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Q&A: Regular gym classes safe during pregnancy?

Is it okay to take regular classes at the gym while I'm pregnant, or do I have to stick to the prenatal ones?

Re: Is it okay to take regular classes at the gym while I'm pregnant, or do I have to stick to the prenatal ones?

The Bump Expert

Yes, you can still take regular classes, but as you get larger, they may be too difficult. Listen to your body -- you know it better than anyone else. If something doesn’t feel good, don’t do it. If you start to feel nauseated or lightheaded, slowly stop the exercise and relax. If this persists, talk to your doctor. Steer clear from high-impact aerobics like kickboxing and anything involving body impact. When you reach your second trimester, it’s also important to remember to stop doing exercises on your back and start doing balancing exercises with support so you don’t get injured -- pregnancy isn’t a good time for sports injuries.

Tracey Mallett | June 01 , 2009 2:52 PM

re: Q: Gym classes while PG?

How about working out the abs is that still ok?

Kendra6488 | July 07 , 2009 9:18 AM

re: Q: Gym classes while PG?

Do you think kickboxing is too much of a contact class?

NewRingBabyMom | July 13 , 2009 9:53 PM

Q&A: Regular gym classes safe during pregnancy?

I'm a fitness instructor and just found out I am pregnant, (through Invitro). My doctor said from the time of transfer until the pregnancy test, no aerobic activity. Well, now I'm pregnant and don't know if I am able to go back to my high-impact 5-day teaching schedule. I am able to tone it down a little per guidelines but will it still be effective without being overkill for me? I wear a heartrate monitor already but worry that too much jumping may just be too much. What do you think?

CrumbV | August 09 , 2009 9:09 AM

Q&A: Regular gym classes safe during pregnancy?

my doctor told me i can work out but cannot do heavy lifting and should keep my HR around 140.

kedwards85 | September 03 , 2009 2:03 PM

Q&A: Regular gym classes safe during pregnancy?

My doctor said right around 140 as well. If I was doing something consistently before pregnancy, I should be okay. I do pilates twice a week and cardio 4 days - she said all was good just keep around 140 cardio and stop doing things on my back in month 4. I am still curious about the abs though so will ask her tomorrow when I see her.

jilfree01 | October 29 , 2009 7:39 AM

Q&A: Regular gym classes safe during pregnancy?

Kendra, in regards to your question about ab exercises while pregnant- YES! However... Before continuing or adding abdominal exercises to your fitness routine, you should first do a diastasis check to see if you have any separation in your abdominal muscle. You can simply test this by lying on the floor, knees bent, feet on the floor , and raise your head, neck and shoulders off (as like performing an ab crunch)- then take your fingers and start at your belly button, move back and forth across the muscle to feel if there is a separation. If you have any separation (more than one finger measurement) then you should modify your ab routine and include exercises specific to your inner most muscle, the tranverse abdominis. if this is all too confusing, you can take a trip down to where I work (at Mamas Move in Norwell) and I can help you with this!- or anyone else. sincerely, Lauren, pre/post natal fitness expert and ASCM master trainer.

mamalauren | March 17 , 2011 1:33 PM

Q&A: Regular gym classes safe during pregnancy?

I am not sure about that. I know that there are some special exercises for pregnant women, conceived particularly for them not to make too much effort. On the other hand, I have heard a lot of stories of how to regain your shape after you have given birth to your baby. The only thing that has worked for me is the Sylvia body by vi fitness program. Not only I regained my shape by losing weight on my abs, but it helped to regain flexibility, good mode and normalize my appetite by adjusting my diet to healthy non-greasy vitamin-rich meals. It was majorly important for my baby to ensure him the right nutrition as well and for that, I had to do what`s right for my body too.

conquerer | April 23 , 2012 2:56 AM