Can you really do any abwork worth a darn after the first trimester? I know you don't do anything supine and can do crunches (et al) on a slant board. Also, I'm thinking I've read that you can do planks and isometric exercises, etc. BUT, does it really matter?? When your abs are all stretched out like that, is the work doing any good? Or, is this the equivalent of a "sugar pill"? Just asking. Robin.
Ab work. Does it work????
- Thread starter JamminX3
- Start date
Stebby
Cathlete
Hi, Robin. I'm not an expert by any means, but it seems to me that any strengthening you are able to do will be of value. It may not necessarily help the appearance of your abs, but if you can keep them strong it will help your posture, will help prevent you from injuring yourself, and I'm sure it will make the birth easier!
Yep, yep, yep 
You probably won't make any progress on your abs while they're stretched out, and your fit pregnant abs probably aren't going to make you look any sexier in a crop top LOL... but muscles have memory, and you'll get them back to the same level or better much more quickly if you keep working them throughout your pregnancy.
Also, you want to keep up your ab strength because, in a normal delivery, if you engage your abs (navel to the spine!), you'll be able to push much more efficiently during labor.
I firmly believe that exercise during pregnancy has very little to do with looking good (although, for a lucky few that's an added bonus)... but it has EVERYTHING to do with feeling good, staying strong, and getting back in the groove after the baby is born.
Susan Hyde
Healthy Moms Certified Perinatal Instructor
You probably won't make any progress on your abs while they're stretched out, and your fit pregnant abs probably aren't going to make you look any sexier in a crop top LOL... but muscles have memory, and you'll get them back to the same level or better much more quickly if you keep working them throughout your pregnancy.
Also, you want to keep up your ab strength because, in a normal delivery, if you engage your abs (navel to the spine!), you'll be able to push much more efficiently during labor.
I firmly believe that exercise during pregnancy has very little to do with looking good (although, for a lucky few that's an added bonus)... but it has EVERYTHING to do with feeling good, staying strong, and getting back in the groove after the baby is born.
Susan Hyde
Healthy Moms Certified Perinatal Instructor
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jan-12-02 AT 11:08AM (Est)[/font][p]Hi. Thank you both for you're input. This is the 3rd forum that I've asked this question on, and it's the first time I'm convinced that it'll do any good. YES, muscle memory. I forgot about that!! LOL.
I knew I wouldn't be wearing a bikini while pregnant (can't now!), but I just wanted to be sure that toning would actually be taking place while my muscles were stretched out. Now, I get to research and do ab exercises other than crunches. FUN!
Thanks again, Robin.
I knew I wouldn't be wearing a bikini while pregnant (can't now!), but I just wanted to be sure that toning would actually be taking place while my muscles were stretched out. Now, I get to research and do ab exercises other than crunches. FUN!
Thanks again, Robin.