• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Home Jobs by MOM

Home Jobs by MOM

Insights. Ideas. Improvements.

  • Lifestyle Insights
  • Business Ideas
    • Online Tools for Bloggers
  • Improving Family Life
  • Contact

Prenatal Fitness Tips – Why and How You Should Exercise

You are here: Home / Lifestyle / Health & Fitness / Exercise / Prenatal Fitness Tips – Why and How You Should Exercise

THIS WEBSITE USES AFFILIATE LINKS WHICH MEANS WE RECEIVE COMPENSATION IF YOU PURCHASE A PRODUCT THROUGH THEM. VISIT OUR DISCLOSURE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

February 22, 2016 by Amy Mia
Pin
Tweet
Share197
197 Shares
Pregnant Mother and Small Child
Image by Image Catalog on Flickr

Thanks to the age-old myths, many moms-to-be avoid prenatal exercising as they believe that strenuous workout can harm the baby. In reality, if a woman is having a normal pregnancy, she can continue to exercise, and a prenatal fitness or yoga training can even bring benefits such as:

  • Less fat gain
  • Less physical discomfort

  • More energy

  • Shorter labor and delivery and less complications

  • Faster recovery after childbirth

Of course, never go over your limits – stop when you feel you had enough. I like to say : “Better safe than sorry”. Anyway, make sure the gym is supplied with medical supplies in any case. In pregnancy, you might get tired more quickly, since the amount of blood that your heart needs to push around increases by about 50 percent. But, this just means that you will make more breaks. Although it is a common belief that pregnant women should keep their heart rate below 140, this number is not so strictly defined. Listen to your body and do whatever makes you feel good. Always check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Here is a program that can help:

A Trimester-by-Trimester Guide to Exercise

  • First Trimester Tips

pregnant

If you have been exercising before you got pregnant, you can continue doing it. This also includes the same amount of weight lifting. If you were not a regular exerciser, now is the time to become one. The best favor you can do to yourself in pregnancy is to keep moving. Begin with low-impact exercises 30 minutes a day three to five times a week and see how it goes. If possible, find a trainer who is experienced in working with future moms.

Get involved in prenatal yoga or Pilates. Pilates can help you with two major problems of all pregnant women: balance and lower back pain. Avoid all poses where you lie on your back, and any twisting and stretching of your belly. Workout once a week is enough to get your strength and balance in check. Yoga is the best exercise during pregnancy and the rest of your life. It will build your strength, improve balance, keep your muscles limber, lower your blood pressure, and teach you breathing techniques that will help you immensely during delivery. You should avoid backbends, headstands, and Bikram yoga.

  • Second Trimester Tips

    Stretching for pregnant women
    Image by A Healthier Michigan on Flickr

If you have been a runner before, you can probably continue to follow your routine, but you will have to give it up eventually. Women often find it very hard to run with a 5 to 6 months size belly. Walking is just as healthy as running and it is easier to keep up with. You can start with an easy stroll slowly picking up the pace. Stop when you feel tired. Equip yourself with comfortable shoes to reduce the stress on your joints, so you do not have to worry about falling over.

If you are a cyclist, switch to a stationary bike. The problem with bicycles and pregnancy is not in getting on the bike, but in falling off one, especially since your center of gravity will change at some point during pregnancy. Stationary bikes are safer and the effect is the same as if you were riding a bike on the street.

  • Third Trimester Tips

pregnancy

You can still lift weights in the third trimester, but your joints are more vulnerable, so opt for more repetitions, instead of more weight. Weight training will build your strength and help you carry the extra pounds.

Now is a great time to start swimming. The pool will become your best friend during pregnancy. You will get hooked up on that wonderful feeling of weightlessness. Your joints will rejoice once you take the stress off of them. Water exercises are low impact, and there is no fear of falling over and hurting yourself and the baby. Same as all other type of exercise, just make sure you do not twist your midsection too much, and get out of the pool as soon as you notice any fatigue.

It is clear that exercise is vital in the prenatal period. It's good for you and the baby, so there is no reason why you should avoid exercise in the prenatal period.

Be safe!

Did you exercise when you were pregnant?

Disclosure

Related Posts:

  • A Healthy Pregnancy Diet: What Expecting Mamas Should Know
    A Healthy Pregnancy Diet: What Expecting Mamas Should Know
  • Fitting in a Workout as a Busy Mom
    Fitting in a Workout as a Busy Mom
  • New Baby? Losing Postpartum Weight on a Budget
    New Baby? Losing Postpartum Weight on a Budget
  • How Workout Clothes Improve Your Workout
    How Workout Clothes Improve Your Workout
  • Essential Fitness Tips for New Mothers
    Essential Fitness Tips for New Mothers
  • 10 Reasons Exercise for Kids Should Start at an Early Age
    10 Reasons Exercise for Kids Should Start at an Early Age
  • 5 Types of Assisted Delivery Procedures in Childbirth
    5 Types of Assisted Delivery Procedures in Childbirth
  • 8 Benefits of Prenatal Yoga Plus Tips
    8 Benefits of Prenatal Yoga Plus Tips
Pin
Tweet
Share197
197 Shares
Category: Exercise, Family, Health & Fitness, Pregnancy TipsTag: pregnant, yoga

About Amy Mia

Amy Mia Goldsmith is a literature graduate with a lot of different interests in life. She and her husband love DIY projects and living green. Amy’s daughter Sophie is 5 and her favorite magical character is Hermione from the Harry Potter books. You can contact Amy on her Facebook page.

Previous Post:How to Establish a Quiet Time RoutineHow To Establish The Perfect Quiet Time Routine
Next Post:How to Make Food Pouches Mess Freemake food pouches mess free

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cindy

    March 19, 2016 at 4:58 am

    Hello Amy, I was recently feeling very lazy. Love these tips. Now my goal is to give it a try. Thank you for sharing such knowledgeable tips.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Welcome!

Get a look into a mom’s inkling into this crazy thing called life.

Read More

Recent Posts

  • @SuperiorSource Vitamins Women’s Health Month Giveaway (Ends 6/19) @SilvieArmas
  • @PeachSkinSheets Dads & Grads Gift Guide Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @DeliciouslySavv
  • Tranformers: EarthSpark Season 1 DVD Giveaway (Ends 6/22) @PinkNinjaBlogg @DeliciouslySavv
  • @Plantraw Snacks Giveaway (Ends 6/10) @Versatileer
  • Bump Up Your Chances of Conception with These Baby-Making Must-Haves
  • 6 Tips for Ensuring Safe Equipment Use on Construction Sites
  • Adding a Deck: Benefits, Costs, and Design Ideas
  • 4 Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease to Watch Out For
  • How to Leverage Social Media for Sales Recruitment
  • Measuring Success: Key Metrics in Fintech Market Research

@SuperiorSource Vitamins Women’s Health Month Giveaway (Ends 6/19) @SilvieArmas

@PeachSkinSheets Dads & Grads Gift Guide Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @DeliciouslySavv

Tranformers: EarthSpark Season 1 DVD Giveaway (Ends 6/22) @PinkNinjaBlogg @DeliciouslySavv

@Plantraw Snacks Giveaway (Ends 6/10) @Versatileer

@Trailblaze_Love Date Box Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @DeliciouslySavv

@SuperiorSource Women’s Health Month Giveaway (Ends 6/18) @DeliciouslySavv

Instant Pot Indian Cookbook Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @SilvieArmas

@WinningMovesUSA Games Pick Your Combo Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @Versatileer

Enter More Giveaways!

Free Download

“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”

Productivity-Planner-Preview
Download the FREE Colorable Productivity Planner to get your life more organized. Sign up as a newsletter insider today!
Be a Better You!

  • @SuperiorSource Vitamins Women’s Health Month Giveaway (Ends 6/19) @SilvieArmas
  • @PeachSkinSheets Dads & Grads Gift Guide Giveaway (Ends 6/30) @DeliciouslySavv
  • Tranformers: EarthSpark Season 1 DVD Giveaway (Ends 6/22) @PinkNinjaBlogg @DeliciouslySavv
  • @Plantraw Snacks Giveaway (Ends 6/10) @Versatileer
  • Bump Up Your Chances of Conception with These Baby-Making Must-Haves
  • About Home Jobs By Mom
  • Terms & Privacy
  • Contact
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Home Jobs by MOM · All Rights Reserved

This website uses affiliate links which means we receive compensation if you purchase a product through them. Visit our disclosure page for more information.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
SettingsAccept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT