Stay active during pregnancy with this FREE First Trimester Workout Plan for weeks 1 – 12 of pregnancy! This early pregnancy workout plan is designed for expecting moms who were active pre-pregnancy and are looking for a structured workout program to safely maintain strength and muscle tone during pregnancy.
This first trimester exercise program was created by Lindsey Bomgren, Certified Personal Trainer and PROnatal Fitness Certified for Prenatal Training and Postnatal Training.
“I just found out I’m pregnant — what workouts should I be doing?”
As someone who was strength training 5-6 days a week prior to pregnancy, I had trouble finding pregnancy workout videos that actually challenged me. That’s what inspired our pregnancy workouts and Free 30-Day Pregnancy Workout Plans. But we wanted to customize it even more to offer workouts designed for each specific trimester of pregnancy.
Enter today’s post: a structured first trimester exercise program designed for Week 1 – Week 12 of pregnancy.
I know that first trimester in particular can be really tough to keep moving. Between the pregnancy fatigue, nausea and aches and pains, it can be hard to stay active. You do your best and forget the rest, and just know I’m right there with you.
This 4-Week Workout Plan is designed to be repeated 2-3 times until you reach your second trimester (13 weeks) of pregnancy. These exercises are safe for pregnancy, with options to scale each move up or down.
Of course, every body (and every pregnancy) is different. You should consult with your doctor or midwife if you have any questions. Listen to your body – it really does know best.

A Set of Dumbbells. Most of the daily workouts require a set of dumbbells, but they can also be done with bodyweight alone. Each workout will have a recommended dumbbell weight, usually between 8-15 pounds for the strength training workouts and 2-5 pounds for the barre workouts. As your pregnancy progresses, you may need to decrease weights or drop them completely and do exercises with just your bodyweight.
Optional Exercise Equipment:
Mini Loop Resistance Band. A great way to add intensity to low impact exercises. These are the mini loop resistance bands I have (DISCOUNT CODE: NML).
Chair, Bench or Exercise Ball. Pregnant women may need additional balance support or to gradually modify exercises to an incline position as their belly grows.
Kettlebell. Optional (you can sub one dumbbell instead). I personally love kettlebell training during pregnancy as a low impact way to get the heart rate up.
Varies from 10-40 minutes a day, 6 days per week.
You can always take more rest days as needed. And scale back to 3-4 days a week, if choosing 3-4 workouts I suggest:
This is a Pregnancy-Friendly Workout Plan. The daily workout videos do offer exercise variations, modifications and options to increase or decrease the intensity as needed.
FREE! No sign up needed, this is a FREE Prenatal Workout Plan.
This Pregnancy Workout Plan is for anyone who:
Generally, yes. If you are healthy and your pregnancy is normal, it is safe to continue regular physical activity. Pregnancy exercise can actually help decrease first trimester pregnancy symptoms like pregnancy fatigue and morning sickness.
Regular exercise during pregnancy can help reduce backaches, improve sleep quality, and lower the risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women (Mayo Clinic). There’s also some research that indicates that an active pregnancy provides a boost to baby’s brain and heart health as well (What To Expect).
Strength training and low impact moderate intensity cardio are the best form of pregnancy workouts. These both support healthy weight gain during pregnancy and can help reduce common pregnancy aches and pains. Many women also enjoy prenatal yoga classes during pregnancy.
In general, you can continue your pre-pregnancy workouts through the first trimester. Exceptions include contact sports like horseback riding or ice hockey. You should also avoid getting ‘breathless’ during pregnancy workouts. It’s ok to raise your heart rate, but remember the ‘talk test.’ You should be able to comfortably hold a conversation with a friend while exercising during pregnancy.
From the maternity leggings I lived in, to my go-to nursing sports bra, you can find all of my favorite fit pregnancy products in this post. And I’ve compiled all of our pregnancy resources on this page.

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This plan allocates 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 long walk, or following one of our popular stretching and recovery workouts:

This plan allocates 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 long walk, or following one of our popular stretching and recovery workouts:

This plan allocates 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 long walk, or following one of our popular stretching and recovery workouts:

This plan allocates 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 long walk, or following one of our popular stretching and recovery workouts:

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I started my experience with NML through the Diastasis Recti and 30-Day Ab Challenge to recover my core many years postpartum. Then, I’ve moved on to this program and have done it twice. I plan on doing it one more time before Strong20. Just stay consistent. It really does work!
Response from Nourish, Move, Love
So awesome to hear! Thanks for sweating with us. Keep up the great work!
I have been doing NML the past year because I wanted something for moms. Lindsey and Rachel are fire. I have completed several of the programs and yesterday did day 6 of Strong 20. I was able to compete 2 sets of 10 pushups ON MY TOES! I actually had a bit of speed to it! Pick a program and you won’t be disappointed.
Response from Nourish, Move, Love
This is amazing, Lori! Thanks for sweating with us. Keep up the great work!
I am 1year postpartum, just start 28fays challenge, I m done 1 week successfully but still i can’t do as you did , i feel shaky legs anf pain in thighs
Response from Nourish, Move, Love
Hi Madiha! Keep up the great work. It takes time to rebuild your strength. Consistency compounds! -Lindsey
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!
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.
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