Pregnancy Calendars Home Page

Home : Articles : Pregnancy Fitness :

Average rating: 5.0  1 votes

Short Bursts Of Exercise All Count During Pregnancy

Forget the "all or nothing" mentality when it comes to exercise. Fitness does not live or die by 60-minute workouts; there is a middle ground as well. Short spurts of exercise, when they accumulate, have been shown to provide the similar benefits of longer workouts.

Your body will reap numerous benefits just by becoming more active. This approach is perfect for times when you don't have time for a regular workout, or when you want to start off slowly and build up a routine.

Easier Than You Think

Treat these 10 minutes like you would a regular workout. Take 1-2 minutes to warm up and get the muscles ready, including stretching. Follow with at least 7 minutes of exercise at a medium or high intensity. Then make sure to include a 60-second cool down.

Since it's brief, it's important to work out at a fairly high intensity to obtain all the benefits. Work at raising your heart and respiration rates, just as with regular workouts. You should also try to include cardio, strength training and flexibility work in your shortened routine. Either knock out all three during the 10 minutes, or plan a 10-minute segment for each area.

Example: Push out 10 cardio minutes on the stationary bike. For strength, do push-ups, wall sits or lift dumbbells. For flexibility, it's helpful to just stretch every day. Work different muscle groups and keep it simple. After 10 minutes, you'll feel healthier and be on your way to developing solid fitness habits.

But I Still Don't Have Time

It only takes 30 minutes a day, broken up into manageable chunks of 10-minute segmants. Start with a quick exercise when you wake up. The second session? A lunch break might be the perfect time to re-energize and get the blood flowing again. The last 10-minute blitz could come in the evening, even while you're watching TV. It's an ideal way to involve the family as well. Go for a power walk after dinner with your spouse or ride bikes with the kids.

It's all about convenience; if you try, you can fit exercise into your schedule no matter where you are. Do it at home or at work, outside or in the living room. Start building exercise spurts into your daily routine and you'll start feeling better

Take Note:
Even though you may be shortening your exercise time into more easily managed sessions, take care not to place too much stress on your body, and once again, do ensure that you consult your healthcare provider before starting any exercise routine.

| More
Related Articles
»Back Stretching
»Beginners Exercise
»Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy
»Danger Signs
»Exercises To Avoid
»Exercising For Two
»Fit To Deliver
»Home Pregnancy Workout
»Keeping Your Fitness
»New vs Old Exercise
»Postpartum Walking
»Preventing Injury During Pregnancy
»Running While Pregnant
»Safe Exercises During Pregnancy
»Short Bursts of Exercise
»Strength Training & Pregnancy
»Swimming During Pregnancy
»Walking During Pregnancy
»When Not To Exercise
»Yoga During Pregnancy


Advertisement

Recommended Videos

What's Hot!

Pregnancy Calendar - Week 11
Group B Strep Swab
Non Stress Test
Bloating During Pregnancy
Benefits of Exercise During Pregnancy
New vs Old Exercise
Anemia & Pregnancy
Conceive A Boy
Induce Labor Naturally
Ultrasound Week 28
Was this information helpful?        

There are 0 comments for this article.



About Your Pregnancy

Your Pregnancy WEEK BY WEEK

Sign up now, and recieve Weekly updates on how your pregnancy & your baby are developing. Including pictures, nutritional advice, info on symptoms and complications and so much more!

ENTER YOUR DUE DATE:



Note sure about your due date?
What's new in our Community

Lastest PostsMost Read PostsLastest Polls

Oh My!
Well, I was waiting and waiting for my period to come,....
- familyofthree   31 Jul 2010 11:07 PM

After a caesarian ???
How long did your scar and surrounding area hurt for a....
- tiffmitchnolivia   31 Jul 2010 11:02 PM

long :/
Moving to NH has been great. I love the quiet, tranqui....
- blueiris   31 Jul 2010 10:54 PM

Breast pumps
Ok ladies... I am wondering what breast pump you use a....
- MommYtoBella   31 Jul 2010 9:36 PM

It's a Boy!!!!!!!!! Need help with names! :D
The baby is a boy!![:D] He looks great! No bone pro....
- monkeymomtobe   31 Jul 2010 9:29 PM

Yup im all alone
So yesterday my boyfriend broke up with me... im all a....
- carey   31 Jul 2010 8:54 PM


See All Topics From Today
Special Feature

Stages Of Labor
There are three distinct stages of labor, and your experience with each will be very different. Find out more of what you can expect....

Glucose Tolerance Test
It is not uncommon for a health care provider to recommend that you have a glucose screening test. This test is carried out to determine if.....

Childcare Choices
Going back to work and spending time away from your baby can be stressful enough and trying to find the right creche or childcare facility....

Asthma While Pregnant
If you are one of the many women that suffer from asthma, you may be concerned about how this ailment of yours will affect your unborn child.

COMMUNITY

Community Forums
MyPregnancy Blogs
Active Topics

MEDIA GALLARIES

Pregnancy Pictures
Baby Nusery
Pregnancy Videos
Childbirth Videos

POPULAR SECTIONS

Pregnancy Symptoms
Pregnancy Stages
Childbirth and Labor
Getting Pregnant

ABOUT US

About Us
Privacy Policy
Newsletter UnSubscribe
Advertise