1) Benefits of prenatal exercise:
2) Musculoskeletal Benefits of Exercise
3) Psychosocial Benefits of Exercise

During the past 20 years, the United States has experienced a fitness revolution. Record number of people spending millions of dollars have sought the benefits of exercise. Coinciding with the upsurge of interest in keeping fit has been an increase in the numbers of women entering the workplace and pursuing careers. Consequently, many women in the 1990's now approach their pregnancies as they would a timeline for a special project at work. From conception through delivery, every step of the pregnancy is planned for maximum returns- a healthy baby, an efficient delivery and a quick return to the pre-pregnancy body. A perceived determinant in achieving these goals is the health and fitness level of the mother-to-be. Many women today see exercise during pregnancy as an integral part of their prenatal program. For health care and fitness professionals, this interest in prenatal exercise poses many questions, such as: how much exercise is too much, and what types of exercise are contraindicated? Very often, limitations and guidelines are not clear to students or instructors. AFAA, through the research of many respected individuals in the fields of obstetrics, exercise physiology and fitness instruction, proposes the Standards and Guidelines for Safe and effective exercise.