During pregnancy, exercises are considered more important due to the changes your body is going to experience during this period. Exercises help you to keep your body in the best condition if done safely. Though walking on a treadmill is considered safer than other exercises during pregnancy if you know how can I use treadmill during pregnancy.
Is a treadmill right for pregnant women?
Normally pregnant women have to follow various types of limitations while moving their bodies while exerting in exercises.
But when they walk on a treadmill at a normal speed instead of sprinting or running on it then it can be good for them.
They should follow a few tips provided in this write-up to make performing on a treadmill beneficial for them during pregnancy.
Tips to follow by pregnant women while using a treadmill
Stretch gently before and after walking on the treadmill: While doing any kind of exercise it is important to stretch out before and after the session. It helps in ensuring that your tendons and muscles are ready for a workout in the beginning and relax them after completing them.
Pregnant women should be cautious while stretching as they should not go beyond their comfort level. It will help them in alerting their joints and muscles that are loosened due to their physical changes.
Support your baby bump while walking: While using a treadmill during pregnancy, the biggest strain will be on your abs as well as on your baby bump due to its increasing size and weight. So while walking on the treadmill you should hold your baby bump as if you are hugging your baby. It will help in contracting your internal muscles and relieve stress on your back along with strengthening your core.
Select your level of exertion: While using a treadmill during pregnancy you should choose the level of exertion according to your position even if you were using it even before your pregnancy. Your old experience can help you in determining the amount of pressure your body can tolerate comfortably. During pregnancy, you should set your stress level a bit higher than half of the intense workout level on a treadmill.
Stay hydrated while on the treadmill: Whether you are walking on the treadmill or doing some other exercise during pregnancy, the temperature of your body will increase and fat will be burnt. So to maintain the temperature of your body and to keep your baby safe it is necessary to drink water regularly during a workout session.
Use previous workout experience as reference: If you were using a treadmill even before your pregnancy then it will be easier for you to set a new workout routine for you as per your existing condition. At this time, instead of focusing on certain goals to achieve, your focus should be on maintaining your health and fitness at a good level. So you should spend more time warming up and cooling down exercises than on the treadmill during pregnancy.
Use the railings on the treadmill as you want: If you are using an incline on the treadmill then you should use its railings as you want to avoid any risk of losing your balance due to the shift in your body weight. When you are carrying a baby with you then the risk of losing balance can increase even if you are young.
Adjust with pregnancy progress: You should slow down your pace while using the treadmill with the progress in your pregnancy. At this stage, instead of your fitness, the safety of your baby is more important. You can shape up your body again after the delivery of your baby.
When to stop using treadmill during pregnancy
Though a treadmill can help you in keeping fit and healthy during pregnancy still it can affect your pregnancy in certain cases. To ensure the safety of your baby you should stop using the treadmill and consult your doctor immediately if:
• The frequency of the movements and kicks of the baby is felt less than usual
• You are experiencing pain at regular intervals like contraction pain
• An intense headache along with a bit fainting or dizziness is experienced
• Leakage of blood or some other discharge from the vagina
• Pain in the chest increases