XBox Kinect Fitness & Pregnancy

[Visje]

What are some good fitness games to do while pregnant? My husband bought this game (Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012) over the weekend for both of us, I love it. But just wondering which activities are safe to do while pregnant, especially with the dancing games and the toning exercises.

 

[littlesteph]

i'd like to know that one as well, I started doing the zumba one about a week before I found out I was pregnant pretty sure we can't do that one

 

[xjesx]

You absolutely can do zumba and dance!!! I have been running throughout my first tri, teaching dance, and I used to take zumba classes with my pregnant friends!

What you have to watch out for is working your body too hard. We will already have balance issues so to work ourselves to a point where we are out of breath is not only not ok to do because we may raise our body temperatures too high but also because the we may not be able to keep balance.

The great thing about zumba and dance is you control just how hard you work it.

As for toning, choose a lower weight.

Pregnancy isn't the time for us to increase the intensity of our workouts. but its definitely important to stay healthy and active.

Make sure you can keep up a conversation and keep that body hydrated well!

 

[littlesteph]

wow I didn't know you could do zumba I thougt all the movements would be bad for the baby

 

[xjesx]

wow I didn't know you could do zumba I thougt all the movements would be bad for the baby

Baby will be dancing along and giving it more than you

I mean ladies, lets not get too crazy. I was teaching dance throughout the first two months of my current pregnancy and will be returning to teaching come september at about 5 1/2 months. We just need to remember to really listen to our body's limitations when working out.

No more working out to muscle failure or soaking wet t-shirts.

 

[Visje]

Sounds good, thank you! I already have a very active yoga practice, and besides mostly being told to watch it with twists, jumping through, and laying on my stomach, there's not too much I have to modify. But I was thinking that adding some cardio would be good and to not be limited to the swimming pool, right now, most of my cardio is cycling for transportation, just like many people in Holland.

One more question, how much exercise would be overexercising while pregnant? I completely believe the analogy that training for birth is like training for a marathon, but also scared of overdoing it.

wow I didn't know you could do zumba I thougt all the movements would be bad for the baby

Baby will be dancing along and giving it more than you

I mean ladies, lets not get too crazy. I was teaching dance throughout the first two months of my current pregnancy and will be returning to teaching come september at about 5 1/2 months. We just need to remember to really listen to our body's limitations when working out.

No more working out to muscle failure or soaking wet t-shirts.

 

[xjesx]

over doing it would be the inability to carry on a conversation. Throughout the first trimester you can generally carry on with your activities as usually. Laying on the stomach, jumping, twisting and running. Avid runners are able to continue into their second trimester.

If you introduce cardio take it a little at a time to test your limits. That really great feeling after an intense run or bike ride when you are huffing and buffing and reaching for water likely isn't a good idea.

You want to be comfortable.

Yoga is great!

 

[Visje]

Hey, thanks so much again, I meant more amount though. As in how often is too often? I did go through a stage not too long ago where I was practicing yoga and doing one cardio session every day, and wouldn't mind going back to that, and as far as strength training goes I tend to favor more pilates-style exercises that only use the body weight, haven't checked out the XBox ones yet though.

 

[xjesx]

4-5 times a week. Maybe even 3-4 if you are just starting. Rest days are very important so that your muscles can rebuild and relax. Working a sore muscle is really counterproductive.

Aim for 4-5 and you will know when your body says stop. WATER WATER WATER!


I love pilates. I am not familiar with what is available through wii or xbox but prenatal pilates and yoga would likely be ideal especially entering into the second trimester once a bump is very much there. First trimester you would be fine with any regular pilates or yoga.

Cardio same 4-5.

Just remember that pregnancy is not the time to be too crazy and intense because our bodies are already working 24-7

 

[Visje]

Sounds good and doable.