FlowPilates and recent abdominal surgery
This is how FlowMat builds pilates classes for a student with recent abdominal surgery. They are the app's real rules, reviewed by a medical committee: what isn't recommended is never suggested, and what needs care comes with a warning for the teacher.
500 exercises in the catalog
Guidance for the class
Exercises FlowMat does not suggest
These are 6 of the catalog's exercises that FlowMat keeps out of the class when this condition is present.
Exercises that come with a warning
Examples of exercises that do appear, with the guidance the teacher gets.
Keep breathing out steadily, avoid holding your breath, and stop if you feel bulging or pain near the scar.
Use your hands for support and exhale as you roll down; stop if you feel pulling or discomfort at the scar.
Engage your pelvic floor before moving the legs and exhale with each switch; stop if local discomfort appears.
Progress only after breathing re-education and deep abdominal activation.
Let the band assist on the way back and exhale as you lower; stop if you feel pulling at the scar.
Use the ball for support and control the range; exhale as you lower and stop if you feel discomfort.
Place a pillow under your belly to ease pressure on the scar.
Exhale as you lift the chest and avoid pulling on the neck; stop if you feel discomfort or tightness at the scar.
Exhale continuously as you curve the spine and avoid holding your breath; stop if you feel discomfort or bulging.
Exhale as you curl up, don't hold your breath, and stop if you feel abdominal bulging or discomfort.
Exhale as you round your lower back and avoid holding your breath; stop if you feel abdominal discomfort or bulging.
Remove the curl phase and limit the work to the side sway and gentle extension, without pressing on the scar.
and 86 more in the app's catalog.
How the class is adjusted
- Reps and times at 70% of normal.
- 20 seconds of rest between exercises.
- It asks for medical clearance before starting.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do pilates with recent abdominal surgery?
It depends on each person and on what their treating doctor says. FlowMat does not replace that judgment: it helps the teacher plan the class, avoiding what isn't recommended with recent abdominal surgery and flagging what needs care.
What does FlowMat do with exercises that are not recommended?
It never suggests them when building the class, and they don’t show up as a replacement when you swap an exercise either.
Can I change the class FlowMat builds?
Yes. You can swap, remove, add or reorder exercises and adjust the reps. The catalog only offers exercises that are safe for the student.