Repair diastasis recti, regain core and pelvic floor strength, and reconnect to your abs after pregnancy with this 28 day challenge. This program is designed for busy moms with limited time. All you need is 10 minutes a day, and each video can be done completely at home with minimal equipment. Follow along with daily guided videos designed in partnership with a pelvic floor physical therapist.
This diastasis recti exercise program was created by Lindsey Bomgren, Certified Personal Trainer and PROnatal Fitness Certified for Prenatal Training and Postnatal Training in collaboration with my pelvic floor physical therapist (Dr. Sari Abelson PT, DPT).
Diastasis Recti (DR), or abdominal muscle separation, is a common (but frustrating) experience for women who have been through pregnancy.
DR occurs when the rectus abdominis muscles (six-pack ab muscles) and linea alba (connective tissue) separate as your belly grows during pregnancy. This abdominal separation can range from mild to severe.
Our 8 Best Diastasis Recti Exercises is one of the all-time most popular posts on the blog, and has over 4.6 million views on YouTube. As you can see below, this video has some rave reviews.

This content clearly resonates with many of you, and inspired us to bring you this new program: a 28-day workout challenge to heal diastasis recti in just 10 minutes a day.
This program is designed to be an effective, achievable, and positive experience for new moms. I filmed each video in this program between 6 and 12 weeks postpartum, and will be guiding you through each rep, offering form cues and modifications.
When you’re ready for more advanced core training, check out my 30-Day Ab Challenge.

Already completed this challenge? Leave a review!

This plan includes one rest day a week to use when you need, but of course, you can take more rest days as needed. That might look like doing nothing, going on a walk, or following one of our popular stretching and recovery workouts:



This equipment is optional but recommended. If you don’t have the equipment available, you can also perform each ab exercise in this program with just your bodyweight.
A pilates ball. You can also use a kid’s squishy ball or a throw pillow if you don’t have a pilates ball available.
A long loop resistance band (Discount Code: NML). You can also use a towel if you don’t have a resistance band available.
A mini loop resistance band (Discount Code: NML). You can also use an old sports bra if you don’t have a mini resistance band available.
10 minutes per day, 6 days per week. Take more rest days as needed.
Option to cut back to 2-3 days a week and scale up when you feel ready.
Show yourself some grace mama! You do your best and forget the rest. After all, you brought a human into this world — you’re pretty dang strong.
All fitness levels. The daily workout videos offer exercise variations, modifications and options to increase or decrease the intensity as needed.
FREE! No sign up needed, this is a FREE Diastasis Recti Workout Plan.

Diastasis Recti is extremely common during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Symptoms of diastasis recti include a visible bulge or “pooch” that protrudes just above or below the belly button, as well as coning or doming when you contract your ab muscles. The diastasis (or split) is measured by the number of finger spaces that fit between the rectus abdominis muscle. You can evaluate yourself by following this step-by-step guide: How To Check Yourself for Diastasis Recti.
Every postpartum recovery experience is different. I personally started doing these pelvic floor exercises around 2 weeks postpartum. If you have questions or concerns, reach out to your health care provider or schedule an evaluation with a pelvic floor physical therapist.
Yes, it is possible to fix diastasis recti without surgery. Many postpartum women are able to heal diastasis recti using at home ab exercises or physical therapy, like the ones found in this program. Note, it’s less about closing the gap between your ab muscles and more about the tension you can generate across the gap with your deep transverse abdominals.
In some cases, diastasis recti will resolve itself. However, if the separation is severe and not healing on its own, untreated diastasis recti can lead to weakened abdominal muscles, chronic lower back pain, pain during sex, urinary incontinence or pelvic pain.
It’s never too late to repair diastasis recti. With proper exercises and patience, many women can heal their core years after pregnancy.
Deep core breathing (transverse abdominals breathing), glute bridges, and bent knee marches are some of the most effective diastasis recti exercises. These small, targeted movements engage the deep core muscles and restore the abdominal wall.
After completing the Diastasis Recti Challenge, you have a few options:
If you’re looking to return to HIIT training or running after baby we highly suggest making sure your body is ready with this Postpartum Fitness Test.

Your review helps us keep creating free workouts.
Did you love this workout challenge or notice your core strength improving? We would truly appreciate a review! Every single one helps us keep creating free fitness content that supports you in your health journey.
I’ve been consistently doing your workout challenges since late last year and I’ve seen surprising changes in both my muscles, my strength, and the weights I’m using. It’s the first time I’ve truly stuck with a workout plan because I am enjoying the weight and cardio combo so much. 2 Questions: (1) is there a fitness tracker on this one? I’m going through all programs and printing all of them. (2) I wanted to maybe make a subreddit for NML (I have no clue how much work making a subreddit is but was just toying with the idea), but I don’t want to step on toes, since I know you have your whole app community etc.
I just turned 75 last week. I’ve been following your workouts for almost a year, and have increased my weights from 8# to 20# with an occasional 30-pounder thrown in there. For my birthday, I did a challenge course high up in the trees on the Oregon Coast. The stepping and swinging parts were fun but the REAL challenge was: could I hang on to a rope and move from barrel to barrel, lily pad to lily pad? Short answer: I did! Big whoops and hallelujahs! I’m working on the pushup progression, aiming to get to a full-body from my toes by April; also dead hangs 40 sec/20 sec/10 sec/5 sec same days that I do the pushup progression. Hands hurt a lot so I don’t know if I’ll be able to increase my hang time, but I’m squeezing a compression ball daily in hopes of improving my grip! You are a valuable part of my life and I talk you up to anyone who I find is interested in getting more fit. Blessings to you big time!
Response from Nourish, Move, Love
Amazing progress, thank you so much for sharing and I hope you are so proud of all your hard work and dedication! -Lindsey
I’m a beginner and have completed one week of this program. My main goal is to build strength and muscle without losing weight. Should I continue with this program, start with Stronger 20, or choose another beginner program? I’d also like to know how I should progress after the first few weeks. I can train 3–5 days per week and have dumbbells.
Response from Nourish, Move, Love
Welcome! I would suggest sticking with this full 30-Day Beginner Program and then you can find a sequenced order of how to complete our workout programs here: https://www.nourishmovelove.com/start-here/. So after you complete the full 30-Day beginner plan you’ll move to Strong 20! Keep up the great work! Lindsey
As a former fitness instructor, I am very picky about following other exercise programs and instructors. This postpartum (and the prenatal) workout plans absolutely carried me through pregnancy and getting back into a routine after my 3rd baby. I loved having a program I could trust, and it allowed me to just show up and do it when time allowed. Can’t wait to take on another challenge.
I have done strength training on different platforms, but this really gave me the most bang for my time. I felt challenged and that some part of my body was actually working during each 20 min session. This makes me excited (and a little nervous) to attempt the other programs. I am 44 f/t working mom of 2, I do feel stronger
Excellent
Program is fabulous. I did the first two weeks in 3 weeks, the first week with 4lb weights because that is what I had and I didn’t really know where to start. Anyway got 10lb weights for week 2 which was better, but then on day 10 had shooting pain in my right shoulder. Now I don’t know if this is because a certain muscle isnt strong enough yet or if I was doing the exercise wrong. That would be my one critique is that there wasn’t enough instruction on correct form for beginners like me. Maybe a video on all the exercises needed for the sequence with correct form for novices like me. 🙂 thanks for the program excited to keep progressing.
Response from Nourish, Move, Love
Hi Effie, Thank you for sweating with us! We’re so glad you’re here. Have you tried our Beginner Workout Plan [https://www.nourishmovelove.com/fitness-beginner-workout-plan/]? It’s a great place to start so you ensure proper form to avoid injuries. Please reach out to info@nourishmovelove.com with any other questions.
I loved doing this program! Started it at 12 weeks postpartum and some days were soo challenging. I’m so proud of myself, I did it with baby watching me, during nap times, on vacation… especially enjoyed the unilateral workouts and the pyramid strength one (so fun). I will be starting your beginner program on monday. Thank you !
I love all your programs, but this is one I keep coming back to. I love seeing my progress. My strength gains are incredible and it is so important to me as I age to stay strong. Thank you for putting out such great content and focusing on what matters, strength gains, not appearance!!!
I would like to say I enjoyed this workout but really, I felt more accomplishment and satisfaction than pleasure. I kept coming back to try and better myself because I just couldn’t let my last workout define me as a quitter! #4 was a killer for me, and my upper arms are still hurling injures at me. Your plans keep me coming back for more! Thanks very much.
I am a stay at home mom of three kiddos and every minute is accounted for, but Linds makes it so easy to not forget about my health. I am able to workout in the comfort of my own home. Whether with my children included or not. Her videos are encouraging, uplifting and challenging. Her free workouts is a prayer answered for sure!
I had never done a workout routine consistently in my life. Then in what could be argued a very busy season in life, I decided for the sake of being able to physically do all the things I’m needed to do on the farm with my six kids, I had to recover from prior pregnancy weakness and injuries. I’m thankful for the free, practical, motivating, challenging videos that helped me regain my posture, stamina, strength, and feel like me again. After I completed the series I had to stop because of time issues that popped up but I genuinely look forward to getting back to reclaiming this important investment in me that also benefits my family.
Response from Nourish, Move, Love
Hi Linda! Thank you for sweating with us. We’re so glad NML workouts have supported you, especially during a busy season of life. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much for putting together a doable and achievable post partum plan. I am on Day 19 and I feel so much stronger. Since having my baby I haven’t been able to stick with a routine until this. I would work out once or twice a week if that. Now I’m moving 3-5 days a week. Here I am 7 months postpartum and feeling strong thank G-d! Thank you so much.
I so appreciated this workout I just finished day four. I hurt my back after being sick in bed for 4 days and this workout is helping me get back on track with working out and my whole body just feels looser. And even emotionally I feel happier. I am not yet able to use 15 lb weights. But I will do it again and try to load up more next time. I appreciate having a program where I don’t have to think about what to do next. Thank you so much Lindsay and the NML team.
Love these workouts. I’m not a fan of weight training, counting reps and sets as I find this tedious. Love that these are 30-50 seconds of work which if I chose the correct weight brought me to failure. These workouts are never boring and the 20 minutes goes by so fast. I’m definitely seeing results after doing the entire Strong20 4 times. I’m moving on to Stronger25. Thank you so much Lindsay! Ps I also love that you have devotionals, I just found them and will definitely be using those too. God Bless you and keep you Lindsay.
I loved the 20 minute workouts. They fit well into my schedule during the school year having less free time. I felt challenged and like I was able to build muscle with the repeated, challenging exercises. I also liked the mobility in a longer warmup. And, as always, the education during the workouts is appreciated and valuable. Thanks for another great program!
I’m now heading into my third trimester and have been following the 1st and 2nd workouts from this pregnancy program, and I absolutely love them. What I appreciate most is the variety. There’s a workout to match whatever mood I’m in that day, with different lengths and different styles to choose from. It makes it so much easier to stay consistent throughout pregnancy. I cannot thank you enough for this!
I had been feeling burnt out with recent workouts and needed a change. I recently completed the Strong 20 program and it was so fun, yet challenging. I loved that I could fit it into my busy schedule as a full-time working mom of 3. I am going to start the Stronger 25 next. Love your positivity and the pace of the workouts!
I cannot describe how grateful I am to have found these postpartum workouts. I not only feel like I have found a trainer, but a much-needed tribe member on the other side of the screen.
I really appreciate Lindsey’s dedication and how she brings her real self to each workout, since being a mom of three small kids can feel so lonely. She is great company and makes it much easier. Thank you!
I have been really enjoying Max 20! Unfortunately joining the app to access the additional week of workouts isn’t in my budget at the moment, but I love the 10 days that are available for free. I am on my 4th week(day 7) of doing this program and I can see myself repeating the 10 day program throughout the summer. My strength has improved since beginning this program on 6/1 and I would even say this is my favorite NML program I’ve tried so far.
Response from Nourish, Move, Love
Thank you for sweating with us! We’re so glad you’re enjoying Max 20. Keep up the great work!!
I am 64 and still working so it has been hard to get to the gym. I love these short,effective workouts and modifications. My adult daughter is following along and we send each other sweaty selfies to encourage each other haha. Thank you so much for providing this resource for free Lindsey.
This is the first program I’ve been excited to complete in a long time! I was feeling burnt out by weight training and needed something different for little bit that’s also effective. This is perfect! I notice my range of motion improving and it also provides a good refresher on proper form without the added weights. I love Lindsey’s enthusiasm and that my young daughter hears her encouragement and joins me and cheers me on. I’m excited to dive into her other programs as well!
I want to sincerely thank you, Lindsey Bromgren, from the bottom of my heart for all the content you create.
I’m here to express how grateful I am for your work. Before I found you, I was already training, but I felt like I was missing something more structured and motivating for this phase of my life.
I had been training intensely before pregnancy, but during pregnancy I reduced the intensity. Now, in the postpartum period, I’m getting back into it with full commitment.
I found you about 1 month and 2 weeks ago, and I’m about to complete 3 weeks in your postpartum program. I’m already repeating the program for the second time, so technically I’m in my third week — and I’m also combining it with your diastasis program.
It has been an incredible experience.
During this time, I’ve already lost 22 lbs out of the 35 lbs I gained during pregnancy, just 4 months postpartum, and I’m almost back to my pre-pregnancy weight.
More importantly, training with your program has been extremely motivating and consistent for me. I feel stronger, more confident, and very supported throughout this journey.
Thank you so much — I truly needed to express my gratitude for this.
I am getting back into shape! I am premenopausal, overweight, and lazy. And you inspired me to move. I just started the 30-day beginner workout in conjunction with a good diet and walking workout. I am feeling great and can’t wait for more!
I was unsure where to start in my workout journey at 6 weeks postpartum with my second baby. I did not prioritize exercise after having my first baby just 2.5 years ago so I knew I needed a specific program for postpartum. It has helped me so much! I feel so much stronger and confident. I plan on continuing a new NML program next!
Note: before beginning any new exercise program you should consult with your physician or midwife. The information provided with this workout challenge is intended for general information and use; it does not include specific, individualized recommendations and is not intended as medical advice. Before you begin any new exercise program Nourish Move Love recommends that you consult with your physician. Nourish Move Love primarily educates clients to assume more personal responsibility for their health by adopting a healthy and active lifestyle.
This post does include affiliate links and I earn a small commission on products purchased using these links. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Nourish Move Love.
Hi,
I’m 16 months postpartum and excited to start. I have diastasis recti after my second child. Should I do this one or the post partum workouts program? Also we are planning to start trying for our third. Is it okay to do these while possibly being pregnant with a third?
Hi Jessica! I’d recommend starting with this diastasis recti program. You can certainly do these workouts while pregnant. -Lindsey
The article provides a good overview of what diastasis recti is and how it can be treated through exercise. The 28-day program is well-structured, with daily guided videos that progressively increase in difficulty. This helps to ensure that participants are gradually building strength and not overexerting themselves.
Overall, the “Diastasis Recti Workout Plan (28-Day Program)” is a well-designed and practical resource for new mothers who are looking to repair their abdominal separation after pregnancy.
Thank you for sharing this means so much! So glad to hear our DR program and resources have been helpful for you and to others to properly build strength to repair the abdominal separation after pregnancy! You are so awesome – keep coming back for more!
Would it be okay to do this program at the same time as the Postpartum Plan? Or should this plan be done on it’s own first?
Danielle! Great question, you can absolutely do the DR Program alongside our 30 Day Postpartum Plan — they pair perfectly together! If you a 6 weeks or less Postpartum we suggest only doing the DR Program, but if you are beyond 6 weeks, you can pair both plans together! -Lindsey