Have a Ball! Using an Exercise Ball for Pregnancy Fitness

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Pregnancy is much more than a mere physical condition; it encompasses a woman's mind and spirit, too. Balancing the highs and lows that accompany these drastic and miraculous changes can be challenging, especially when you're dealing with hormonal waves that affect your every mood.

During pregnancy, exercise is a simple strategy for stress relief that will allow you to regain a sense of self-control. When combined with the known benefits exercise has for conditioning and strengthening the body, you come away with an effective mind-body solution.

Low Impact, High Return

Used in hospital birthing centers for years, the exercise ball provides optimal benefits for the pregnant woman. In addition to strengthening the legs, back, and core muscles—which can condition the abdominal area involved in childbirth—an exercise ball can aid in relaxation, comfort, and physical relief.

One of the biggest issues with carrying extra weight during pregnancy is the tendency to alter your normal posture which can put excess strain on rarely used muscles. A fitness ball is good for exercising the deep, supportive muscles in the lower back and surrounding spine so you'll have better posture and be less prone to backache and sciatica.

The exercise ball can also be used for massage and general relaxation. Because the ball is flexible, it gives when you sit on it, making it more comfortable than a chair.