NEXER Corporation, Survey on Postpartum Exercise
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Postpartum body shape changes, a common problem faced by many women
A woman's body changes more than one can imagine after a major life event such as childbirth.
Many women are perplexed by their different appearance from before childbirth, such as a sagging belly, weight gain, and loss of muscle strength. It is not always easy to find time to face one's own body in the midst of the daily grind of raising a child.
In collaboration with the SILK, a Pilates studio specializing in machine-based exercises, we conducted a survey on postpartum exercise among 112 women who responded in a preliminary survey that they had "experienced childbirth.
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Survey Summary of "Questionnaire on Postpartum Exercise"
Survey method: Internet questionnaire
Survey period: January 20, 2026 - January 25, 2026
Survey population: Women who responded in the preliminary survey that they have experienced childbirth.
Valid responses: 112 samples
Questions:
Question 1: Have you ever felt a lack of exercise or a change in body shape after childbirth?
Question 2: How long after the birth did you notice any change in your physical shape or lack of exercise?
Question 3: Did you do any postpartum exercise?
Question 4: What made you decide to start exercising postpartum?
Question 5: Please select all that apply to what postpartum exercise you actually engaged in. (Multiple answers allowed)
Question 6: Have you ever felt good about engaging in postpartum exercise?
Question 7: Why did you feel good about engaging in postpartum exercise?
*As a general rule, the figures are rounded off to one decimal place, so the total may not equal 100%.
78.6% of respondents have felt a lack of exercise or a change in body shape after childbirth
First, we surveyed women who had given birth to see if they had ever felt a lack of exercise or a change in body shape after childbirth.
As a result, 47.3% responded "very much" and 31.3% responded "somewhat," revealing that a total of 78.6% of the respondents felt a lack of exercise and changes in body shape after childbirth. On the other hand, only 16.1% responded "not very much" and 5.4% responded "not at all.
Multiple factors may be at play, including changes in hormonal balance due to pregnancy and childbirth, as well as the fact that the rhythm of life is easily disrupted by child rearing.
46.6% said they felt an "immediate" lack of exercise or change in body shape
We then asked them how soon after the birth of their child they began to feel a lack of exercise and a change in body shape.
The most common response was "immediately" at 46.6%. This was followed by "within 3 months" at 23.9%, "more than a year later" at 15.9%, and "within 6 months to a year" at 13.6%.
About half of the respondents have noticed changes in their bodies immediately after giving birth, indicating that there are many problems that they face immediately after childbirth, such as changes in the abdominal area and difficulty regaining weight.
72.7% of respondents reported that they do not exercise after childbirth
We then surveyed whether they engaged in exercise after childbirth.
As a result, 27.3% said they "did" and 72.7% said they "did not. Only about 30% of the respondents were able to actually engage in exercise, even though they were aware of postpartum body shape changes.
Childcare continues day and night, including feeding, changing diapers, and dealing with nighttime crying. This may affect the situation making it difficult to secure time for oneself.
We then asked them what made them decide to start exercising.
What made you decide to start exercising after childbirth?
... I was too tired to change my body shape. (30s, female)
I can't wear the clothes I used to wear. (50s, female)
I was very happy because my body became lighter and I ran. (40s, female)
I wanted to improve my body shape. (40s, female)
I still noticed that I gained weight right after childbirth. (40s, female)
Impatience with the change in body shape and the desire to get back to their previous shape seemed to be the trigger for them to start exercising. Some of them took action when they could no longer wear their favorite clothes.
87.5% reported that they engaged in "walking/jogging
We then asked them about the types of exercise they actually engaged in.
Walking/jogging" was the most popular choice with an overwhelming 87.5% of respondents. Muscle training (at home or gym)" was next at 25.0%, followed by "Yoga" at 16.7%, and "Pilates" and "Dance or aerobics" at 8.3% each.
Walking and jogging are popular because they are easy and can be done while pushing a stroller. Another reason may be that they are easy to start, requiring no special equipment or space. It seems that many people choose walking and jogging as a form of exercise that they can easily incorporate into their daily lives while taking time off from childcare.
95.8% said they were glad they engaged in postpartum exercise
Finally, we asked them if they had ever felt good about their exercise efforts.
A total of 95.8% of the respondents felt "very much" and 45.8% "somewhat," indicating that a total of 95.8% felt good about their postpartum exercise efforts. Only 4.2% responded "not very much."
We asked them why they felt good about engaging in postpartum exercise, and here are some of the reasons.
Why did you feel good about engaging in postpartum exercise?
I was pushing a baby stroller and walking around the neighborhood because my child used to sleep well. It was also a practical benefit. (50s, female).
I am back in shape naturally. (60s, female)
...I like to move outside and run with my doggies and kids. I like to run and my body is in good shape. (40s, female)
I was able to maintain my body shape. (60s, female)
Many of them feel that exercise not only improves their physical shape, but also helps them feel refreshed and in good physical condition. Going out with their babies seems to be a positive experience for both parents and children.
summary
In this survey, about 80% of the women felt that they lacked exercise and experienced changes in their body shape after childbirth. On the other hand, only about 30% of them actually engaged in exercise.
However, approximately 96% of those who practiced exercise said they were glad they did. These results suggest that postpartum exercise has significant benefits.
It is not easy to start exercising while raising a child, as time and energy are limited. One way to start is to begin with exercise that you can do with your baby, such as taking a walk in a stroller.
In addition, Pilates and yoga studios with professional instructors can help you safely work on your body with programs suited to your postpartum body.
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About the SILK
Company name: HYV Co.
Location: ARCO TOWER 17F, 1-8-1 Shimo-Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0064
Representative: Kohei Chino
Phone number: 03-6432-5980
Business activities: Operation of a Pilates studio, sales of sports equipment and supplements, training of trainers, and training guidance
About NEXER Corporation
Headquarters: Rise Arena Building 11F, 4-5-2 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013, Japan
Representative Director: Hiroya Miyata
URL:https://www.nexer.co.jp
Business activities: Internet research, SEO, web branding, review contents, real store support, website production
