Exercise should be part of a healthy pregnancy, according to the March of Dimes. Walking is one of the best ways to get your heart rate up and reap the benefits of regular exercise during pregnancy. The treadmill provides a safe and effective environment for exercise during pregnancy.
Treadmill Exercises
The best treadmill exercise you can do during pregnancy is brisk walking. If you were a runner before becoming pregnant, you may continue to run or jog on the treadmill, but don't try to start up a running program during pregnancy. As you walk or jog, don't worry about hurting your baby. Your whole uterus moves with the action of running or walking and keeps the fetus buoyant.
Benefits of Using the Treadmill
There are certain guidelines for choosing exercises that a pregnant woman must adhere to. Using a treadmill for activity makes it possible for you to participate in exercise safely and effectively. When you are on a treadmill, you are indoors, allowing you to control the climate. Since overheating is a worry during pregnancy, treadmill exercise can reduce your risk. The treadmill also offers a nice flat surface to walk on. During pregnancy, your joints are loose and movable, which makes walking on an unstable surface dangerous.
Amount
The March of Dimes recommends exercising for at least 30 minutes most days of the week for a cumulative amount of two and a half hours per week. Work at a moderate intensity, listening to your body instead of watching your heart rate. If you feel like you are working at a moderate intensity, you are. As you get further into your pregnancy, you might need to taper off your intensity. Listen to the signs from your body and never work to complete exhaustion.
Benefits
Walking or running on the treadmill for exercise offers your changing body many benefits. With regular exercise, it is easier for you to avoid gaining excess weight during pregnancy and return to your pre-pregnancy weight after you give birth. Exercise also can reduce your risk of gestational diabetes and other pregnancy-related conditions. Finally, walking or running is a good way to prepare your body for labor and delivery.
