Can I Use a Rowing Machine While Pregnant?

It is a fact that pregnancy-related physical changes cause women to slow down where exercising is concerned. The combined effects of morning sickness during the first trimester, increasing body weight and lethargy naturally make it difficult for expectant women to keep exercising at the same level as they did before.

Moreover, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology advises that pregnant women should exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. Health experts have noted that pregnant women should only follow exercise routines based on previous practice.

If an individual is not accustomed to exercising regularly, then it would be unwise for her to take on a punishing exercise routine when expectant. There are exercises like rowing though, which are suited to both exercise fanatics and those without regular exercise routines.

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Is a rowing machine a good exercise option for pregnant women?

The rowing machine is one of the best exercising options for pregnant women because it consists of low-impact exercises which improve endurance and the immune system but are gentle on the body’s joints. Rowing is an exercise that can be conducted when one is sitting.

This means that there will be no strain on the back or the growing fetus. The rowing machine, which is easy for any individual regardless of ability, gender, or age to use, enables the user to maximize his or her workout while also minimizing the possibility of injury.

Rowing does not require jerky movements or jumping activities that are typical of sports like tennis. Moderate rowing exercises also do not come with the risk of falling, sudden pressure changes, or the possibility of getting hit in the abdomen. The repetitive movements facilitated by the rowing machine can have a calming effect on pregnant women.

This moderate-intensity exercise can even be adopted by pregnant women who are unaccustomed to exercising, as they can simply ease into it by dedicating just 10 minutes to it at first. After this, they can gradually add in 3-minute increments to acclimatize their bodies to regular movement until they can exercise for 30 minutes daily.

Rowing while pregnant:

How rowing benefits the pregnant woman’s body

Rowing provides pregnant women with a full-body workout because it incorporates different sets of muscles. Expectant women tend to experience core weakness in the lower back as their weight slowly increases. Rowing machine exercises help to strengthen the body even when there is a change in the center of gravity.

The importance of strengthening women’s muscles and reflexes in the face of weight gain becomes evident when undertaking everyday activities like tying shoelaces. As many muscles are incorporated into the rowing motion, pregnant women can burn calories easily using this exercise.

It is the fact that the rowing machine is easy to manipulate while in a sitting position even as it provides a full-body workout that makes it one of the best exercising options for pregnant women.

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Simple rowing machine exercises for pregnant women at different fitness levels.

Rowing machines are built with different sets of resistance training. A pregnant woman who is unaccustomed to workouts and so has not built up any upper body strength can opt for a low-resistance setting before beginning to exercise. The rowing machine allows users to slowly increase resistance settings, even as their endurance and stamina increase.

Expectant women who did not have regular exercise regimens before they fell pregnant can adopt 10-minute exercising routines and then slowly adjust to their new workout.

Sometimes this routine may be too excessive for the untrained body, so can be readjusted to accommodate it. The benefit of the rowing machine is that it can be used to slowly adjust the untrained body until it can endure longer exercise routines.

• Expectant women who are accustomed to moderate exercise routines can adopt 15-20 minute regimens.
• Those who have built up significant endurance levels over years can exercise for 30 minutes daily.

Rowing machine exercising methods for pregnant women in different trimesters

Expectant women can keep exercising even as their abdomens increase in size. However, this requires changes in exercising position so that the user remains comfortable while exercising. The best position is the one that prevents the pregnant woman from reaching her abdomen with the rowing machine’s handlebar.

This is accomplished when the user straps her feet down at a lower spot, and positions each leg to the side. This exercising position ensures that her range of motion remains unlimited. The rowing machine has foot straps that hold the user in place. This will keep the pregnant woman who has lost her balance steady even as she engages in moderate exercises. The rowing machine also has room for pregnant exercisers to pull its handlebars towards the shoulder area, to avoid hitting the abdominal area.

Using the rowing machine in the third trimester requires additional care, as many expectant women can overheat quickly when exercising during this period. For this reason, it is best for exercises to be undertaken in a room that has air conditioning appliances. Expectant exercisers should also be careful to take as many breaks as they feel necessary to avoid over-taxing their bodies.

Exercising with a high-risk pregnancy

Women with high-risk pregnancies should not undertake any exercises without first consulting medical authorities.

This means that women who are older first-time mothers have pre-existing health conditions, were either obese or underweight before falling pregnant, or are dealing with a multiple gestation situation should not use the rowing machine before seeking advice about this decision.

The rowing machine is one of the best exercise machines for pregnant women

Getting motivated to adopt an exercise routine is challenging for many pregnant women because of the natural changes that happen to the body when one is expectant. This is why uncomplicated exercise implements like the rowing machine is so suitable for pregnant women. In using them, women are assured of the benefits of an effective workout without over-extending themselves or causing injury to themselves or their unborn babies.

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