The Best Pregnancy-Safe Exercises at Home and the Gym

• Benefits
• Safety tips
• Cardio
• First trimester
• Second trimester
• Third trimester
• Takeaway

The excitement (or sheer panic) you felt when you saw those two blue or pink lines appear is likely something you’ll never forget. And now that you’re pregnant, you might be wondering what needs to change and what can stay the same.

The good news? Staying active tops the list of things to keep for the next 9 months.

And whether you’re looking to continue your current workout routine or start a new one, we’ve got you covered. From cardio and strength training to stretching and core exercises, here’s everything you need to know about staying fit during your pregnancy.

Benefits of exercising while pregnant

If you think of exercise solely as a way to fit into a smaller pair of pants, you may need to shift your perspective (and priorities) now that you’re pregnant.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), exercising during pregnancy can lead to a lower incidence of:

• preterm birth
• cesarean birth
• excessive weight gain
• gestational diabetes or hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia
• lower birth weight

It’s also an excellent way to:

• maintain physical fitness
• reduce low back pain (hello, growing tummy!)
• manage symptoms of depression and anxiety
• reduce stress
• improve postpartum recovery

Brooke Cates, prenatal and postpartum fitness expert and owner of Studio Bloom, says some exercises can be implemented in each trimester to support the body through its physical changes while preparing for an easier return to exercise postpartum.

She emphasizes a shift of focus on core and pelvic floor awareness, which can help you build a deeper core-based connection before the real changes begin to take place.

Safety tips for exercises while pregnant

When considering exercises for pregnancy, Cates says there aren’t a lot of activities that need to be removed from your current regimen.

“While the majority of exercises can be continued throughout each trimester, modifying and scaling back where needed can help increase the strength, stability, and physical adaptability as your body changes,” she says.

With that in mind, here are some general safety tips to consider when exercising during pregnancy, according to the ACOG.

• Get clearance from your doctor if you’re new to exercise or you have any health conditions that may contraindicate exercise.
• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise.
• Wear supportive clothing such as a supportive sports bra or belly band.
• Don’t become overheated, especially during the first trimester.
• Avoid lying flat on your back for too long, especially during the third trimester.
• Avoid contact sports and hot yoga.

Cardio for all three trimesters

Cardiovascular exercises such as walking, swimming, jogging, and stationary cycling are top picks during all three trimesters.

Unless your doctor has told you to modify physical activity, follow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week.

If you’re used to doing vigorous-intensity exercises such as running or your fitness level is high, the ACOG says you can continue these activities during pregnancy — with your doctor’s clearance, of course.

Exercises to do in the first trimester of pregnancy

The first three months of pregnancy can be a wild ride of emotions. From elation and pure joy to concern, worry, and even fear as you begin to realize that you’re responsible for nourishing, growing, and keeping this tiny soon-to-be human being safe and healthy.

As long as you’re not considered a high-risk pregnancy, physical therapist Heather Jeffcoat, DPT, says you can continue with your regular exercise routine in the first trimester.

The foundation of a well-rounded prenatal fitness routine should include at least 150 minutes of cardiovascular activity each week and 2 to 3 days of strength training exercises that target the major muscle groups.

It should also focus on specific exercises that help make pregnancy easier and prepare you for labor and childbirth. (It may seem far off — but it will be here before you know it!)

One area of importance, says Jeffcoat, is to work on body awareness to prepare for changes in your posture. “Doing an exercise like the pelvic curl is a great way to begin working on spinal mobility and strengthening the abdominal muscles that will support your belly as it grows,” she says.

Pelvic curl

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground, about hip-width apart.
2. Take a deep breath in to prepare, then exhale as you tuck your pelvis (your “hips”) so that you’re making an impression of your spine on the floor.
3. Keep that tucked position as you continue the exhale and roll through the movement so that you are lifting your spine out of that impression, one vertebra at a time.
4. Stop when you reach your shoulder blades.
5. Inhale at the top of the movement, then exhale as you fold your body back down, placing one vertebra at a time back onto the floor until you get to your starting position on the back of your pelvis (your “hips,” as many people will refer to them as).
6. Do 12 to 15 reps. For an added challenge, bring your legs all the way together.

Pelvic brace

Do this throughout pregnancy as long as you don’t have pelvic floor symptoms such as painful intercourse or urinary urgency.

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground, about hip-width apart.
2. Place your pelvis and low back into a “neutral” position. To find this, make sure you’re resting on the back of your pelvis and creating a small space in your lower back (your back should not be pressed into the floor).
3. Inhale to prepare, then exhale to perform a Kegel contraction by gently closing the openings (the urethra, the vagina, and anus). As you are performing this contraction, notice how your lower abdominal muscles want to work with that.
4. Slightly draw the lower abs in with the Kegel. Inhale, relax the abs and pelvic floor, exhale repeat contraction.
5. Do 2 sets of 8 to 15 repetitions of 3- to 5-second holds, once or twice a day.

Kneeling pushups

This move targets core and upper body strengthening together.

1. Lie flat on your stomach, then push up onto your hands and knees, keeping your knees behind your hips.
2. Pull in your abs (the pelvic brace), and then slowly lower your chest toward the floor as you inhale.
3. Exhale as you press back up.
4. Start with 6 to 10 and gradually work up to 20 to 24 reps.

Squats

The first trimester is also an ideal time to get squatting! If you have access to the gym, you can also use the leg press machine. Squats — especially bodyweight squats — can be done throughout your entire pregnancy.

Plus, since squats strengthen all the muscles in your lower body — including the quads, glutes, and hamstrings — Jeffcoat says keeping these muscles strong is a great way to protect your back, so you use your legs instead of your back when lifting.

1. Stand in front of a couch, with your back facing the couch. Begin with feet just wider than hip-width apart. Use the couch as a guide to ensure proper form.
2. Squat down like you’re about to sit down on the couch, but come back up just as your thighs start to touch it.
3. Make sure you take 5 seconds to go down 3 seconds to come back up.
4. Exhale as you squat; inhale as you stand.
5. Do 2 sets of 15 to 20 reps.

Related: 5 ways to perform squats safely during pregnancy

Bicep curls

This simple — yet effective — move is another top pick throughout pregnancy. Jeffcoat says bicep curls are a key move to add to your workouts since you need to prep your arms for repeatedly lifting and holding your baby.

1. Grab 5- to 10-pound dumbbells and stand with your feet slightly wider than your hips and your knees slightly bent.
2. Exhale as you slowly bend your elbows, bringing the dumbbells toward your shoulders.
3. Inhale and slowly lower the weights back down.
4. Take 3 seconds to lift the dumbbells and 5 seconds to lower.
5. Do 2 sets of 10 to 15 repetitions.

Some variations and additional strength training moves to include in the first trimester, according to Brittany Robles, MD, CPT include:

• lunges with weight
• glute bridge (if you’re experiencing any pelvic pain or have a history of pelvic pain with pregnancies, you can also add ball squeezes in between your thighs during the glute bridges)
• standard pushups

When it comes to what you should avoid during the first trimester, Robles says to put your high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on hold since it’s an easy way to exhaust yourself early in pregnancy.

Robles also recommends avoiding any exercise where you can experience trauma, such as contact sports.

Exercises to do in the second trimester of pregnancy

Once the reality sets in that you’re in this for the long haul, you may notice a feeling of calmness and even an increase in energy over the next several weeks. Many women say this is the trimester where they feel the best, which is why it’s an excellent time to focus on your fitness routine.

That said, Robles does point out that since the uterus is getting bigger, you do need to be a bit more careful with physical activity.

Activities to avoid during the second trimester, according to Robles, include any high impact exercise that involves jumping, running, balance, or exhaustion. You also want to avoid any exercise that has you lying on your back for extended periods of time.

In addition to the exercises in the first trimester, consider adding some variations to your squat such as narrow squats, single-leg squats, as well as wide stance squats. Incline pushups, which target the chest, triceps, and shoulders, are another move to add during this trimester.

Now that the core foundation has been established, Cates says training the core as the abdomen expands is a much easier concept. And with things beginning to shift and grow even more at this time, she often recommends that moms-to-be continue to work on stability strength with an extra focus on the inner thighs and glutes.

Incline pushups

1. Stand facing a ledge or railing and place your hands shoulder-width apart on the surface.
2. Step your body back into a standing plank position with your back in a straight line.
3. Bend your arms and slowly lower your chest toward the railing or ledge.
4. Straighten your arms to return to the starting position.
5. Do 2 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions.

Hip flexor and quadriceps stretch

Due to postural changes, Jeffcoat says the second trimester is the ideal time to develop a stretching routine that focuses on the hip flexors, quadriceps, low back, gluteals, and calves.

Because of your changing center of gravity, the belly tends to fall forward, creating shortened hip flexor muscles. This exercise allows you to safely stretch during pregnancy.

1. Go into a half-kneeling position on the floor. Place your right knee on the floor and your left foot in front of you, left foot flat on the floor.
2. Keeping your posture nice and tall, lunge toward your left foot until you feel a stretch in the front of your right hip and thigh.
3. Hold for 30 seconds, ease off, and then repeat 2 more times.
4. Switch sides and repeat.

Side-lying leg lifts

To prepare for your changing center of gravity, it’s important to get the muscles that help with balance and assist in pelvic stabilization stronger.

1. Lie on your right side with both knees bent and stacked on top of one another.
2. Slightly lift your right side off of the floor to create a small gap between your waist and the floor. This also levels your pelvis.
3. Straighten your left leg and angle it slightly in front of you. Rotate your hip so that your toes point down toward the floor.
4. Exhale as you take about 3 seconds to lift your leg; inhale for 3 seconds back down. As you lift your leg, make sure you don’t lose that little gap you created between your waist and the floor.
5. Do 2 sets of 8 to 15 repetitions on each side.

Mermaid stretch

As your baby grows, it can start to create pressure on your diaphragm and ribs that can be painful.

1. Sit on the ground with both of your knees bent (or folded) and your feet facing to the right.
2. Raise your left arm straight to the ceiling as you inhale, then exhale and sidebend your torso toward the right. The stretch should be felt on the left side in this example. Hold for 4 slow, deep breaths. This would be the direction to stretch if you experience discomfort on the left side.
3. Reverse directions for discomfort on the right side. To reduce the risk of this occurring, start stretching both directions during the second trimester.

Exercises to do in the third trimester of pregnancy

You’ll definitely notice a slowdown — if not an abrupt halt at times — during the third trimester, as your body begins to prepare for labor and childbirth. This is a great time to focus on cardiovascular activities and keep up your mobility and abdominal strength with:

• walking
• swimming
• prenatal yoga
• Pilates
• pelvic floor exercises
• bodyweight moves

These help to keep your upper and lower body muscles strong.

For safety purposes, Jeffcoat says to avoid any exercise that places you at a risk for falls. “Because your center of gravity is changing daily, it’s smart to avoid exercises that would lead to a loss of balance, resulting in a fall and possible abdominal impact that could harm your baby,” she says.

It’s also not uncommon to experience pubic symphysis pain, which is pain in the front pubic bone. Because of this, Jeffcoat recommends avoiding exercises where your legs are too far apart, which will further aggravate this pain.

Diastasis recti correction

“Diastasis recti [separation of the rectus abdominal muscles] is a concern for women during this time, and it will show up as a bulge that runs down the midline of your abdomen,” says Jeffcoat. In order to combat this, she recommends doing a diastasis recti correction exercise.

1. Lie on your back with a pillow under your head and shoulders. Knees are bent, and feet are flat on the floor.
2. Use a crib or twin sheet and roll it so it’s about 3 to 4 inches wide, and place it on your lower back (above your pelvis and below your ribs).
3. Grab the sheet and cross it once over your abdomen. Then, grasp the sides, and the sheet should form an X as you pull each side.
4. Take a deep breath in to prepare, then press your back flat into the floor as you raise your head and shoulders off of the pillow. During this motion, you are gently “hugging” the sheet around your abdomen to support your abs.
5. Inhale lower, and repeat 10 to 20 times. If your neck or shoulders hurt, start at 10 and work your way up.
6. Do this 2 times a day.

Other low-weight or bodyweight-only strength training exercises to target during the third trimester include:

• bodyweight squats or sumo squats with a wider stance for an increased base of support (if you’re not experiencing pelvic pain)
• standing shoulder press with light weights
• bicep curls with light weights
• pushups against a wall
• modified planks
• tricep kickbacks with light weight

The takeaway

Staying physically active during pregnancy is beneficial for both mom and baby.

Including some form of exercise most days of the week can help keep your core strong, your muscles fit, and your cardiovascular system in top shape. Plus it can do wonders for your mental health (yay for endorphins!).

Make sure to listen to your body and stop if you feel any discomfort or pain. And as always, talk with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about how your body is responding to an exercise program.

Maintaining a regular exercise routine throughout your pregnancy can help you stay healthy and feel your best. Regular exercise during pregnancy can improve your posture and decrease some common discomforts such as backaches and fatigue. There is evidence that physical activity may prevent gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy), relieve stress, and build more stamina needed for labor and delivery.

If you were physically active before your pregnancy, you should be able to continue your activity in moderation. Don’t try to exercise at your former level; instead, do what’s most comfortable for you now. Low impact aerobics are encouraged versus high impact.

The pregnant competitive athlete should be closely followed by an obstetrician.

If you have never exercised regularly before, you can safely begin an exercise program during pregnancy after consulting with your health care provider, but do not try a new, strenuous activity. Walking is considered safe to initiate when pregnant.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise per day on most if not all days of the week, unless you have a medical or pregnancy complication.

Who Should Not Exercise During Pregnancy?

If you have a medical problem, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, exercise may not be advisable. Exercise may also be harmful if you have a pregnancy-related condition such as:

• Bleeding or spotting
• Low placenta
• Threatened or recurrent miscarriage
• Previous premature births or history of early labor
• Weak cervix

Talk with your health care provider before beginning an exercise program. Your health care provider can also give you personal exercise guidelines, based on your medical history.

What Exercises Are Safe During Pregnancy?

Most exercises are safe to perform during pregnancy, as long as you exercise with caution and do not overdo it.

The safest and most productive activities are swimming, brisk walking, indoor stationary cycling, step or elliptical machines, and low-impact aerobics (taught by a certified aerobics instructor). These activities carry little risk of injury, benefit your entire body, and can be continued until birth.

Tennis and racquetball are generally safe activities, but changes in balance during pregnancy may affect rapid movements. Other activities such as jogging can be done in moderation, especially if you were doing them before your pregnancy. You may want to choose exercises or activities that do not require great balance or coordination, especially later in pregnancy.

To learn strength and toning exercises that are safe to do during pregnancy, see

What Exercises Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy?

There are certain exercises and activities that can be harmful if performed during pregnancy. They include:

• Holding your breath during any activity.
• Activities where falling is likely (such as skiing and horseback riding).
• Contact sports such as softball, football, basketball, and volleyball.
• Any exercise that may cause even mild abdominal trauma such as activities that include jarring motions or rapid changes in direction.
• Activities that require extensive jumping, hopping, skipping, bouncing, or running.
• Deep knee bends, full sit-ups, double leg raises, and straight-leg toe touches.
• Bouncing while stretching.
• Waist-twisting movements while standing.
• Heavy exercise spurts followed by long periods of no activity.
• Exercise in hot, humid weather.

What Should a Pregnancy Exercise Program Consist Of?

For total fitness, a pregnancy exercise program should strengthen and condition your muscles.

Always begin by warming up for five minutes and stretching for five minutes. Include at least fifteen minutes of cardiovascular activity. Measure your heart rate at times of peak activity. Follow aerobic activity with five to ten minutes of gradually slower exercise that ends with gentle stretching.

Here are some basic exercise guidelines for pregnant women:

• Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes as well as a good support bra.
• Choose shoes that are designed for the type of exercise you do. Proper shoes are your best protection against injury.
• Exercise on a flat, level surface to prevent injury.
• Consume enough calories to meet the needs of your pregnancy (300 more calories per day than before you were pregnant) as well as your exercise program.
• Finish eating at least one hour before exercising.
• Drink water before, during, and after your workout.
• After doing floor exercises, get up slowly and gradually to prevent dizziness.
• Never exercise to the point of exhaustion. If you cannot talk normally while exercising, you are probably over-exerting yourself and should slow down your activity.

What Pregnancy Changes May Affect Exercise?

Physical changes during pregnancy create extra demands on your body. Keeping in mind the changes listed below, remember that you need to listen to your body and adjust your activities or exercise routine as necessary.

• Your developing baby and other internal changes require more oxygen and energy.
• Hormones produced during pregnancy cause the ligaments that support your joints to stretch, increasing the risk of injury.
• The extra weight and the uneven distribution of your weight shift your center of gravity. The extra weight also puts stress on joints and muscles in the lower back and pelvic area and makes it easier for you to lose your balance.

Warning for Pregnant Women

Stop exercising and consult your health care provider if you:

• Feel chest pain.
• Have abdominal pain, pelvic pain, or persistent contractions.
• Have a headache.
• Notice an absence or decrease in fetal movement.
• Feel faint, dizzy, nauseous, or light-headed.
• Feel cold or clammy.
• Have vaginal bleeding.
• Have a sudden gush of fluid from the vagina or a trickle of fluid that leaks steadily.
• Notice an irregular or rapid heartbeat.
• Have sudden swelling in your ankles, hands, face, or calf pain.
• Are short of breath.
• Have difficulty walking.
• Have muscle weakness.

How Soon Can I Exercise After Delivery?

It is best to ask your health care provider how soon you can begin your exercise routine after delivering your baby.

Although you may be eager to get in shape quickly, return to your pre-pregnancy fitness routines gradually. Follow your health care provider’s exercise recommendations.

Most women can safely perform a low-impact activity one to two weeks after vaginal birth (or three to four weeks after cesarean birth). Do about half of your normal floor exercises and don’t try to overdo it.

Keep Moving

Experts agree, when you’re expecting, it’s important to keep moving: Pregnant women who exercise have less back pain, more energy, a better body image and, post-delivery, a faster return to their pre-pregnancy shape.

Being fit doesn’t have to mean a big time commitment or fancy equipment. The following workout is simple, can be done at home, and is safe to do in each trimester.

Be sure to do the moves in the order shown and, for best results, do the workout every other day. Always check with your doctor before starting this or any exercise program.

Plié

Stand parallel to the back of a sturdy chair with the hand closest to the chair resting on it, feet parallel and hip-distance apart.

With your toes and knees turned out to 45 degrees, pull your belly button up and in. Bend your knees, lowering your torso as low as possible while keeping your back straight [shown]. Straighten your legs to return to starting position. Repeat for reps.

Strengthens: Quadriceps, hamstrings and butt. Improves balance.

Side-Lying Inner and Outer Thigh

Lie on your right side, head supported by your forearm, right leg bent at a 45-degree angle and left leg straight. Place your opposite arm on the floor for stability. Lift left leg to about hip height and repeat for reps.

Then, bend your left knee and rest it on top of pillows for support. Straighten your right leg and lift it as high as possible for reps [shown]. Switch sides and repeat for reps.

Strengthens: Core and inner thighs.

Plank

Get down on your hands and knees, wrists directly under your shoulders. Lift your knees and straighten your legs behind you until your body forms a straight line. Don’t arch your back or let your belly sag [shown].

Hold for 1 to 2 breaths, working up to 5 breaths.

Strengthens: Core, arms and back.

Curl and Lift

Sit on the edge of a sturdy chair with your back straight, feet on the floor, arms at your sides. Hold a 5- to 8-pound weight in each hand, palms facing your body. Bend your elbows so your arms form a 90-degree angle [shown].

Then, keeping your elbows bent, lift the weights to shoulder height. Lower your arms to your sides, then straighten to return to starting position. Repeat for reps.

Strengthens: Biceps and shoulders.

One-Arm Row

Using a sturdy chair, place your right knee on the seat, left foot on the floor. Bend for- ward, back parallel to the floor and place your right hand on the seat. Hold a 5- to 8-pound weight in your left hand, arm extended down and in line with your shoulder, palm facing in.

Bend your left elbow up so that your arm forms a 90-degree angle [shown]. Hold, then return to starting position. Repeat for reps, then switch sides.

Strengthens: Back, biceps and triceps.