Category: Exercises

Power Squats

Power Squat (Exercise Classification: Advanced)

The following exercise helps strengthen muscles and the cardiovascular system. Start with one set of each exercise 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 will be similar to a regular squat except for that you can move a little faster, reduce the depth of the squat, and if you wanted to make it a little bit harder, add a small jump to the end of the movement. You can modify by keeping both feet on the ground at all times.

Tags Advanced, Aerobics, Pregnancy

Aerobics Exercises

4-Way Lunge

Four way Lunge (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.

Instructions:

All with the right leg being the one moving (left leg stationary)…

Lunge to the front
Lunge to the side
Lunge to the back
Lunge to the other side

Then switch to the other side and repeat.

Tags Aerobics, Intermediate, Pregnancy

Aerobics Exercises

Front Kicks

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

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).

Tags Aerobics, Intermediate, Pregnancy

Aerobics Exercises

Plank Jumping Jack

Exercise Classification: Advanced

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.

Tags Advanced, Aerobics, Pregnancy

Aerobics Exercises

Plank Knee Raise

Difficulty: Advanced

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.

Tags Advanced, Aerobics, Pregnancy

Aerobics Exercises

Step Ups

Exercise Classification: Beginner

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.

Tags Aerobics, beginner, Pregnancy

Aerobics Exercises

Cross Country Skier

Exercise Classification: Intermediate

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.

Tags Aerobics, Intermediate, Pregnancy

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.

Tags Aerobics, beginner, Pregnancy

Aerobics Exercises

Bottom Kicks

Exercise Classification: Beginner

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.

Tags Aerobics, beginner, Pregnancy

Aerobics

Knee to Elbow Reach

Exercise Classification: Beginner

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.

Tags Aerobics, beginner, Pregnancy