Staying active and fit can be useful for pregnant women. Exercise may help prevent gestational diabetes, relieves stress and can make pregnancy and delivery smoother. Additionally, exercising when pregnant improves blood circulation.
If you’re pregnant, here are some ways you can continue to train.
Training Guidelines to Practice Martial Arts During Pregnancy
Read this post to find out how you can safely train in martial arts while pregnant.
- Consult Your Primary Care Provider
Before starting any exercise routine, make sure your primary care provider gives you the green light. They will advise you against continuing to do anything that might harm your baby.
- Don’t Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone
As your pregnancy progresses, it will become more and more difficult to perform movements you could do easily before. You may also tire more easily.
Instead of trying to beat goals you set for yourself before you got pregnant, take it one step at a time. Don’t think about things you achieved in previous trimesters. Your body is changing rapidly so it’s vital that you understand its limitations.
- Don’t Start Something New
It’s not advisable to start a new exercise routine without first consulting your primary care provider and fitness instructor.
Generally, swimming, walking and prenatal yoga are recommended if you’ve just started working out. However, if working out has been part of your pre-pregnant lifestyle, only maintain your routine as long as it’s comfortable to do so.
- Avoid Overheating
Your first trimester is when the fetus is most susceptible to increases in the mother’s core temperature. So, women should avoid exercising in environments that are hot and humid. Also, stay hydrated by consuming adequate fluids, preferably around 250 ml every 15 minutes or so.
Ultimately, the type of martial arts or exercises you choose to perform during your pregnancy will depend on your level of fitness and how your pregnancy is affecting you. The best way to do this is to listen to your body and do what feels comfortable.