Excercise is a very important part of a healthy pregnancy.  (Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program during pregnancy to be sure you have the a-ok.)  Exercising during pregnancy can help with so many of the common complaints that women have during pregnancy, particularly those of late pregnancy.  Staying fit and in shape is also thought to help with labor and with postpartum recovery.

As important as exercising during pregnancy is it is also important to take a lot of extra care and caution during hot weather.  A run in the middle of the afternoon is probably not a good idea but there are many exercise programs and ideas that you can take full advantage of when the temperatures start rising.  Here are a few suggestions on fun, safe hot weather exercises for pregnant women (again, don’t forget to talk to your doctor first to make sure it is okay for you to exercise during your pregnancy):

  • Hit the gym.  Not only is it air conditioned but there are a ton of different types of workouts available.  You can work on cardio and weight training all from the comfort of the air conditioned indoors.
  • Swim.  Swimming is a great form of exercise during pregnancy.  Not only will it keep you cool but it helps take the extra weight off your joints for a little while.  You can simply swim laps or you can enroll in a water aerobics class.
  • Enroll in an aerobics class.  This will allow you to exercise in the comfort of an air conditioned building.  There are usually pregnancy specific classes available so be sure to ask about them.
  • Take up Yoga.  You can either enroll in a class or purchase a video that you can do at home.
  • Walk outside.  Be careful if this is your prefered form of exercise.  Time your walks for the coolest parts of the day and bring water with you to stay hydrated.
  • Purchase a few exercise videos that you can do at home.

No matter what form of exercise you choose to participate in during the warm summer months the most important thing to remember is to stay hydrated.  Staying hydrated will allow your body to cool itself more effectively and help you avoid getting overheated.  Also, make sure you don’t overdo it.  Know your limits and remember that you may not be able to do as much when you are pregnant.  Wear loose, comfortable clothing when you exercise.  If you are worried about exercising during your pregnancy or want to know what forms of exercise are best for you be sure to discuss it with your doctor.

Have fun and stay cool.

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