NEWS Family and Parenting News Peloton Launches Fitness Series for Pregnant Women By Tonya Russell Tonya Russell I am passionate about all aspects of health and wellness, and how they often intersect with race. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 26, 2021 Fact checked Verywell Family content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Share Tweet Email Print Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee Key Takeaways Peloton has launched prenatal strength and cycling classes taught by instructor Robin Arzón.Medical experts find exercise to be essential for delivery and postnatal health and fitness. Peloton instructor Robin Arzón is expecting, and she’s taking her fit family along for the ride. The cult-favorite fitness app has recently launched a series of prenatal classes led by Arzón. These range from cycling to strength classes, and they offer safe yet effective workouts for pregnant women. In an Instagram post, she says, “My entire training philosophy is supported by research. Resistance-based strength and interval training prepare women for an empowered birth (of all kinds) and the daily activities of motherhood. These classes are targeted to the pregnant athlete with foundational content for all trimesters and all levels.” Heather Jeffcoat, DPT When you’re delivering a baby, it’s like running a marathon. Having improved fitness going into delivery will not only make the delivery experience easier but also help with recovery. — Heather Jeffcoat, DPT Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, is a Peloton user and physical therapist, and she believes this was a smart move. “Encouraging women to stay active during pregnancy is essential to prepare them for delivery and postpartum activities. As a Peloton user, I find the instructors across the board to be clear, and I anticipate that they will provide modifications and encourage heart rate monitoring to keep mom and baby safe.” Peloton memberships are available for $12.99 per month (digital) or $39 per month (all-access). The former—a digital membership—does not require Peloton equipment. Cost is prohibitive for many people, especially with a new family member on the way, but the important thing is finding an exercise routine that works for you, whether you join a class or not. Exercise During Pregnancy Is Essential Jeffcoat, a Los Angeles-based PT specializing in women’s and pelvic health, says that the benefits of exercising while pregnant outweigh any potential risks; “When you’re delivering a baby, it’s like running a marathon. Having improved fitness going into delivery will not only make the delivery experience easier but also help with recovery." She says expecting mothers can prepare for the daily tasks of motherhood, from lifting the baby in the car seat to getting up from the floor, by building up adequate strength during pregnancy. 7 Ways to Feel Confident as a New Mom The strength and cycling options being offered by Arzón's program give Peloton’s 3 million subscribers a means to keep up with their fitness, in a manner that is deemed to be safe. The amount and intensity of exercise one can participate in while pregnant is dependent on fitness level prior to conception, and it should be approved by one’s OBGYN or physical therapist. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “The 2018 update to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans reinforces prior recommendations of at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity per week during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This activity should be spread throughout the week.” Robin Arzón, CPT Resistance-based strength and interval training prepare women for an empowered birth (of all kinds) and the daily activities of motherhood. — Robin Arzón, CPT Unfortunately, studies show that while many women increase indoor activity—like performing more household chores—while pregnant, most women don’t get the recommended amount of exercise during gestation. They do, however, increase activity postpartum. Peloton’s in-home classes may be the fix to uninterrupted exercise. Focus on How You Feel With any exercise routine, Jeffcoat recommends that mothers pay close attention to how they feel. "Care has to be taken to provide modifications in each trimester, keeping in mind relaxin’s influence and how this may lead to joint hyperextension or pain." The hormone relaxin is produced to prepare the body for childbirth, and since it loosens joints, it may make it easier for someone to experience an injury like an ankle sprain. Jeffcoat believes that Peloton should offer a pre-ride assessment to determine a safe level of intensity. She also suggests that mothers properly support their pelvic floor and always start by checking in with their body. "Do you have any aches or pains? If the answer is yes, does your exercise routine make them feel better, worse, or about the same? You should not participate in activities that exacerbate pain, and you should follow up with a physical therapist specializing in pregnancy care to make specific modifications for you," she says. Riders should take note of any pelvic pressure or heaviness while riding and always be sure they're working at the appropriate level for them, she adds. She explains that high-risk pregnancies need extra care, and mothers should not jump into routines unless cleared by their doctor. What This Means For You Jeffcoat stresses this point to her pregnant clients: “Don’t view the prenatal period as a time to significantly increase your fitness. Instead, focus on maintaining your fitness and developing strength that will help you postpartum.” Even if you'd prefer not to pay for a membership to Peloton or another service, there are plenty of totally free workouts you can do from the comfort of your home. Exercise During Pregnancy May Boost the Benefits of Breastfeeding Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Nascimento SL, Surita FG, Godoy AC, Kasawara KT, Morais SS. Physical activity patterns and factors related to exercise during pregnancy: a cross sectional study. PLoS ONE. 2015;10(7):e0133564. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0133564 Dehghan F, Haerian BS, Muniandy S, Yusof A, Dragoo JL, Salleh N. The effect of relaxin on the musculoskeletal system. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2014;24(4):e220-e229. doi:10.1111/sms.12149