Pregnancy is one of the most powerful transformations your body will ever experience. It’s exciting, emotional, and yes, full of change, both physically, mentally and hormonally. At KBPT, we love supporting women through this pre natal stage of life, helping them feel strong, confident and connected to their bodies as everything shifts and grows.
One of the key players behind many of these changes is a hormone called relaxin. It’s often overlooked, but it plays a huge role in how you move, stretch and train during pregnancy. Understanding how it works can make all the difference between exercising confidently and feeling unsure about what’s safe.
So, let’s break it down: what relaxin does, how it affects your joints and muscles and how to adapt your workouts safely while keeping your body strong and supported.
What Exactly Is Relaxin and Why Does It Matter?
Relaxin is a naturally occurring hormone produced mainly by your ovaries and placenta during pregnancy. Its job? To prepare your body for childbirth.
It does this specially around your pelvis so your body can adapt and create space for your growing baby. Relaxin levels peak in the first trimester and continue to circulate throughout pregnancy, with another surge closer to labour.
This is all essential for birth, but relaxin doesn’t just affect your pelvis. It can also loosen connective tissue throughout your entire body. The result? You might feel more flexible but also a bit less stable. It’s a fascinating balance and one that calls for mindful, smart training rather than pushing yourself too far.
How Relaxin Changes the Way You Move
Many of our pregnancy clients in East London (from Mile End to Whitechapel) tell us they notice subtle changes in how their bodies feel. Movements that once felt effortless might now need more focus or support. That’s relaxin at work.
Here’s how it can show up in your workouts:
- Joint instability: Because relaxin loosens ligaments, joints like your knees, hips, ankles and spine can feel a little less secure. That means balance-based or high-impact movements can become more challenging.
- Reduced core stability: As your abdominal muscles stretch and your pelvis becomes more mobile, your core won’t provide the same level of support. This makes correct technique more important than ever.
- Increased risk of strain: Deep lunges, twisting moves or heavy weights can place more pressure on the joints and connective tissue. These movements aren’t off-limits forever but they do need to be adapted during pregnancy.
At KBPT, we help clients work with these changes rather than against them. Our pregnancy training programmes are designed to build strength, stability and confidence while keeping you moving safely and comfortably.
Safe and Smart Training Tips for Pregnancy
Pregnancy fitness is about support, not strain. The goal is to move in ways that strengthen your body and prepare it for what’s ahead. But also, whilst protecting your joints and maintaining good posture.
Here’s what we focus on with our prenatal clients across East London:
- Prioritise strength and stability
Focus on controlled, strength-based movements rather than high-impact exercise. Think squats, glute bridges, gentle resistance bands and functional strength work that supports daily movement. - Forget flexibility goals
With relaxin in play, your body already feels looser. Avoid pushing deeper into stretches or positions that overextend your joints. Instead, stick to gentle mobility work and comfortable ranges of motion. - Move with control
Steady, controlled movement is your friend. Skip any jerky or high-speed exercises that challenge your balance or coordination unnecessarily. - Tune in to your body
No two pregnancies feel the same. What feels fine one week might not feel right the next and that’s okay. Pay attention and make small adjustments as needed. - Work with a qualified trainer
Partnering with a pre- and postnatal qualified personal trainer in East London (like our KBPT team) ensures you get expert guidance tailored to every stage of your pregnancy. We’ll modify workouts, monitor progress and keep your sessions safe and enjoyable.
How We Support Pregnancy Clients at KBPT
At KBPT, we know that every pregnancy (and every woman) is different. That’s why we start with a full consultation, where we learn about your fitness background, current trimester and any medical guidance from your midwife or GP.
From there, your KBPT trainer builds a personalised pregnancy fitness plan designed to help you:
- Strengthen the glutes, hips and back to support posture
- Build gentle core and pelvic stability
- Maintain cardiovascular fitness through low-impact movement
- Prepare for labour and postnatal recovery
Our team also works closely with physiotherapists and women’s health specialists across Hackney, Victoria Park and Walthamstow to make sure your training fits seamlessly into your wider pregnancy care plan.
This isn’t about pushing through or ‘bouncing back.’ It’s about working with your body’s changes, supporting your wellbeing and helping you stay active and confident throughout your pregnancy journey.
Relaxin is one of pregnancy’s quiet heroes, making space for new life and reminding us just how adaptable the female body is. But it also asks you to slow down, listen and move with awareness.
At KBPT, we’re here to help you stay active, informed and empowered as your body transforms. Whether you prefer training in your home, at Victoria Park, or online, we’ll make sure every session leaves you feeling strong, safe and supported.
If you’re looking for pregnancy-safe personal training in East London, our all-female team is ready to guide you through every trimester. All with a mix of expertise, encouragement and that KBPT signature friendly energy.
Ready to Train Smart This Pregnancy?
Book your free 15-minute check-in call with KBPT today. Let’s create a pregnancy fitness plan that supports your body, boosts your confidence and prepares you for everything to come.
