Image: Shutterstock
Regular exercise is a great way for a healthy pregnancy. To learn about the safety of Zumba during pregnancy, read the post.
There are different Zumba workouts, and most women with healthy pregnancies may participate in the ones with moderate intensity. Zumba provides several benefits and helps pregnant women stay in a good mood. It also helps relieve pain and discomfort in the body. However, you should consult a doctor before beginning any workout and remember to listen to your body.
Know the different types of Zumba, their benefits, and risk factors in detail.
Why Is It Important To Exercise During Pregnancy?
Image: Shutterstock
According to ancient wisdom, exercising can help women enjoy a safe pregnancy. Here are the following reasons that back this fitness theory:
- Increases blood circulation in the body.
- Improves core strength, coordination, and endurance.
- Promotes overall health and wellness.
- Helps in increasing the oxygen supply to the organs.
- Prevents depression and helps in healthy weight management.
- Strengthens pelvic floor muscles and reduces pelvic congestion and cramping.
- Helps prevent leg cramps and varicosities, which occur due to congestion of blood in the lower extremities.
- Tones the muscles and prepares the body for childbirth.
- Facilitates the speedy recovery of organ tone and placement after delivery.
What Is Zumba?
Zumba is a fitness programme that originates from Columbia and involves dancing to the Latin beats.
Why Is Zumba A Good Prenatal Workout?
Image: Shutterstock
Can you do Zumba while pregnant? The answer is Yes. Zumba is a fun and safe exercise for pregnant women that can help promote overall wellness. Zumba can also enhance cardiovascular health, improve flexibility, and promote better sleep, all of which are crucial during pregnancy.
Research findsPregnant women can choose from a variety of safe pregnancy workouts like stretching, yoga, walking, swimming, etc. However, Zumba is increasingly becoming the most popular workout for pregnant women as the fun combination of sizzling dance moves, and the thumping Latino beats can lift your spirits and beat those pregnancy blues! What more, as you shake a leg, you can feel your baby moving with you too! Zumba and pregnancy can be a fun deal together.
Benefits Of Practicing Zumba During Pregnancy
A vigorous exercise can increase the production of endorphins in our body. The pituitary gland in the brain releases endorphins, a morphine-like substance that helps alleviate pain and induce feelings of euphoria, well-being, positive self-esteem, and overall mood enhancement. Dance fitness workouts like Zumba can significantly boost the endorphin levels in the body.
Endorphins act as a natural painkiller. A surge of this chemical in the body can help a pregnant woman prepare better for a natural childbirth. It can also help women enjoy a short and smooth labor.
Different Types Of Zumba
Image: Shutterstock
The different variants of Zumba include traditional Zumba, Zumba Gold, Zumba Toning, Aqua Zumba, Zumbatomic, and Zumba Marumba. You can talk to your instructor and find the perfect form for you during pregnancy. Pregnant women prefer Aqua Zumba as it offers the high-energy fun of classic Zumba but in refreshing cool waters. In addition, it helps condition the workout to make it a low-impact exercise appropriate for pregnant women.
Is Zumba Safe For Pregnant Women?
American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists states that in the absence of contraindications healthy pregnant women can go ahead and regularly participate in physical activities of moderate-intensity. It also advises that pregnant women should not have a heart rate of more than 140 beats a minute during an exercise regimen to maintain good cardiovascular health. It also recommends a workout session of 30 minutes a day for expecting women. Since, Zumba meets both these criteria it is a safe prenatal exercise. Other factors that determine your safety while exercising during pregnancy are your age, the intensity of your exercise and your fitness level before pregnancy. Consider low-impact and slower-paced versions of Zumba and avoid high jumps to ensure a safe workout for you and your growing body.
Miranda, an avid Zumba practitioner, shares her experience with Zumba during pregnancy, “I’d been doing Zumba for a little over two and a half years already when I became pregnant with my younger son, so by that point, I was very familiar with the majority of songs. This meant I was able to think about the different steps and tone down some that I thought would be too intense. So even if a particular song got my heart rate up over 145 BPM, it was never for longer than three or four minutes (i).”
Points To Remember
Image: Shutterstock
- Listen to your body. Opt for Zumba only if you are already into dancing or enjoy reasonable fitness and follow the instructor’s guidelines.
- If you have a history of health issues like diabetes, blood pressure or preterm labor, opt for Zumba only after consulting your medical practitioner. Additionally, communicate about your pregnancy journey with your instructor to ensure your workout is appropriately tailored to your needs.
- One major negative of Zumba dancing is that the strenuous workout it offers can be a struggle during pregnancy. The amount of blood flow increases to 30-50% above normal during the vigorous workout.
- Go to a Zumba instructor with credible certification and talk to them about your concerns. Let them modify the moves to suit you. If you still can’t cope with the strenuous workout, relax! Your baby’s health is a top priority and your love for dancing can take a backseat for now.
- Drink plenty of water before, during, and after the exercise to avoid dehydration.
- If you are gasping for breath during the Zumba class, stop immediately. It indicates that your baby too may be finding it difficult to breathe.
Point to ponderRisk Factors
Image: Shutterstock
Seek immediate medical help if you feel any of the following symptoms of discomfort while Zumba dancing.
- Increase in contractions during pregnancy.
- Unbearable pain or swelling, especially in the calf muscles.
- Dizziness and chest pain.
- Vaginal bleeding or fluid leakage.
- Shortness of breath.
- Headache.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What exercises should be avoided during pregnancy?
Although exercising during pregnancy is generally safe, there are certain exercises to avoid during pregnancy. These are (1) (2):
- Exercises that risk losing balance or falling down
- Exercises that are done lying on the back
- Contact sports, such as basketball or hockey
- Hot yoga or hot Pilates
- Scuba diving
2. What kind of exercise can a pregnant woman do?
Some exercises that are safe for pregnant women are (3):
- Walking: It improves your body movements and overall flexibility.
- Swimming and water workouts: They strengthen the muscles. Water supports the weight of the body, reducing the risks of injury.
- Stationary bicycling
- Prenatal yoga and Pilates
- Strength exercises
3. Can you jump during pregnancy?
No. Jumping during pregnancy may have adverse effects, so it is best that you avoid it (4).
4. Can I start Zumba if I was not active before pregnancy?
It is not advisable for pregnant women who weren’t active before to start strenuous exercises. However, zumba that is moderate- or slow-paced may aid in a healthy pregnancy, and therefore, you may try it after consulting with your doctor.
Exercise is essential during pregnancy because it increases blood circulation, tones muscles, and also facilitates faster postpartum recovery. Since Zumba is a form of exercise, it is safe for women with healthy pregnancies. Doctors suggest that moderate Zumba during pregnancy alleviates pain and promotes a feeling of joy and well-being. However, if you have diabetes or blood pressure, you may talk to your healthcare provider before starting Zumba. Remember to drink adequate water during the workout. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath, headache, or vaginal bleeding.
Infographic: Staying Safe When Exercising During Pregnancy
Exercise is an integral part of your pregnancy regimen. Regular physical activity increases energy levels, reduces pain, improves blood circulation, and relieves stress. However, exercising during pregnancy calls for precautions. You should understand your body and take medical advice before starting any workout. This infographic highlights the precautionary measures to take when exercising during pregnancy. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Key Pointers
- Zumba and other moderate-intensity exercises are safe and beneficial for pregnant women.
- Zumba can boost endorphin production, relieve pain, and help prepare for childbirth.
- Zumba is suitable for those who enjoy dancing or have reasonable fitness levels.
- If you experience unbearable calf muscle pain during Zumba, it could indicate serious risk factors such as uterine contractions and chest pain.
- It is crucial to seek medical help immediately for prompt treatment if you are experiencing discomfort while Zumba dancing.
Illustration: Is It Safe To Do Zumba During Pregnancy?
Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team
Can I Zumba while pregnant? Find out in this informative video! Learn the risks and benefits of Zumba during pregnancy.
Personal Experience: Source
MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. The Zumba pregnancy.https://thezumbamommy.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-zumba-pregnancy.html
References
- Exercise During Pregnancy.
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/exercise-during-pregnancy - Exercises to avoid in pregnancy.
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/exercise-in-pregnancy/exercises-avoid-pregnancy - What kind of exercises can I do during pregnancy?
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/being-healthy/exercise/types-exercise-pregnancy - Nutrition and Exercise During Pregnancy.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/Pages/Nutrition-and-Exercise-During-Pregnancy.aspx - Sally K. Hinman et al.; Factors Associated with Regular Zumba Practice as Preliminary Results: A Population-Based Approach in Cebu Province, the Philippines.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8157069/ - Zumba Safety Tips.
https://www.denverhealth.org/blog/2017/01/zumba-safety-tips
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.
Read full bio of Dr. Pamela Adhiambo Muga
Read full bio of Ria Saha
Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi
Read full bio of Aneesha Amonz
