A programme of pregnancy exercises can help prepare your body for childbirth and keep you strong and flexible as you go through the physical changes that come with bearing a child. Pregnancy exercises are important, but equally important is making sure that you're exercising safely and appropriately. But don't let a fear of doing the wrong thing put you off exercising altogether - there is plenty of support and advice out there to make sure your pregnancy exercises are safe and successful.
Expert supervision
The easiest way to make sure your fitness programme is safe for you and your baby is to train with an expert in ante and post natal fitness. A trained instructor will have a clear understanding of the physiological effects that carrying a child will have on your body, and will be able to guide and advise you through your training regime. Look for a personal trainer or fitness instructor who has been trained by the Guild of Pregnancy and Postnatal Exercise Instructors. This UK organisation promotes the teaching of specialised exercise courses for pregnant women and new mothers, and offer training, support and guidance to fitness instructors.
Pilates
Enjoying increasing popularity among pregnant women, pilates focuses on developing core body strength, and is ideal for ante natal fitness as it helps develop good posture and alignment.
Yoga
An ideal way to stay flexible, as well as improving your balance and circulation, yoga is well suited to ante natal finess. It has little or no impact on the joints, and also has additional benefits in that it can relieve stress and encourage relaxation, as well as teaching deep-breathing techniques that may come in handy during labour.
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If at any time you feel ill you should consult your doctor or GP. Likewise we recomend that before you undertake any form of fitness, exercise or even weight loss programs.