How long until I can try a harder postpartum workout?

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‘How long postpartum till I can get back to HIIT like CrossFit™️, start running or do harder workouts and ab work like planks?’ This is something that comes up a lot for athletic Moms working on postpartum core recovery and strengthening. Y’all want to know when you can get to the hard stuff.

There is no exact number of weeks or test or criteria that say how long postpartum till you can HIIT.  But in fact you don’t need one – you actually just need to listen because your body is letting you know.

How long postpartum before you can do harder workouts?

Photo by Los Muertos Crew from Pexels

The first stages of strengthening after childbirth are to rebuild the foundations of core and pelvic floor function. Focussed breath-work and core reconnection are vital for a minimum of 6-10 weeks postpartum.

But how long postpartum before you can do harder workouts – lifting, running, pull ups and other HIIT?

The key is progression: layer upon layer to get where you want to be.

You’re finding a new base-line, a new starting point. Adapting exercises and movements is about layers. This is how personal trainers devise your programs! They start with lower intensity, lower reps or weights, shorter levers, less load. And gradually, as you master your technique and gets stronger, they add another progression to keep challenging your muscles, coordination and fitness.

MUTU System workouts are designed to progress you through gradual phases of restoration, bringing in intensive, fat burning but low-impact workouts along the way.

When there is a move that may be too much, we tell you how to assess that, and then how to adjust, adapt and gradually progress to where you want to be.

Exercises to avoid as you start out

With diastasis recti, core weakness, pelvic floor dysfunction, prolapse or hernia, or any abdominal or pelvic symptoms you’re not sure about, be cautious with the following moves.

Avoid for 6-10 weeks postpartum, then build and modify gradually, watching for red flags.

❌ Sit-ups or crunches; oblique twists; V-sits; planks; push-ups; jumping or skipping; burpees; running; heavy lifting; pull-ups; skipping; box jumps; rope climbs; any move requiring breath holding or Valsalva maneuver. ❌

Know that it’s not forever! You will progress, gradually building back to where you want to be. As you build back strength with MUTU, keep trying modified versions of harder moves with our expert guidance.

Listen to your body and respond to its signals and new boundaries as they change.

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Red flags – when you’re not ready

Red flags are your body telling you that what you’re doing, is asking too much – FOR NOW. Back up and get functioning first. You’ll get to where you want to be – just do it progressively.You’re not yet ready for high intensity interval training if:

⚠️ You ever leak urine (or worse) when working out (no – it is not OK to pee yourself).

⚠️ If you experience pelvic or lower back pain during or after exercise.

⚠️ You feel unstable in the core or like you’re ‘falling-out at the front’ when you perform any exercise.

⚠️ If your body shakes or trembles during any move or hold.

⚠️ There is bulging, straining, protrusion or doming anywhere on or from within your abdomen or pelvic floor when you work out.

Keep doing your core workouts!

Appropriate core exercise should go hand in hand with ‘working out’. It’s not something we do for a while and then forget about, once we’re back to the fun, sweaty, heavy stuff. Mindful core work needs to be at the forefront of your mind always, and that doesn’t matter if you’re lifting your 7kg baby out of her crib or an 80kg barbell at the gym. If you throw everything you’ve learnt about core out the window once you hit the running track or your local bootcamp, you will risk undoing all your hard work up until this point.

Putting the time into core exercise and making it part of your every day, for every day going forward as long as you want to be a healthy, happy, functional and strong human being, is the key to making this work and to being able to do the stuff you love.

Breathing work and core connection isn’t a temporary replacement for the juicy stuff, it’s fundamental to you *being able to do the juicy stuff*.

How long postpartum before you can do harder ab workouts?

You cannot strengthen or build muscles that aren’t functioning optimally. If your core or pelvic floor muscles are not working right, you can’t just make them stronger by planking or crunching. All that will happen instead is that other parts of your body, namely your abdomen, or pelvic floor, will take up the strain.

Or not. Because when intra abdominal pressure is just too much for these non-functioning muscles to withstand – they blow. Leaking urine, prolapse, hernia, diastasis recti, a pooching mummy tummy are signs of a core not working right. Not signs of a core that just needs to plank longer or lift more or run on regardless – a core that ISN’T WORKING.

If you get back to the hard intensive stuff too soon, you risk prolapse, hernia, diastasis recti, abdominal separation, or leaks. These are all signs that your core isn’t working properly.

The MUTU System program has been designed with your body in mind. The workouts are gradual and restorative, slowly introducing intensive, fat burning, low impact workouts, when you are ready. You’ll be taught how to assess yourself, how to know when you can ‘move on’ and how to adapt when your body isn’t strong enough just yet.

So to answer your original question. How long postpartum till you can do the hardcore exercise again? When your body isn’t giving you ANY of the warning signals above.

Get a core that truly works, and understand how to align it and use it when you move. then you can really move, any damn way you please.

Wendy Powell
Wendy Powell
Wendy Powell, Dip PT is Founder and CEO of MUTU System. Wendy is a highly certified postpartum specialist and master trainer, as well as a speaker, Femtech entrepreneur and mentor.

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45 comments

  1. Hi Wendy and the MuTu team!

    Do you have something created specifically for Crossfitters where you have mods to replace movements? Ex: if a warmup has planks- replace with <<fill in=”” this=”” blank=””>> or WOD has at sit ups- replace with <<fill in=”” this=”” blank=””>>. Do you have a recommendation list for all of the no-no movements or possibly know where I could search for this said list? In my mind I’m anticipating it looking something like the “CrossFit Mom exercises to avoid by trimester” poster. It would be also cool to hang it up in our gym. Need it to be user friendly.

    Thanks!!!

    1. Hi there,

      As I mention in this article it really is down to the individual and listening to your own body for signs and signals that it can’t cope with certain movements right now. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ answer or approach. My advice to postpartum women who want to get back to more intensive exercises like Crossfit, is to rebuild from the foundations up first. It can feel like a frustrating and long journey BUT in the long run you’ll benefit so much more and you’ll have a core and pelvic floor that can cope with what you ask of it.

      So if an exercise you’re doing makes you pee, makes your tummy bulge, makes you feel unstable, gives you back ache during of after, then you need to take a step back altogether from that exercise and focus solely on specific exercises and alignment adjustments (found in my 12 week program) in order to get you to where you want to be. Our aim is to help moms to do the stuff they need / want to do. To get you to a place where you’re strong enough to perform the exercises you want and the everyday movements you need to do without damaging yourself further.

      So the message here really is, it’s not about how can I modify a particular exercise, it’s what can I do so I’m strong enough to do this exercise again and how to maintain that strength.
      If you’re doing my program alongside a class, you can always fill in the blanks with the exercises and warm ups as you need to. Most importantly, listen to you body and look out for those warning signs that might mean you’re making things worse by pushing on through.

      🙂

  2. Hi Wendy, I just turned 35, and I have thirteen month old triplet boys. This was my first and last pregnancy. It was very high risk. I was on strict bed rest for the first 17 weeks due to placental issues, and basically very limited with all my movements throughout the pregnancy. I made it to 32 weeks 6 days. The boys all stayed in the NICU, but one of my boys required two emergency surgeries. They were the worst days of my life. Shoot forward thirteen months, and God bless the boys are doing well, but I am not. My entire life I have been a competitive athlete, but carrying triplets completely changed my body. I’ve been so focused on my boys health needs that I haven’t focused on mine. A few months back I started using our elliptical and would mix in pushups, planks, and all these different types of crunches, but my stomach is now sticking out more. I look pregnant. I had never heard of DR, but when I do the test, I can easily fit three fingers across and deep in my belly button and above and below it. I now know all the exercises I were doing were just making the DR worse. Would the twelve week program be good for me? Can I run or use the elliptical while using your program? I like to sweat and burn, and am tempted to join crossfit, but this clearly needs to be addressed first

    1. Hey Erin,

      Thanks for your message and congratulations on your lovely triplet boys!
      You will need to clear this with a medical professional first and foremost to check they are happy for you to embark on the program. But yes, the program can benefit you greatly and help you to strengthen your core and make essential alignment adjustments. The idea of the 12 week program is to include the sweaty intensive workouts that are safe for DR. You’re guided through at a pace that’s going to allow your body time to gain the strength it needs. By jumping into running and Crossfit while you have a weak and compromised core, you could potential make things worse and hinder your recovery. I understand the frustration and desire to get back to the exercise you love as quickly as possible, but taking your time will be so worth it in the long run. Focus on your core and gently rebuilding strength properly. 🙂

  3. Hi Wendy,

    I’ve been trying to do the exercises (still in phase 1) for a few years now and really having trouble closing my gap. Still at a 2-3 through midline and leak during moderate exercise (even sometimes during brisk walks). Being a busy Mom in a city that isn’t always conducive to being outside (more not than often), I have trouble getting just walking in. I have been doing Zumba for cardio and avoid any ab stuff that I should stay away from. Occasionally I’ll do the elliptical and barre online workouts (avoiding most ab nonos). Am I hurting my progress by casually doing these other routines? I get discouraged in lack of progress and trying other things to try to get the belly fat off, which is where most excess weight in my body is at. Thanks for any tips, so discouraged and don’t ever know what to try next!

    1. Hi Kerri,

      Are you working on your alignment as part of the program too? You should be aiming to walk every day as the alignment elements of the program are essential to your recovery. You should also be doing the core phases everyday to see a benefit. Some exercises may be too much for you, if you have any of the symptoms above in this blog doing any exercise, then you should step back and only do the gentle core phases and walking until you’ve built up enough strength in your core to be able to copy with these exercises. By taking it slowly, in the long run you’ll see better results. I know you feel disheartened, mama. But stick with this and really focus on the alignment and core before moving onto anything else high impact. If you’d like extra assistance you could ask your doctor to refer you to a Women’s Health Physical Therapist. xx

  4. I UNDERSTAND THAT I SHOULD NOT DO CERTAIN THINGS IF MY STOMACH PROTRUDES OR HANGS OUT WHEN I DO ANY EXERCIES. MY STOMACH DOES HANG WHEN I BEND OVER BUT NOT WHEN I DO PLANKS OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT I HAVE TO FOCUS ON ENGAGING MY STOMACH MUSCLES. MY QUESTION IS HOW DO I TELL IF IT IS LOOSE SKIN OR IF IT IS WEAK STOMACH MUSCLES? AND DOES YOUR PROGRAM HELP WITH FIXING LOOSE SAGGY SKIN IN ANY WAY?

  5. Hi Wendy, my last pregnancy was 4 years ago. I had DR with all three of my children and the biggest gap was with this last one. I had spent a year or so wearing a splint (now I’m coming to find that that was not necessarily the best thing!) when exercising and avoiding crunches etc. Eventually my DR closed up in the main torso section and the only spot I had left with DR was right at my belly button area. Since then, I started doing T25 and P90x3 but am finding that that spot near my belly button just won’t close up. I feel very strong in the core and when doing planks I don’t find doming of my abs (though, I do have floppy skin there ugh). I’m not having the symptoms described above. Can I continue doing P90x3 in conjunction with MuTu Focus? Are burpees still ok to do?

    1. @mahirasiddiqi:disqus If you don’t get any of the symptoms above and you feel comfortable doing these exercises then it’s probably okay. I’d recommend continuing Focus exercises every day to maintain the strength in your core. 🙂

  6. Hi Wendy!

    I as well am a little confused after reading your article. I just had my second c section 4 weeks ago and am just waiting till probably 6 weeks pp to exercise again. Throughout my pregnancies I’ve been squatting with weights and doing leg raises and push ups in order to tone my legs and chest. I don’t have any pelvic floor problems at all (having c sections probably helped) but I do notice a separation of abdominal muscles (DR). Does that mean I shouldn’t do hardcore fat burning cardio and lifting (in order to tone legs and butt) until my diastasis is healed?

  7. I understand the need for medical diagnosis and advice for a pelvic floor prolapse and/or umbilical hernia. I’ve gotten the diagnosis for both from my primary Dr., and been to several different physical therapists with some improvement. However, I haven’t seen the results I’d like to. Lower back and middle back pain, protruding belly button, pubic symphasis pain, feeling week through the core and heaviness in the pelvic floor. Because of my rural location and financial and schedule restraints, seeing a physical therapist regularly just isn’t an easy option for me.

    I’m hoping the MuTu Focus program will be helpful for me. Do you think I’ll be able to evaluate myself easily, both to find my baseline and then to track my progress? I am typically very good at tuning into my body to see know what is doing well and what isn’t.

  8. I understand the need for medical diagnosis and advice for a pelvic floor prolapse and/or umbilical hernia. I’ve gotten the diagnosis for both from my primary Dr., and been to several different physical therapists with some improvement. However, I haven’t seen the results I’d like to. Lower back and middle back pain, protruding belly button, pubic symphasis pain, feeling week through the core and heaviness in the pelvic floor. Because of my rural location and financial and schedule restraints, seeing a physical therapist regularly just isn’t an easy option for me.

    I’m hoping the MuTu Focus program will be helpful for me. Do you think I’ll be able to evaluate myself easily, both to find my baseline and then to track my progress? I am typically very good at tuning into my body to see know what is doing well and what isn’t.

  9. Wendy< Or someone:
    47 year old super fit male. Had a doctors. appointment and he tells me i have DR. On the web there is Too much info of what you can&#039t do. vs what you can do. Really bad news for me.. (i guess) i use Kettlebells, indian clubs, club bells, pilates, body weight and cycling. If i followed the info. on DR exercise, it would eliminate 80% of my exercises. Where&#039s the balance?!?

  10. Wendy< Or someone:
    47 year old super fit male. Had a doctors. appointment and he tells me i have DR. On the web there is Too much info of what you can’t do. vs what you can do. Really bad news for me.. (i guess) i use Kettlebells, indian clubs, club bells, pilates, body weight and cycling. If i followed the info. on DR exercise, it would eliminate 80% of my exercises. Where’s the balance?!?

  11. Wendy< Or someone:
    47 year old super fit male. Had a doctors. appointment and he tells me i have DR. On the web there is Too much info of what you can't do. vs what you can do. Really bad news for me.. (i guess) i use Kettlebells, indian clubs, club bells, pilates, body weight and cycling. If i followed the info. on DR exercise, it would eliminate 80% of my exercises. Where's the balance?!?

  12. How do you feel about back bends Wendy? In yoga or Pilates….
    I am a Pilates instructor, I am very safe with my workouts, after second baby my DR is one finger width..but a long stretch from belly button up. Do back bends set me back on restoring that connection? I have none of the risky symptoms mentioned above, but I know that my resting tone/core when standing and also that my belly tone when relaxing flat on my back are not what I want. Thanks

  13. How do you feel about back bends Wendy? In yoga or Pilates….
    I am a Pilates instructor, I am very safe with my workouts, after second baby my DR is one finger width..but a long stretch from belly button up. Do back bends set me back on restoring that connection? I have none of the risky symptoms mentioned above, but I know that my resting tone/core when standing and also that my belly tone when relaxing flat on my back are not what I want. Thanks

  14. Hi, Wendy. I am 3 months postpartum and have been diagnosed with a grade 2 rectocele. The ob/gyn said I could try running at 8 weeks post-partum, but not to lift more than ten lbs indefinitely…. Obviously, I’m lifting my baby! I have started a 9lb kettlebell workout. I’ve decided that I shouldn’t try running (again) until at least a year out. My symptoms improved and then recently worsened again after a single episode of straining, though I wonder if the three days of running I did before that contributed to the set-back. If I’m a year out, low on symptoms and don’t become more symptomatic with running, do you still think it’s a bad idea?

    1. The answer is the same, if your symptoms worsen or any of the symptoms discussed above are present during or after the exercises, then your body wasn’t ready for that exercise. Its not really about me giving out arbitrary time periods – its simply that your body will tell you, as yours did with the straining. it has to be your call!

  15. Hi, Wendy. I am 3 months postpartum and have been diagnosed with a grade 2 rectocele. The ob/gyn said I could try running at 8 weeks post-partum, but not to lift more than ten lbs indefinitely…. Obviously, I’m lifting my baby! I have started a 9lb kettlebell workout. I’ve decided that I shouldn’t try running (again) until at least a year out. My symptoms improved and then recently worsened again after a single episode of straining, though I wonder if the three days of running I did before that contributed to the set-back. If I’m a year out, low on symptoms and don’t become more symptomatic with running, do you still think it’s a bad idea?

    1. The answer is the same, if your symptoms worsen or any of the symptoms discussed above are present during or after the exercises, then your body wasn’t ready for that exercise. Its not really about me giving out arbitrary time periods – its simply that your body will tell you, as yours did with the straining. it has to be your call!

  16. Wendy,

    Thank you for your reply! I like your program because I have tried others and they were all about “dont’s”! I just bought your program and I’m half way through week 1 and it is so awesome I can do it while the baby is in her bouncy and actually accomplish one thing on my to-do list. The tough part is the walk – we are still in the 30’s here in Wisconsin and snow/rain is still falling…YUCK! I am using MUTU and reading Katy’s book about feet (looks like shoe shopping is in my future!)so I hope to fix the pressure problem and get back to being fit! I love everyone of our blessings but they sure take a toll on a body! Thank you for your program I am excited to see the results – I’m already more aware of muscles that have been neglected for a LONG time!

  17. I just read this article, I’m taking it much easier than usual after baby 6 but when I read if you have a hernia, repaired or not (mine was repaired surgically but reopened after baby 4) you should probably never run? UGGG! That is a tough one! Really! Even if you get your DR closed and have not doming and are strong with no other symptoms? I think when we are done having kids I will have it repaired again but to hear you can not do some of those exercises ever again it tough. I enjoy swimming and cycling as well – lots of variety but never run again???? Even if you get your alignment worked out, wear the right shoes? As I said – this is tough to hear!! Thank you for all your wonderful help – I am ordering soon just waiting on $$$$!!!!

    1. Hey Noelle, you know, I’m not TELLING you you can’t, thats your call. I’m saying if you’re not strong enough, your body will tell you, + (my advice is) you should listen. As it says above, if you have no symptoms, you’re good! But you must fix that pressure that caused the problem in the first place… the program will help you understand all this. But the message is: listen. That’s it 🙂

  18. I just read this article, I’m taking it much easier than usual after baby 6 but when I read if you have a hernia, repaired or not (mine was repaired surgically but reopened after baby 4) you should probably never run? UGGG! That is a tough one! Really! Even if you get your DR closed and have not doming and are strong with no other symptoms? I think when we are done having kids I will have it repaired again but to hear you can not do some of those exercises ever again it tough. I enjoy swimming and cycling as well – lots of variety but never run again???? Even if you get your alignment worked out, wear the right shoes? As I said – this is tough to hear!! Thank you for all your wonderful help – I am ordering soon just waiting on $$$$!!!!

    1. Hey Noelle, you know, I’m not TELLING you you can’t, thats your call. I’m saying if you’re not strong enough, your body will tell you, + (my advice is) you should listen. As it says above, if you have no symptoms, you’re good! But you must fix that pressure that caused the problem in the first place… the program will help you understand all this. But the message is: listen. That’s it 🙂

      1. Wendy,

        Thank you for your reply! I like your program because I have tried others and they were all about “dont’s”! I just bought your program and I’m half way through week 1 and it is so awesome I can do it while the baby is in her bouncy and actually accomplish one thing on my to-do list. The tough part is the walk – we are still in the 30’s here in Wisconsin and snow/rain is still falling…YUCK! I am using MUTU and reading Katy’s book about feet (looks like shoe shopping is in my future!)so I hope to fix the pressure problem and get back to being fit! I love everyone of our blessings but they sure take a toll on a body! Thank you for your program I am excited to see the results – I’m already more aware of muscles that have been neglected for a LONG time!

  19. Hi Wendy,

    Thanks for this article, but I still a little bit confused. 15 months ago I had a DR at 4. With a lot of personnal training I was able to reduce at 2.5; and with Mutu Focus (still in phase 2; just started 1 month ago) I am now at 1 🙂

    I wanted to start weight lifting to reduce my fat mass and flatten my belly (which is still proeminent). Reading your article I think I might be okay since I don’t experience any of the conditions you listed; however when doing planks or push-up my skin dangles down (which is normal I guess), but I can feel something hard sticking out a little; that is probably not normal 🙂

    So I don’t know what to think, because I can feel my core is getting stronger than never; and I really want to ensure that weight lifting won’t worsen my DR…

    What to you think?

    Thanks a lot

    1. Hi Mathiilde, thats great progress, well done! The skin is probably not of great concern, but if something FEELS amiss then you need to get that checked out. I would recommend you consult with a doctor or specialist physical therapist (more info here https://mutusystem.com/referral-to-a-womens-health-physiotherapist.html) to be sure what is causing the feelings you describe. And please also remember that it is your food choices that will determine the fat around your belly, not what you do in the gym, so please read the articles on this blog about fat storage, food, + hormone balance as these will do much more to address the fat than weight lifting. Start here https://mutusystem.com/are-hormones-lack-of-sleep-making-you-fat-6-ways-to-reduce-belly-fat-storage.html Hope that helps + don’t give up, you’re doing great x

  20. Hi Wendy,

    Thanks for this article, but I still a little bit confused. 15 months ago I had a DR at 4. With a lot of personnal training I was able to reduce at 2.5; and with Mutu Focus (still in phase 2; just started 1 month ago) I am now at 1 🙂

    I wanted to start weight lifting to reduce my fat mass and flatten my belly (which is still proeminent). Reading your article I think I might be okay since I don’t experience any of the conditions you listed; however when doing planks or push-up my skin dangles down (which is normal I guess), but I can feel something hard sticking out a little; that is probably not normal 🙂

    So I don’t know what to think, because I can feel my core is getting stronger than never; and I really want to ensure that weight lifting won’t worsen my DR…

    What to you think?

    Thanks a lot

    1. Hi Mathiilde, thats great progress, well done! The skin is probably not of great concern, but if something FEELS amiss then you need to get that checked out. I would recommend you consult with a doctor or specialist physical therapist (more info here https://mutusystem.com/referral-to-a-womens-health-physiotherapist.html) to be sure what is causing the feelings you describe. And please also remember that it is your food choices that will determine the fat around your belly, not what you do in the gym, so please read the articles on this blog about fat storage, food, + hormone balance as these will do much more to address the fat than weight lifting. Start here https://mutusystem.com/are-hormones-lack-of-sleep-making-you-fat-6-ways-to-reduce-belly-fat-storage.html Hope that helps + don’t give up, you’re doing great x

  21. Exceptional article Wendy, passing it along to the APOPS following-this comes up all the time! None of us like to give up our fitness path of choice but sssoooo important to truly listen to your body!

  22. Exceptional article Wendy, passing it along to the APOPS following-this comes up all the time! None of us like to give up our fitness path of choice but sssoooo important to truly listen to your body!

  23. Thank you for this post. I hear too many people saying they are getting back on it at 6 weeks afterwards. My reply. You have a baby, your off work why not walk with the fancy new pushchair. I gave myself a year of walking and repairing. It is good to hear this from someone else. After my first when knowledge was minimal I leaked. 2nd time round no problems. No bulging now although I did notice this took agesv

  24. Thank you for this post. I hear too many people saying they are getting back on it at 6 weeks afterwards. My reply. You have a baby, your off work why not walk with the fancy new pushchair. I gave myself a year of walking and repairing. It is good to hear this from someone else. After my first when knowledge was minimal I leaked. 2nd time round no problems. No bulging now although I did notice this took agesv

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