When struggling to take a meal during your first pregnancy trimester, straining to go to the bathroom, and dealing with your changing body, exercising may be the last thing in your mind. However, exercising regularly throughout your pregnancy is essential for both you and the baby. Exercising will help to improve your posture and also decrease some discomforts like fatigue and backaches. In fact, recent studies have proven that exercises can prevent gestational diabetes and help build stamina, which is important for labor and delivery.

Best Exercises During Pregnancy

Swimming

Swimming is most probably the best pregnancy workout. This is because you will weigh less in the water than you do while on land. Therefore, you will feel agile and lighter. Swimming may also help to relieve nausea, puffy ankles, and sciatic pain. Additionally, because the baby will also be floating along with you, it will help loosen the joints and ligaments.

Aerobics and Dance classes

Dance classes like Zumba and other low-impact aerobics will help to increase your heart rate and prompt your body to produce more endorphins. If you’re an experienced athlete, always listen to your body when exercising. Avoid jumping too high or exercising until you’re exhausted. As the baby continues to grow, avoid activities that require you to maintain your balance. Instead, opt for water aerobics, especially if you’re new to exercise.

Walking

Walking during pregnancy is the easiest form of exercise to include in your busy schedule. Additionally, this is a form of exercise that you can follow to the delivery date. The best thing about walking as an exercise is that you won’t need any special equipment or pay for any gym memberships – all you need is a good pair of sneakers. However, you need to be careful while walking to avoid trip, slip, and fall injuries. If this happens, you may need to talk to the best injury lawyers to ensure that you get the best treatment for you and the baby.

Running

If you would like to go a little faster, running is your best option. However, even for experienced runners, you may need to talk to your doctor before you can run while pregnant. Alternatively, you can stick to a treadmill and avoid overdoing it. The loose joints and ligaments can make it harder for you to jog, and you may be more prone to injuries.

Yoga

One of the best workouts for moms-to-be is prenatal yoga. This form of exercise encourages relaxation, focus, flexibility, and deep breathing, which are all essential when preparing for delivery. However, only look for a class that is tailored to pregnant women, or you can request your instructor to modify the yoga poses to those that are safe for you.

Bottom Line

Generally, exercising during pregnancy is a safe way to improve and maintain your health and physical fitness. Although there are several ways you can become a fit mom, the above exercises are among the best you can try. However, if you’re unsure about the safety of a specific form of exercise, always consult with your practitioner to determine what’s okay and what’s not.