Are you pregnant? Congratulations! This is a really exciting phase in your life, and you might be wondering how to safely incorporate workouts into your pregnancy. We’ve got you!
It’s a great idea to try to stay active throughout your pregnancy for optimal health and well-being, both in terms of your physical health but also your mental and emotional well-being.
In the first trimester, you’ll likely experience some symptoms that may impact your workouts, including how much energy you have for exercising, as well as what kinds of exercises you’re able to do.
Remember to consult with your doctor about what’s safe for your pregnancy. Generally, you’ll want to avoid high-impact activities, as well as any exercises that require you to lay flat on your back. But what kinds of exercises you do during your first trimester will also be largely dependent on what you feel comfortable with. This can sometimes feel a little overwhelming.
The good news is that there are lots of prenatal workouts that are perfect for your first trimester, and which take into account all the big changes your body is going through.
Read on to find out more about prenatal workouts, and what to know about working out in your first trimester.
Your body goes through some incredible, amazing, and challenging changes during pregnancy.
These might affect both your physical and mental abilities, including things like your energy levels, your body’s physical abilities, and your mental health.
Put another way, being pregnant might affect a lot of the things that impact your workouts.
“Prenatal workouts” take into account all of these things.
For example, a prenatal workout for your first trimester might include attention to:
While prenatal workouts may include some modifications to your usual fitness routine, healthcare providers generally recommend continuing to exercise throughout your pregnancy.
That said, it’s always important to consult with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure whether a particular fitness routine or workout is safe for your pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different, so even if one exercise worked well for you during one pregnancy, it may not for another.
If you’re ready to talk about what working out in your first trimester might look like, read on!
There are some common symptoms and challenges you might experience during your first trimester of pregnancy. It can be helpful to keep these things in mind when approaching a first trimester prenatal workout.
While it might not initially seem like some of these symptoms could have an impact on your workout, think about whether you felt like going to the gym the last time you had the flu. Probably not!
And if you suddenly can’t stand the idea of your favorite pre-workout snack or post-workout recovery meal, that will also likely have an impact on your workouts as well.
So be kind to yourself as you approach working out in this first trimester, and remember that any exercise you’re feeling up for is great.
There are lots of exercises out there there that might be good for your first trimester, including:
There are also exercises and fitness activities you should probably avoid, such as contact sports or any activity that could cause a serious fall, such as downhill skiing or road biking.
You may also want to consider modifying some of the exercises you currently do in order to account for the changes in your body during your first trimester. For example, it can be a good idea to avoid any exercise in which you need to lay flat on your back.
You should also remember to consult your healthcare provider about working out if you develop any pregnancy-specific conditions, such as gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Talk to your doctor about what is safe for you to do based on your specific pregnancy experience.
Working out during your first trimester has a ton of benefits, some of which are pretty obvious but others you might not be aware of.
Of course there are physical benefits to first trimester prenatal workouts, including improved posture, reduced discomfort, and increased energy levels.
But there are also mental and emotional benefits. We already know that exercise can boost your mood, but it can also reduce stress and enhance your emotional well-being, both of which are incredibly important during your first trimester when you’ll likely be experiencing some pretty significant hormonal changes.
And working out during your first trimester can go a long way towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle throughout your pregnancy. Consistent exercise plays a big role in supporting your overall health, which becomes even more important as you go through this incredible change.
Becoming pregnant can be life-changing in lots of different ways. You’re starting a whole new chapter in your life! As with any significant life change, it’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle as you navigate this change.
The first trimester of your pregnancy is not without its challenges. You may experience symptoms that make it difficult to maintain the level of fitness you were used to pre-pregnancy. But the benefits of working out during your first trimester - and throughout your entire pregnancy - are significant.
Staying active in whatever ways you can during this first trimester will help support you on your pregnancy journey by prioritizing your mental and physical wellness. And you may find that as your pregnancy progresses into your second, third, and fourth trimester, you’ll need to adjust the kinds of workouts you’re doing.
This is where trainwell’s trainers can help.
Trainwell provides consistent, personalized, flexible long-term support with the ideal combination of real human trainers and advanced fitness technology. As your training needs change along with your body, trainwell trainers can modify your workouts right along with you.
Ready to get started? Great! Trainwell offers a free 14-day trial so you can see if this fitness experience provides everything you’re looking for. Explore trainwell’s 14-day free trial to find your next personal trainer: https://join.trainwell.net/
Written by Ella Browning.
