Mini Stepper

[Mischa90]

Hi ladies,

I want to buy a mini stepper and start exercising and get ready for labour.

Does anyone know if a mini stepper would be a good choice, since i have put alot of weight on my legs and but area

Thanks in advance

 

[lily28]

I'm a very active person and was doing a lot of exercise especially before this pregnancy, power walking, swimming, pilates, various dvds I have. I was even doing some high impact cardio up until mid 1st tri, but doctor asked me to lower my activities by 30%, so I only walk and do some pilates now.

If you didn't do any regular exercise before you were pregnant the no1 recomended exercises are walking and swimming. Machines and bicycles are not recomended because of the risk of falling and hurting yourself.

About steppers and home machines, I have a professional elliptical machine at home that I never use because it is boring. It is good exercise of course but not as good as outdoors activities, the best form of exercise at this stage is at least 20 min of walking everyday. If you are fit up it to 1 hour everyday, or add some other activity that you like, like prenatal yoga for flexibility.

 

[jensha]

IMO, mini steppers are crap. They don't tone your legs, butt and thighs and you don't raise your heartbeat enough to lose a lot of calories. Treadmills and ellipticals are better, although more expensive. If you haven't worked out at all during your pregnancy, you shouldn't start something new. You can walk and do prenatal yoga to help stretching out your pelvic and hips. I'm afraid you won't be able to do anything for your legs and butt while pregnant. Once baby is here, you can start weight lifting (best way to lose weight while ''toning'' = not losing too much muscle mass). I also recommend some programs like Brazilian butt lift, Turbofire and Chalean Extreme (beachbody.com : those are from USA, but I'm sure you can find the equivalent in the UK if you don't like the American accents )