First trimester
While many women don’t feel their best during the first trimester (thanks a lot, morning sickness!), regular exercise can help to combat some of those unwelcome symptoms. Just make sure you rest when your body is telling you.
When it comes to first trimester exercise, you can take part in most sporting activities – and yes, that includes riding a bike. So, if you’re a runner, run. If you love to lift weights, do it. If your favourite fitness class is the best part of your week, don’t be a stranger.
At the same time, if all you feel up to is a gentle daily walk, that’s okay too. A little exercise is always better than none.
Avoid taking on high-impact sports that you haven’t tried before. This isn’t the time to test your body’s limits, so stick with the sports you know and love – or take up new, low-impact activities that will keep you fit and strong without causing your body unnecessary strain.
Some things to think about:
- If you’re worried about falling off your bike, switch to a spin class. Or treat yourself to a stationary bike that you can use at home.
- Keep things cool. It’s important not to overheat during pregnancy, so maybe swap your Bikram hot yoga class for a cooler alternative, and always keep well hydrated.
- Getting a head start in building core strength and stability can help prevent pregnancy issues later on. Adding a good pregnancy Pilates class into your first trimester exercise programme can reduce your chances of lower back pain as your baby grows.
- Keep things fun! Pregnancy may be a miracle, but it can also be really difficult, so make sure your time to exercise is something you look forward to. Dance it up in a Zumba class, play a game of tennis, go for a relaxing swim – whatever makes you feel amazing.
