Are squats safe when you are pregnant? YES**
Should you do squats then you are pregnant? YES**
(**Unless for a medical reason you have been advised not to by your healthcare provider, pain limits you or baby is in a non-optimal position after 30 weeks)
Squats have multiple benefits including:
-Improved pelvic floor strength
-Strength for active birth positions
-Preparation for labour
-A peachy looking butt
How to squat…
-Start with your feet hip width apart and your toes pointed slightly outwards.
-Engage your pelvic floor and deep tummy muscles before you start.
-Bend your knees and push your butt, and your hips, out and down behind you as if you were sitting onto a chair (you can put a chair behind you if you are worried about actually falling backwards).
-Keep your weight on your heels.
-Bring your arms up in front of you as you squat down.
-Make sure your knees are over your toes, but not beyond them.
-Aim to try and get your thighs parallel to the floor but don’t panic if you can’t get this low.
-Keep your torso upright and your back straight.
-Straighten you legs and squeeze your butt to lift back up, bringing your arms back down by your side.
-Try to breathe in on your way down and out on your way up.
-Repeat regularly. 20 whilst brushing your teeth, 10 whilst the kettle boils your cuppa, 5 whilst you are stood at the photocopier, 20 whilst you brush your teeth again and BOOM thats 55 in one day!
P.S. Squats are amazing postnatally too and all of the above applies the same!