Q: What are some other options besides walking or running for my prenatal fitness routine?
A: Give Spinning a Chance
As we all know low back pain is a common issue with pregnant women. Those who exercise may find that they are able to ward off the pain for longer then those who do not exercise but inevitably there will be days when the idea of lacing up the shoes for a nice walk or run is the last thing you want to do. Instead of taking up residence on the most comfortable chair in the living room let’s look at a great exercise alternative. My favorite go to exercise for pregnancy happens to be “spinning.” I know it is normally thought of as a high intensity form of exercise and therefore one that should be avoided by most pregnant women due to the very high heart rates often achieved in a class. I tend to look at it as great way to workout with a group allowing you to feed off of their energy while being in full control of your intensity. It also allows you the opportunity to sit for thirty minutes to an hour while getting a great workout.
Get to class a few minutes early and let the instructor know that you will not be able to follow all of the instructions on intensity and speed that they will be giving out. I also recommend you do not participate in the “jumps” that are often incorporated into class, they are usually too quick to allow you proper control of your body. Also make sure the room is well ventilated and does not get too warm. You may ask the instructor where the breeziest spot in the room is to ensure you get a lot of attention from the fans. The best thing about a spin class is that you can do whatever you choose to do on the bike and you will not get in anyone’s way. So, be aware of how you are feeling, keep your intensity at a moderate level and just enjoy the great group atmosphere. As always, you are free to leave whenever you want so if you begin to feel too warm or have just had enough get off your bike and walk out quietly, no questions asked.
Soon we'll look at some other options that are great for pregnancy as well.
