4 Essential Exercises to Prepare for the Physical Demands of Parenthood

Kritie Alicea • January 13, 2025

Parenthood— It’s not just an emotional rollercoaster; it’s also a physical workout! Between holding your baby for hours on end, lifting them in and out of cribs, carrying all their seemingly endless belongings, and performing the daily squat-a-thon of picking up toys, you’ll quickly realize: that baby isn’t getting any lighter.


Don’t worry, though. At ABC Fit Collective, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to help you build the strength, stability, and stamina you need for the ultimate fitness challenge: parenthood. Whether you're expecting or already deep in the trenches of diaper duty, these four exercises will help you stay strong, pain-free, and ready to take on the day-to-day demands of raising a little one.


1. Strengthen Your Back (Because You’re Basically a Pack Mule Now)

New Paragraph Posture and alignment are everything. That’s why the “A” in ABC Fit Collective stands for Alignment. Whether you’re cradling your baby, carrying their diaper bag, or maneuvering that heavy car seat, your back muscles are doing a ton of work to keep you upright. Let’s make sure they’re strong enough for the job!


Here are two of our favorite back exercises:


Farmer’s (or Suitcase) Carries: Grab a heavy weight (or even a grocery bag full of cans) in one hand and walk with good posture. This mimics the way you’ll carry your baby’s endless gear—and helps your back muscles handle the load.


Bent-Over Rows: With a dumbbell in each hand, bend forward slightly and pull the weights toward your ribcage. This movement strengthens your upper back and ensures you’re ready to lift your baby without straining your lower back.

Strong back muscles will not only help you avoid injury but also keep you from walking around hunched over like Quasimodo after a long day of baby-wrangling.

2. Build Your Glutes (Because Squats Are Life)

From standing up while holding your baby to picking up toys for the hundredth time today, your glutes (a.k.a. butt muscles) are your powerhouse. If they’re not pulling their weight, your lower back is going to overcompensate—and trust us, back pain is the last thing you need.


Here are two glute-strengthening MVPs:


Squats: The ultimate functional exercise. Whether you’re getting off the couch or crouching to tie your toddler’s shoes, you’re essentially doing a squat. Practicing them with proper form will ensure you’re moving efficiently.


Deadlifts: Don’t let the name scare you! Deadlifts mimic the motion of picking something up off the floor (think toys, car seats, or an oddly heavy diaper bag).



Bonus: They’re amazing for your hamstrings and core, too.

By strengthening your glutes, you’ll protect your lower back and make all those repetitive parenting movements feel so much easier

3. Strengthen Your Shoulders (Because Babies Are Basically Human Dumbbells)

Your arms and shoulders are constantly at work—lifting your baby out of the crib, holding them for hours during cuddle time, or awkwardly maneuvering them into a car seat. These muscles need to be as strong as they are resilient.


Try these two shoulder-focused moves:


  • Overhead Presses: Using dumbbells, push the weights straight overhead. This strengthens your shoulders and mimics the movement of lifting your baby overhead for that irresistible airplane game.
  • Front Raises: Hold a dumbbell in each hand and lift them straight in front of you to shoulder height. This is perfect prep for all those times you’ll reach into awkward spaces to grab your baby or their gear.


With stronger shoulders, you’ll avoid overworking smaller muscles and reduce the risk of pesky shoulder pain—leaving you free to focus on what matters most: snuggles

4. Activate Your Core (Because It’s the Glue Holding Everything Together

Your core is the foundation of almost every movement you make. It stabilizes your spine, supports your back, and ensures your body stays aligned as you move. If you want to tackle parenting tasks like a pro, a strong core is non-negotiable.


Here are two simple yet effective core exercises:

  • Planks: The classic! Get into a push-up position and hold your body in a straight line. It strengthens your entire core, improves posture, and teaches your muscles to work together.
  • Side Planks: Turn it up a notch by balancing on one arm and one foot. Side planks are great for building 360-degree strength around your midsection, helping you tackle asymmetrical parenting moves (like carrying a baby on one hip) with ease.


Pro tip: Every exercise can be a core exercise if you engage your abs and focus on good form—whether you’re squatting, deadlifting, or pressing overhead.

Final Thoughts

Parenthood is the ultimate endurance event, and just like any event, preparation is key. By focusing on these four areas—your back, glutes, shoulders, and core—you’ll be ready to tackle all the physical demands of parenting with confidence and strength. Remember, at ABC Fit Collective, we’re here to make movement during maternity and motherhood safe, fun, and accessible for all.


Want more tips, workouts, and resources for your fitness journey? Follow us on Instagram for free weekly workouts.


Because motherhood is a workout, and you deserve to feel amazing every step of the way.

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