Burgeon Athlete: Melissa Arras

Burgeon Barbell Athlete, Melissa Arras: Postpartum PRs

Melissa has been nothing but patient and committed as we’ve made our way back to barbell training. The first month after c-section was devoted to healing, walking, diaphragmatic breathing, and engagement of the transverse abdominals and pelvic floor muscles. During the next block we emphasized movements that helped engage and strengthen the “core” muscles (the abdominals that have been over-stretched from pregnancy and c-section and the back muscles). Because of her level of fitness prior to delivery, we were able to progress from bodyweight exercises to resistance training very smoothly during that first block of training. Very proud of her progress and happy to see her back to the training that she loves!

Postpartum Best Lifts:

• Overhead Press 65 lbs x 8 reps

• Squat 175 lbs x 1 rep

• Bench Press 100 lbs x 8 reps and 135 lbs x 1 rep

• Deadlift 185 lbs x 1 rep