The Barbell Mamas’ Story

During Christina’s pregnancy with her first child, she competed in a weightlifting meet. One month prior to the event, she was warming up to snatch and suddenly started bawling; the barbell came in contact with her pelvis, and she had no idea if that was okay. Even as a physical therapist she wasn’t sure, so she ended up contacting a high-risk OB/GYN who reassured her that everything was fine.

Christina recognized that she needed to learn more about navigating this new stage of her life, so she began doing a lot of research. She realized that there was literally nothing to help guide mothers through this stage of their life. As someone that is educated in anatomy, physiology, rehab, as well as being a CrossFit and weightlifting coach, she wanted someone or something that could help her as an athlete… but that didn’t exist.

With a mission to make moms and moms-to-be feel empowered and strong, The Barbell Mamas was created to help guide athletes through their pregnancy and into their postpartum period(s) of life. Run by pelvic floor physical therapists who are also athletes and mothers, the program and community was created to give you the tools to modify your movements based on your specific circumstances and needs. With exclusive access to pelvic floor physical therapists in our exclusive group, The Barbell Mamas aims to teach you the fundamentals you need to safely participate in or re-enter your sport.

All of our programming takes into account the important parts of the pelvic floor recovery and issue prevention process. When accessing your programming, you’ll see how to modify your programming based on things like having a c-section, diastasis recti, incontinence, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned athlete, your membership and new community of like-minded people will help support you through this period of your life.

The Barbell Mamas’
Core Values

Education

To give women information to exercise without fear, as they progress through and into motherhood.

Empowerment

To provide women with the skills and feedback that they need to feel confident that they’re doing what’s best for their bodies during pregnancy and postpartum.

Community

Moms who love lifting weights can sometimes feel alone or isolated. The Barbell Mamas aims to provide a supportive network of like-minded people that understand your goals.

Free of Shame

We aim to have a community where moms can discuss various topics and feel all of the complicated emotions that happen during pregnancy and postpartum as it relates to life, family, exercise, and identity.

The Barbell Mama's Core Values

Education
To give women information to exercise without fear, as they progress through and into motherhood.​
Empowerment
To provide women with the skills and feedback that they need to feel confident that they’re doing what’s best for their bodies during pregnancy and postpartum.​
Community
Moms who love lifting weights can sometimes feel alone or isolated. The Barbell Mamas aims to provide a supportive network of like-minded people that understand your goals.​
Free of Shame
We aim to have a community where moms can discuss various topics and feel all of the complicated emotions that happen during pregnancy and postpartum as it relates to life, family, exercise, and identity. ​
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The creators

Christina Prevett

Christina Prevett

"The Mom"

Christina Prevett is a pelvic floor physiotherapist who has a passion for helping women with different life transitions, including postpartum care and menopause. 

In 2013, Christina completed her Masters of Physiotherapy and is currently completing the final year of her PhD at the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. Christina co-created and hosted a group class called Strong Like Mom during her first entrepreneurial endeavour, STAVE OFF. This catapulted her passion for working with mothers, and led her to create various programs such as Performance Plus: Return to Gymnastics Postpartum Program. 

Christina teaches five courses at the Institute of Clinical Excellence, including Clinical Management of the Fitness Athlete: Pregnancy and Postpartum, where she helps physiotherapists empower their pregnant and postpartum athletes to safely continue strength training. She speaks internationally on topics such as Lifting in Pregnancy and Postpartum and Pelvic Health for the Female Athlete. 

Christina is a national level weightlifter, who competed in powerlifting and olympic weightlifting meets within 6 months of giving birth to her daughter Mya. She has also completed the CrossFit Open while pregnant twice, most recently with her baby that’s currently on their way! Alongside her husband Nick (The Dad), you can find Christina spending time with her family and furbabies, continuing education, working out, or reading about one of her other passions – gardening.

Nick Prevett

Nick Prevett

"The Dad"

Nick grew up in northern Ontario playing football, and continued this into his young adulthood by playing at the collegiate level for the York University Lions football team as a running back. During this period of his life, he also began interning as an Assistant Strength Coach, which led to him working as a Strength Coach in 2012. In 2013, Nick completed his CF-L1, which provided further education on fundamental principles and movements of CrossFit. This started his career as a coach and manager for a local CrossFit gym, while completing his BA in Kinesiology.

Nick has coached many women throughout their pregnancies, and has helped them regain strength postpartum. He has helped create bridges for movement for women who are experiencing pelvic issues, in collaboration with pelvic floor physical therapists. He further his knowledge and expertise in this area, by co-creating the Strong Like Mom program with his wife, Christina.

Nick regularly competes in CrossFit and weightlifting, and aims to be a role model for his daughter (and the new baby on the way!) by showing them what it means to be strong and confident. When not working on new entrepreneurial endeavours, you’ll find Nick either on a golf course or hiking with Christina, Mya, and their 3 dogs.

The Contributors

Dr. Rachel Moore

Dr. Rachel Moore

Rachel Moore specializes in pelvic health, and enjoys bridging her love of fitness with pelvic floor physical therapy to allow women to achieve their fitness goals while staying pain-free… and keeping their pants dry!

Rachel graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas, and went on to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She started her CrossFit journey after taking Institute of Clinical Excellence’s course on Clinical Management of Fitness Athletes, which led her to complete her CF-L1 and coach CrossFit classes at CrossFit Overtake. After the birth of her daughter and her own experience returning to CrossFit postpartum, she dove deep into learning everything she wished she had known before delivery!

When not working at her business Disrupt Physiotherapy, she can be found chasing after her 1 year old daughter, or heading out with her family to check out a brewery.

Dr. Jessica Gingerich

Dr. Jessica Gingerich

Dr. Jessica Gingerich has a passion for helping women remain strong and active through all stages of life, specifically during pregnancy and postpartum periods. 

Jess received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Lynchburg in 2017. As an internally trained pelvic floor physical therapist, she fell in love with helping women find their strength as mothers, professionals, or whatever is the most meaningful to them! 

Jess completed her American Physical Therapy Association levels 1-3 pelvic health courses, and is currently a teaching assistant for the Institute of Clinical Excellence Fitness Athlete: Pregnancy and Postpartum course. When not at her business Onward Greenville, you can find Jess exploring new local coffee shops or hiking with her husband Cody and dog, Olive.

Dr. Ellison Melrose

Dr. Ellison Melrose

Dr. Ellison Melrose is passionate about fitness in all patient populations, but particularly in prenatal and postpartum women.

Ellison’s journey began with completing her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Sport Science and Nutrition, in her hometown at the University of Utah. In 2017, she then received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of the Pacific. Ellison has since moved to Colorado, where she’s happy to be back to her mountain lifestyle!

Following the birth of her son in 2019, Ellison became eager to continue her education and teach others about the benefits of exercising during pregnancy and postpartum periods. With a passion for reducing stigma associated with pelvic floor dysfunction, she primarily treats pelvic floor dysfunction (and orthopedic injuries) at Colorado In Motion.