Pregnancy exercise options in the Illawarra
Amelia Coleman
We know from numerous studies the great benefits of exercise during pregnancy. Regular exercise can reduce discomfort during pregnancy, make birth easier, reduce stress, and help your post-baby body get back into shape.
Generally, low impact exercises specifically designed for pregnant women are the best. Here in the Illawarra we are lucky to have many options for prenatal exercises.
Pregnancy Yoga
Pregnancy yoga can be an amazing exercise. It helps you gently stretch and relax and can also help you connect with your baby. I loved my pregnancy yoga so much and even did several poses during labour!
Our local yoga options are:
Younga Yoga Studio
Lot 5 Thomas Street, Wollongong 02 4227 1997
Wellness Centre, Wollongong
81 Keira St, Wollongong 02 4226 3777
The Nesting Place
Thirroul Community Centre. Contact Briony for more information
Ray of Light Bulli
20 Cope Place, Bulli 0414 585 688
Sandra Bolack Yoga Kiama
North Kiama Neighbourhood Centre 0419 607 189
Kutumba Family Yoga
North Wollongong 0408 848 139
Radiant Soul Yoga
100 Princes Hwy, Thirroul 0418 697 853
The Burgh Gym
338 Cemetery Rd, Helensburgh 024294 1282
Pregnancy Pilates
Pilates is a great exercise option for pregnant women. Pilates is all about core strength and having strong core muscles can prevent pelvic floor strain. It is also important to have strong abdominal muscles and again pilates is amazing for this.
The Pilates Workship Fairy Meadow
Fairy Meadow (02) 4283 8881
Wollongong Pilates Studio
9/83 Railway Ave, Corrimal (02) 4285 2518
The Wellness Centre Wollongong
81 Keira St, Wollongong 02 4226 3777
Shellharbour Health
1 Jindabyne Road, Flinders 02 4295 4698
Intuitive Body Corrimal
1/256 Princes Hwy, Corrimal 0423 105 895
Pregnancy Aqua Aerobics
Aqua aerobics is fast becoming a popular pregnancy exercise option. Doing exercise in water is fantastic when you are pregnant because the buoyancy of being in water will help reduce impact on your joints. Aqua aerobics is great if you are suffering with pelvic girdle pain or symphysis pubis dysfunction and looking for ways to still keep fit but cant cope with anything that hurts your already sore hips.
McKeon's Swim School
Cnr Marley Place and Five Islands Rd, Unanderra 02 4272 7272
Kiama Leisure Centre
1 Havilah Place, Kiama 02 4232 1877
Shellharbour Swim School
46 Sunset Ave, Barrack Heights 02 4295 1006
Northern Stars Swim School
9 Watts Lane, Bellambi 02 4285 8700
Beaton Park
Foley Ave, Gwynneville 02 4227 7755
Swimming Pools
Swimming is probably the most recommended pregnancy exercise. It is low impact, a great cardio workout and perfect for when your muscles and joints are aching. The climate is so lovely here that outdoor swimming is available for most of the months but luckily we have some indoor options for those colder times.
URAC
Outdoor heated pool
University of Wollongong, Gwynneville 02 4221 4700
Beaton Park
Indoor heated pool
Foley Ave, Gwynneville 02 4227 7755
Dapto Pool
Outdoor heated pool
Bangaroo Ave, Dapto 02 4261 1963
Corrimal Pool
Outdoor heated pool
Short St, Corrimal 02 4284 9135
Free outdoor pools (unheated) at Helensburgh, Thirroul, Continental, Port Kembla, Berkeley and Western Suburbs Pools (Unanderra).
Walking
Don't think that you have to pay for exercise, there is always walking! There are so many beautiful walks in the Illawarra. We have the gorgeous coast to walk along and beautiful bushland to explore.
What was your favourite exercise while pregnant? Are there any other pregnancy exercise options in the Illawarra that I've missed? Please comment below with your suggestions
Have you had your baby and looking for post-natal exercise options? Check out this list
NSW Health has released the latest Mother and Baby report for births in NSW between January 1 2016 - 31 December 2016. To read the full report click here.
The report provides an interesting snapshot of what its like to give birth in the Illawarra.