Why I Went on a Fitmoon 6.5 Months Pregnant

Throughout my pregnancy, I’ve tried my best to prioritize movement, knowing how good it is for myself and baby. But I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t let my anxiety get the best of me in the third trimester, allowing my doubts to creep in about what my body is capable of despite being cleared for exercise by my doctor.

For first-time moms, and honestly anytime moms, I know this anxiety is normal. I don’t blame myself for the sedentary days when my longest walks are from the office to the kitchen. But I also know how good movement makes me feel. The Saturdays that I push myself to go to prenatal yoga, the mornings when I take a lap around the block, and the evenings when I do some mobility work after logging off are the days I feel the most energized. Plus, I want to set an early and long-lasting example for my daughter that taking time for your body isn’t selfish, it’s self-care.

Reminding myself of that, I started thinking about what I wanted my babymoon to look like. I knew I wanted to be somewhere warm, by the water, and with plenty of opportunities for relaxation (I’m almost seven months pregnant, after all, and I deserve it). But I also wanted to plan a trip that incorporated movement and exercise into my days. So when Hydrow, a luxury rowing machine company (think: Peloton, but strictly for rowers), invited me on a fitness-centric press trip to the private resort of Ambergris Cay in Turks and Caicos, it seemed kismet.

The proposed agenda: tennis and pickleball, e-bikes and guided nature trails, a private charter with conch and lobster diving, sunrise yoga, and a Hydrow workout with a pro rower, Mac Evans. I knew going into the trip that I wouldn’t be able to do everything, at least not without modifications. But I was also eager and excited to treat myself to a little fit-venture.

My Fitmoon Experience

After a quick 1.5-hour flight from Miami to Providenciales, I hopped on a private charter plane to Ambergris Cay, where I was greeted with a cold, herbal-infused towel and clear teal waters. The staff quickly made our bags disappear, exchanging them for refreshing fruit juice and glasses of Champagne. Then, it was off to tour our villa for the next three days, in personal golf carts, no less.

The villa itself was stunning, with three spacious bedrooms (baby and I lucked out with the master!) and a direct sightline to the ocean. The place was outfitted with everything you’d need for fitmoon: the Hydrow Arc Rower ($2,295), resistance bands, yoga mats and blocks, hydration packs, an insulated water bottle, and a sweat towel. And for recovery: a private pool, outdoor shower, and king-size bed to spread out and sink yourself into with ease.

First up on the agenda after getting settled was lunch (a blackened grouper burger for me) and then a guided Hydrow workout led by Hydrow athlete Mac Evans, who rowed D1 at Rutgers University. We started with a quick yoga and stretch session to shake of some of the plane stiffness. Then, we took to the rower one by one while Mac corrected our form, implemented pro techniques, and helped us maximize the total-body benefits of the Hydrow machine. I was quickly humbled by her instruction, as she guided my hands to the right positioning and demonstrated the 3-2-1 method designed to help master the rowing stroke and optimize power output.

After the 30-minute group session, we came to a consensus: rowing is a lot harder than we thought, but the effects are immediate, with muscle soreness kicking in just minutes after removing the foot straps.

After the workout, it was off to dinner at the resort’s oceanfront restaurant and back to our villa to rest for tomorrow’s early morning start time. The next morning, I tried out the Hydrow again, hoping to implement my new technique. This time, my body naturally fell into a rhythm, and with my form in a much better place, I felt more comfortable exploring the machine’s AI metrics, which can track precision, power, and endurance with every stroke. Pro tip for pregnant women looking to row: lean back less into the finish position and keep a tall posture to reduce lower back strain (an early mistake of mine!). Stop if you feel any discomfort. And, of course, clear the workout with your doctor before starting anything new. I still have a long way to go before I’m hitting PRs and won’t be going hard into rowing as I enter my third trimester, but I love the idea of implementing this low-impact workout when I get back into the swing of things postpartum.

After my morning Hydrow session, we had breakfast and headed to the dock for our three-hour private charter with conch and lobster diving. I can’t swim, so no diving for me. But I strapped on my life jacket and happily waded in the clear blue waters with the rest of the editors, feeling more weightless than I’d felt in months. I let the ocean lift up my legs and helped onboard the conch shells as the divers came back up from the bottom of the ocean.

After the charter tour, we had lunch at the clubhouse and had the option to take a sailing class. But by then, I was in need of a nap. I skipped the sailing and instead took an outdoor shower, put on my pajamas and eye mask, and napped until dinner, where we actually got to eat the conch that we caught (in both fried and fritter form!).

When I woke up the next morning, I put on my matching yoga set and headed to the golf cart to drive to our sunrise rooftop yoga. The instructor guided us through an hour of different flows and breathing techniques as I opted for a few modifications. We ended the session with a calming sound bath (a favorite wellness practice of mine), and I found myself drifting off to sleep as the morning breeze brushed across my face. Then, it was off to our final breakfast and back to the villa to pack and say goodbye to our getaway.

Final Thoughts About My Fitmoon

I have zero regrets about my fitmoon. While it wasn’t the most strenuous of weekends, I loved all the forms of movement that were woven into my stay. Instead of worrying about the things by body used to be able to do, I embraced just doing what feels good — from Hydrow rowing sessions to sunrise yoga and boating and floating through the beautiful teal waters. My body supported me in everything I wanted to do, with a few modifications. And in the end, I was grateful for a new kind of strength, recognizing that not only is my body capable of creation, it can stretch, move, row, climb, and swim (with a life jacket!) — in addition to rest. I walked away from my three days in Turks and Caicos with a clear takeaway: to trust my body in every phase of life.

Alexis Jones (she/her) is the section lead of the health and fitness verticals at Popsugar, overseeing coverage across the website, social media, and newsletters. In her seven-plus years of editorial experience, Alexis has developed passions for and expertise in mental health, women’s health and fitness, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and chronic conditions. Prior to joining PS, she was the senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found at Women’s Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.