A lot of women view their pregnancy period as a time of relaxation and being completely spoiled. After all, while waiting for the battle of a lifetime, most people question why they should do any sort of work at all. Well, we’re here to tell you that it should not be that way. By doing the proper workouts, you can not only improve your general health during pregnancy but certain cardiovascular exercises will increase blood circulation, muscle tone, and endurance, which you will be grateful for come delivery day. So let’s dive right in and go over the best workouts to do during your pregnancy.
Swimming
On top of being a fun sport, swimming is one of the best cardio workouts that a pregnant woman can do. As exhausting as it may seem to be, unlike most cardio workouts that make use of one's body weight, however heavy that may be, when you’re in the water, you weigh less than you do on land, so you’ll feel lighter and more agile. That makes the exercises more bearable. In addition to this, it's well known that a refreshing dip in water relieves nausea, sciatic pain, and puffy ankles. Depending on where on the pregnancy scale you are, we understand that these may be issues that you are going through, and well, here’s one way to get relief.
Here’s a fun fact, when you’re in water, instead of you carrying the baby, the baby will be floating with you. This takes the weight away from your joints and ligaments even if it's just for a little bit. Do you see now why swimming is perfect for you? However, just like anything else, there are a few things to keep in mind when hanging near water. Firstly, the poolside is slippery, and falling is the last thing that you want to do as a pregnant lady. Also, it should go unsaid that you can’t be diving or holding your breath for too long.
Walking
This is potentially the easiest exercise to do as it does not need any equipment at all. All you need is your two feet and some ground to step on and just like that, you’re good to go. Do you see the beauty of walking now? Walking is a great cardio exercise that you can do right until your delivery date as walking also helps with contractions. With all this in place, try walking if you’re introducing yourself to exercises and you want one that’s easy to maintain.
Running
If walking is one of the good exercises then it stands to reason that running must be a good exercise as well. It has all the same benefits that walking has if not better. Just make sure you get your doctor's approval before you start anything hectic as the situation can differ on a case-by-case basis. Also, make sure that you don’t try to overdo it for any reason whatsoever. You are carrying a special package, so any unnecessary risk must not be taken.
Ellipticals, Stair climbers, Treadmills and Rowing machines
Ellipticals, stair climbers, treadmills, and rowing machines are all wonderful workout machines that you can purchase and own at home. That means that you can use them from the comfort of your own residence as you get your workouts in. On top of the added convenience of working from home, you get exercises that are perfect for you. Just make sure you adjust the speed, incline, and tension to a level that’s comfortable for you so that you’re not overdoing anything. Also, be sure to be very careful especially as you go into the latter stages of your pregnancy. You certainly can’t afford to be falling on treadmills or stair climbers.
Group Dance Or Aerobics Classes
One of the reasons why people don’t work out is because workouts are boring and sometimes bland. Pregnant or not, we tend to want to engage in activities that we find fun and exciting. That’s why group dances and aerobics classes are amazing options, particularly for pregnant women. You see, taking something like a dance class is a great way to get your blood pumping and your heart rate up. The best thing about all this is that it happens with very minimal strain on your body. What you need to keep in mind however is the fact that as you get on in your pregnancy cycle, your center of gravity changes. That means that your stability might be off so avoid jumping or any sort of high-impact movements. Our major priority is making sure that the baby is safe throughout all these sorts of exercises so we’ll need you, future mother, to be very aware of your limitations.
Indoor Cycling
Cycling has always been a great exercise, and indoor cycling is even better if you’re a pregnant lady. That’s because you are not at risk of falling over on the road or subjecting yourself to external environments that may not be good for you. Just make sure to observe certain things as you work out, so you’re maintaining good form. A good example is that you must adjust the handlebars so you’re more upright and not leaning forward to avoid adding pressure on your lower back. Also, stay seated during hill climbs, since standing is too intense for moms-to-be. We don’t want to hurt our bundles of joy. There might be too many rules to remember but if you tell your instructor about your condition, he/she is bound to draw up a plan that keeps you and the baby safe.