In our second episode, we hosted Coach Mais Tahaub, the first Jordanian woman to obtain a specialization certificate in corrective exercises for pregnant and postpartum women. She is also one of the leading voices in the field of safe and tailored exercise for women during pregnancy and after childbirth. In this conversation, Mais opened a door to awareness and specialization, emphasizing the importance of combining science, understanding, and humanity when coaching this unique group of women.
Mais began by highlighting that a successful coach cannot be a generalist in everything. The sports field is vast, and excellence requires specialization and depth. She only reached her position because she chose a precise field and pursued it through research, practice, and continuous learning. For her, specializing in training pregnant women was not just a theoretical choice, but one driven by a real societal need and a challenging field reality.
Mais clarified that training during pregnancy is not forbidden, as many believe, but rather essential—if done correctly. This is where accurate assessment becomes crucial. Before any pregnant woman begins training, her blood pressure, health status, and overall risk level must be evaluated in cooperation with a medical professional.
She also noted that some exercises, such as those performed on the back, may be safe in the early months but should be modified in the second and third trimesters to seated or side-lying positions, depending on the case.
One of the clearest messages in Mais’ talk was the emphasis that a coach cannot work alone. They are part of a larger system that includes doctors, specialists, and consultants. She stressed that a good coach is the one who knows when to refer a case to another professional. Even a specialized coach needs a complete team to provide safe and professional service.
Mais explained that training for pregnant women should cover all basic movement planes:
This variety is essential to strengthen the whole body and support the physiological changes that a pregnant woman experiences.
Mais shared several resources to help coaches who wish to specialize in this field, such as:
Mais outlined three key traits every coach aiming for success in this field should have:
On the other hand, Mais stressed there are qualities that are unacceptable and even dangerous for the safety of clients:
Mais Tahaub highlighted that exercise during and after pregnancy is an opportunity to enhance women’s health, not a risk. But it requires a specialized coach who knows how to assess, explain, and communicate with honesty and scientific grounding. Not every coach is qualified to train pregnant women—but every coach can begin learning.
Her message was clear: specialization, respect, and continuous learning are the keys to success, because this field is not just about muscles and weights—it’s about lives, responsibilities, and safety.
