Are you sick of going to the gym and finding it harder to keep up on the treadmill and elliptical as your belly expands? Even exercise machines become awkward as your belly expands and your risk of injury increases as your ligaments and joints loosen during pregnancy. Well a great way to mix up your workout with something completely safe and weightless to your expanding load, is swimming. Whether you opt for lap swimming or water aerobics, you will get great exercise and muscle tone in this low-impact activity that won't stress your joints.

Depending on your style and the type of pool exercise you are planning on, there is the perfect maternity swimsuit that should meet your needs in the pool. Here are a few suggestions:

Lap Swimmers
There is no substitute for the sleek one piece swimsuit. ~113.html" " Prego Maternity makes a very supportive and comfortable Empire Top Swimsuit that comes in solid black or navy. This suit has wide adjustable straps for excellent bust support and is overall very stretchy with 20% lycra. A lower cost option for more recreational swimmers is Prego's Texture Heart ~71.html" " maternity swimwear which comes in solid black. This suit offers a shelf bra, is very stretchy and the straps and back design form the shape of a heart.

Aqua Aerobics
If you are looking into taking a water aerobics class during pregnancy, you won't be quite as concerned about speed through the water as you will be mostly exercising in place. Your maternity swimsuits style options are limitless depending on what you prefer. If you want to hide your belly at all costs, then the BabyDoll style might be best for you as they are longer, covering the hips and bottom and also have over the belly bottoms to continue covering your belly in the water when you may get some skirt fly away with your water movements.

Tankinis, Halterkinis and Hipkinis are also fun options for this type of exercise. All of these suits are 2 pieces that cover or skim the belly and come with bikini bottoms. The Tankinis are tank style over the shoulder straps and the Halterkinis tie around the neck, showing a little more back. The Hipkinis are often are adjustable ties on the bikini bottoms which are great if you are a smaller or larger on the bottom than the top or simply like the style.

Lounge
If you are really just pool lounging, splashing a bit in the water or beach walking, then the Minis are a fun choice. The Prego Strapless Mini is a 2 piece suit that covers the hips in a pencil skirt style and comes with an optional detachable string halter tie around the neck for a different look and added measure of support and security for swimming. The mini suits are always flattering and allow you to get a great unobstructed tan across the shoulders and back.

If you are very daring and ready to show off your expanding belly, then you can go for the maternity bikini. There are a lot of great styles out today in the maternity bikini and a wide range of color choices including some fun patterns by Bellabumbum. Maternity bikinis come in a little bigger cup sizes for the bust and a more comfortable and stretchy waistband on the bikini bottoms so you are not cutting into your popping belly.

So, keep your workouts fun by hitting the pool during your pregnancy and enjoy exercising in a maternity swimsuit that is both functional and stylish!