By Dr. Brett Poniros, DC, CSCS
For many women, pregnancy and postpartum mark a profound journey of physical and emotional transformation. Yet when it comes to fitness and recovery, these women are often left in a gap — between gentle postpartum exercises and the higher levels of activity they want to return to.
It is a gap we see regularly at Apollo, and one we have made it our mission to close.
Fitness professionals often lack the specialized knowledge to handle the complexities of the postpartum stage. Meanwhile, OB/GYN professionals are typically not equipped to guide women beyond the six-week postpartum checkup.
As a result, many women feel lost — unsure of how to rebuild their strength and fitness safely. This uncertainty often leads to extended periods of inactivity, loss of strength, and declines in cardiovascular health. Separately, pelvic floor dysfunction is a well-documented postpartum concern — a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis found that structured pelvic floor exercise meaningfully reduces the risk of urinary incontinence (by 37%) and pelvic organ prolapse (by 56%) compared to no exercise.[1]
The reality is that childbirth is one of the most physically demanding experiences the female body can endure — yet there is no standard protocol for recovery comparable to what exists for surgical or injury rehabilitation.
At Apollo, we are working to change that.
When my wife was pregnant with our first child, I was in awe of what the female body goes through during pregnancy and childbirth. Watching her navigate the postpartum recovery period was eye-opening.
Like so many other women, she was left wondering how to safely return to the activities she loved. The standard advice of "take it easy" and "listen to your body" only took her so far.
With a structured, progressive approach, she not only recovered — she came back stronger than before.
Seeing that transformation firsthand solidified my belief that women deserve far more comprehensive support during this phase. It also fueled my commitment to ensuring that Apollo provides the expertise and structure women need to reclaim their strength and confidence after childbirth.
Whether you are six weeks postpartum or several months into motherhood, we design programs that progress from foundational movements to more advanced work at a pace appropriate for your body.
Our goal is not simply to get you back to where you were before pregnancy — it is to help you exceed those levels. It is the same philosophy behind Building a Body That Keeps Up With You: strength training that supports every stage of life, not just a short-term look or goal.
We focus on:
We are not pelvic floor physical therapists, and we do not try to be. We deeply respect the critical role these specialists play in postpartum recovery.
When needed, we collaborate with highly skilled pelvic floor therapists to address issues outside our scope. This team-based approach ensures our clients receive the complete, coordinated care they need.
The standard six-week postpartum checkup is an important milestone — but it is not a green light to simply resume all prior activity. Recovery does not end at six weeks. It is an ongoing process that requires careful planning, appropriate progression, and support from providers who understand your goals.
If you have been cleared by your OB/GYN and are ready to start rebuilding your strength — but are not sure where to begin — that is exactly where we come in.
Dr. Brett Poniros, DC, CSCS is the founder of Apollo Performance Chiropractic & Training in Pleasantville, NY.
