Pregnancy Fitness

When Not To Exercise

Reasons To NOT Exercise While Pregnant Although exercising during your pregnancy is recommended there are some factors which come into play when you should NOT be exercisng at all. We have given a basic list of complications and symptoms where exercise is strongly prohibited and so if you have any of the following please refrain from exercise unless otherwise stated by your healthcare provider. Heart disease Lung disease Incompetent cervix: The cervix is the narrow, outer end of the uterus. If it is weak, it cannot hold the fetus in the uterus. Preterm labor (before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy)…


Strength Training & Pregnancy

Weight training strengthens and tones your muscles and helps you to build your stamina, which you'll need during labor and delivery. One good way to do that is to perform a set number of exercises using free weights and resistance training machines such as ones you'll find in weight rooms and athletic clubs. Tips for the First Trimester As always, it is a good idea to go over your exercise program with your doctor or midwife first to make sure it's okay for you to continue at your regular pace while you're pregnant.Julie Tupler, registered nurse, certified personal trainer and…

Short Bursts of Exercise

Short Bursts Of Exercise All Count During Pregnancy Forget the "all or nothing" mentality when it comes to exercise. Fitness does not live or die by 60-minute workouts; there is a middle ground as well. Short spurts of exercise, when they accumulate, have been shown to provide the similar benefits of longer workouts. Your body will reap numerous benefits just by becoming more active. This approach is perfect for times when you don't have time for a regular workout, or when you want to start off slowly and build up a routine. Easier Than You Think Treat these 10 minutes…

Safe Exercises During Pregnancy

Ok, so you have never really been into following a regular exercise program and now you have decided it would be beneficial to start exercising now that you are pregnant. You need to remind yourself that your body will soon be going through many changes and that means exercising will be different in some important ways. Here is a quick checklist of 4 things to keep in mind when it comes to exercising during pregnancy. Check with your healthcare provider It's always recommended to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program and even more so during pregnancy. There…

Running While Pregnant

One of the most common pregnancy exercise questions is “Can I continue to run during my pregnancy?”. The answer is - it depends. Pregnancy is not really the time to begin running on a regular basis. Even if you are not pregnant, running will place a great amount of stress on your knees and other joints. You would possibly be better off sticking to a form of exercise which places less stress on your body, such as walking or swimming. If you had been a runner on a regular basis prior to your pregnancy, then there is a good chance…

Preventing Injury During Pregnancy

Preventing Injury While Exercising During Pregnancy Prevent Injury during pregnancyWith the growing knowledge that exercise is recommended for pregnant women, we can only hope the trend of positive effects continues. Recent studies suggest strength and conditioning gains during pregnancy may actually prevent the typical aches and pains associated with pregnancy. Unfortunately, changes that your body undergoes can place you at a higher risk for possible injury as well. Injuries can happen to anyone regardless of what shape they are in. However many are preventable through proper instruction and use of exercise equipment. As stated by the American College of Obstetricians…

Postpartum Walking

Post Pregnancy Walking to Get Your Body Back In Shape Life after the birth of your baby can be extremely busy! Finding time to exercise seems impossible but getting your body back into shape is important for you and your child. Exercising will give you more energy and when you exercise with your new baby, it gives you more time to bond. One of the easiest ways to resume your fitness program post pregnancy is by walking. The beauty of walking is that you don't need any special equipment - it can be done on a treadmill, outside on a…

New vs Old Exercise

New Rules For Exercise During Pregnancy New Rules To Exercise and Pregnancy As medicine and technology has improved over time, there have been some changes to some of the “rules” which guide you towards having a healthy pregnancy. Old Rule: Be sure to avoid all strenuous activities New Rule: Stay as fit and as healthy as you can during your pregnancy There are definite advantages to following a regular exercise routine while pregnant. The hormones which run through your body while pregnant have the tendency to soften your joints – making it more likely to cause harm to your body.…

Yoga During Pregnancy

Practicing Yoga While Pregnant There are some good benefits to doing yoga while you are pregnant, and prenatal yoga classes are becoming more and more popular. Not only will taking a prenatal class help you from a health point of view, but it can also be a great place to meet mothers who are going through the same journey as you are. The benefits of prenatal yoga Prenatal yoga is a great way to stay in shape during your pregnancy as it can help you to maintain limber body, tones your muscles, improves your balance and circulation – all without…

Keeping Your Fitness

There will always be exceptions to this general rule that you can keep exercising during your pregnancy, if your pregnancy is proceeding normally and your healthcare provider is happy that you exercise, then you can usually quite easily continue your exercise routines with a few rather simple modifications. It is important that you talk with your health care provider about your exercise routine, and ensure that you are not putting your baby or yourself at any risk. Modifying Your Exercise Routine Try and avoid the burn and rather go for a moderate level of exercise during your pregnancy. According to…