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5 Best Exercises To Strengthen The Pelvic Floor

Posted February 13, 2021 by Williams 2378 0 0

The pelvic floor – three words that women (especially pregnant women) hear a lot, often accompanied by the advice to ‘Do your Kegels’. These have been the go-to move to

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So recently I had someone come in with some prolapse issues. When we got around to looking at her pelvic floor contraction, what we discovered was, although she’d been diligently doing her Kegels, instead of creating a lift through the pelvic floor, she’d actually been bearing down. Something that is probably not the most helpful thing to do when we’re talking about prolapse. 

We had to spend a lot of time troubleshooting together and it took a few different tries and multiple cues in order for her to feel the difference between a pelvic floor lift, and bearing down. One is going to help create strength around the pelvic floor, and the other is just going to cause WAY too much pressure if done repetitively.

We ended up settling on this trick which I think worked really well. It’s also a great way to get some feedback if you’re not keen on having an internal assessment, or sticking a thumb into your own vagina.

One mantra I will always stick to is: it’s not about the exercise you’re doing it, it’s about HOW you’re doing it. And that’s why I often spend a lot of time really breaking movements down, because if you’re not doing something correctly, you may as well not do it at all. To a certain extent.

#pelvicphysio #pelvicfloor #pelvicpt #womensfitness #womenshealth
bellystrongmom
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So recently I had someone come in with some prolapse issues. When we got around to looking at her pelvic floor contraction, what we discovered was, although she’d been diligently doing her Kegels, instead of creating a lift through the pelvic floor, she’d actually been bearing down. Something that is probably not the most helpful thing to do when we’re talking about prolapse. We had to spend a lot of time troubleshooting together and it took a few different tries and multiple cues in order for her to feel the difference between a pelvic floor lift, and bearing down. One is going to help create strength around the pelvic floor, and the other is just going to cause WAY too much pressure if done repetitively. We ended up settling on this trick which I think worked really well. It’s also a great way to get some feedback if you’re not keen on having an internal assessment, or sticking a thumb into your own vagina. One mantra I will always stick to is: it’s not about the exercise you’re doing it, it’s about HOW you’re doing it. And that’s why I often spend a lot of time really breaking movements down, because if you’re not doing something correctly, you may as well not do it at all. To a certain extent. #pelvicphysio #pelvicfloor #pelvicpt #womensfitness #womenshealth
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/10
I reached a milestone last week. 40K subscribers on YouTube 🙌🏽 I’m consciously trying to be proud of this achievement, because honestly, it’s been 6 years and a long slog, and sometimes I feel like I should be doing better than I am. 

But as my husband likes to remind me, not a lot of creators get to this point. So I’m grateful that Belly Strong is still growing, and really happy to see how it’s changing things for your pregnancy and postpartum recovery journeys. 

I’ve been enjoying some rare tjme off for the past week, but I’ll be back with my usual Live workouts next Tuesday in the app ✨ 

#prenatalfitness #pregnancyworkout #postpartumfitness #womensfitness #fitmom
bellystrongmom
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I reached a milestone last week. 40K subscribers on YouTube 🙌🏽 I’m consciously trying to be proud of this achievement, because honestly, it’s been 6 years and a long slog, and sometimes I feel like I should be doing better than I am. But as my husband likes to remind me, not a lot of creators get to this point. So I’m grateful that Belly Strong is still growing, and really happy to see how it’s changing things for your pregnancy and postpartum recovery journeys. I’ve been enjoying some rare tjme off for the past week, but I’ll be back with my usual Live workouts next Tuesday in the app ✨ #prenatalfitness #pregnancyworkout #postpartumfitness #womensfitness #fitmom
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/10
If you’ve ever done one of my classes, in person or online, this will look very familiar to you!

We have two halves to our pelvis, and these two parts need to be able to move independently and relative to one another. There’s not a ton of movement, but the movement we do have is really important. 

Problems come in when the pelvis can only move as a single unit - tipping forwards or backwards or side to side. That’s when other structures need to take over, and suddenly we’re getting back pain or hip snapping or urinary incontinence. So many things can be improved with fixing how the pelvis works.

I love adding shifts to exercises. The thing you want to make sure of though, is that you’re not achieving the movement by compensating from somewhere else. For example, by letting the lower back arch or the abdominals spill forwards or rotating the hips.

I think shifts are also an amazing thing to incorporate into any prep work for labour and delivery, postpartum recovery and pelvic floor rehab. Hands down one of my favourite moves as a pelvic physio.

#pelvicphysio #pelvicfloor #pregnancy #postpartum #womensfitness
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
•
Follow
If you’ve ever done one of my classes, in person or online, this will look very familiar to you! We have two halves to our pelvis, and these two parts need to be able to move independently and relative to one another. There’s not a ton of movement, but the movement we do have is really important. Problems come in when the pelvis can only move as a single unit - tipping forwards or backwards or side to side. That’s when other structures need to take over, and suddenly we’re getting back pain or hip snapping or urinary incontinence. So many things can be improved with fixing how the pelvis works. I love adding shifts to exercises. The thing you want to make sure of though, is that you’re not achieving the movement by compensating from somewhere else. For example, by letting the lower back arch or the abdominals spill forwards or rotating the hips. I think shifts are also an amazing thing to incorporate into any prep work for labour and delivery, postpartum recovery and pelvic floor rehab. Hands down one of my favourite moves as a pelvic physio. #pelvicphysio #pelvicfloor #pregnancy #postpartum #womensfitness
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/10
I posted this a while ago on my story, but I had to immortalise it on my timeline. My 5 year-old can now very adeptly navigate to the camera and take purposeful photos, but I still don’t understand why we need to have 300 of the same photo. Insights appreciated 😂

#parentlife #parentproblems #momlife #kidsarefunny #momoftwo
bellystrongmom
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I posted this a while ago on my story, but I had to immortalise it on my timeline. My 5 year-old can now very adeptly navigate to the camera and take purposeful photos, but I still don’t understand why we need to have 300 of the same photo. Insights appreciated 😂 #parentlife #parentproblems #momlife #kidsarefunny #momoftwo
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/10
I pulled some of these exercises from our 45-minute live Pilates session that we had this morning on the app. Just 1 minute per exercise will leave you FEELING it.

I’be been struggling with back pain recently. Ever since that softly incident I told you guys about a while ago. It just keeps coming back. Definitely feeling better after this morning though. Maybe it’s an age thing, because I swear it never used to take this long for things to recover 😂

#backpain #pilates #womensfitness #fitmom #coreworkout
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
•
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I pulled some of these exercises from our 45-minute live Pilates session that we had this morning on the app. Just 1 minute per exercise will leave you FEELING it. I’be been struggling with back pain recently. Ever since that softly incident I told you guys about a while ago. It just keeps coming back. Definitely feeling better after this morning though. Maybe it’s an age thing, because I swear it never used to take this long for things to recover 😂 #backpain #pilates #womensfitness #fitmom #coreworkout
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/10
I had someone ask me in the app what I thought were the best exercises to strengthen really weak arms, and this is what I came up with!

I think shoulder girdle stability is so important to create a stable base, before even thinking about toning biceps, triceps etc. That’s why I really like elbow plank and full plank positions. Even just holding a plank can be a great strengthening exercise for the upper body (as well as the core). 

That takes care of the ‘push’, and then we’ve got the ‘pull’ with the TRX. You could even work on pulling movements using a resistance band anchored to a door. Doing things like rows, flies, and tricep extensions.

What are your favourites? I’d love to know! 👀 

#womensfitness #fitnessapp #upperbody #muscletone #fitmom
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
•
Follow
I had someone ask me in the app what I thought were the best exercises to strengthen really weak arms, and this is what I came up with! I think shoulder girdle stability is so important to create a stable base, before even thinking about toning biceps, triceps etc. That’s why I really like elbow plank and full plank positions. Even just holding a plank can be a great strengthening exercise for the upper body (as well as the core). That takes care of the ‘push’, and then we’ve got the ‘pull’ with the TRX. You could even work on pulling movements using a resistance band anchored to a door. Doing things like rows, flies, and tricep extensions. What are your favourites? I’d love to know! 👀 #womensfitness #fitnessapp #upperbody #muscletone #fitmom
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
6/10
I left last week’s Live class trying to avoid laughing for the next few days. That’s when you know you’ve had a good ab workout 🫠

I love it when I see progress. And I’m talking about in others. In the past week or so, I don’t know what it is, but some people in my group classes have just seemed to improve in leaps and bounds overnight. It probably hasn’t been that fast, and more of a culmination of what we’ve been working on for several weeks, but recently I’ve really SEEN it and it’s made me feel like a proud mama bear. 

So my only message today is: Stick with it. Keep going to the class or following that video. Keep pouring into yourself, if only for an hour a week. Because it does change things. 

#pilates #onlinepilates #fitnessapp #womensfitness #fitmom
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
•
Follow
I left last week’s Live class trying to avoid laughing for the next few days. That’s when you know you’ve had a good ab workout 🫠 I love it when I see progress. And I’m talking about in others. In the past week or so, I don’t know what it is, but some people in my group classes have just seemed to improve in leaps and bounds overnight. It probably hasn’t been that fast, and more of a culmination of what we’ve been working on for several weeks, but recently I’ve really SEEN it and it’s made me feel like a proud mama bear. So my only message today is: Stick with it. Keep going to the class or following that video. Keep pouring into yourself, if only for an hour a week. Because it does change things. #pilates #onlinepilates #fitnessapp #womensfitness #fitmom
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
7/10
And with that our 5-day Postpartum Glow-Up challenge is DONE! I think the general sentiment is that everyone learned a lot, and ended up with some really great take-home tips and exercises to incorporate into their routines. 

A lot of you talked about how your view of diastasis recti has shifted. It really is an eye-opening feeling when you get that it’s not just about the abs, but the entire system. 

I will definitely run this again in the future, so stay tuned for updates ✌🏽

#postpartum #womensfitness #momfit #momlife #fitmoms
And with that our 5-day Postpartum Glow-Up challenge is DONE! I think the general sentiment is that everyone learned a lot, and ended up with some really great take-home tips and exercises to incorporate into their routines. 

A lot of you talked about how your view of diastasis recti has shifted. It really is an eye-opening feeling when you get that it’s not just about the abs, but the entire system. 

I will definitely run this again in the future, so stay tuned for updates ✌🏽

#postpartum #womensfitness #momfit #momlife #fitmoms
And with that our 5-day Postpartum Glow-Up challenge is DONE! I think the general sentiment is that everyone learned a lot, and ended up with some really great take-home tips and exercises to incorporate into their routines. 

A lot of you talked about how your view of diastasis recti has shifted. It really is an eye-opening feeling when you get that it’s not just about the abs, but the entire system. 

I will definitely run this again in the future, so stay tuned for updates ✌🏽

#postpartum #womensfitness #momfit #momlife #fitmoms
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
•
Follow
And with that our 5-day Postpartum Glow-Up challenge is DONE! I think the general sentiment is that everyone learned a lot, and ended up with some really great take-home tips and exercises to incorporate into their routines. A lot of you talked about how your view of diastasis recti has shifted. It really is an eye-opening feeling when you get that it’s not just about the abs, but the entire system. I will definitely run this again in the future, so stay tuned for updates ✌🏽 #postpartum #womensfitness #momfit #momlife #fitmoms
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
8/10
Come at me if you must, but for the last 10 years, I have avoided hair trims like the plague. If I notice any split ends I’ll trim them myself, but I actually can’t remember the last time I went to a hairdresser.

Growing up, all I wanted was hair down to my butt. Unfortunately, with my hair texture and mostly just not knowing what to do with it, I never got there. Every time I went to a hair salon, they’d tell me ‘We need to cut this much off in order to keep your hair healthy’ (it was always a huge amount!) and I believed them. Looking back, I don’t think even they knew how to best manage my hair. 

But for me, this is what has made the biggest difference:

1. Wash and deep condition hair once a week.
2. Wear a protective style and leave it the h*ll alone. 
3. Moisturise daily with leave-in conditioner and oil (been using @retrorichcompany for a few years now)
4. Give my ends a light dusting with the scissors, maybe twice a year.

Low manipulation. Keep it hydrated. And do what works for ME. 

I’m treating my daughter’s hair the same way, and not just so I can live vicariously through her, I promise 😂

#haircare #momlife #hairgrowth #feelingfabulous #selfcare
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
•
Follow
Come at me if you must, but for the last 10 years, I have avoided hair trims like the plague. If I notice any split ends I’ll trim them myself, but I actually can’t remember the last time I went to a hairdresser. Growing up, all I wanted was hair down to my butt. Unfortunately, with my hair texture and mostly just not knowing what to do with it, I never got there. Every time I went to a hair salon, they’d tell me ‘We need to cut this much off in order to keep your hair healthy’ (it was always a huge amount!) and I believed them. Looking back, I don’t think even they knew how to best manage my hair. But for me, this is what has made the biggest difference: 1. Wash and deep condition hair once a week. 2. Wear a protective style and leave it the h*ll alone. 3. Moisturise daily with leave-in conditioner and oil (been using @retrorichcompany for a few years now) 4. Give my ends a light dusting with the scissors, maybe twice a year. Low manipulation. Keep it hydrated. And do what works for ME. I’m treating my daughter’s hair the same way, and not just so I can live vicariously through her, I promise 😂 #haircare #momlife #hairgrowth #feelingfabulous #selfcare
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
9/10
10 years ago it was so much harder to find an online class. I think Covid changed a lot, and this one change might have been for the better, because now you can access classes from literally anywhere in the world. 

I actually really love hearing from women all over who have done my workouts. It reminds me that what I’ve created is so much bigger than myself. Not that reach = meaning, but I find a lot of satisfaction in being able to train people from so many different walks of life.

I’d love for you to join me on the app. You’ll get 7 days free when signing up, and if you use the code THISMOMCAN20 you’ll get an additional 20% off if you decide to continue ✨

#onlinepilates #coreworkout #postpartum #fitmom #womensfitness
bellystrongmom
bellystrongmom
•
Follow
10 years ago it was so much harder to find an online class. I think Covid changed a lot, and this one change might have been for the better, because now you can access classes from literally anywhere in the world. I actually really love hearing from women all over who have done my workouts. It reminds me that what I’ve created is so much bigger than myself. Not that reach = meaning, but I find a lot of satisfaction in being able to train people from so many different walks of life. I’d love for you to join me on the app. You’ll get 7 days free when signing up, and if you use the code THISMOMCAN20 you’ll get an additional 20% off if you decide to continue ✨ #onlinepilates #coreworkout #postpartum #fitmom #womensfitness
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
10/10
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