These bump-friendly exercises will not only keep you fit and strong throughout your pregnancy, but will also help prepare your body for labor and caring for your baby after delivery. Give them a try today!
1. Shoulder Press
Get your body ready to carry that baby by strengthening your shoulders and upper back! Start with dumbbells at shoulder level. With palms forward and wrists straight, push dumbbells straight overhead, keeping a slight bend in the elbow. Lower and repeat. Do 15 reps.
2. Side Plank
Make getting out of bed easier by strengthening your core! Start lying on side with forearm under shoulder. Lift hips off the ground and raise arm straight up. Hold for 30 seconds on each side.
3. Squats
Get ready for labor by strengthening your pelvic floor muscles! Stand with feet
wider than shoulders, holding dumbbells in front. Keeping knees behind toes, sit back into your heels, pushing your bum toward the wall behind you. Do 25 reps.
4. Bicep Curl
Prepare your arms for lifting that car seat! Hold dumbbells at your sides, palms facing forward. Bend at the elbow and lift weights up to your shoulders. Lower and repeat. Do 15 reps.
5. Cat Cow Stretch
Ease back pain and practice breathing through contractions with this yoga pose. Start on hands and knees, wrists under shoulders, back flat. Inhale and arch back, reaching tailbone up and chest forward (cow). Exhale and drop head and tailbone and round your spine up (cat). Do 10 reps.
Kelsey is 36 weeks pregnant and wearing the Mumberry Boost Tank and Move Capri in size Small. Check out the entire Essentials Collection of activewear with integrated belly support at www.mumberry.com!