Exercising while pregnant is excellent for the mom and the baby. Don’t stress if you are hardcore into fitness and just got pregnant. You can keep up your training sessions with modifications and listen to your body as time passes. Training sessions can reduce pregnancy symptoms, a massive plus for all expecting ladies.
Before jumping into the best pregnancy workout apps, always consult your doctor before starting any exercise program when you are pregnant. They will guide you through what is safe and what isn’t based on your exercise history and overall health.
Time to lace up those shoes and look at some of the best pregnancy apps and how they work.
Baby2Body
The Baby2Body app is our first recommendation supporting iOS and Android users. It uses rings similar to the Apple Watch to designate fitness goals, and the interface is simple to navigate. The app has many workouts with instructors giving modifications for every pregnancy stage, and it includes cardio, strength training, yoga, and more.
Along with workouts, the Baby2Body app tracks water intake, baby growth, and breathing tutorials. There are fitness, emotional wellness, and nutrition guidelines provided by experts to promote healthy eating habits.
Baby2Body costs $17.99/month with a 7-day free trial to get started. While the app is excellent during pregnancy, it also has programs for fertility and three years postpartum.
We like this app for people who want a colorful, easy-to-use interface. It’s excellent for people looking for low-impact options and a complete wellness agenda in addition to fitness. While pricey, the app provides plenty of material before, during, and after pregnancy.
Pros:
- Massive library of workouts
- The interface is user-friendly and colorful
- Goals for fitness and health tracked by ring goals similar to Apple Watch
- Workouts are challenging
- Instructors give modifications based on the stage of pregnancy
- Monitors water intake and baby growth
- Offers breathing tutorials
- Great for before, during, and after pregnancy
- Coaching includes fitness, nutrition, and emotional wellbeing
- A free version available for seven days
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other apps
- Using it during postpartum is expensive
- The free version has limited features
- Need to cancel the subscription, or it will automatically renew
- A premium subscription costs more at $19.99/month
Jennis Pregnancy App
Workouts designed by Jessica Ennis, Olympic gold medal winner for the heptathlon, the Jennis pregnancy app offers an array of training sessions to include HIIT, strength, yoga, LISS (low-intensity steady state), foam roller, 30-day challenges, and more. Jessica wanted to create an app for all women to learn how to understand their bodies and what training works best for them. The app aims to build confidence while making training sessions a habit.
Use this app at home for beginners, intermediate, or advanced fitness levels. Find workouts that use dumbbells, medicine balls, and kettlebells if that’s what you want. A new exercise is added every week for a wide variety of options. All workout sessions are under 30 minutes for people with limited time.
We enjoy this app for people with limited time; the workouts are only 30 minutes. Also, the Jennis pregnancy app is ideal for people looking to make exercise a habit, build confidence, find motivation, and get fit all at once.
Pros:
- Many different kinds of workouts are available, from HIIT to stretching to 30-day challenges
- Trainings available for all different levels of fitness
- 30-day challenges make exercise a habit
- Instills motivation
- Great at-home workout
Cons:
- Some reviews said workouts lacked guidance and instruction
- Repetition of some videos is tedious
Sweat App
The Sweat app requires a subscription to access over 18 workouts, from HIIT to weight lifting to yoga. With the subscription, you also access a community forum, workout calendar, meal plan, and scheduling tool.
One of the best features of the Sweat app is how customizable it is. Customize your workouts to your preferences, track progress, and substitute moves in and out. This kind of customization is excellent for expecting mothers.
The Sweat app is excellent for people who need help organizing their workouts. The online community is great for motivation, and the app offers many different kinds of exercises to meet anyone’s needs.
Pros:
- Offers over 18 workout programs
- Has a workout calendar for organization
- Features weekly meal plans with customizable options
- Subscription offers a community forum for extra motivation
Cons:
- A subscription is required and costs $9.99 per month
- Meal plans have different measurements and ingredients since this app is based out of Australia
Considerations for Pregnancy Workout Apps
When deciding on a pregnancy workout app, consider the app’s focus. Does it use HIIT or yoga, or calisthenics? What is their primary focus, and does it appeal to your needs?
Also, consider if there is a subscription cost and a free trial. Paying for an app is fine, but it’s nice to have a trial period to understand what you get for your money.
Always check user reviews about the app’s interface. Paying for apps that glitch is the worst.
Understand what content there is for each trimester. Ensure there is enough content to choose from based on your needs.
Additional features like nutrition guidelines, meal plans, workout calendars, expert advice, and more are nice to have, especially for expecting mothers. While you need to consult a doctor before trying any kind of workout during pregnancy, it’s nice to have more expert advice on the app too.
FAQs
Should you exercise during pregnancy?
The short answer is yes for various reasons. Exercise while pregnant improves circulation and helps with pregnancy symptoms like leg cramps or ankle swelling.
Exercise helps keep muscle tone which is vital during labor and delivery. Exercise will help you recover faster while helping your mood along the way.
Some studies show that moderate to vigorous exercise leads to better fetus health. Talking to your doctor about your exercise lifestyle after you become pregnant is essential. They will know what is best for you based on your history.
How do you start working out when pregnant?
If you just found out you’re pregnant, you must not jump into some hardcore exercise program you haven’t tried. If you already were working out vigorously, that is different, but talking to your doctor before continuing is always recommended.
Starting with low-impact workouts like prenatal yoga, walking, or swimming. All are easy on the body but still get the heart pumping. Once you get going, get 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week.
It’s best to avoid horseback riding, rock climbing, or downhill skiing because of the risks involved. Avoid heated workouts that may cause dehydration or any exercise that requires you to lie on your back after the first trimester. Traditional crunches and sit-ups after the first trimester cause diastasis recti, the separation of the abdominal muscles. Avoid doing crunches or sit-ups after the first trimester.
Are pregnancy apps worth it?
Pregnancy apps are worth it to help you exercise safely. They give modifications that are necessary when expecting. Every pregnancy is different, which is why it’s so essential to contact a doctor before embarking on any exercise program when pregnant. Sometimes things like planks are hard after the first trimester, and a physician can guide you through the changes needed.
Nine Months To Go!
If you’ve just discovered you’re expecting, congratulations! Talk to your doctor to establish the best kind of exercise for you. If you’re already exercising, you can likely keep with the same intensity but eventually use some modifications as you listen to your body. Before you know it, you’ll have a baby to tend to, and your exercise during pregnancy will help you through labor and recovery.