How to Do Lateral Pulldown Exercises for Pregnant Women

While many women have concerns about exercise during pregnancy, exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and should not be eliminated from your routine while pregnant. Gentle exercise during pregnancy helps to lessen the discomfort of childbirth, and will help to minimize the amount of baby weight you gain during your pregnancy. The lateral pulldown is just one example of many exercises you can enjoy throughout your pregnancy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Resistance band

1. Choose a resistance band that offers you a bit of a challenge, but that does not over-strain your muscles. It is better to choose a lighter band and do more repetitions, than to choose a heavy band that may strain your muscles.

2. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart and grasp the band in each hand. There should about three feet of band between your hands. Lift your arms above your head with your palms facing out.

3. Exhale as you lower your arms towards your sides, stretching the band, so that the band extends behind your head. Hold for a moment when the band nears shoulder height, inhale and lift your arms again, releasing the resistance on the band.

4. Repeat the lateral pulldown exercise ten to fifteen times before relaxing and moving on to your next exercise.

Tips & Warnings

• As your pregnancy advances and you become less comfortable in a standing position, you can perform the lateral press while in a seated position. Just make sure that your back remains straight throughout the exercise.
• The lateral pulldown is a gentle exercise that you should be able to perform safely throughout your pregnancy. However, if at any point your feel discomfort or have concerns about your fitness routine, consult your doctor.