The First Workout After Baby: What to Expect and When to Start
You're standing in your bedroom, staring at your workout clothes that have been gathering dust for months. Your baby is finally napping, and for the first time in what feels like forever, you have a moment to yourself. You think, "Maybe today's the day I start working out again."
But then the questions flood in. Is it too soon? Will it hurt? What if I make something worse? What if my body just... can't do this anymore? Should I just jump back into workouts I did pre-pregnancy?
Mama, if you've had these thoughts, you're not alone. The journey back to fitness for moms after having a baby is filled with uncertainty, fear, and a whole lot of conflicting advice. One person tells you to wait six weeks. Another says you should be "bouncing back" immediately. Your body is telling you something completely different.
We've worked with over 300 pregnant and postpartum mamas, and here's what we know for sure: there's no one-size-fits-all answer. But there is a path forward that honors your body, respects your recovery, and helps you feel strong again. Let's talk about what that first workout after baby really looks like, and how to start your postnatal fitness journey safely and confidently.
The Challenge So Many Mamas Face
Let's paint a picture. You're about eight weeks postpartum. You got cleared by your doctor at your six-week checkup with the standard "you're good to go" message. But when you think about actually working out, your mind races with worry.
Your core doesn't feel like your own. When you laugh or sneeze, you're not entirely confident about what might happen. Your energy levels are unpredictable at best. And honestly? The idea of jumping back into your pre-pregnancy workout routine feels completely overwhelming.
Maybe you've tried. Maybe you attempted a workout video and felt completely lost when the instructor didn't acknowledge that you just had a baby. Maybe you went for a run and felt heaviness or pressure that made you stop immediately. Maybe you did some crunches and felt your belly dome outward in a way that definitely didn't feel right.
Here's what we hear from mamas all the time: "I just don't know where to start. Everyone says to listen to my body, but my body is speaking a language I don't understand anymore."
We get it. Through our work with hundreds of postpartum women, we've seen this confusion and fear firsthand. The traditional fitness world isn't designed for the postpartum body. Most workout programs ignore the fact that pregnancy and birth fundamentally change your body in ways that require specific, intentional recovery.
What to Actually Expect in Your First Workout After Baby
Before we dive into when to start, let's talk about what that first workout should actually look like. Spoiler alert: it's probably different from what you're imagining.
It Will Feel Different (And That's Okay)
Your first postpartum workout isn't about intensity. It's about reconnection. You're relearning how to engage muscles that have been stretched, weakened, or compensating for nine months. Your core, your pelvic floor, your breath, your posture - everything has shifted.
Expect to feel weaker than you remember. Expect movements that used to be easy to feel challenging. Expect to need modifications you never needed before. This isn't failure. This is normal. It's better to build back slowly than rush into things and ultimately cause more harm than good in the long run.
You Might Feel Emotional
Don't be surprised if tears come during or after your workout. Moving your body again can bring up a lot of emotions. Relief. Frustration. Grief for your old body. Joy at feeling strong again. All of it is valid. We literally used to be a shoulder for mamas to cry on when we trained clients IRL.
Your Pelvic Floor Will Have Opinions
Pay close attention to how your pelvic floor feels during and after exercise, especially after! Often clients say they felt heaviness the days after the workout and didn't actually tie the two together. If you experience heaviness, pressure, leaking, or any discomfort in your pelvic area, that's your body telling you to modify or stop. These aren't signs to push through. They're signs to listen.
Rest Will Be Part of Your Workout
Your first workouts might be short. Really short. Ten minutes might be plenty. And you know what? That's perfect. Quality over quantity always wins in postpartum recovery.
When to Start: A Timeline for Safe Return to Exercise
Here's the truth: the "six-week clearance" is a starting point, not a green light to jump back into high-intensity workouts. Let's break down what a safe return to fitness actually looks like.
Week 1-2: Immediate Postpartum
Even in those first days after birth, gentle movement matters. We're talking:
- Deep breathing exercises to reconnect with your core
- Gentle pelvic floor awareness (not kegels yet, just noticing)
- Short walks when you feel ready
- Gentle stretches for areas that feel tight
This isn't "working out." This is the beginning of the healing process.
Week 2-6: Early Postpartum
If you're feeling ready and have no complications, you can gradually increase:
- Walking duration and frequency
- Gentle core breathing exercises
- Pelvic floor connection work
- Light stretching and mobility work
Red flags to watch for: increased bleeding, pain, heaviness in your pelvic area, or extreme fatigue. If you experience any of these, pull back and consult your healthcare provider.
Week 6+: After Medical Clearance
This is where many mamas think they should jump back into intense workouts. Please don't. Even with clearance, your body needs a graduated approach, especially for C-section mamas.
Start with foundational postnatal fitness work:
- Core restoration exercises specifically designed for postpartum recovery (check out our 5-day Core Restore program).
- Pelvic floor strengthening
- Full-body strength training with appropriate modifications
- Gradual return to cardio based on how your body responds
Month 3-6 and Beyond
As you build strength and confidence, you can progressively increase intensity. But this timeline is highly individual. Some mamas are ready for higher-intensity work at three months. Others need six months or more. Both are completely normal.
The key is listening to your body's feedback and working with programs designed for postpartum recovery, like those in our Virtual Gym for moms.
Starting Your First Postpartum Workout
Ready to take that first step? Here's how to approach your first workout after baby in a way that sets you up for success:
Get a Pelvic Floor Assessment
Before you start any structured exercise program, we highly recommend seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist. They can assess your specific needs, check for diastasis recti, and give you personalized guidance. Think of it as your roadmap for safe return to exercise.
If that's not accessible to you right now, pay very close attention to the warning signs we mentioned earlier. Your body will tell you if you're doing too much too soon.
Start With Your Breath
This sounds simple, but it's foundational. Relearn diaphragmatic breathing and how to coordinate your breath with core engagement. This is the basis of all functional movement and core strength.
Try this: Lie on your back with your knees bent. Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Breathe in through your nose, letting your belly rise. Breathe out through your mouth, gently engaging your deep core muscles as your belly falls. Do this for 5-10 breaths, several times a day.
This simple exercise is rebuilding the connection between your breath, your core, and your pelvic floor. It's not flashy, but it's essential.
Choose Postpartum-Specific Workouts
Generic fitness programs won't cut it in those early postpartum months. You need workouts that:
- Include proper warm-ups focused on core and pelvic floor connection
- Offer modifications for different recovery stages
- Avoid exercises that increase intra-abdominal pressure too soon
- Progress gradually in a way that respects postpartum healing
Our Virtual Gym offers exactly this. Programs specifically designed by trainers who understand the postpartum body, with clear progressions and modifications based on where you are in your recovery.
Schedule It Like You Mean It
Here's where the rubber meets the road. You need to actually put your workout time on your calendar. Treat it like a doctor's appointment. It's a non-negotiable time for your health.
Start small. Maybe it's three 15-minute sessions per week. Maybe it's two 20-minute sessions. Whatever you commit to, make it realistic for your current life. You can always add more as you build consistency.
Check In With Your Body
Before, during, and after every workout, do a quick body scan:
- How does your pelvic floor feel? Any pressure or heaviness?
- Is your core engaging properly or are you seeing doming/coning?
- Are you holding your breath or breathing well?
- How's your energy level after the workout?
These check-ins help you learn your body's new language and make smart decisions about progression.
The Bottom Line
Mama, here's what we want you to know: Your body just did something incredible. It grew and birthed a human being. That strength doesn't disappear just because you're not lifting heavy weights or running miles right now.
The journey back to fitness after baby isn't about "getting your body back." That phrase needs to be retired. Your body is right here with you. It's different now, yes. But different doesn't mean less than. It means evolved. Transformed. Stronger in ways that matter.
Your first workout after baby doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't have to look like anything other than what feels right for you. It can be ten minutes of breathing exercises and gentle stretches. It can be a slow walk around your neighborhood. It can be modified strength work that focuses on rebuilding your foundation.
What matters is that you start. That you show up for yourself with the same compassion and patience you show your baby. That you give your body the specialized care it needs during this recovery period.
Self-care for moms isn't selfish. It's not taking time away from your baby. It's giving yourself the strength and energy to show up fully for your family. And that starts with honoring where your body is right now and giving it what it needs to heal and grow stronger.
The ABC Fit Virtual Gym is here to support you through every step of this journey. No judgment. No pressure. No unrealistic expectations. Just expert-designed postnatal fitness programs that meet you where you are and guide you safely back to feeling strong, confident, and capable.
You don't have to figure this out alone. You don't have to wonder if you're doing it right or worry that you're making mistakes. Our programs are built on years of experience working with over 300 postpartum mamas. We know what works, what doesn't, and how to help you rebuild your strength safely.
Ready to start your postpartum fitness journey with support every step of the way?
Join the ABC Fit Collective Virtual Gym today and get access to specialized postpartum programs designed specifically for your recovering body. Start where you are. Progress at your pace. Feel strong again.
Because you deserve to feel good in your body. You deserve expert guidance. You deserve a community that understands.
And mama? You're ready. Let's do this together.











