Staying active during pregnancy is an integral part of boosting the health of both you and your growing baby. Exercising consistently throughout pregnancy yields many tremendous potential benefits, including better weight management, reduced risk of gestational diabetes, and better endurance for childbirth and beyond. There are a ton of great exercise options that are safe during pregnancy. One of these options is the use of an exercise bike.
If you’ve found yourself asking: Is it safe to use an exercise bike during pregnancy? The answer is generally yes. Let’s dig deeper.
Exercise Bike Safety During Pregnancy
Typically, a stationary bike is a safe option for pregnant women to use for regular exercise. This can be from the comfort of your home on an exercise bike or at a cycling class at your gym. An exercise bike poses a low fall risk, especially compared to outdoor cycling (which is not recommended during pregnancy). Plus, it’s low impact to reduce the strain on your joints that are being stretched and take on more stress with your baby’s weight.
To maximize your efforts to stay healthy and safe on a bike, keep the following tips in mind:
Listen to Your Body
If you tune into your body and what it needs, it will always give you clues as to whether your workout routine during pregnancy is working or not. You will likely notice that your heart rate goes up, and you fatigue quicker than usual with your workouts- and that’s okay. Simply modify your intensity to make sure you aren’t overdoing it. Keep in mind that you are usually allowed to continue if you were doing moderate to vigorous activity before pregnancy.
Change Your Bike Setup as Needed
You will notice that your growing belly throws off your normal exercise mechanics and balance. Thus, it’s essential to keep this in mind and make adjustments to your bike setup. To reduce strain to the low back, you will most likely want to lift your handlebars (and maybe adjust your saddle position) to keep your posture more upright. Additionally, you may find you want to spend less time on your feet in a standing position to reduce pressure on your back and hips while pedaling. This is no problem- you can still get a great workout when staying seated.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration and getting overheated are common health issues during pregnancy. This poses a risk to your health and the baby’s and should be avoided as much as possible. So, make sure you’re staying well hydrated, no matter what time of the year it is. Keep a water bottle and some of your favorite pregnancy-friendly electrolytes on hand throughout the day, particularly during workouts. Plus, avoid getting overheated due to overexertion, spending too much time in the sun, or a poorly ventilated room. For your training, stay in a well-ventilated room and keep tabs on how you’re feeling at all times.
Always Talk to Your Doctor
When it comes to exercise and pregnancy, it’s always best to first discuss your concerns with your doctor if you’re feeling unsure. They may be able to give you more personalized recommendations for your exercise routine. Of course, if you want to continue, or even start, workouts on an exercise bike or other type of exercise equipment, it’s always best to get your doctor’s clearance first for your safety.
It’s All About Your Comfort Level
Ultimately, how and when you will exercise is up to you as a pregnant mom. Your previous fitness level and current symptoms will dictate what you can tolerate safely over the next nine months.
Factors like morning sickness, pain, or variables that make your pregnancy high risk may limit your exercise options. During pregnancy, it’s most important to have some extra grace with yourself and just be okay with doing what you can. If an exercise bike can be a part of that plan and you enjoy using it as a part of your fitness routine, it is undoubtedly a great option to consider!
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