Kerryn Boogaard Kerryn Boogaard
Beverly Goldsmith Beverly Goldsmith
Zoe Bingley-Pullin Zoe Bingley-Pullin

Swim, walk and yoga during pregnancy:

Pregnant and want to exercise? Try the pool, walking and yoga says this Olympian mum.
By Motherpedia
Date: March 04 2013
Editor Rating:
pregnant_woman_exercising

As any pregnant woman knows, one of the most challenging aspects of pregnancy is maintaining an exercise routine.

After winning seven Olympic medals and breaking the world record in the 200 metres breaststroke, American Amanda Beard is no different.

She took time off from competitive swimming to focus on her husband and first child, who was born in 2010, but she hopes to be back in training for Rio 2016 after the birth of her second child due in June.

As a pro swimmer conditioned to daily pool and fitness training, Beard says has learned to readjust her workout routine around activities that help keep her in the pool and get her body ready for baby number two, while not over stressing her body during pregnancy. Here are her tips for moderate yet effective workouts:

1.  Stretch in the pool. Amanda says even if you don’t usually prefer swimming as a sport, you can reap the benefits of water fitness by stretching or floating in the water to calm and soothe muscles. "Doing gentle stretches in the shallow end may help relieve back pain."

2.  Learn to appreciate walking. "As your belly grows, it becomes more and more challenging to get a good cardio workout without feeling uncomfortable. Consider swapping running with walking. Finding time to walk can be as simple as taking your dog out for a stroll, catching up on the news via headphones while walking the block, finding a place that is visually stimulating in order to keep it fun or walking in the pool to add low-level resistance to your body while further reducing stress on your joints."

3.  Yoga at home. With a 3 year old son and a new baby on the way, Amanda says that a trip to the gym is not always plausible for her. She rolls out a yoga mat at home. "Practice along with a prenatal yoga DVD will allow you to move at your own pace."

"As a second-time mum, I know it can be difficult to find the right workouts in order to feel good and remain physically active while pregnant," says Beard.

"Mixing a variety of simple, low-impact workout solutions, such as swimming, walking and yoga throughout the week, will allow you to feel great and strong throughout your pregnancy."

As well as being a mum, Beard is a blogger and New York Times best-selling author after the release of her first memoir, In the Water They Can't See You Cry.

Share This Tweet This Email To Friend
Related Articles
onside_2
Q&A with boxer, Eleanor Boden, on being featured in a…
Read more
child_at_dentist
Dentists recommend limiting the consumption of all soft drinks and…
Read more
laptop_-_dumbbells
If you spend hours each day at a desk, make…
Read more
woman_in_sports_bra
There's technology for everything ... even finding the right sports…
Read more
Cry babies

Dry your eyes!
The newest additions are on their way from the Babies who cry real tears!

Shipping-containers-freight-wallpaper-preview

Latest Tech Used In Shipping Containers
Read how the shipping industry has revolutionised

Motherpedia cover-2

Win 1 set of a 4-book hardcover illustrated boxed set
Barbara Murray’s new 4-book Sound Stories is perfect for parents and educators and could assist with NAPLAN results

Motherpedia cover (4)

Where to celebrate Oktoberfest Australia
Get ready for this celebration!

Motherpedia cover-4

A Fortnight of Foodie Experiences at East Village
A taste of East Village. What's in it for me?

Globber my too fix up cover

We Try: Globber My TOO Fix Up
A scooter that grows with your child

Throw a winning cricket pitch

3 Steps to a Winning Backyard Cricket Pitch
Ex-Adelaide Oval legend curator Les Burdett shares his tips for getting your backyard cricket pitch test match ready this summer

A bike that follows your kids life cycle - motherpedia - cover

A Bike That Follows Your Kids Life Cycle
Check out the Bunzi 2-in-1 gradual balance bike!

Moonlight lifestyle

Moonlight Cinema to bring…
Moonlight Cinema announces brand new Western Sydney venue

Screen shot 2019-11-26 at 8.29.12 am

Your Magical Christmas Wonderland…
Adventure park is about to light up the night sky with its "Christmas Festival of Lights"

Screen shot 2019-11-21 at 11.11.36 am

The Preston Market Gets…
It's time to feel pumped up for the holiday season!

Bruno-kelzer-zqzuigxcvrq-unsplash

Bunnings team members get…
Help raise funds by buying a snag or donating at your local store.