Are Workouts On a Big Ball Okay?
QUESTION
Dear Fitness Expert,
I just found out I'm about 5 weeks pregnant. Before I found out I was going to start Core Secrets. It's a big ball I sit on to do my sit ups and other fitness things to get my body in shape. I was wondering if this is ok for the baby. I was not really doing it before I got pregnant.
Thank you for your help,
Katrina, pregnant with baby number 4
ANSWER
With three other pregnancies under your belt (wow!), you have a fairly good idea of what you can do.
The big ball is one of the best things you can work out on/with. By sitting on the ball, you can use light hand weights and do a variety of back, chest, arm, leg, and abdominal workouts without the pounding you might get from aerobics or running. Check out your local library or bookstore to find some ball work out books -- I would suggest Swiss Ball: For Strength, Tone and Posture by Maureen Flett. It's a wonderful introduction for working out with the ball.
Be sure that you have permission from your OB/GYN to workout. Take the book with you to show your physician the kinds of exercises you do. You should have a great time. Good luck.
-- Alex
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Alexandra Allred
Alexandra Allred is a former member of the US Women's Bobsled team, is an accomplished martial artist, and continues to teach kickboxing while juggling her career as a full-time writer and mother of three. She has interviewed hundreds of athletes, models, actresses, trainers, doctors, and health/fitness experts as she sought to find answers to her own questions about working out while pregnant, arranging breast-feeding around a training schedule, diet when pregnant and breastfeeding, and encouraging her whole family.
Alex is the author of ten books, including Atta Girl! A Celebration of Women in Sports and Entering the Mother Zone: Balancing Self, Health & Family. We're excited to have her on board!
