If you’ve just had a baby and are ready to start (or get back into) your fitness routine, a fitness app can be super helpful.
And the Bodylura app (formerly Fit Body app) and the Sweat app both have great postpartum program options. But is one app better?
I have tried both programs, one for each of my postpartum journeys. And just like with their prenatal programs, they do differ a bit.
After my first pregnancy, I used the Bodylura app’s program because I already had an active subscription from using their prenatal workout program.
This second time around, I tried out Kayla Itsines’ postpartum workout program in the Sweat App.
In this blog post, I will compare both programs, including their pros and cons, and let you know which one is my favorite!
Bodylura (formerly Fit Body App) – Postpartum Workout Program
Overview
Bodylura’s postpartum workout program is a 12 week program with 3 strength training sessions per week.
It offers one upper body, one lower body, and one core training session.
The upper and lower body strength sessions each feature 6 exercises that are repeated 3 times. The core session has 9 exercises that are repeated 3 times.
Depending on how much time you take to rest in between sets, the sessions can take anywhere between 15-20 or 20-30 minutes to complete.
The program is set up with the use of minimal equipment, such as:
Pros
Core Sessions Included Plus Bonus “Restore Your Core” Program
The number one thing I love about the Bodylura’s postpartum training program is that it features a core training session.
Since the belly and the abs (at least in my case) are the one thing that changes and weakens the most, it was of utmost importance to me to strengthen and restore this part of my body.
The core sessions offer a mix of diaphragm breathing exercises as well as strengthening exercises. This works beautifully to help you gently regain connection and control of your core muscles.
In addition to the core strength session, the app also offers an on-demand style program called “Restore your Core”. I have completed this program after my first birth which ended in a C-section. It really helped me reactivate my core muscles and is very slow paced.
Choose your own Level of Experience
Just like with their prenatal program, the Bodylura app’s postpartum program lets you select and set your own fitness level. You can choose between the levels beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Depending on the level you choose, the workouts will either feature more repetitions and/or higher weights.
I like this feature as it lets you select the intensity of which you want to train at. Because if you have been training at an intermediate or advanced level pre-pregnancy and during your pregnancy, you might want to keep it a little more challenging even postpartum.
Weight Recommendations for Dumbbells
For each exercise that uses dumbbells, the Bodylura app also gives you guidance on what weight you should select.
It doesn’t give you one specific number but rather a weight range which you can pick from.
This can be especially useful for beginners, who don’t know at all what weight to pick for each exercise.
Slow Increase in Difficulty
Another thing I really like about Bodylura’s postpartum program is that it slowly intensifies over the 12 weeks.
Each week gets slightly more challenging, with both the strength and the core training sessions.
It allows you a gentle start into your postpartum fitness journey and slowly picks up the difficulty over the course of 12 weeks.
Cons
More Specific Equipment Needed
Just like its prenatal program, the Bodylura app’s postpartum workout program can easily be done at home. However, it does require a little bit of equipment that you might not have on hand (yet) and might therefore require you to purchase equipment or adjust your workouts.
E.g. I don’t have a pilates ball or an exercise platform or bench.
To replace the ball, I used a thick cushion, which worked somewhat well.
The bench or platform I couldn’t really replace, so I would just do these exercises without the equipment. I still found them challenging enough that way, so it wasn’t a big deal for me.
I do wish there was a little more guidance on how to replace these items given it is a home-based workout program.
Challenging Core Exercises and Too High Dumbbell Weight Recommendations
One thing that frustrated me a little bit were the core exercises, especially during the later weeks.
There was no indication ig those exercises are diastasis recti safe or not.
And while most of them are (I googled them all), some were not or were quite challenging, especially if you have a weak core (which is normal postpartum).
Here, I wish there was some guidance or explanation in terms of which exercises are diastasis recti safe, or the option to swap them for alternative exercises.
In addition, just like in the prenatal program, I found some of the dumbbell weight recommendations a little too high.
Of course you can always choose to use a lower set of weights, and lower the amount of repetitions. But in general I feel like the program towards the end is a tiny bit challenging at times, especially for beginners.
Sweat App – Pregnancy Workout Program
The Sweat app features a variety of postpartum workout programs.
You can choose from:
- Post-Pregnancy with Kayla
- PWR Post-Pregnancy with Kelsey
- Post-Pregnancy Core & Restore with Britany
I will focus on the “Post-Pregnancy with Kayla” program, as I have yet to try the other programs.
The Post-Pregnancy Core & Restore program with Britany was just recently released and wasn’t available when I started my postpartum fitness journey earlier this year.
Overview
The Sweat app’s postpartum workout program is a 16 week program that features 2 workouts (recommended) per week plus additional optional workouts. They recommended workouts are split in an upper body and a lower body workout.
The optional workouts include a full body workout as well as upper body posture, hip strength, and lower back relief workout.
Each workout takes about 15-25 minutes to complete.
Each workout starts with a warm up/mobility exercises, and then features 2 circuits with 4 exercises each. In the first half of the program, the circuits are repeated 2 times. As you advance in the program, the circuits are repeated 3 times.
Each workout also features an optional cool down and stretching session.
There is minimal equipment needed, such as:
- Dumbbells
- Resistance/recovery bands
- Foam roller (for mobility/cool down exercises)
Pros
Choose Your Own Dumbbell Weight
First of all, the workouts don’t come with weight recommendations for the dumbbells. You can choose the dumbbell weight you want to use for each exercise, without her offering an opinion on what you should aim for.
I like this because I believe often times if the weight that is listed is too high, I might feel pressured to lift more than what is good for me.
Mobility and Stretching Exercises Included
One of my favorite features of the Sweat app’s postpartum program are the mobility and stretching exercises.
Being postpartum, my body is just really sore, and it helps a lot to warm up before a workout, and stretch afterwards.
The app gives just the right amount of exercises to warm up the body and help it cool down afterwards.
Additional Workouts Included
The optional workouts included in the program are a great addition to the workout program itself. Especially if you have the time to work out more than 2 times per week, you can add the full body day, or even add the hip strength or lower back relief.
Those workouts are especially nice to have for the postpartum phase, when your body is just really sore from the birth recovery, but also from breastfeeding or holding your baby all day long.
So a lower back relief workout comes in quite handy here and there.
Voice Guidance
What I also really like about the program is that it features voice guidance. Now, if you are familiar with the Sweat app, this is nothing new, it is featured in all of their workout programs.
Each exercise is announced at its start, including the number of repetitions or its duration. I also like that if you need to switch sides in between a timed exercise, it gives you a short break to switch sides and then automatically starts the time on the next side, without you having to push a button or worrying about breaking up the time in half.
Cons
No Specific Core Exercises
Just like with the Sweat app’s prenatal workout program, the number one thing I miss in this app’s postpartum workout program are specific core exercises.
Some of the exercises naturally work out your core, but there is no specific block in the workout that is dedicated to working out your core.
And as mentioned above, it’s especially my midsection where I feel I need the most help regaining muscle strength postpartum.
The Sweat app now offers a dedicated postpartum core program called Post-Pregnancy Core & Restore with Britany.
Now this wasn’t available yet when I started my postpartum fitness journey. But it could certainly supplement Kayla’s program to add in those valuable exercises to regain core strength.
Not Challenging Enough
Just like with the Sweat’s prenatal program, if you’re a total beginner and new to working out, you can probably skip this point.
But as someone who has been working out for years and throughout my entire second pregnancy, the Sweat app’s postpartum workout program often feels quite easy and not challenging enough for me.
After about half the program, the amount of sets per circuit increases from 2 to 3, which alone adds some challenge.
However, I was not really breaking a sweat during the workouts even towards the end of the 16 weeks.
I wish you could either select the intensity or level, e.g. that there would be different levels for beginners and people that are advanced in their fitness journey.
Conclusion – Which Postpartum Workout Program is Better?
Answering the question which app’s postpartum workout program is better depends completely on what you want.
If you’re looking for a straightforward, a little more challenging program that also has a strong emphasis on core exercises, the Bodylura app might be the better choice for you.
If you prefer a more easy-going program with mobility and stretching exercises, as well as the option to add on additional postpartum workout programs, the Sweat app would be the better choice.
Both apps’ programs have their advantages, and you can’t go wrong with either. So focusing on what you want in a program is key to pick the one that’ll work best for you.
Overall, I am happy I got to try out both programs – and I can recommend both of them to get you started on your postpartum fitness journey.
If you’re still unsure which one is the better choice, you can sign up for a free trial with both apps and see which one fits your training style better.
And even better – by using my links below, you can get a discount, too:
For the Bodylura app, you will receive a 7 day free trial PLUS 25% off your first payment.
For the Sweat app, you get a 14 day free trial PLUS 10% off your subscription.
- Try out the Bodylura app
- Try out the Sweat app
Bonus – Free Postpartum Workout Programs and Apps to Consider
I really enjoy using fitness apps and their workout programs. There is something about their convenience, how they set up a week of training for you, and guide you through the training.
However, I also do enjoy to mix it up occasionally with other workout programs, such as YouTube training video, or some other free apps.
If you want to check out free postpartum workout programs and apps, consider the following:
Both offer free prenatal and postpartum workouts that are video based and easy to follow-along!