Im an Exercise PhysiologistHeres Why You Shouldnt Worry About Cortisol Spikes When You Do HIIT Workouts.

Elliptical vs Treadmill: Which Cardio Machine Is Right For You?

Does Rowing Count as Strength Training?

alt

What kinds of exercises can actually help with labor preparation?

Labor is truly an athletic event, saysThe Sculpt SocietyfounderMegan Roup, who created aTSS MAMAprenatal program.

Six exercises for labor preparation

1.

woman sweating in the gym

CEO and founder of The Bloom Method

(Fortunately, she hassix videosdedicated to this very strategy.)

What is 360 breathing?

And what better way to target the glutes than with squats?

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

Squats are functional in both pre-mom life and especially in post-mom life, Cates says.

Anytime we can improve the way we perform a movement we do multiple times a day, we should.

As for how to perform squats while pregnant, it depends on your strength and your doctors orders.

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

Where some people who are expecting might be approved for added weights, others will be prescribed bodyweight movements.

Talk to your doctor to find out what will work best for you.

Does Dancing Count as Cardio?

Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

CEO and founder of The Bloom Method

Heres What Experts Say

Glute Bridge vs Hip Thrust: Which Is The Better Booty Booster?

Im a Master TrainerHeres Why You Shouldnt Skip Your Post-Run Stretches.

Check out Roups demo of proper form:

3.

Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

Keep your back safe by doing rows the right way:

4.

If you need a primer:

5.

Upper body strength is a must, she says.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

Her recommendations?Shoulder pressesandbicep curls.

you’re able to also try this variation with a resistance band:

6.

In the second trimester, patients should stop activities with a risk of falling, she adds.

Throughout pregnancy, she recommends modifying running or jumping activities to lower impact and reduce strain, she says.

For example, Ill have patients scale down runs to forward lunges or quick single-leg mini squats.

Roup adds that preeclampsia, high blood pressure, and cervical issues are other causes for concern.

So its important to check with your doctor before you decide to exercise, she says.

One more thing…

Thinking back to Charlotte, Roup says not to fear cardio while pregnant.

…

Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.