When It Comes to Pregnancy Exercise, Intensity Matters

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Some pregnancy exercise guidelines recommend moms-to-be get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day, but what the heck does “moderate” mean, anyhow? A new report published in the medical journal Obstetrics & Gynecology gives us extra clues about just how intense our workouts should be during pregnancy. The report points out that more vigorous exercise -- the kind that raises the heart rate to about 60 percent of its ability -- can reduce a mom-to-be’s risk of gestational diabetes. It recommends walking at two miles per hour for a minimum of 6.4 total hours each week, with a target of about 11.2 hours a week. If you’re working on a stationary bike at “vigorous intensity,” though, it recommends only about 2.7 hours per week minimum, with a target of about 4.7 hours a week. In other words, the more vigorous your workout, the shorter amount of time you need to spend exercising. Just don’t exhaust yourself, mama-to-be!

What’s your favorite pregnancy workout?

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Truth About Pregnancy Weight Gain
Exercise During Pregnancy
Q&A: Pilates While Pregnant?

-- Elena Donovan Mauer

May 25, 2011

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