Features: Features such as a touchscreen, built-in Bluetooth speakers and any other advanced settings will likely cost you extra. Decide whether you'll be satisfied with an LED display with standard buttons and controls or if you’d be happier with preset programs or a built-in screen offering on-demand workouts or training.

Work your pelvic floor. As soon as you feel ready, start doing daily postpartum pelvic floor exercises (like Kegels) and other workouts to strengthen your core. These will help build up the muscles near your uterus, bladder, and small intestine so you can regain bladder control – and the freedom to laugh without worrying about postpartum incontinence. If you need extra guidance, ask your provider to refer you to a pelvic floor physical therapist.That's where foldable treadmills come in. Designed to help save space, this versatile choice can be a game-changer when it comes to home fitness and small spaces. What's more, you don't have to sacrifice quality either — newer entries into the foldable treadmill space are offering competitive features and capabilities that you would expect from a regular treadmill, all with the added bonus of saving space when not in use. But some foldable treadmills are more compact than others, and some are ideal choices for high-intensity runs whereas others are better used for leisurely walks to stay active. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2020. Committee opinion 650: Physical Activity and Exercise During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2020/04/physical-activity-and-exercise-during-pregnancy-and-the-postpartum-period Opens a new window [Accessed February 2022] We updated this article in March 2023 to add more information to each description based on testing and evaluation done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Give yourself time and grace. Exercise is good for you, but listen to your body and don't overdo it for the first few months after giving birth. Your body just produced a tiny new human, and it needs time to heal – and sleep. There’s no rush or suggested timeline for returning to your pre-baby fitness level. What are some great postpartum workout plans for new moms? Join an exercise class for new moms. Try to find one taught by a postpartum exercise specialist. Many YMCAs, recreation centers, gyms, and yoga studios offer in-person (and sometimes virtual) exercise classes for new moms. Popular online programs, like Peloton and Daily Burn, have dedicated postpartum workouts you can stream from your house. If you can’t find a postpartum-specific class, try one that focuses on low-impact toning and stretching.

If you've had a vaginal delivery, it’s safe to start light abdominal exercises within days of giving birth. (Moms who are recovering from a c-section may need to wait at least a few weeks longer, as you're recovering from a major abdominal surgery.) Note that “light” is the key word here. Take it easy on your abdominal muscles and don't do any traditional sit-ups or crunches for the first several months after delivery – these put too much stress on those muscles and aren't effective for rebuilding abdominal strength. Although WalkingPad offers other models that include a handrail and need to be stored upright, this P1 model keeps it very compact. The treadmill comes with a wireless remote control where you can do everything from accelerating and decelerating speed to monitoring time, mileage, calories and more. Fernandes Da Mota PG, et al. 2015. Prevalence and risk factors of diastasis recti abdominis from late pregnancy to 6 months postpartum, and relationship with lumbo-pelvic pain. Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists 20(1):200-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25282439 Opens a new window [Accessed February 2022] Incline: Being able to adjust the incline on your walk or run is one of the best ways to replicate an outdoor environment. Though most folding treadmills include an adjustable incline, some models require you to adjust the incline manually, meaning you’ll have to stop your workout and step off the treadmill to make any changes. Those looking for a capable machine at a moderate price point will likely gravitate to the T101 from Horizon Fitness. This traditional foldable treadmill has some extra features like a USB port for charging your devices while you exercise, a water bottle holder and a quiet motor with a lifetime frame and motor warranty, according to the manufacturer.verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Equipped with a 7-inch HD touchscreen that gives you access to the robust iFIT workout platform, you can run alongside trainers in beautiful destinations around the world and access hundreds of on-demand workouts. Though iFIT membership isn’t free, this foldable treadmill does come with other useful features like Bluetooth connectivity for your headphones, an adjustable incline of up to 12 percent and a built-in workout fan to stay cool during longer runs. One reviewer said, "It exceeded my expectations. I assumed it would be good quality but maybe a little basic and not a lot of features but it has everything I would want and more." Buttner MM, et al. 2015. Efficacy of yoga for depressed postpartum women: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Therapy Clinical Practice. 21(2):94-100. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25886805/ Opens a new window [Accessed February 2022]

Wear a supportive sports bra while working out, and try to nurse your baby before you exercise so your breasts won't feel uncomfortably full. If your breasts feel sore during workouts, try wearing two fitness bras for extra support. What are the signs that I may need to slow down on the postpartum exercise? Artal R, et al. 2003. Guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for exercise during pregnancy and the postpartum period. British Journal of Sports Medicine 37:6-12. http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/37/1/6.full Opens a new window [Accessed February 2022] BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. One thing to keep in mind is that the more foldable and portable a treadmill is, the fewer special features it will tend to have. Foldable options with high speeds, large running belts and incline capabilities won't be able to fold as compactly as something with a smaller range of speeds and no console. Here are a few other things to consider before purchasing a foldable treadmill:If saving space is your top priority, look no further than the Echelon Stride. This compact, treadmill folds up to a height of just 10 inches to lay flat against the wall or easily slide under most beds. We like that it features a 4.6-foot running belt that will suit most runners and that it reaches speeds up to 12 mph, which is a higher max speed than most foldable treadmills. You'll also be able to take advantage of 12 incline levels. The fitness and tech experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test sports equipment ranging from e-bikes to exercise bikes and rowing machines. We’ve historically vetted treadmills for ease of use, performance and safety. For this roundup, we feature treadmills that we’ve personally tested, newer units of similar models we've evaluated, equipment from reliable brands that have tested well in the past and top-selling products whose specifications we’ve reviewed. Too much physical activity during the first few weeks after delivery can cause any of the signs below. Call your OB or midwife if: American Council on Exercise. 2019. Supporting the Postpartum Client. https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/professional/expert-articles/7285/supporting-the-postpartum-client/ Opens a new window [Accessed February 2022]

Though it does away with a fancy screen, it includes a built-in device holder for your tablet or phone as well as a simple display for adjusting your speed, incline and more. We like this model for incline walking in particular since you can raise the incline up to 10%. "I live in a cold state during the winter and usually wouldn't exercise when it was below freezing. No excuses now and I actually enjoy it," one reviewer said. "I do feel like it is a very sturdy, solid treadmill," another noted. Don’t restrict eating. Those first few weeks after having a baby aren't for focusing on postpartum weight loss – they're for bonding with your baby and adjusting to your exciting (and yes, overwhelming!) new role as a parent. Starting a diet too soon after giving birth can not only hamper your mood and energy level, but also diminish your milk supply if you’re breastfeeding.No, there’s no reason to worry that exercise will impact your breastfeeding or milk supply. As long as you drink plenty of water – and maintain a healthy breastfeeding diet that accounts for the extra 450 to 500 daily calories your body needs when nursing – even vigorous exercise won't significantly affect the supply or composition of your breast milk. That said, you'll want to avoid exercises that make your breasts sore or tender. For many people, a traditional treadmill can be the ultimate fitness tool for your home. Whether it's pouring outside or it's simply too late to go for a stroll outdoors, having the convenience of a treadmill steps away can be key to working toward a healthier active lifestyle. However, not only is this piece of home exercise equipment costly, but it can also take up a considerable amount of space.