Sweat App vs. Bodylura (formerly Fit Body App) – Which Pregnancy Workout Program is Better?
If you’re pregnant and deciding on a pregnancy workout program, the Bodylura app (formerly Fit Body app) and the Sweat app both have great options. But is one app better?
I have tried both programs, one for each of my pregnancies. And they do differ a bit.
Fitness and working out has become a regular part of my schedule over the last few years. And when I got pregnant the first time, I knew I wanted to keep up with it. Fortunately, both of my two favorite workout apps, the Bodylura app and the Sweat app, feature prenatal workout programs.
When I got pregnant the first time, the Sweat App did not have a pregnancy program yet. So I used the Bodylura app’s program then.
This time around, I tried out Kayla Itsines’ pregnancy 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 App (formerly Fit Body App) – Pregnancy Workout Program
Overview
The Bodylura app has been featuring a pregnancy workout program since 2020, which is called “Grow and Glow” by Anna Victoria.
It is a 37 week program (starting at week 4 of pregnancy) that features 3 strength training sessions and 2 pelvic floor & core training sessions. The strength training sessions are split in a lower body, an upper body, and a full body day.
The strength training sessions take about 30 minutes to complete, while the pelvic floor & core training sessions take about 10 minutes.
The program is set up with the use of minimal equipment, such as:
- Dumbbells
- Platform
- Stability Ball
- Pilates Ball
Pros
Pelvic Floor & Core Sessions Included
One thing I was very uncertain about during my first pregnancy was how to train my core – or if I need to or should do it at all. Luckily, the Bodylura app includes specific core training sessions as part of the pregnancy workout program.
Especially during the second and third trimester, you have to adjust the way you are working out your core. And the app gives you specific exercises that let you train your midsection safely.
It also includes diaphragmatic breathing exercises. In the on-demand section of the app, you can find guided videos on how to exactly do this. I highly recommend watching these, as I found it otherwise hard to figure out what diaphragmatic breathing is exactly.
But I love that the app includes this plus specific exercises to keep up with working on your core.
Choose your own Level of Experience
The Bodylura app’s prenatal 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’re already training at an intermediate or advanced level pre-pregnancy, you might want to keep it a little challenging even during pregnancy (of course only if your doctor clears you for this type of exercising).
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. But it also does not go over the recommended maximum weight that a woman should lift while pregnant, therefore keeping the exercises pregnancy safe.
Cons
More Specific Equipment Needed
The Bodylura app’s pregnancy workout program is a program that can easily be done at home. However, it does require a little bit of equipment that I don’t have lying around the house and where I had to adjust my workouts.
E.g. I don’t have an exercise bench.
You can do some exercises still laying on the floor, or propping yourself up on the couch or a chair. But especially once you get into the second trimester, it is not recommended to lie flat on your back, so some exercises required an inclined bench.
Without a bench at home, or anything I could adjust to an incline position, I didn’t know how to substitute these exercises. I either did them standing up, or laying down, or skipped them altogether.
Other exercises also featured a big stability ball and a small Pilates ball, both things I did and do not own.
I often chose to replace the stability ball either by propping myself up on a chair or the couch, or did it standing up.
The Pilates ball I replaced with a thick cushion, which worked well.
Here, I wish there was a little more guidance on how to replace these items. Especially since it is a workout program that you are supposed to be able to do from home.
Too Challenging Exercises and Too High Dumbbell Weight Recommendations
One thing that frustrated me a little bit when using the Bodylura app’s pregnancy workout program is that there were quite a few challenging exercises.
Of course, I want to work out to stay strong and fit, even while pregnant, so a little challenge is okay. But I often times found lots of compound exercises getting a little tiring.
In addition, I found some of the dumbbell weight recommendations a little too high. This might be because I have weak arms, but especially for arm workouts I often chose a lower than recommended weight.
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 is a tiny bit challenging at times, especially for beginners.
Sweat App – Pregnancy Workout Program
In 2022, the Sweat app introduced pregnancy workout programs to its platform. Previously, there were only postpartum programs available, so I was very excited when I saw this announcement.
Currently, there are 3 programs to choose from:
- Pregnancy with Kayla
- Pregnancy with Kelsey
- Pregnancy Barre with Britany
I will focus on the “Pregnancy with Kayla” program, as I have yet to try the other programs.
I chose Kayla’s program because I prefer her training style over Kelsey’s and hence figured it would be the best choice for me during my pregnancy.
Overview
The Sweat app’s pregnancy workout program is a 40 week program that features 3 workouts per week. They are split in an upper body, lower body, and a full body workout.
Each workout takes about 20-30 minutes to complete, and includes a few stretching exercises afterwards, which are optional.
There is minimal equipment needed, such as:
- Dumbbells
- Chair
- Step
- Resistance/recovery band
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.
Additionally, you should probably talk to your doctor about what is safe for you when it comes to lifting dumbbells and what weight is appropriate.
Short Workouts
I also like that all workouts are relatively short and can be completed within 20-30 minutes. If you don’t take all the recommended rest breaks, you can even complete some workouts within 15 minutes.
While I enjoy some longer training sessions here and there, being pregnant and tired I prefer shorter workouts. If I feel up for it and like I need to do more, I would either just repeat a whole workout or a part of it, or tag on one of the other two workouts. Or go for a long walk or fit in some other type of cardio.
And especially if you have a little one running around at home, you might not have more than 20 minutes of free time for your workouts anyways.
Stretching Exercises Included
Another element of the Sweat app pregnancy workout program that I really like is the inclusion of stretching exercises.
Each workout finishes with optimal stretching, which is always just a few exercises. I like that you can opt to complete these if you have the time, or skip them if you don’t.
Also, I know there are some adjustments needed when it comes to stretching in pregnancy so I appreciate the suggestions in the app.
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.
But especially while pregnant and having to focus even more on the correct form, it comes in handy.
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
The number one thing I miss in this app’s pregnancy workout program are specific core exercises.
I know that especially past the first trimester, you are not supposed to train your core as before, meaning sit-ups, crunches etc. are not a good idea.
However, I also know that there are a number of exercises that you can do safely to strengthen your core while pregnant. And I found that to be important, strengthening your midsection, especially since it is changing and expanding so much during pregnancy and enduring so much added pressure.
Some exercises that are included in the workouts will for sure train your core safely while also working on other parts. But I really wish they would include some more specific exercises regarding core training while pregnant, even if it is just diaphragmatic breathing exercises.
No Recommended Dumbbell Weight
I listed this as a pro before, but at the same time, the lack of a dumbbell weight recommendation is also a con for me.
While overall it is safest to ask your doctor about how much weight you are allowed to lift while pregnant, it would be good to have some kind of guidance on this.
Especially if you are a beginner and don’t know what weight is too little or too much, and you just receive a ballpark number from your doctor. It would be helpful to know a range of what is recommended for each exercise, specifically to not overdo it.
Or have an alternative listed, or that just training with your own body weight and no dumbbells is fine as well.
Not Challenging Enough
Now 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, the Sweat app’s pregnancy workout program often feels quite easy and not challenging enough for me.
I understand that there are more important things in pregnancy than staying fit and working out. And that you are not supposed to overly exert yourself.
However, going from breaking a sweat during my workouts before being pregnant to barely needing to put on gym clothes doesn’t feel right to me.
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.
Therefore, I often find myself either adding on another workout session, or increasing the number of repetitions to feel a little bit of a challenge.
Quick Transitions from Standing to Laying Down
The last thing I need to mention under cons is that there is sometimes a very quick transition from exercises that are completed standing up to exercises that are completed laying down.
Some workout blocks feature a triset of exercises, that are each to be completed in e.g. 30 seconds. While the app gives you three seconds to switch to the next exercise, I feel like that is sometimes not enough. Especially if you go from standing to laying down.
I often find myself having to restart the exercise if that happens. I’d rather make sure I’m not rushing to the floor and finding the right position first before starting the exercise.
And I feel like it could lead to injury or incorrect form, if you have to rush to lay down and start the exercise.
Conclusion – Which App is Better?
Both apps have a great pregnancy workout program, and it is up to you to decide which one fits your needs better.
If you’re looking for a little more challenging program with included core exercises, the Bodylura app might be the better choice for you.
If you prefer a more easy-going program with less intensity and additional stretching exercises, the Sweat app would be the better choice.
Overall, I am happy I got to try out both programs – and I couldn’t have chosen better for each of my pregnancies. Before my first pregnancy, I was used to longer, higher impact workouts. So only having the Bodylura app pregnancy workout available then worked out great.
Right before my second pregnancy, I had a knee surgery to repair my meniscus. So once I was cleared to work out again, I started the Sweat app’s pregnancy workout program. Its lower pace and intensity with additional stretching exercises was a much better fit right then.
If you’re still unsure, 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.
Just use my links below to claim your free trial and get started on your prenatal fitness journey!
- Try out the Bodylura app
- Try out the Sweat app
Bonus – Free Pregnancy 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 pregnancy workout programs and apps, consider the following:
Both offer free prenatal and postpartum workouts that are video based and easy to follow-along!