Categories
Aerobics Exercises

Front Kicks

Exercise Classification: Intermediate or Beginner (if kicks are kept low)

The following exercise effectively build cardiovascular and muscles strength, and you can build a routine of a circuit by doing one set of each exercise for 10-12 reps, building slowly to five or more sets.

Safety tips:

  • Always warm up by walking in place for several minutes.
  • Perform you exercises on supportive flooring with plenty of room to move.
  • Wear athletic shoes and avoid working out on thick carpet that can make movement difficult.
  • Don’t push to the point of exhaustion­–take a rest if you start to feel out of breath or overheated.
  • As your pregnancy progresses, modify the exercises as suggested for comfort and safety, and avoid any exercise that makes your feel unsteady or causes discomfort.

Instructions:

  • Stand with feet hip width apart and arms bent and held in front of you (think of a boxing position).
  •  Lift right leg up, bending knee slightly, and kick right foot forward. Keep ankle flexed and push through the heel.
  • Put the right foot back to the ground and repeat with the left.
  •  Only kick as high as what feels comfortable with a slight stretch in the hamstring (back of leg).

© WKU {2022} All rights reserved.

Categories
Aerobics Exercises

Plank Jumping Jack

Exercise Classification: Advanced

The following exercise effectively build cardiovascular and muscles strength, and you can build a routine of a circuit by doing one set of each exercise for 10-12 reps, building slowly to five or more sets.

Safety tips:

  • Always warm up by walking in place for several minutes.
  • Perform you exercises on supportive flooring with plenty of room to move.
  • Wear athletic shoes and avoid working out on thick carpet that can make movement difficult.
  • Don’t push to the point of exhaustion­–take a rest if you start to feel out of breath or overheated.
  • As your pregnancy progresses, modify the exercises as suggested for comfort and safety, and avoid any exercise that makes your feel unsteady or causes discomfort.

Instructions:

  • Start in plank position with your hands below your shoulder and body straight and legs extending behind you.
  • Keep your hands in position as you do a jumping jack with your legs extending out the side and then back to start position.
  • You can modify the position for wrist comfort by resting on your elbows instead of wrist.
  • If jumping feels uncomfortable, you can modify by stepping one foot out to the side and then the other followed by stepping one foot back in and then the other.

© WKU {2022} All rights reserved.

Categories
Aerobics Exercises

Plank Knee Raise

Difficulty: Advanced

The following exercise effectively build cardiovascular and muscles strength, and you can build a routine of a circuit by doing one set of each exercise for 10-12 reps, building slowly to five or more sets.

Safety tips:

  • Always warm up by walking in place for several minutes.
  • Perform you exercises on supportive flooring with plenty of room to move.
  • Wear athletic shoes and avoid working out on thick carpet that can make movement difficult.
  • Don’t push to the point of exhaustion­–take a rest if you start to feel out of breath or overheated.
  • As your pregnancy progresses, modify the exercises as suggested for comfort and safety, and avoid any exercise that makes your feel unsteady or causes discomfort.

Instructions:

This exercise is a full body workout, so build your time and pace slowly.

  • Start in a plank position with your hands below your shoulders, body straight and legs extending behind you.
  • Bring one knee to your chest and then switch to the opposite knee.
  • Maintain a quick pace and if your hands are uncomfortable in a flat palm position, make a fist instead so you avoid extending your wrist or grasp hands weights and balance on them.
  • Modification: To make this easier, place your hands on a sturdy couch, chair, counter, or wall. The higher your hands, the easier the exercise.

© WKU {2022} All rights reserved.

Categories
Aerobics Exercises

Step Ups

Exercise Classification: Beginner

The following exercise effectively build cardiovascular and muscles strength, and you can build a routine of a circuit by doing one set of each exercise for 10-12 reps, building slowly to five or more sets.

Safety tips:

  • Always warm up by walking in place for several minutes.
  • Perform you exercises on supportive flooring with plenty of room to move.
  • Wear athletic shoes and avoid working out on thick carpet that can make movement difficult.
  • Don’t push to the point of exhaustion­–take a rest if you start to feel out of breath or overheated.
  • As your pregnancy progresses, modify the exercises as suggested for comfort and safety, and avoid any exercise that makes your feel unsteady or causes discomfort.

Instructions:

You may use a stairway for this exercise or an exercise step.

  • Start in a standing position just behind the step.
  • Raise up onto the step with one leg as you pump your arms.
  • Return to start position.
  • Switch to the opposite leg and raise up.
  • You may increase the intensity of this exercise by stepping both legs onto the step and stepping back down.
  • If you have trouble seeing your feet as your belly grows just march in place instead of using a step. You can increase the intensity of marching in place by using hand weights.

© WKU {2022} All rights reserved.

Categories
Aerobics Exercises

Cross Country Skier

Exercise Classification: Intermediate

The following exercise effectively build cardiovascular and muscles strength, and you can build a routine of a circuit by doing one set of each exercise for 10-12 reps, building slowly to five or more sets.

Safety tips:

  • Always warm up by walking in place for several minutes.
  • Perform you exercises on supportive flooring with plenty of room to move.
  • Wear athletic shoes and avoid working out on thick carpet that can make movement difficult.
  • Don’t push to the point of exhaustion­–take a rest if you start to feel out of breath or overheated.
  • As your pregnancy progresses, modify the exercises as suggested for comfort and safety, and avoid any exercise that makes your feel unsteady or causes discomfort.
  • Do not do this exercise if you have pain in the front of your pelvic bone.

Instructions:

  • Start in a standing position with your arms at your side.
  • Lunge forward on your right leg with your left leg extending behind you and bring your left arm in front of you as you extend your right arm back.
  • Press back with your right leg and switch sides with your left leg forward in a lunge with right leg behind and left arm in front.
  • Try to maintain a fluid “sliding” motion as you switch legs from front to back.
  • Avoid dipping too deep—just slightly bend your knees, and if you have walking poles you can use them to help with balance and add more arm work.

© WKU {2022} All rights reserved.

Categories
Aerobics Exercises

Side Steps

Exercise Classification: Beginner

The following exercise helps strengthen muscles and the cardiovascular system. Start with one set for 10 reps(that is, do the exercise 10 times in a row). You can build up slowly to 4 or more sets. You can also combine this exercise with other exercises in the app to create a workout that will challenge the entire body!

Safety tips:

  • Always warm up by walking in place for several minutes.
  • Perform you exercises on supportive flooring with plenty of room to move.
  • Wear athletic shoes and avoid working out on thick carpet that can make movement difficult.
  • Don’t push to the point of exhaustion­–take a rest if you start to feel out of breath or overheated.
  • As your pregnancy progresses, modify the exercises as suggested for comfort and safety, and avoid any exercise that makes your feel unsteady or causes discomfort.

Instructions:

This exercise works your thighs and also improves balance.

  • Start with your feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent.
  • Lean forward a few inches and clasp your hands in front of you.
  • Sidestep by pushing off and crab stepping to the side for five to ten steps.
  • Switch direction for five to ten steps.

© WKU {2022} All rights reserved.

Categories
Aerobics Exercises

Bottom Kicks

Exercise Classification: Beginner

The following exercise effectively build cardiovascular and muscles strength, and you can build a routine of a circuit by doing one set of each exercise for 10-12 reps, building slowly to five or more sets.

Safety tips:

  • Always warm up by walking in place for several minutes.
  • Perform you exercises on supportive flooring with plenty of room to move.
  • Wear athletic shoes and avoid working out on thick carpet that can make movement difficult.
  • Don’t push to the point of exhaustion­–take a rest if you start to feel out of breath or overheated.
  • As your pregnancy progresses, modify the exercises as suggested for comfort and safety, and avoid any exercise that makes your feel unsteady or causes discomfort.

Instructions:

  • Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and arms extended in front of your body.
  • Lift one foot behind you towards your gluts (bottom) and quickly switch to your other foot.
  • Try to maintain a rapid pace as you switch legs.
  • You can increase the intensity by pumping your arms as you lift each foot or by using hand weights.

© WKU {2022} All rights reserved.

Categories
Aerobics

Knee to Elbow Reach

Exercise Classification: Beginner

The following exercise effectively build cardiovascular and muscles strength, and you can build a routine of a circuit by doing one set of each exercise for 10-12 reps, building slowly to five or more sets.

Safety tips:

  • Always warm up by walking in place for several minutes.
  • Perform you exercises on supportive flooring with plenty of room to move.
  • Wear athletic shoes and avoid working out on thick carpet that can make movement difficult.
  • Don’t push to the point of exhaustion­–take a rest if you start to feel out of breath or overheated.
  • As your pregnancy progresses, modify the exercises as suggested for comfort and safety, and avoid any exercise that makes your feel unsteady or causes discomfort.

Instruction:

  • Begin in a standing position with your legs slightly apart and hands resting behind your head with elbows out to the side.
  • Raise your left knee as twist your right elbow to your raised knee.
  • If the twisting motion becomes difficult later in pregnancy, just raise your knee in front of you as you raise your arms to the side with each knee raise.

© WKU {2022} All rights reserved.