Crystal Palace Women midfielder Justine Vanhaevermaet has earned widespread praise after sharing photos of herself taking part in light preseason training while seven months pregnant with her first child.
The 34-year-old Belgium international posted images from the club’s training ground this week, showing her participating in carefully managed fitness sessions as Palace prepare for their return to the Women’s Super League in September. Vanhaevermaet explained that her workouts have been approved by medical professionals and adapted to suit her pregnancy.
The experienced midfielder first announced her pregnancy in April, revealing that she and her partner, Thomas, were expecting their first child. At the time, she made it clear that pregnancy would not mean the end of her active lifestyle, stressing that she intended to continue exercising safely under medical guidance.
Her latest training update quickly gained traction across social media, with many fans and fellow athletes applauding her commitment to fitness. ESPN W and several football pages highlighted her discipline, while supporters praised her for demonstrating that pregnancy, when medically supervised, does not necessarily prevent women from staying physically active.
The photos also sparked humorous reactions online, with some users joking that Vanhaevermaet appeared fitter than several male footballers despite being seven months pregnant. Others, particularly on Nigerian social media, debated cultural attitudes toward pregnancy, with some expressing surprise at the intensity of her training while others pointed out that moderate exercise during a healthy pregnancy is widely recommended by medical experts.
Vanhaevermaet joined Crystal Palace ahead of the 2025–26 season after spells with Everton, Reading and Norwegian side LSK Kvinner. She has also been a regular for the Belgian national team, bringing years of top-flight experience to Palace’s midfield.
As she balances preparations for motherhood with maintaining her fitness, Vanhaevermaet’s story has become an inspiring example of modern athletes challenging traditional perceptions around pregnancy and elite sport. With her due date approaching later this year, the midfielder continues to emphasize that every stage of her training is being carried out with medical guidance and the health of both mother and baby as the top priority.
