Amanda Lewis – In Pole Position

Amanda Lewis – In Pole Position
March 29, 2018 Nicola
amanda pole dancing during pregnancy pregnant not powerless

Pregnant fitness instructor Amanda Lewis has even more reason to celebrate than most Mammas-to-be…

Amanda, who teaches pre and postnatal fitness and pregnancy Pilates as well as Pole Fitness, Aerial Hoop and Hammock has the dubious distinction of being the youngest woman in the UK go through the menopause.

Having started her periods when she was 10, Amanda went through the menopause at the age of 11 and always knew she would never conceive a child naturally.  She had already had to cope with all the symptoms of menopause before she even reached her teens and was very aware of the problems she was likely to face to become pregnant by IVF, including hormone treatments to prepare her body.
Remarkably, Amanda’s first round of IVF, using a donor egg and her partners sperm was a success with her baby boy due in August!

amanda poling during pregnancy pregnant not powerless

‘I couldn’t believe it!’ she said.  ‘The odds against the IVF working immediately were really high.  I had to take hormones to increase the size of my uterus but they worked really quickly and incredibly, the IVF worked at the first attempt.  We’ve had regular scans to monitor his progress and everything is going really well!’
Amanda has been running her fitness business since 2010. Based in Nuneaton she was already a qualified fitness instructor when she was introduced to pole fitness. ‘I was working as a gym instructor, teaching a range of classes but pole fitness is so much fun! It’s really good for toning your arms and shoulders, as well as improving your overall strength and flexibility.’  Now she runs Bliss Pole & Aerial, with several instructors and a mixture of fitness classes including the popular Mum & Baby postnatal Pilates sessions.
A truly inspirational FittaMamma, Amanda has no intention of giving up her fitness teaching during pregnancy.  Her IVF baby is due in August and she expects to continue teaching at least until June.

amanda-poling during pregnancy pregnant not powerless

‘As a fitness instructor I’m very in tune with my body.  I know what exercise is safe to continue during pregnancy and what movements feel more uncomfortable. My centre of gravity has changed already, so standing on one leg is quite tricky and I’m definitely avoiding twisting movements.
‘If there’s anything I can’t demonstrate when I’m teaching my classes are very understanding and just listen more carefully!’ she said.
Most of Amanda’s training takes place when she’s teaching, but with a full schedule of classes she’s staying very active, maintaining her strength, flexibility and cardio fitness during her pregnancy.  She’s also joined a pregnancy yoga class, after finding her pre-pregnancy yoga sessions included too many moves that just aren’t suitable now she’s expecting.
Amanda’s partner is fully supportive of her intention to continue to dance and exercise during her pregnancy.  ‘I know that some partners are anxious, especially when it’s an IVF pregnancy, but Tom recognises that I’m sensible and know what exercise I can and can’t do.  I’m Pregnant, Not Powerless and the benefits of staying active during pregnancy are just as relevant for an IVF baby!’

Check out Amanda’s pre and postnatal fitness and pole fitness classes: blisspolefit.co.uk