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What are some good exercises to do during pregnancy?

patty0317 asked:


I’m in the first trimester of my 3rd pregnancy (my children are 9 and 3). I didn’t really exercise through those pregnancies, but would like to keep active during this one. Anything you have to share is appreciated!
Well, thanks for the advice everyone! There are so many good answers, that I think I’m going to have to let it go to a vote.
A couple of notes after reading all of the answers:
1) There are a lot of sex-crazed individuals on Yahoo Answers…while that won’t be something I restrict, I don’t know that I’ll count it as my “exercise”, but thanks anyway.
2) Also, someone commented that I was wanting to exercise so I wouldn’t lose my figure— no actually, this being my 3rd I know what happens and I’m not going for rock hard abs (ha, that’s a joke, really). I just want to stay HEALTHY and give myself the best shot at a good pregnancy and labor and delivery.

Thanks again for all of the advice!!

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42 Comments on “What are some good exercises to do during pregnancy?”

  1. #1 One Sexy Chic said at 3:59 pm on July 31st, 2008:

    There are yoga tapes specifically for pregnant women. Swimming is good and walking also.

  2. #2 danni s said at 9:46 pm on August 3rd, 2008:

    i take my dogs on a long walk everyday as long as the weather is nice. i also have gone swimming a few times.

  3. #3 Jean H said at 11:09 am on August 4th, 2008:

    I recommend “the Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth” by Sheila Kitzinger. It has a great section on exercises. And walking is always good. Even the third time around reading a good book can be beneficial.

  4. #4 lovelymrsm said at 2:04 pm on August 12th, 2008:

    Excercizing during pregnancy is great. It makes having babies significantly less painful and makes it easier to bounce back from baby weight.

    When I was pregnant with my son I walked three miles every day (1.5 in the morning and 1.5 at night), and then alternated days of 60 minutes of pilates [special pregnancy pilates videos are available in stores and online for a fairly reasonable price] and 90 minutes of cardio/light weight training [think using a can of soup as a weight, nothing really hard] from when I found out until about a week before I had him. I also bought an excersize ball [I think it was about $20 or $30] and sat on it any time I would have normally sat on the couch-excersize balls strengthen back muscles and lightly work ab muscles just by sitting on them so if I was having an especially busy/bad day I would just do that instead of my workout regimen.

    Working out during my pregnancy was such a good idea for me! My labor was at worst “uncomfortable”(I played connect the dots until it was time to push), I only gained 23 pounds during my pregnancy, and it only took me three weeks to lose my baby weight and an EXTRA five pounds!

    Before you start any serious excerize you should always ask your doctor about risks because of your particular medical situation/background, but generally it is always a good idea to do as much as you can—and have fun while you’re doing it!

    Good luck and enjoy!

  5. #5 M n M said at 11:15 am on August 15th, 2008:

    just don’t overexert yourself and make sure you stay hydrated. start off slow by walking then increase your distance and speed up to a fast paced walk. it just takes time. there are plenty of safe exercises you can do while preg. see the link below for more details and info. good luck!

  6. #6 sana said at 10:18 pm on August 16th, 2008:

    hello dear
    during pregenency u must walk daily only 1 km
    and don,t take heavy food

  7. #7 Jewels said at 10:03 am on August 19th, 2008:

    gentle yoga or pilates is quite good throughout pregnancy

  8. #8 Samantha said at 12:41 pm on August 21st, 2008:

    Check out babyfit.com!

  9. #9 naughtyboi said at 6:08 am on August 22nd, 2008:

    Sex is not the answer for everything,so i want say sex, I’m sure you want a serious answer,try looking up a few websites it will be your best choice

  10. #10 chiefslover said at 4:38 am on August 23rd, 2008:

    practice breatfeeding on your husband. just to get the feel of it.

  11. #11 NYPD said at 12:00 am on August 25th, 2008:

    SEx is the best exercise and it’s a therapy!

  12. #12 lilyster said at 4:03 pm on August 25th, 2008:

    maybe some yoga and a little jog… and maybe do some cleaning around the house

  13. #13 manual_pt said at 4:49 am on August 28th, 2008:

    Are you talking about cardio or strengthening exercises? If you are talking about cardio, stationary biking, walking in the pool are good exercises to keep you in shape and at the same time you protect your lower extremities from the pounding of jogging and running. Remember that your hormonal changes make your joints very prone to laxity.

    If you want to do strengthening exercises, I would recommend pelvic stabilization exercises. There is a program called beyond Kegels, by Janet Hume, PT that targets specific muscles in your pelvis so you can minimize problems of the pelvic floor.

    Have a good and safe pregnancy.

  14. #14 chiiliyeow said at 4:05 pm on September 3rd, 2008:

    well, any exercise which deals with respiration… tai chi is the best choice, wich can regulate your breathing and reduce leg swell and abdominal pain.

  15. #15 Tinkertron said at 1:16 pm on September 6th, 2008:

    Yeah – Let your other two babies lose in ToysUrUs and chasing them around in the store and you’ll stay fit. :)

  16. #16 me julie said at 9:18 pm on September 8th, 2008:

    Swimming is good as the water takes all the weight of your body, walking is good and lots of people swear by yoga.

    I’d avoid Trampolining lol

    good luck!

  17. #17 Cindy H said at 6:04 am on September 11th, 2008:

    Swimming! Uses alot of your muscles, at the same time it releives your back pain, if any. Jog in place, use kick boards, arm weights, etc. Great fun for the whole family. Best Wishes!

  18. #18 ~Monica~ said at 4:17 pm on September 13th, 2008:

    walking, swimming, yoga…. and ***!

  19. #19 cynthia o said at 5:21 am on September 15th, 2008:

    yoga is great i did it with both my pregnancy’s and it helped me to feel calm,relaxed and over all at peace with myself and also it helped during my labor i would say other then walking its great for yourself and your bundle of joy ..i say yoga would be your best bet good luck

  20. #20 nickkie s said at 8:16 pm on September 16th, 2008:

    I have one pretty good exercise and it’s called the nasty!

  21. #21 Diva said at 5:20 am on September 22nd, 2008:

    Walking and swimming. Lots of walking! When I was pregnant, I walked because I had to for work. 2 miles in the morning and 1 mile afternoon 5 days a week. My OB said that all of that walking led me to a rather easy birth (20 minutes of active labor, 3 hours of labor all together). It took me 10 minutes to dilate to a full 10cm.

  22. #22 luvmexoxo06 said at 9:40 pm on September 24th, 2008:

    Here are a few things you can do kegel exercises, swimming, walking, yoga and dance. I’m a circuit trainer and also 38 weeks pregnant. I’ve done the circuit during most of my pregnancy. Now i’m just walking my **** off. Circuit training is also great exercise during pregnancy just skip the ab exercises. 30 mins a day and your working everything. Its not over the top and most places are for women only. I would talk w/ your doctor before you start anything new just to be on the safe side. But hey if you were in shape before you got pregnant than its safe to keep it up. Another nice tip is to get something to keep track of your heart rate. Don’t get it above 140. Hope this helped. Good luck! :)

  23. #23 iday_iday said at 11:41 pm on September 24th, 2008:

    pregnancy yoga. here are a couple u might wanna try./

  24. #24 Court79 said at 6:06 pm on September 27th, 2008:

    Swimming exercises

  25. #25 ELbear said at 5:02 am on September 30th, 2008:

    water aerobics alls is a good workout

  26. #26 momsboys2@sbcglobal.net said at 8:26 am on October 2nd, 2008:

    you should try water arobics. I did it while i was pregnant with my last child. its very low impact and u have the water to suppor tyour weight. and its very good and nonstressing for the baby.

  27. #27 will79601 said at 8:36 pm on October 4th, 2008:

    all the *** you want can’t get more pregnant,lol seriously though try lamaz classes

  28. #28 blazing_fire said at 4:14 am on October 6th, 2008:

    Just stretch a lot and walk alot.
    Those are the two best things you can do during the next 9 months.

  29. #29 cinnimon2693 said at 6:43 am on October 8th, 2008:

    walkign is good! squating only as low as comfortable (this helps during labor) swimming…
    good luck and congrats!

  30. #30 timo said at 3:48 pm on October 9th, 2008:

    pelvic floor exercises are recommended to strengthn the muscles used to deliver the child.

  31. #31 nasee said at 5:05 am on October 10th, 2008:

    go for a walk in the park…..for some fresh air….ya that all i know

  32. #32 nirmal k said at 1:28 pm on October 13th, 2008:

    hi paty,
    first of all congratulations to bring the gift of ur god and ur love to this beautiful world.now to be fit during pregnancies do yoga in the moring.walking.eating healthy food.but do take of urself.go tosee ur doctor regularly.n take care n be happy.

  33. #33 energeticthinker said at 10:15 pm on October 14th, 2008:

    Sex. It feels good, and is very good for you.

  34. #34 cyber_distortion said at 3:50 am on October 16th, 2008:

    Yoga, walking, swimming, stretching, dancing, low impact aerobics, and light weight training are all things suggested by my ex-wives Ob/Gyn when she asked her this question. The first thing to do is talk to your Dr. they will be able to make specific recommendations based on your personal history.

  35. #35 Phoebe L said at 9:07 pm on October 18th, 2008:

    u can learn some yoga dat are only for pregnant women. its really good doing pregnancy excercices. it help the baby grow healthier. or u could buy some books dat will teach u, mi mom bougt some when she was pregnant with me. good luck with u n ur cute baby.
    all the best wishes to u
    ~phoebe

  36. #36 mohd k said at 5:30 am on October 20th, 2008:

    for pregnant woman, reading and listening to the sentimental music is very good exercise for the baby to make their brain growth healthy. walking is a good exercise for you since while walking your infants position will lower down by the head position down and it will make you easy when delivering the baby sooner.

  37. #37 otis leo said at 7:27 pm on October 23rd, 2008:

    Kegals, kegals, kegals! Also breathing excercises. Walking is a very good way to strengthen hip flexors, abs and all over in general.

  38. #38 Wacole! said at 12:42 pm on October 26th, 2008:

    Well when I was pregnant I did some 10 mile jogs each day. That would explain why my daughter is not fat and super healthy! Good luck!

  39. #39 biologynerd19 said at 9:30 pm on October 29th, 2008:

    1. walking…walk with a friend, your family, your dog, whatever, but this burns calories and also will make pregnancy and delivery easier in most cases
    2. stationary biking or regular biking, you can get some cardio work without lots of pounding on your joints or moving the baby as much as running
    3. Swimming…swim laps or walk/jog in the pool. The water will help carry your weight better than on pavement, and so will not be as hard on joints. Water aerobics can be great also. Try pool lunges or just kicking while floating, etc.

  40. #40 hasaferewayt said at 10:12 pm on October 31st, 2008:

    stop talking

  41. #41 angelhoneysinjin said at 1:57 am on November 4th, 2008:

    My friend use to work out in the pool with low impact aerobics,as well as just stretching her legs and arms.she also liked taking long walks when she was pregnant. Well i wish you a easy birth and a healthy child. congrats.

  42. #42 adoy said at 3:42 am on November 6th, 2008:

    When my wife delivered our first child she almost lost her life, it was one day in delivery room and after she gave birth to our son the doctor put an oxygen to my wife, she couldn’t breath. the reason is when pregnant no exercise at all. But the good news when the second pregnancy she delivered normal with few hours and strong after delivery. the reason is every morning, me and my wife are woke up early to walk along in the jogging place. Walking early in the morning is the best for the pregnant women. Try this and you will really appreciate the result.

    Thanks, and have nice pregnancy.