Exercise Guidelines

Consult with a healthcare professional to determine their opinion of the list highlighted below:

• Maintain a steady, moderate intensity and try to keep your heart rate under 140 beats per minute. It is best to keep it lower than 140 beats if you are exercising in water.
• It is usually better to exercise three or more times a week as opposed to one, long session a week.
• Don't try to exercise to the same level as you did prior to your pregnancy your heart and body are not able to perform at the same level.
• Stop or rest if your breathing becomes problematic. Make sure you don't hold your breath.
• Warm up thoroughly for at least 10 minutes.
• Try to keep your exercise sessions at 20 minutes or less and be sure to monitor your heart rate and breathing.
• Stop or rest if your heart rate exceeds the recommended level.
• Make sure your movements between exercises are slow and careful.
• Increase and maintain a high fluid intake during and after of your exercise routine.
• Make sure you have a good cool-down period so your body temperature returns to pre-workout levels.
• Try to exercise on soft, pliable surfaces as opposed to hard surfaces.
• Include stretching in your exercise routine.
• Monitor your core body temperature especially if you are feeling too hot. In that case, stop exercising immediately and increase your fluid intake.