiYo) which were getting harder with a bigger belly.

Here's what I liked: All the workouts are 30 minutes so very do-able with a busy life.  I liked the versatility of the workouts and that each day was working a different body part.  The workouts included upper body, lower body, cardio, total body, yoga, pilates, barre legs and the dirty 30 workout.  I also like the fact that the modifier was very easy to follow (I followed her about 80% of the time).

What I didn't like: The only thing I didn't like was the dirty 30 workout. I ended up skipping this workout in week 2 and 3 because several of the core moves were too hard for me to modify for my big belly.  I just substituted the barre legs workout for this one instead.

3. Autumn Calabrese Active Maternity via Beachbody On Demand

Autumn Calabrese, the creator of the 21 day fix is an expert in pregnancy fitness.  She created 3 workouts via Beachbody On demand specifically for pregnant women.  I have done these workouts sporadically throughout my entire pregnancy.

Here's what I like:  Autumn walks you through all the things your body is going through during each trimester workout. She offers a 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester workout which was helpful to see from an expert the different progressions made at each stage of pregnancy.  She also offers some great tips during the workouts.

What I didn't like:  Because its not a full program (just 3 workouts) there's no structure or calendar for it.  I like being told when/which workout I should do each day to stay on track. I would love it if Beachbody expanded this program and created more maternity workouts in this series with a calendar to follow.

4. Hammer & Chisel

Hammer & Chisel is an advanced 60 Day strength training program.  Its designed to chisel your muscles and help you gain strength.  I chose this program in my 1st trimester because I wanted to focus on over strength and muscle gains.

Here's what I liked: During your 1st trimester blood and hormones are surging which made it very difficult for me to do cardio based workouts. I would find myself out of breathe after a few minutes but with hammer and chisel being more strength/weight training it was much easier for me to stay on track.  It helped me gain muscle in my legs especially at the beginning of my pregnancy which looked great and helped me feel strong as my pregnancy progressed.

What I didn't like:  Its an advanced program so even while it was mostly strength training I still had several days I had to skip because I was so sick during my first trimester.

5. 3 Week Yoga Retreat

This is a beginners yoga program via Beachbody On Demand.  I have done several of these workouts interspersed throughout my pregnancy and am doing many of them now later in my 3rd trimester.

What I like about it: Yoga and flexibility training is great during pregnancy and I feel very refreshed and rejuvenated after I do these yoga workouts.

What I don't like:  I have a hard time staying still with the slow pace and movement of yoga in general so its harder for me to commit to doing the full 3 weeks in a row.


Overall I've been very happy with my choices of fitness during my pregnancy and I have felt all the benefits I think I possibly could!  I will continue to do a mixture of these 5 programs until the day I give birth (just a couple weeks left)!

If you have any questions or would like to try one or more of these programs I would recommend getting access to Beachbody On Demand All Access. This would give you EVERY program in the catalog, 21 day fix, PiYo, 3 week yoga retreat, Hammer & Chisel, Country Heat, Active Maternity and SO much more!  You can contact me at jackiepetersonfitness@gmail.com to get started or check out our All Access Pack here.

If you're looking for more tips on having a Fit Pregnancy you can get my free guide - Top 5 Secrets to a Fit Pregnancy and Fitting it All In here.   You can also join my private pregnancy support group via FB here for more support and accountability during your pregnancy including access to free workouts and nutrition tips.

xoxo

Jackie