Pregnancy is a crucial period in a woman’s life, and regular exercise can help you stay healthy and relieve certain pregnancy-related discomforts. However, you may think if certain workouts, like cardiac exercises during pregnancy, are considered safe. Many chronic and lifestyle-related illnesses are known to be caused by a lack of exercise. Therefore, you might want to continue doing exercise even while pregnant. However, before engaging in any exercise, it is vital to understand which ones are safe to perform while pregnant (1). Continue reading to learn about some safe cardiac exercises for pregnant women.
Benefits Of Cardio During Pregnancy
Even though cardio is one of the best ways to lose weight, performing it during pregnancy is not advisable. So, if you are pregnant, instead of performing cardio workouts for losing weight, you can perform them for getting these other benefits (2):
Proficiency Level:
If you are a beginner and are starting cardio exercises during pregnancy, start at a slow pace with low impact activities and aim to work out 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes for each session (3). Pro individuals can continue the way they were exercising earlier, avoiding some of the heavy-duty workouts (1). Disclaimer: Please note to the consulting doctor before starting any exercises during pregnancy.
Cardio Exercises During Pregnancy
We list out some pregnancy cardio workouts:
1. Walking:
20-30 minutes of walking should be more than enough for a day (4). You can also use this time to listen to your favorite music and have some time for yourself. You can try following these steps:
Start with a five-minute brisk walk (make sure not to exert yourself). Slow down and walk for another five minutes at a slow pace. Then again repeat step 1 for another five minutes. Repeat step 2 for the last five minutes. Perform stretching exercises for five minutes to end the session.
2. Stationary Bike:
Exercising on a stationary bike is completely safe during pregnancy, but a growing belly can put your back under lots of stress; therefore, make sure not to overdo it (5). Following the steps while performing would be beneficial to you:
Warm up for five minutes at a speed you are comfortable with. Increase your speed for the next three minutes. And for the next three minutes, lower your speed. This completes one set. You can do three to six sets depending upon your comfort levels. In the end, make sure to do some stretching exercises.
3. Climbing Steps:
Climbing steps is another simple, but impactful exercise that can be practiced during pregnancy without any problems. You can plan it while going to the office or coming back home. But make sure to keep the following points in mind (6):
Climb the stairs at a slow/moderate pace. Dedicate time and decide how many steps you would climb daily. Increase the number gradually if you are comfortable. Wear comfortable shoes. Avoid talking on your mobile phone while climbing.
4. Swimming:
Swimming is the best and the most advisable exercise for a pregnant woman. This is because, in water, we would only weigh one-tenth of our actual weight. Swimming offers the following advantages (7):
Boosts your power and flexibility. Unlike other exercises that can overheat your body, swimming actually cools your body down. It also helps reduce the swelling of the legs and feet during pregnancy.
5. Low Impact Aerobics:
Low impact aerobics/dance of any form would be helpful during pregnancy. Low impact aerobics don’t involve jumping, kickboxing, or running at a fast pace (low running is still allowed) (8). Make sure to always keep one of your feet on the ground while performing the exercises. Also, have a bottle of water near you to keep yourself hydrated and make sure to eat properly (rest for a while, say half an hour) before and after working out (2).
