Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy

We all know doing regular exercise benefits our bodies in many ways, promoting growth, strength and a healthy body and mind to name a few! It is just as important when you are pregnant!

Throughout pregnancy your body will go though some big changes, You’re tired. You’re gaining weight. You may not feel your best. Although most of the time these symptoms are normal during pregnancy, exercise may help provide some relief. Becoming active and exercising during your pregnancy can benefit your health in the following ways:

• Helps reduce backaches, constipation, bloating, and swelling

• May help prevent or treat gestational diabetes

• Increases your energy

• Improves your mood

• Improves your posture

• Promotes muscle tone, strength, and endurance

• Improved sleep patterns

• Helps to minimise excess weight gain

Regular activity also helps keep you fit during pregnancy and can improve your endurance and ability to cope with the pain of labour. This will make it easier for you to get back in shape after the baby is born. You should not, however, exercise to lose weight while you are pregnant.

Changes to Your Body & Exercise Program

Pregnancy causes many changes in your body. Some of these changes will affect your ability to exercise. Changes to your hormones have a knock on effect with your flexibility, joint stability, balance and heart rate. Because of the changes happening to your body it is important that careful consideration is taken when planning your training sessions to ensure you are exercising safely and effectively for both you and baby! This also applies once baby has arrived! There are many factors which can affect your exercise program after birth. It is important that the changes your body has been through are taken into account and that changes are still happening anytime up to one year after birth!

If you are pregnant or have just given birth and are looking to continue exercising, or maybe you want to start exercising for the first time? Please do not hesitate to call me for further information!

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